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Post by David B on Mar 14, 2021 18:31:25 GMT -7
[12 year old daschund disc episode crate rest
2016 thread: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/4355/davids-calvins-surgery-2wks-sarasota ] Hello! Sadly, I am back here on these boards after 5 years of in the clear after a successful neck surgery back in 2016 for a disc pressing against Calvin's spinal cord. We noticed on 3/12 Calvin was moving slow and being down this road before, knew what to do and got him to the vet asap. This time it seems to be a disc in his back and he is on strict crate rest. The vet suggested 4 weeks but we know 8 is better for his recovery. We have the following meds and he is doing much better with no signs of pain. Rimadyl 75 mg chewable tablets-1x a day Gabapentin 100mg 3x a day [Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
12 y.o.
weight?
Rimadyl as of date?: 75mgs 1x/day for ? days
gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Rimadyl! ]We were also prescribed Methcarbanol but we haven't filled it yet, we were told that was for severe pain which our dog does not seem to be in at this time. We are hoping after 8 weeks he will return to his normal self and can back to being our lazy old man  . He is only out for potty time with limited movement but he seems to be moving a lot better, even wagging his tail and no loss of bladder control etc. I'm hoping this is good and not just the meds talking. My only question is what do we do after the meds run out? I'm assuming continue crate rest and if he is pain free we will be in good shape. Does anyone have any tips for helping him relax in the crate? He is NOT happy and whines/barks for a long time before finally settling down. It's going to be a long 8 weeks 
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,541
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 14, 2021 22:14:45 GMT -7
 David, sorry to hear about Calvin back disc episode. Very glad to hear one pain meds for nerve pain is providing full comfort! Often it can take 3 different pain meds to address each source of pain (methocarbamol for muscle spasm pain, and tramadol as the general analgesic). With mild symptoms and your quickly getting vet help, Calvin is likely to be a very good candidate for conservative treatment! Your are right----he can heal his disc in 8 weeks with limited movement of the recovery suite. Need any good tips and ideas to make the 8 weeks go smoother? Check out the ideas for helping Calvin to be able to stay calm and relax in his recovery suite dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/PEPCID AC (famotidine) 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).
HEALTH ISSUES: Mar Vista Vet reports: "Pepcid AC has a very limited potential for side effects, the reason of release to over-the-counter status. The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities. There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients.”
You will find the answers to the important questions you asked. After Rimadyl stops that is the time to verify if all pain is actually gone. Let us know which your vet wants on the stop of Rimadyl: backing of gabapentin or full stop.
Let us know what you and your vet's plan B is if pain would surface when the vet is closed weekend or night.
Excellent and necessary reading about use of anti-inflammtories such as Rimadyl during a disc epidode. dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ MEDS Does Calvin still weigh 14lbs?What date did Rimadyl start? For how many days is it Rx's for?Please continue to update us on how Calvin's doing. We can best track Calvin if you will login. If you forgot your old login for dodgerslist.boards.net/user/4702, then just re-register.
EMAIL ALERTS
When you login, you can enable receiving email alerts when someone has posted. Timely interaction/communications is a good idea for Calvin! How to set up: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 15, 2021 8:41:14 GMT -7
I just wanted to point out that the crate rest with conservative care must be much more strict than post-op crate rest was. You mentioned that Calvin is only out to potty with limited movemenet but be sure not to allow him to walk out to potty but rather carry him out to potty, allow only a very few steps to do his business and then carry him back to the crate. The less movement of the spine, the better. You may already be aware of this but just wanted to be sure since it seems this is your first time doing conservative care. 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. Healing prayers for Calvin. |
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