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Post by Paula & Lucy on Apr 26, 2021 10:57:15 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Paula’s Lucy4-26 ]
Hi -
Lucy is a 2.9 year-old dachshund rescue. Around 18 pounds the last time I weighed her (the vet would like her at 15-16.)
On Feb 20 I took her to my vet when she was having issues using a platform to the sofa that had always been easy. He prescribed Previcox 57 mg once a day and rear for two weeks. We thought maybe she had strained something.
On Feb 21 she still seemed in discomfort so we went to the local animal Hospital. They prescribed gabapentin to go with the Previcox, I believe it was 75 mg 2-3x a day (small pills).
Lucy seemed better pretty quickly. She never lost use of her legs at all and was always able to pee and poop on her own. We gradually went back to a mostly Hotmail schedule, with all ramps.
On April 1 she showed discomfort again. I took her to my vet for an X-ray (*I understand that won’t show a lot*). The X-ray did show matter between two of her vertebrae. (I can find out which.) he told me it is IVDD but also very early.
She did another two weeks of NSAIDs and gabapentin (liquid, 2 ml 2-3x a day)
She has gotten better again, though she still does some hopping while running. Ive seen no indication of pain.
As I’ve said, she has never gone down or even close to that. Eventually I would like to see a neurologist, but when i can go inside. From what I understand an MRI is done if surgery is called for, so I’m thinking maybe she wouldn’t be a candidate for the that.
I don’t know if some kind of therapy would be helpful, or if I should just leave her alone if she’s not in pain. That’s the question I am trying to get answered.
Thank you, Paula
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 26, 2021 11:17:24 GMT -7
Paula, until clarification from you, it sounds very much as though the necessary 8 weeks of STRICT rest from the date of Apr 1 has been shortcutted. --- Put Lucy back on STRICT rest right away today, now. STRICT REST MEANS ❖4 Please let us know that you're on the same page about strict crate rest. With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. The body does have the ability to self heal a disc. The very STRICT rest part of conservative treatment is key to avoiding a disc relapse and potential for severe nerve damage. It is far easier to meet your dog's care needs if you understand things. 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! * 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 Please confirm that there has been 8 weeks of STRICT rest from the date of the first evidence or suspicion of a disc episode.
Feb 21 how many weeks in STRICT REST? Apr 1 Today would have been about the 4th week of rest. Seems like STRICT rest has been shortcutted as you report she is running! Meds are used until all pain is gone, that well could be with 2 weeks of usage. STRICT rest is used for 8 weeks to let the disc heal.
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Post by Paula & Lucy on Apr 26, 2021 17:40:36 GMT -7
Thank you - I was never given a recommendation for strict rest. Either by my vet or the animal hospital staff. This is why I wanted to have a consult with a neurologist.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,493
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 26, 2021 18:23:26 GMT -7
Paula, as of today 4/26, Lucy now has a recovery suite that provides her STRICT rest?Lucy is one lucky pup to not have damaged a disc with no STRICT REST if Apr 1 was a disc episode. What calcifications mean when looking at imaging — illustrated: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/05/calcified-discs-meaning/
Does make one suspicious what is the cause of discomfort. 4 y.o. is seemingly too young to have arthritis for a doxie. It may be prudent if there was a suspicion of a disc episode to go ahead and finish out the balance of the 8 weeks of strict rest by assuming the disc needs to finish healing and form secure scar tissue. Hopefully you can get inside the office to consult with a specialist sooner, to get a confirmed diagnosis and know what the treatment should be.
On this Forum we need a vet to give a diagnosis then, we know lots about home care to share. The exact signs you observe give more information than using the general term "discomfort"
Which of the below did you observe that made you say "discomfort" when using the ramp or other times?
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned bac ⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions ⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves ➕if a neck disc: ◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground ◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain ◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
When she runs, does she actually hop? Or does one leg seemingly skip a beat and then get back into ground contact in a normal way again (called Luxating Patella, aka trick knee).
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