Welcome to the Forum, we are glad you've joined us all. Hi, my name is Paula, what's yours?
We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you!
Many vets know IVDD and some are new to it. You really can play an instrumental role in working with the vet you have hired when you bring the best command of this disease to the table. Check out the Dodgerslist website
www.dodgerslist.com in the next week or so. Meanwhile do follow the links we point you to for the "now."
A three day course of pred is very short and not likely to have resolved painful swelling. Clearly with pain currently showing it is not time to be in the pred taper. It IS time to call the vet asap and report pain to get another course (maybe a 7-day or a 14-day course of pred) back on board.
Resolution of spinal cord inflammation/swelling provides the relief from pain. It can take an anti-inflammatory (steroid or a non-steriodal NSAID) a range of 7 to 30 days before all swelling is gone.
The best pain medication control is using more than one approach to address pain from multiple fronts (tramadol-general analgesic, methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain, gabapentin-nerve pain). All three pain meds need to be prescribed three times a day.
Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport. Describe the pain that you're seeing. Vets who know IVDD understand the importance of strict limited movement of the back/neck.
Advocate for the three pain meds plus a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine) to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock.
-- Learn the important details of Prednisone with a disc episode. An informed owner is a dog's best defense when taking an anti-inflammatory. What your job is on a taper, how to arrange for a Plan B with your vet.
Our main goal is to help you become educated about IVDD so you can better work with the vet you’ve hired, protect your dog and give proper care during this episode, but also to be able to live many happy years ahead with the disease your dog was born with.
It is difficult to comment not knowing the specifics pertaining to your dog. It helps us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
❖2 MED LIST
How much does your dog weigh?
How many mgs was the 3/24 Rx for prednisone?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).
NOTE: 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 Tract 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 Please let us know that you're on the same page about strict crate rest.
Ideas to deliver effective STRICT rest recovery during Conservative Medical treatment. Recovery suite tips, how to set up the suite and more:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-processSTRICT 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.
◼︎ Avoid dangerous detours. Follow the "Roadmap." Tape it to your fridge. D/L and print out:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf LIFT and CARRY (support both ends, back horizontal to the ground)
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 a 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!
❖7 What breed? What is your dog’s name? Your name, too?
❖8 Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
— Is the vet a general DVM or a specialist surgeon: ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho?
Very much looking forward to your answers so we know best how to help.
