Jamie's Julio Fabulous 8/14 surgery Chi mix

Hi to Julio's family! Glad you found Dodgerslist! We are all here to support and help you! We will need you to give us more info in order to help you to continue to help Julio, like when did you start crate rest, which meds and amounts is Julio taking, does he have potty control,etc? I have 3 doxies and two of them have IVDD. The crate rest is so important, as is getting that pain under control. That is done by using an anti inflammatory (steroid or NISAID...NEVER BOTH AT THE SAME TiME!), and some kind of pain killer that is dosed correctly. Tummy protectors such as pepcid AC are also recommended, but check with you vet first.Read up as much as you can on this site and become well versed on this disease ... Let Julio know that he is going to get better and that you are going to help him. One of the moderators will be on soon to give you more specifics, but it sounds like you are already heading up the right path by seeing the vet, starting crate rest, and finding Dodgerslist! We are here to help!

Dear Sabrina and Sally...hugs received and sent right back to you both. It's so comforting and heartening that complete strangers would take the time to connect to another person in need.  You both are exactly what's right with this world.  I apologize for not sharing my name.  My name is Jamie, but at work my peschoolers call me "Teacher" and at home I'm mommy or as my husband jokes "Julio's wife."  

This week has been a week of extreme lows.  In addition to Julio's IVDD diagnosis was my mom fell and broke her leg in three places after having 6 hip surgeries. She will heal, but it will be a long process.  I was feeling very depressed and frankly confused, hopeless and scared by Julio Fab's diagnosis.  Al of my rescues are special, but this little man had a rough life and up to this point has "been living the dream" for the past year with us.  My life's goal has been to give him every comfort possible and to bring peace to his formerly upside down world.  We have a very deep bond.  He's looking at me with those eyes and asking me to make him feel better and I feel like I'm disappointing him. Let me answer all of your questions and hopefully you will have a better understanding of where he's at.


Q: What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? A: The fist day we saw the vet was 8/1/13 in the ER and we originally though maybe Julio F. swallowed something because it looked like his tummy was in pain, tight and uncomfortable.  Vet rx'd 50 mg Tramadol as needed for pain and gave Hydro 0.40 mg sc. and advised f/u with vet on following day.

-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
On 8/2/13 regular vet did exam, xray, 1 ml Clavamox drops and rxd Ranitidine syrup. She said take him home and watch for blood in stool or vomit.  He had neither and was not on crate est at this point.

On Monday, 8/5/13 he was eating very little, began whimpering often, walking with great difficulty.  He seemed very uncomfortable.  We went back to the vet and she did blood, urine and sent us home with Methocarbanal 500mg 1/4 tab twice daily and Prednisone 1/4 tab 5 mg twice daily with a taper schedule of two add'l weeks, She called me the following day and said liver enzymes slightly elevated which could indicate he accidently swallowed something toxic like medicine or a plant.

On 8/8/13 we took J.F. for a second opinion and the doctor gave us the suspected diagnosis of IVDD possibly induced by a trauma (he's so young).  We cannot afford surgery so she recommended sctict ceate rest and rx'd Gabapentin 1 capsule 50 mg every 8 hours.  So the long answer is he has been on strict play pen since 8/8/13. It is approx. 2 x 2 with room for a  bed and water bowl. 
 

Q: Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? Some shivering when he stands or turns to get comfortable.  And yes, sometimes yelps when we give meds or pick up for potty time. It is had for me to tell when he is crying out of frustration or pain.  Julio is the type of dog that likes to be right with me at all times.  I hold him in my lap or in my arms most of the time.  He lives for love and he is crying like when I would previously shut bathroom door or say goodbye for work.  It's had for me to tell what cry indicates. Last night I "slept" (very little, you know how it is) next to crate and when he cried, I reassured him and rubbed his ears to soothe him. 

Q:  Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? A: Yes to all the above.  He still wags his tail when I talk to him which is so reassuring.  He is very wobbly, but can walk and at potty time walks in circles to get the right spot.

