Laurel, you have a full plate with two doxies on STRICT rest. At least they have each other for companyif their suites could be adjacent. Yes, IVDD does have a genetic component.
See if a med chart helps you out. Useful to see patterns, have dates and specific facts handy as you discuss things with the vet. D/l a sample and a blank form to use with your dog's meds
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/med-chart-printable.pdf**
Would you tell us more about Apple's meds
-- Is there a reason that Apple is not on an acid suppressor such as Pepcid AC? Progression of GI tract problems: nausea, not eating normally, loose stools, diarrhea, bleeding ulcer, black or red blood in stool, perforated stomach lining.
A health reason?
How old is Apple?
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How many mgs are in each prednisone tablet that you are giving twice a day?
-- The prednisone taper test for pain will start Thurs 4/29. Do you have a plan B should pain surface or if neuro diminishment happens at night when vet is closed?
Let us know.
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RULE OF THUMB
Pain= another course of PRED + all pain meds, GI protectors back on board.
No Pain= go to TAPER conclusion...finish out the 8 weeks of crate rest for the disc to heal.
BLADDER CONTROL PROOF
Could you explain more about "crate showed she’s not distended and is peeing"
SNIFF and PEE
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control is with the “sniff and pee test.” Carry outdoors, set them on an old pee spot to sniff. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. See if they will release urine on the old urine area. If urine comes out after sniffing, bladder control is returning. You should continue to do a quick express check to verify there is full voiding until you are certain it is consistently happening.
Let us know what you observe. NEURO FUNCTION
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Can Apple move her legs at all, such as to reposition in the recovery suite?
Wobbly walk if sling supported at potty time?As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1. Pain caused by the tearing disc & inflammation in the spinal cord
2. Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle under
5. Weak/little leg movement, can't move up into a stand
6. Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors.
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/It is good to hear that without any pain meds on board, Apple is not showing any signs of pain. If you were to see any sign of pain surface before the test taper on 4/29, do alert the vet to get pain meds on board and of course a 3-day prednisone course would very likely need to be extended to more days.
