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Post by Haley Lane on Mar 5, 2021 19:41:31 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Riley- 10 yr Old Dachshund - 1st time experiencing IVDD]
Hi there, I was recently directed to this page and I have already learned so much that I did not know. My mini-dachshund is 10 years old and is in great health, great shape, but loves to jump. I am not sure how but two weeks ago he was outside and started yelping in pain. He couldn’t move his head, hunched back and wouldn’t eat. He could walk but didn’t want to. I took him to the ER vet the next day and they diagnosed him with IVDD. Thankfully he still had/ has feeling in all 4 legs. Of course they sent us home with pain meds and told us to make sure he gets rest. They were not explicit so we were unaware of the severity of the situation nor the caliber or rest needed. Riley finished the meds but still has episodes every day at 5pm. Like clockwork, he basically freezes, his neck swells, he gets hot, and he yelps. We are giving him Nzymes and started that yesterday, hoping they will help him. We don’t have an actual vet for him because when we moved, we just never got a new one. I am calling a local vet tomorrow to get him back on the pain and anti-inflammatory meds. I hate so much to see him in pain! He is literally a mommas boy and I don’t want to think about him not being here anymore. Thankfully, from reading through this page, we now know what crate rest means and am starting that tonight. It pains me not to be able to have him lay on my lap every night but, it’s only temporary and basically life saving. I’m so thankful to have found this page!!!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 5, 2021 21:40:30 GMT -7
Welcome Haley. Good to hear you are on your way to getting quickly up to speed on intervertebral DISC disease helps you in understanding the why of what your vet advises and the ability to bring the right things to the table in working together to help heal the disc. You will be very amazed how quickly you can learn a lot about just one disease. Bookmark and return to our main website for our treasure trove of information: dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place over the next days for all things IVDD. Your dog will be depending on your ability to learn. 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 rest means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy "whys": __ www.dodgerslist.com/literature/chiropractic.htm ◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best at home via a mobile vet. TRANSPORT Protect Riley's neck and back during the car transport. Tomorrow is an urgent vet visit to get an exam, diagnosis and meds started. Secure the crate in your vehicle. Transport carefully using a crate padded out with rolled up towels on either side of the dog to prevent movement or jarring the spine when braking or turning corners. PEPCID AC With the use of any anti-inflammatory drug (steroid or non-steroidal NSAIDs) an acid suppressor like Pepcid AC (famotidine) protects against bleeding ulcers. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of stomach damage 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. 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).  Excellent reading about use of anti-inflammtories during a disc epidode: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ PAIN MEDSFull 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. Understanding the roll each kind of pain med plays in providing full comfort, will aid you best in advocating for what your dog needs. Good overview here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/30/pain-medicationsNECK DISCSThere are extra things you can do at home to help the neck heal, such as softening hard kibble, raising food/water dishes, etc. More info here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/LET us KNOW❖1 Riley's weight❖2 exact names of meds RX'd, their doses in mgs and times per day given. IF a steroid anti-inflammatory : for how many days then a taper?
IF a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: for how many days then stop?
POTTY TIME
DOGs with BLADDER CONTROL: Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. 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!
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We'll be watching for an update to know if pain is fully in control for Riley and what the vet said. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 5, 2021 21:43:40 GMT -7
The guest board is a temporary Guest courtesy to get immediate help until you can register.
I encourage you to register and login. That way all the features of the Forum are available to you, making it faster to reply and get an email alert about replies. It also makes is far easier for us to track your dog and give the best assistance.
How-to here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread
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