Q: Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Not really bed wetting, because I try and take him out every three hours or so but yes, often leaking when picked up.

Q:  Eating and drinking OK? A: He is eating some shredded white meat chicken and I have tried to mix it with ground up kibble and broth.  Yes, drinking some water, but every time we give meds we give several ml's of water in teh syringe and he seems to like that.

Q: Poops A: Very soft stool, but also eating very little fiber and on so many meds (?).

Julio is on a steroid, correct? Yes, he is on Prednisone tab 5 mg two times daily with a two week tapering regime. Your help is immeasurable and so very appreciated. I will see if my daughter can upload a picture of him so you can see fist hand his fabulosity.  He is so beautiful inside and out and no wear can wear a baby T. quite like him.
  
Lots of love and thanks, xoxox, Jamie

Good evening ladies. Thank you for your detailed response. Today has been a day of caring for Julio and reaching out to friends for love and support. I spoke with both vets today and both want to continue to treat Julio with the 50 mg Tramadol as needed ain addition to the above meds. I asked both about changing the tummy protector to Pepcid and/or the sucralfate and they both recommended staying on the Ranitidine syrup. I'm not sure what to do..... Today he rested a lot and cried less. But he did have diarrhea??? He is only eating chicken and rice and is drinking water. He is smelling out his favorite pee place and releasing his bladder there. Unfortunately his favorite poop place in a different part of the yard and he tries to get us to go over there. I know it's only been a week in with a diagnosis of IVDD but I just want to know if it gets easier. It is sooooooooooo hard to see your baby uncomfortable and not be able to snuggle at will. Julio craves a lot of one on one comfort and I just hope he doesn't think we don't love him. It's the exact opposite.

Starting on Thursday Julio will be alone for an eight hour stretch. Kids are both back to school and my husband and I both teach. Will he be ok for that long? Any suggestions would be so appreciated. Paws crossed and prayers sent for all the sweet fur babies who struggle with IVDD.

xoxox, Jamie

If he had 7 days of twice a day medicating then you would start your taper on day 8

Good evening ladies...I was not able to say those words just a few short days ago. My ange,l Mr. Julio Fabulous, despite being on strict crate rest, went down quickly and painfully. Four days ago he lost the use of his hind legs, became incontinent and was in so much pain despite being on pain medications, steroids and muscle relaxers. He also was having severe diarrhea and not eating really or drinking. We were in such a feeling of hopelessness and despair. All of this happened within a matter of hours. We took Julio back to the doctor that our rescue organization recommended and he said surgery was necessary. He was still feeling deep pain and that could go any minute and lead to permanent paralysis. We went home in shock. We were just devastated on so many levels: emotionally, mentally, psychologically and of course, financially. I had to go to work the next day and I had this black cloud of grief and hopelessness. I made several phone calls to surgeons explaining that Julio was a rescue dog and money was an issue but our love and commitment were never a question. I spoke with people that had no compassion, no humanity, no heart. They pretty much told me that if I didn't have approximately $8000 by the end of the day they couldn't help Julio. I sunk deeper and deeper. I felt so much guilt that I couldn't take care of my baby. After work, I didn't even make it to the parking lot and I was in hysterics, sobbing. My hear was in agony. As one last resort I made one final call to a vet that had been recommended by an ER doctor. And that's when the universe shifted. I explained my situation to the receptionist and within minutes, a physician was on the phone. A physician/angel who I don't even know if she really existed prior to Monday. I truly feel God heard my prayers and created this woman into a human form. She said get him to her ASAP, we'll talk money later, he needs to be seen NOW. She was over an hour away, she said she would wait and said she would be there for us. From the minute we arrived at the vet, they rolled out the red carpet. If we asked for an inch, she gave us a foot. She held our hands, she held our hearts, she reassured us, she educated us. She "CARED" for Julio in a way we could never have expected.

