Welcome to Dodgerslist, Rachael. So glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you. Know more about us and how we team up with veterinarians:
dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/At the first sign of an IVDD episode, you must immediately crate Jake to protect his spine from further damage until he can be seen by a vet. The reason the first course of conservative care done in November did not help was because limited leash walking was allowed. Jake must be confined to a recovery suite (crate, ex-pen) 24/7, only out for potty, for a full 8 weeks. More on strict crate rest below.
Jake needs to be seen by a vet ASAP today on an emergency basis. Please don't give any pain meds at least 8 hours prior to the exam so a true exam for pain can be made. If this is a new IVDD episode, he needs an anti-inflammatory to work to reduce the swelling pressing on the nerves of the spine, pain meds every 8 hours to mask the pain and a stomach protector such a Pepcid AC to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory.
If Gabapentin does not fully relieve any neuropathy that Jake may have, speak to the vet about prescribing the stronger of nerve pain meds -
pregabalin which is marketed under several brand names such as Lyrica. Keep an eye on the neuropathy to see if this turns to obsessive licking or biting. These abnormal nerve sensations can feel like mild pins and needles but could progress to painful burning, on-fire feeling that makes them bite to stop the pain. Dogs have tragically chewed off body parts to stop the pain. An e-collar on or in a pinch a lengthwise folded towel, secured closed with duct tape can keep them from reaching their legs till you get vet help.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/neuropathy.pdfThe hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc.
100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —>
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/STRICT means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy whys:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/ ◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Movement is what disrupts the scar tissue trying to form. If the disc tears then very likely neuro functions will worsen as the disc pressures the spinal cord. So your focus during the 8 weeks of restricted movement is to do everything possible to limit movement of the back to avoid loss of leg and bladder function, to avoid a surgery. No walks, only a very, very few footsteps to get the job done. You have more of a challenge than we do with our little dogs we can carry to see best how you can limit his footsteps The restricted area should be only enough to stand up, turn around and when lying down fully stretch out the legs. If he'll go on a pee pad inside, that might be helpful as you could just place the pee pad right outside of the crate door. Caster wheels can be purchased and put on wire crates so the crate can be wheeled outside. Do what it takes to limit the footsteps to potty. Keep the recovery suite by the exit door. Make a ramp over steps.
Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog’s back aligned and butt from tipping over. A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to a minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
Knowledge is the power to fight the IVDD enemy and win!! The very best thing you can do for YOU, the caregiver, and for your dog is to get up to speed on IVDD soonest possible. Owner understanding ensures proper conservative treatment principals:
▶︎ 4 phases of healing, what it takes to heal each phase:
dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc/▶︎ Roadmap for your fridge so the whole family is on board. Stay the course, avoid dangerous detours for the healing disc:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf
Please let us know what the vet says after today's exam. Healing prayers for Jake.
