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Post by Mikenna & Tally on Mar 16, 2013 10:43:38 GMT -7
Tally
Mini Dachshund
Yes diagnosed with IVDD (vet found four calcified disks in her back)
Saw vet 3/15/2013 and started crate rest the night before with onset of symptoms (pain, hunching, crying)
No visible pain, perhaps some stiffness
Prednisolone 5mg 1/2 tab every 12 hours for 5 days, then 1/2 tab every day after for 5 days, then 1/2 tab every other day until gone after that
Methocarbamol 500 mg in solution, 1/4 ml by mouth every 8-12 as needed
Dasuquin with MSM 1/2 tab daily
Tally has full range of motion and tail wagging, no wobbling
No loss of bladder or bowel control
Eats and drinks normally
Poops normal
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 16, 2013 11:22:04 GMT -7
Mikenna, welcome to Dodgerslist. We are glad you are here. It sounds like you acted promptly to keep the mild symptoms mild. Tally is a good candidate to recover with conservative treatment! Our long term hope is that you will take on the duties of self education to be able to understand the IVDD enemy and take an active roll in working with the vet, be an integral part of making decisions based on your readings. I hope as quickly as time permits, you will begin to devour each of the articles in our Disc Disease 101 area. Tally is going to be dependent on your abilities. www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmThe hard part about doing 100% STRICT crate rest for a full 8 weeks is wrapping your mind around the WHY of it. Once the WHY of what is healing during the 8 weeks is firmly in your mind, then it is easy to recognize red flag advise to do baths, chiro, water therapy and other things that cause the spine to move. The resource we have for you to read on conservative treatment is your road map and explains each of the levels of healing. It would be good print out and highlight sentences you particularly want to stick in your mind: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmPepcid AC is something that should be on board especially with Pred on board. Dogs and people get stressed with changes in routine and the extra acids produced can cause bleeding ulcers. Cortisteroids (Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.) are involved with stimulating gastric acid secretion causing GI upset to the more threatening bleeding ulcers or holes in the stomach or intestine. Phrase the question to your vet in this particular way: "is there any medical reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC?" If there is no reason, we follow vets who are proactive in protecting the stomach by giving doxies 5MG Pepcid AC (generic name is Famotidine) 30 mins prior to steroid. Pepcid AC is a generally safe over-the-counter suppressor of stomach acid production for healthy dogs. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. By the time we notice black or red blood in the stools, things can quickly go from bleeding ulcers to a life threatening perforated stomach. We ask that all members read about each med their dog is on or may take as a safety measure. This directory is in alpha order: www.marvistavet.com/html/pharmacy_center.htmlYou are off to a good start in caring for Tally with your quick action... now it is a matter of time to just let the disc itself heal. Please do keep us updated on how Tally is doing. |
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Post by Mikenna & Tally on Mar 16, 2013 13:46:08 GMT -7
Thank you so much for the support! I am still wrapping my head around the idea that I won't hear her little feet in the kitchen everyday for the 8 weeks of crate rest, but that's just me being selfish. She does really well in the crate. I am lucky. I have a couple questions if anyone has a minute to share:
1. Chewing bones OK in the crate? Any other safe suggestions for stemming off boredom?
2. Any suggestions on good harnesses for back trouble? I am gravitating toward vest-style harnesses. Tally is very barrel chested but not overweight. She is also not big a puller.
3. The idea of a back brace (for playtime with other dachsies etc. after crate rest is over) seems appealing. Has anyone had any experience with something like this (see: lilbackbracer.com)?
4. Good foods for long-term back health?
Thank you so much!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,598
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 16, 2013 15:35:04 GMT -7
1. Chewing bones OK in the crate? Any other safe suggestions for stemming off boredom? How about putting her crate on the dinning table up high where she can watch her home and look out the sliding glass door. It is all about back movement now...if she is an aggressive chewer that will cause the back to move, then nix on the bones. The goal here is not entertainment but focusing on getting the disc healed. Turn on the TV to a nature show so she can listen to the birds and other animals. 2. Any suggestions on good harnesses for back trouble? I am gravitating toward vest-style harnesses. Tally is very barrel chested but not overweight. She is also not big a puller. I had to try several brands til I found one the fit each of my dogs right. Each ended up with a different brand. Since they can be pricey, it would be good if you can try on in shop.
Whether you chose a nylon strap type of harness or a vest kind, you are looking for the pulling stress to be onto the boney part of the chest/shoulders, not the soft neck area. 3. The idea of a back brace (for playtime with other dachsies etc. after crate rest is over) seems appealing. Has anyone had any experience with something like this (see: lilbackbracer.com)? Braces would cause atrophy of the very muscles that need to be strengthened to support the back by nice long fast paced walks and runnning. Imagine the discomfort having to wear it anyway. Braces would require monitoring for pressure (rub) sores. Also, if not properly fitted (not covering from thoracic down to tail) there is the potential to create a fulcrum. It is hard to immobilize the entire back and not end up creating a fulcrum that stresses out adjacent disks. Put simply, there isn't enough research on them for us to support their use.4. Good foods for long-term back health? Good quality food with quality identifiable protein and all the minerals and vitamins any dog would need. This will give you direction in your search www.dodgerslist.com/literature/nutritionhealing.htm |
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