Angi's Tank 1/18 surgery

Angi, welcome!

It is still very early in the nerve healing department.  Better to think moron terms of nerve healing to take place in months rather than days/weeks. 

We will be able to share lots of good information with you after you fill us all about Tank. This way we'll know exactly where to lend a hand.

QUESTIONS

❖1 Is there still currently pain?  Tell us what you observe:
☐shivering, trembling ☐Arched back
☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐can’t find a comfortable position
☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move
☐tight tense tummy
☐Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
☐Not their normal perky selves?

Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way dose to dose. If not in control your vet needs to know asap to adjust meds.

❖2 Please list the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and times per day given.
      If on a steroid….what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid taper?          
     If on a NSAID, for how many days has it been prescribed for?

     PEPCID AC: Ask if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer,then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine).

Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html

❖3 GI track problems?
—Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit?
—Poops OK? Normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?

❖4  Post-op crate rest is to allow the surgical sites to heal.
    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 for a post-op dog means:
◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches
◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎"no chiro therapy whys": dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/
◼︎no dragging at potty times.

Post-op dogs will follow surgeon’s directives for PT during post-op rest as the offending disc material was surgically removed.
1. How many weeks did your surgeon direct for post-op rest?
2. What did your surgeon direct for at home PT?

❖5 Can Tank specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR-
     Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
         Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/

DOGs with BLADDER CONTROL: Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps unless surgeon has directed some walking PT. 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 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!

LARGE DOGS: If your dog is too big too carry it is still important that the amount of movement to the potty place be minimized until your surgeon directs otherwise. Try a pee pad right outside the crate. Add caster wheels to a wire crate and wheel down ramp over steps to outside.

❖6 Currently can your dog wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?

❖7 What breed is Tank? 

❖8 Is the surgeon a general DVM, or a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?

Acupuncture, laser and water therapy are excellent post-op therapies, if within your budget. Check with surgeon prior to starting.

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. Begin absorbing the must-have overall sense of meds, care and how the treatment works.

➤ At home nursing care tips: dodgerslist.com/2021/01/19/nursing-care-at-home-tips/
➤ Medications used during a disc episode: dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc-episode/
➤ What to expect during each phase of healing: dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place

Look forward to learning about Tank with your answers to the questions.