We had raised some money that day from donations and we took out a line of credit and this "Dr. Angel," young, beautiful and compassionate not to mention, brilliant, gave us a great quote and an additional 30% off because he was a rescue!!! She kept him the night before surgery "FREE OF CHARGE" and the staff just loved him with cooing and kisses. She assured us that he was a great candidate for surgery and we went home nervous, but totally confident in her skill. Julio had surgery for compression on one disc and stayed for one additional night. The doctor called us several times a day with updates (including my mom, Julio's grandma!!!) We picked him up last night. She took him of the steroids, prescribed Pepcid as you suggested and a presciption for pain meds, pre-measured in syringes for us. At discharge we were given detailed instructions and as we were leaving with Julio, the staff said they "OWED US " money back. Can you believe that? Honest to boot! He rested comfortably last night. I carried him for pee pee and he has been going well using a "wheelbarrow" support technique. I know this will be a slow recovery for Julio, but I am confident that he will have a full recovery and would walk to the end of the Earth for him. My disgust with the physicians who turned their backs on Julio, I cannot forgive. I wasn't asking for a hand-out I was asking for options/payment plans. Things happen for a reason and Julio's doctor was meant to care for him. She takes her role as healer to heart and if anyone needs the name and number of a surgeon in Los Angeles I would be proud to shout her name from the hilltops. She saved a life and for that I will forever be indebted. I'm sorry I am rabbling. Your website is a godsend as well. A diagnosis of IVDD is a overwhelming, but with love and support can be managed. I thank you from the bottom of our paws. XOXO!!!! And we lived happily ever after. <3

I am happy to do that....happy, happy, happy. !!!!!!!! Thank you!  Where do I find that one your website?

Jamie, I'm so glad Julio is better and you found such a compassionate vet. Was this vet an ACVIM or ACVS surgeon?

And what directives did she have for crate rest and for at home PT. Sounds like you are saying Julio does have bladder control!

What are the names of the meds she sent him home on …is he still on them as of today?

Does he wag his tail with joy at this point and can he move his legs at all?

Hi ladies.
I was hoping to check in with you on this question.We will see our vet in a few days to take Julio's stitches out and I will check with her too. Mr. Fabulous is truly a medical miracle. He is looking like his old self and is feeling great. He is going pee pee and poops on his own and is the crate resting. When we take him out for wee, he is on a leash and harness. My question is he literally is looking like a million bucks. I am so scared that he will push it because HE thinks he is back to himself. He can stand on his hind legs and bear wait. His toes curl a bit still sometime and he wobbles a little now an then. He does not appear to be in pain at all, wagging like crazy, just being cute as can be. At night, he loses it. He always had a baby cry when he wanted attention and of course, I would pick him up, totally spoil him like crazy. He HATES being in the crate at night, HATES IT (!!!) and cries so loudly that my neighbors can hear him (and I live in a house). I try to ignore and he gets louder. I've tried bringing the crate in my room (he used to sleep in our bed) and he cries worse when he sees me and no one can sleep. Not a wink. I mentioned to my vet and she rx'd Aceproazine 1/4 tablet to one tablet at night. We gave him a half of a tablet the last two night and he slept like a happy baby and we got to rest too. My question is will he need this every night for the next five weeks especially if he will just get stronger and stronger and want to get out. We were worried that he could injure himself getting so agitated and upset at night. Will be get addicted? Is that even possible? Will he develop an intolerance? Will we need to increase the dose eventually? Is it dangerous to be on for an extended time? Has anyone had experience with this? He needs to sleep at night, we need to sleep at night and I neighbors still like us, but I'm worried it will upset them. Can he sleep in my bed in a few weeks? Thanks you for your help...

Thank you Pauliana...I will definitely look into the natural calmers too. I am glad that we have the problem of Julio being so physically strong and so strong-willed. I am grateful he is getting so strong. But sleeplessness is crazy-making. Is sleeping in our bed totally out of the question. I think I know the answer, but he is so happy to be near us. This must feel so badly to be isolated from his loves and dog brother and sisters. Poor little guy.