Weight:
10 pounds 4ozSex:Female
Age:4 years
Breed:
shih tzu, cocker spaniel,and poodle mix
Prognosis: based on x-rays IVDD, mineralized vertebrae visible between L3 and L4, no MRI available, unable to see neurologist or opt for surgery due to
financial restrictions.
Treatment:conservative; strict cage rest for the next 6-8 weeks minimum, pain management with meds and steroids for inflammation.
Medications 2/16/2021:
Methocarbamol 500mg (per tablet) 1/4 tablet by mouth every 12 hours for muscle relaxation.
Prednisone 5mg (per tablet) 1/2 tablet by mouth every 12 hours
for 3 weeks. Then 1/2 tablet every 24 hours for 2 weeks. Then 1/2 tablet every other day for 2 weeks.
Gabapentin oral solution 50mg/mL (per mL) 0.5 ML by mouth every 8-12 hours as needed for pain (keep refrigerated)
[Moderator's note: please do not modify
10lbs 4oz
Prednisone as of 2/16: 5mg 2x/day for 21 days. Mar 10 test taper for _pain/_neuro
Methocarbamol 125mg 2x/day
Gabapentin 50mg/mL: 25mgs (0.5 ML) which?: 2 or 3x/day
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/prednisone! ]My dog Luna was going about her day normally until 3:00 pm on Monday 2/15/2021. Around 3 we noticed her back left leg was slightly lame she was not putting much weight on her foot. We kept an eye on her but she seemed okay for the next few hours eating and drinking normally and still walking about the house.
Around 7:00 pm we noticed her leaking urine. I wasn't sure what was wrong so I took her outside and sat with her to encourage her to use the bathroom. She peed more and pooped normally. We put her in her room for her last feeding and I seen she was dragging her left hind leg. There were no vets available at that time or any emergency vets in the local area. I planned to take her in to the vet first thing in the morning.
At 10:00 pm I went to check her before I went to sleep and she was now dragging both legs behind her in a tangled mess. She had also
lost all control of her bladder/ bowels at the time. She looked like she was experiencing a little discomfort but nothing severe.
Vet sees her at 8:00 am on 2/16/2021. Her
hind legs are paralyzed but she has slight
deep pain sensation. She is still very alert at this time. Vet recommended conservative treatment and wanted to hospitalize her for the next 2 days and keep her on an IV.
The next morning 2/17/2021, the Vet calls and asks me to pick Luna up as she was doing so poorly in their environment. She was refusing food and water and attacking staff. She thought Luna would be more comfortable at home. I was given her medications and instructions and we went home.
Luna was sitting up and alert. She seemed happy when we got home. She ate and drank and I regularly cleaned her when she
urinated on herself. Around 2:00 pm
2/17/2021 Luna seemed to go down hill. She laid flat and just stared at the wall. She has
not eaten since and I have had to syringe feed her water. However, she would
scream and bite me if I opened her cage to go near her. She started
yelping out in what I assume would be pain. She was due for her
next dose of gabapentin it provided little relief.She continued whining and whimpering the rest of the day. When my husband got home he suggested we still try to keep her involved instead of leaving her by herself. So we moved the crate where we were at and tried to keep things "normal". Immediately she stopped whining and crying and just rested.
She was pretty quiet the whole night. Her next round of meds was due today 2/18/2021 at 8:00 am. She is
not very responsive when talking to her. She
screamed out in pain and bit the syringe but was
not picking up her head. I have
not seen her move her front legs at all this morning. The vet said it might be the meds and to give it time. However, she was able to move them yesterday despite being on them. They are very limp and her front paws are slightly curled. Yesterday she was able to put weight on her front legs but
today she just collapses on her front legs. She is
overall very limp. She can't hold up her head up and I am rotating her every few hours and
expressing her bladder. She is just staring straight ahead and only screams out if she hears the crate door open.
I am overwhelmed and feel like I am not doing enough. I am worried she is getting worse. I gave her 2 syringes of chicken broth but that's all she has had. She looks awful. I know this is a long process but I am just scared of her suffering. She has a history of bad anxiety that we have been able to manage. I don't know if this is anxiety or depression or if she is in awful pain. Looking for advice and reassurance.
