PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,579
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 9, 2021 9:14:21 GMT -7
Britanny, what directions for the taper were you given ?
The prednisone taper is a kind of test to find out if painfully inflamed tissue still exists. It would be good to wait until Tues when the vet is back to get a taper schedule. Also ask if the pain masking pain med (gabapentin) should also be backed down or full stopped so you have a clear way to observe if all painfully swollen tissue has been resolved.
Nerve repair is something the body does with time. No meds repair nerves. So this is really wonderful that you are already seeing nerve repair take place!!! As you know the 8 weeks of rest focus is on getting the disc to heal. So nerve repair may or may not happen in the short time it takes the disc to heal. But yet, Elton's body is speedily on the job. Go Elton!!!
Hopefully you will have proof all pain is really gone with the pred taper and graduation day from strict could be on 10/15 where a slow and gradual introduction back to family can begin. Please do keep us posted on what the vet thinks and says.
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Post by Brittany & Elton on Oct 13, 2021 13:51:36 GMT -7
The plan is to cautiously start on 2.5 mg [?x/day] prednisone. Any signs of pain will mean a return to 5 mg [?x/day] . If no pain presents, 2.5 mg [?x/day] for 2 weeks. Then 1.25 mg [?x/day] for 2 weeks. Then 1.25 mg every other day for 2 weeks.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit 9 lbs 3 y.o 8/23 back paws knuckle under with pred taper doses 8/24 can no longer right knuckled paw or move up to stand, pain in control 8/31 slipped out of sling and fell over 10/4 week: correcting knuckling, using legs 10/13 jumped from table, being observed for _pain/_neuro Prednisone 10mgs tab: as of 8/23: 5 mgs 1x/day am for 3 days as of 8/26: 5 mgs 2x/day for 4 days as of 8/30: 5 mgs 1x/day for 7 days as of 9/6 taper: 2.5mgs 1x/day √9/12 pain! as of 9/13: 2.5 mgs EOD for 7 days √9/13; √9/14 pain as of 9/15: 5 mgs 1x/day for 28 days, test taper 10/13: -pain/_neuro gabapentin ▼20 mgs ▼2x/day TopCare famotidine 5mgs 2x/day ]
However, may be a huge bump in the road. I put his sling on outside on a table with a blanket over it so his feet don’t slip. FedEx was next door and was transferring packages between two trucks. For some reason this triggered him, and he very suddenly ran and jumped off the table as I was putting the sling on his back legs. It’s about 3 feet high. I can’t believe this happened. He landed pretty good, didn’t yelp or flinch even. So far, so good. Hoping we somehow escaped a very horrible situation. I’m physically sick with guilt on the other hand. I would have never guessed he would do that. I won’t be putting the sling on at a height anymore. I started doing that because on the ground, picking him up I almost hurt him that way too. I’m hoping without the Yelp, he somehow someway is a miracle.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Oct 13, 2021 14:44:35 GMT -7
Having Elton jump off the table like that must have been very frightening.
Dogs do the unexpected in the blink of an eye, but it seems like Elton may have dodged a bullet here. We are all very grateful for that.
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Post by Brittany & Elton on Oct 13, 2021 15:28:29 GMT -7
[prednisone] Dosing schedule: Starting [10/13] today: 2.5 mg pred 1x/day for 2 weeks 1.25 mg pred 1x/day for 2 weeks 1.25 mg pred 1x/day every other day for 2 weeks
Also: 5 mg Pepcid 2x/day 20 mg ▼gabapentin 2x/day
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,579
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 13, 2021 15:28:37 GMT -7
Brittany, we are sick about this unfortunate accident, too. Fingers crossed, however, that the disc has healed enough to endure the jolt to the spine since the graduation day had been expected to be 10/15. Please keep us updated later tonight or in the morning how Elton is doing painwise and any set back with neuro function.
Would you fill in the taper script the vet gave you with missing info in pink: -- prednisone taper begins 10/13? -- 2.5mgs ?x/day for 14 days -- 1.25 mgs ?x/day for 14 days -- 1.25 mgs every other day for 14 days.
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Post by Brittany & Elton on Nov 6, 2021 19:08:07 GMT -7
Hi everyone, wanted to update. Currently on 1.25 mg prednisone daily (14 day taper, then 1.25 mg prednisone every other day for 14 days [ending on 11/29?]. No gabapentin. 5mg of Pepcid 2x a day. I thought I should Elton has made a FULL RECOVERY!!! We are transitioning him slowly. It feels like a complete miracle that he is able to walk again - not even a wobbly walk. After the full wean from prednisone we will be talking with the vet about Prozac to address his anxiety/reactivity/aggression.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,579
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 6, 2021 19:21:55 GMT -7
Britanny, thank you for sharing this wonderful news. Elton spent a lot of time on pred, so glad to hear vet is being careful with the taper.
The disc was to have been healed by Oct 15. What did your vet advise as to when crate rest should be over and a slow and gradual transition back to family life again?
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Post by Brittany & Elton on Nov 7, 2021 18:57:10 GMT -7
He didn’t advise about crate rest. So far we are just keeping him resting for a good part of the day. He’s in a baby gated smaller area for the rest of the day. No couches, no stairs, no ramps.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,579
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 7, 2021 19:32:07 GMT -7
Brittany, the usual is to have dog off of all meds before transitioning back to family life from crate rest. Elton's lengthy history of pred use had been unusual and unfortunate.
So I don't think it a bad idea to touch base with your vet to confirm if the long taper also means to stay on crate rest. Or since it is well past the 8 weeks it take to heal a disc, could he slowly be given more freedom under controlled conditions and your supervision. Not free riegn of the house nor yard. A program of over the course of a month or so to gradually build up his muscles, stamina and spirit with supervised bits of crate freedom. Dodgerslist has such a schedule. Let us know what your vet says and directs for Elton.
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Post by Brittany & Elton on Nov 8, 2021 14:45:07 GMT -7
I will touch base with him. The last we talked he suggested ordering a wheelchair to get him out of the crate, so we’ll see what he says. His last day of prednisone will be 11/29/21. Does he need to wean off the Pepcid too? I know that it’s recommended in humans.
He does not have free reign of the house nor yard. He’s in an ex pen outside, and a baby gated area that is maybe 5 feet wide. He still spends the majority of his time in the kennel.
I Can’t find the schedule you’re referring to, I keep searching though the site and can’t find it.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,579
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 8, 2021 16:09:04 GMT -7
What did the vet say about crate rest? What date will Elton be good to go to start a slow gradual introduction back to life according to the vet?
Once we know that, have lots to share with you.
Pepcid AC maybe ought to continue for the duration of Prednisone.
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