Angie, welcome to the Forum.
Lip licking can be an early red flag sign of nausea from prednisolone doing some GI tract damage.
Most vets Rx prednisone twice daily and dose at the higher range. Some will round up to the full 5mg prednisone tablet for a dose
11lbs Hobb x 0.3mgs prednisolone = 3.3mgs pred dose 2x/day
10mgs once a day could also be dosed 5mgs 2x/day. That is a rate slightly higher than 0.3mgs/pound.
For most dogs, Pepcid AC alone is sufficient to suppress acids and prevent this progression of GI tract damage:
nausea, lip licking, not wanting to eat, vomit, loose stools/diarhea, bleeding ulcer, red or black blood in stool.
When that is not the case, then the vet adds in a different kind of protection to the Pepcid Ac:
Sucralfate Read over the timing with food and with Pepcid AC so you are ready to discuss an Rx to sucralfate with your vet:
marvistavet.com/sucralfate.pml EXTRAS for NECK DISC
There 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/CONTROL MOVEMENT AT POTTY TIME
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Please let us know that you're on the same page about strict crate rest. Learn and scoop up all the good tips and ideas for doing conservative treatment here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/healing-discs Setting up a “recovery suite” with room service!
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Anatomy-suite-CHUNK.jpg *
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-process/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.
◼︎ 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 DOGs with BLADDER CONTROL: Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. While on prednisone expect to carry him to and from the recovery suite to the potty place every 3-4 hours as he will be drinking more water.
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!
LIFT and CARRY (support both ends, back horizontal to the ground)
CURRENT NEURO STATUS
Front legs still weak/wobbly? Explain what you observe, please.
PANTING:
-- Try a fan near the recovery suite, but not pointed at Hobb to help circulate air some.
-- Try a frozen broth ice cube to lick on.
Neuro surgeon, Dr. Isaacs discusses the panting issue here:
www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/panting.htm