Robin, I can feel your frustration! People in hospitals may not be the same, but they are not given up on. Instead let us all focus on what you CAN do to help both yourselves and Joxter thru this disc episode journey.
Let us know the details of all of his meds. Which meds were changed from 2x/day to 3x/day. We are hindered in commenting without accuracy about meds taken.
--- did gabapentin 50mgs dose go to 3x/day?
--- did methocarbamol 125mgs dose go to 3x/day?
--- did tramadol 12.5mgs go do 3x/day? Any adjustment upwards in mgs?
--- for how many days is Meloxicam to be given?
--- did you get OK to use Pepcid AC (famotidine) acid suppressor ?mg ?x/day
--- ✙Aprazolam (.25 mg) how many times a day?
--- trazodone 25mgs still once a day at nite?
Things you could experiment with to help Joxter be able to relax in his suite.-- Many members have found a pet stroller to solve the whining problem because the stroller can be wheeled from room to room as you go about your activities. Pet strollers, however, should only be used when you are directly supervising. More details on strollers:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/17/pet-stroller-conservatve-treatment/-- Put a garment you have been wearing and have not washed in the recovery suite.
--Spend some time wearing your dog out with mental stimulation with tricks that do not make the back/neck move much such a eye contact. Of course the training takes place inside the recovery.
Teaching self-calming exercises can help your dog to relax more. You can make something as simple as eye contact a very rewarding behavior that also acts as a way for your dog to “ask permission” when he wants something. When dogs have a focus and an understanding about how to behave to get what they want, they are much calmer overall. To do this, each time your dog looks at you, say, something like, “Yes!” or use a clicker to mark the second he looks at you, and then give your dog a high-value food reward.
[NOTE: for Conservative dogs on STRICT rest , shift your body a little bit to change your position] .... wait for your dog to look up at you again, say, “Yes,” and reward again. Do this exercise 10 or so times and then say, “All done,” and put the treats away. Come back later and do it again until you can see that your dog is really starting to make automatic eye contact in hopes you will say, “Yes,” again and give him his reward.
[NOTE: treats should be subtracted from the normal daily kibble ration so as not to gain weight during crate rest.]-- Be aware you might be inadvertently training for unwanted behavior. To dogs rewards are: food, looking at them, talking to them, eye contact, approaching the crate, petting. So anytime you see unwanted behavior
try speaking in your dog's language so he understands to calm down. Turn your body sideways, avoid eye contact until he calms and settles down.
Preferable is to start teaching what you DO want before there is too much practice in doing the unwanted behavior. Anytime your dog is sitting or lying down quietly, give a reward of a calm loving "good sit/lie." Soon your dog will see they get rewards by quietly sitting, etc.
-- At night, try placing a wire recovery suite on a sturdy bedside table next to your bed so Joxer can sleep next to you, you can touch him through the wires and feel close. That is if he can relax, sleep and not disturb your own must-have sleep.
-- During the day try the coffee table or the dinning room table so there will be a view out a window and a better perspective on what is going on in the house from a high.
-- Make the recovery suite more cozy by draping a blanket over part of the top.
Prescription sedatives/anti anxiety meds▪ For the first time, administer a test dose at home in a quiet and calm environment to monitor for
• Time to onset of behavioral calming
• Duration of effect
• Any adverse events or side effects; calms or doesn't calm
• Consult with your vet if dose would need to be adjusted. Not all dogs react the same...so could be a different drug would be better for your Joxter. Give feedback to your vet as you work as a team, may take some experimenting to get the meds right for Joxter.
CalmersUsing any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they can be a good option in helping Joxer to be able to relax in his suite. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog.
1) Place a DAP pheromone diffusor at floor level where the recovery suite is:
--DOG Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser 48ml
www.adaptil.com/2) Use above diffusor with one oral calmer from below:
Oral calmers:
🍫 ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed
www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 🍫 Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine.
www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php Hoping to hear some of these tips will help you out in getting necessary sleep to be able to care for Joxer. Use the same principal as parent on airplane is to first use the oxygen mask on themselves, then care for the child. Without you, the care giver, in good shape, you won't be able give necessary care to Joxer.
Here is a tip you might find useful for yourself. Joxer will pick up on your stresses and internalize them...not good for your recovering patient! A simple breathing technique can help YOU help your dog.
Belly breathing will relax you, slow you down, quiet your mind and Joxer will observe you in a calm state and aiding him to calm himself. Do anytime during the day, whether you are sitting at your desk, driving in your car, or walking down the street!
Looking forward to hearing what is working for Joxer and how you are doing with sleep.