Lizl, not all vets can know every disease dogs can have. But you certainly can know just one disease pretty well. Well enough to know IVDD meds, proper care during a disc episode, and recognize when anyone offers
red flag harmful advice for an IVDD dog.
- No wheelchair until all 8 weeks of strict rest completed. Zoe may not even need one at graduation from STRICT rest!
Let us know these things
1-
The date you put Zoe inside of recovery suite (wire crate, ex-pen, baby crib, Pac N Play). This IS the single most imporant care you can give! The aim with very STRICT rest is to prevent worsening tear to the disc which could more severely impact the spinal cord. You want to keep the symptoms of pain and neuro diminish from increases to perhaps permanent paralysis.
2-
Are you on board with doing the STRICT rest? The disc will take 8 weeks to self heal with STRICT rest as detailed with tips and ideas in this excellent article:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ 3- Verify Zoe is not suffering with any pain at all.
Let us know what you observe: FYI, since vet has examined Zoe, he could prescribe meds over the phone if Zoe is in any pain. This avoids danger in moving Zoe unnecessarily. The Aug 2 vet will require an exam and delays by many days getting anti-inflammatory on board. Let us know if you are successful in getting July 26 vet to prescribe over the phone. SIGNS OF PAIN:
⚙︎ 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
➕in addition 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
Resolution of painful spinal cord inflammation/swelling provides the relief from pain. That 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 medications control is using more than one approach to address each kind of pain from multiple fronts (
traMADol-general analgesic,
methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain,
gabapentin-nerve pain). All three pain meds last about 8 hrs in the body. Best prescribed three times a day (every 8 hrs) to give round the clock, doses to dose pain relief.
Anti-inflammatory drugs:
Answers here:
If you are seeing signs of pain, ASAP today advocate with a phone call for the three pain meds, an anti-inflammatory drug plus a stomach protector available in South Africa omeprazole to suppress the acids any anti-inflammatory (NSAID or steroid) will cause. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing.
-- Learn about steroids and non-steroid NSAIDs. An informed owner is a dog's best defense when taking an anti-inflammatory. What your job is, how to arrange for a Plan B with your vet.
URGENT TRANSPORTS
Any time out of the crate is a dangerous time for a dog going through an IVDD disc episode. Transport to a vet is risky as there is a chance of too much movement. Most vets who understand how strict the crate rest must be will understand that it's too much of a risk to bring the dog in to the office for a follow-up exam or to adjust meds.
With urgent vet visits, first time vet appt, secure the crate in your vehicle. Transport carefully using a crate padded out with rolled up towels on either side of the dog to prevent movement or jarring the spine when braking or turning corners.
MONITOR & report your observations of PAIN - at home you are the eyes and ears for the vet to know how his prescriptions are working or not working.
MONITOR and report NEURO FUNCTION diminishment
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. √7/26 Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. ___ Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. ___ Paws knuckle under or slow to right the paw
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
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.
PUMPKIN and constipation
Plain pureed canned pumpkin is a magical fruit - its high fiber can firm up stools and help with diarrhea or loosen the stool to help with constipation.
NOTE: alternatives are really ripe mashed fresh pear, just take off the peel off; microwaved and mashed peeled sweet potatoe
--To loosen the stool, add equal parts water to each kibble meal and soak overnight. At mealtime add one teaspoon of plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day.
-- To firm up the stool add 1 teaspoon (4.93mL) plain canned pureed pumpkin 1x a day to soaked kibble.
Give a teaspoon (4.93mL) of pumpkin for every 10 pounds (4.54 kg) of body weight.
Anxiously hearing back if you were successful in getting meds for Zoe today. also:
The date you put Zoe inside of recovery suite?
Are you on board with doing the STRICT rest?
Describe what you observe if you believe Zoe has pain.
