Denise, welcome to the Forum. We are glad you are here with your doxie. What is his name?
Sorry this is so general and maybe some things you are doing. Will need all the details about your dog to give specific comments. We'll get to that part later. Right now this IS the next step to take. The vet you have would be the fasted way to get meds adjusted via a phone call. If local vet is not comfortable in their knowledge of IVDD, then getting in with a specialist who uses these meds all the time would be good, but not as quick as necessary to get immediate help with proper pain meds and to help get the painful cord swelling resolved.
The most important thing right now is:
--
Is your dog still on very STRICT rest so that the disc can heal in 8 weeks?--
Is your dog sill suffering from pain? If so there is no reason for it when all three sources of pain are covered and Rx'd for 3x/day. Expect pain to be in control in one hour. ADVOCATE asap for:
1) gabapentin (for nerve pain) to be Rx for promptly every 8 hrs.
2) methocarbamol (for muscle spasm pain) every 8 hrs.
3) traMADol (for overall analgesia) every 8 hrs
--
What is the name of the anti-inflammatory? What date did it start? If there is still currently pain, then clearly a 5-day course was not long enough to do the job. The anti-inflammatory needs to be back on board for maybe a 7-day or a 14-day course to finish the job of getting rid of all painful spinal cord swelling.
Swelling in the cord can cause not just pain but if enough then loss of neuros function as you've reported. So you can see the importance of resuming the anti-inflammatory drug asap! It can take the anti-inflammatory in a range of 7-30 days to get rid of painful swelling.
-- Never damage can self heal over time. The short 8 weeks it will take the disc to heal may or may not be long enough for nerves to self heal. WAY TOO early to even think about a wheelchair!
Owner IVDD Knowledge makes all the difference!
Emergency FAQ will fill you in on the big picture:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/emergency-faq/HELPFUL TIP: The Forum is best viewed via the "desk top view" of a mobile phone browser app (Safari, Chrome, Foxfire). Scroll down to the bottom of the screen to click on "Desktop".
For everyone the most effective way to respond:
-- scroll down to the "Quick reply" typing area.
-- Avoid using the "Reply" or the "Quote" link.
Quick reply allows you to scroll up and down to a previous post and then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.It will help us work together with you and avoid offering ideas that could cause harm or lead the discussion in the wrong direction delaying help for your dog — please share a bit more detail with us:
8 QUESTIONS☆ 1 Do you still see currently these signs of pain??
☐ reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow, ginger movements
☐ shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved
☐ tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position, appears restless
☐ Arched back ☐head held high or nose to the ground
☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
☐Not their normal perky selves? Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way dose to dose.
☆ 2 Fill in the missing info in pink for us please:
-- weight? 5 y.o.
-- name of anti-inflammatory
started on date?:
?mgs dose ?x/day for 5 days.
-- gabapentin
?mg ?x/day --
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board
w/any anti-inflammatory drug!
C.. PEPCID AC:
Phrase a simple question that you expect a simple "yes "or "no" to it. Does my dog have any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn't need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a "no health" issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine). (NOTE: Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours. www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html )
☆ 3 -- Eating and drinking OK? No nausea/not eating, no vomit?
-- Poops OK - normal firmness & color -no dark black or bright red blood indicating bleeding ulcers? No diarrhea?
☆ 4 What is your dog’s name?
☆ 6 Let us know you are on the same page about STRICT rest requirement during conservative treatment. Outline of carry out conservative treatment, tips and ideas to make the 8 weeks go smoother.
VERY GOOD READING: Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! —>
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ STRICT means limited movement of the spine:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no dragging or meandering at potty times.
- no PT
- no chiro therapy:
Learn more why Chiropractic is not recommended for an IVDD dog:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic- 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 ☆ 7 Can your dog specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control - OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/ DOGs with BLADDER
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps.
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 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!
☆ 8 Tell us more detail how the back legs are affected currently.
--Can he wobbly walk?
--Move the legs at all?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
-- very good reading for YOU
Surgery vs. conservative information: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/
