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Post by christyb8604 on Aug 21, 2013 16:31:26 GMT -7
I'm Ozzy's mom - He's a 9 yo Dachshund who weighs 13.5 lbs - when I got home from work on the 15th of August, Ozzy was whining when touched and not wanting to move. I rushed him to the emergency vet and they indicated he was likely having a back issue, although they could not get him to react at all to any prodding at the vet's office. They prescribed rimadyl and a week of crate rest (which I know is WAAAAAY to short of a time thanks to Dodgers List). He's been on strict crate rest since then and his Rimadyl will run out in about a week. My main question is, should he be medicated with anti-inflammatories the entire time of the crate rest, or will a couple weeks of rimadyl be ok? His "get-well" cell release date is October 11 
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?
He has a little slight trembling in his back legs first thing in the am and when I get home from work but overall he is walking totally normal with a slight arch to his back (someone else wouldn't even notice). -- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies? He gets Rimadyl 1/2 tablet twice per day. -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? He is completely normal except he had some sensitivity before we took him to the vet. He wags his tail and barks, but doesn't like to come out of his crate without some heavy coaxing. -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? No leaks or bathroom issues. -- Eating and drinking OK? Eating and drinking like usual. Maybe a little more drinking, but I think that's normal with the rimadyl. -- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Normal poops 
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471 
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 21, 2013 17:49:05 GMT -7
Hi Christy! I'm Sabrina. So sorry you and Ozzy have to go through this! Well done for researching crate rest so you know how to give Ozzy the rest he needs. You may already have seen these, but here are a few links about conservative crate rest: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmWith anti-inflammatory meds, it's typical for vets to "test" (either tapering with a steroid or stopping the NSAID) to see if the inflammation is under control. If Ozzy shows signs of pain when the Rimadyl (NSAID) is stopped, then he'll need longer for the inflammation to be controlled. Inflammation, swelling in the spinal cord: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htmIs Ozzy on a stomach protector like pepcidAC? Many vets aren't proactive about stomach protection when treating dogs with anti-inflammatory drugs, but since dogs don't typically show symptoms of ulcers or other GI issues until the problem is escalating, Dodger'sList advocates asking your vet if there is any medical reason your dog shouldn't be on pepcidAC 30min before each Rimadyl dose: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/medications_used.htmlWas Ozzy previously on a pain med (tramadol, etc)? Some dogs are masters at hiding pain - does Ozzy do anything like hold a foot up when out on a potty break? Is his stomach rock hard when you pick him up? Does he look "normal" to you, or does anything seem "not right"? Ozzy is so lucky to have you looking out for him! If you haven't already seen these pages, here are some good places to start learning all you can about IVDD: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm))Hugs!(( - Sabrina |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Aug 21, 2013 18:15:37 GMT -7
Welcome, Christy. It sounds like Ozzy would be a good candidate for conservative care (crate rest). Good for you not listening to the one-week crate rest recommendation by the vet! As you know from reading Dodgerslist information, 8 full weeks, 24/7 is necessary to heal that disc. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM).
That trembling in his back legs may well be a sign of pain. And another sign of pain is his reluctance to come out of his crate. Does he act like he doesn't want to move much? You should speak to your vet about pain medication for Ozzy. He should be his perky self with no signs of pain. It's only until the pain is under control that the Rimadyl may be stopped to see if pain returns. It doesn't sound as though Ozzy's pain is completely under control yet.
What is the dosage in mgs of the Rimadyl?
Please let us know what his vet says after you've spoken to him/her about the possibility of Ozzy having pain.
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Post by christyb8604 on Aug 21, 2013 18:34:19 GMT -7
So he has not been on a pain med or pepcid AC but I've got a call in to my regular vet for a follow up to discuss both of those as he was seen by the local emergency clinic. He gets 12.5Mg of rimadyl twice a day. sorry for not being clearer earlier...I was at work and forgot the mgs. He could still be in a little pain because of the slight tremble in his back legs sometimes, but he doesn't freeze or tense when I pick him up. So to be clear, he should probably be on a pain killer and rimadyl (with pepcid AC 30 mins before) until I see no more signs of pain whatsoever and then we can stop the pain pill and rimadyl? Or taper? I want to make sure I know what to ask the vet.
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Aug 21, 2013 18:42:46 GMT -7
That is exactly right! Hi, My name is Maureen, Welcome to Dodgers List. Normally what is done in conservative treatment is an anti inflammatory EITHER a Steroid OR a NSAID (never both) Tramadol for pain (usually given 3 times a day) Gabapentin for hard to control pain or nerve pain (3 times a day) and Methocarbamol for muscle spasms ( 3 times a day) and Pepcid AC every 12 hours ( if there is no medical reason not to give it) to prevent stomach acid problems caused by the Steroids or NSAIDS and very importantly CRATE rest for 8 weeks only out to potty with very limited steps to avoid as much movement as possible to allow the discs to heal. Some dogs do fine with only Tramadol for pain along with their anti-inflammatory, but this information give you all of the common options Keeping you in thought and prayer. |
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Post by christyb8604 on Aug 21, 2013 18:42:50 GMT -7
I just got an email from my vet...appt on Friday at 6 :-)
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 21, 2013 19:23:22 GMT -7
Christy it is too long to wait for Friday when deaiing with pain. Phone your vet with the observtions of trembling in the morning and reluctance to move out of his crate and arched back. Read up on the meds used so you can discuss at minimum getting Tramadol on board. This page goes over the pain meds and which type of pain each works on. There is a handy reference card to print out and carry with you. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmIt is all guess work as to when to stop Rimadyl. The vet tries a test by stopping the pain meds and Rimadyl and your job is to be very observant for any sign of pain. Often it takes being at the anti-inflamamtory for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. Rule of thumb is: pain = swelling = more time on Rimadyl is needed. Right now he is showing pain, so this is not the time to test the water with stopping Rimadyl. This is an excellent FDA flyer on NSAIDs so you are aware what to monitor when on this med. www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm196295.htmLet us know in the morning you have advocated for pain med(s) for Ozzy and that you have Pepcid AC (famotidine) on board to protect his GI tract. |
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Post by christyb8604 on Aug 21, 2013 20:56:05 GMT -7
I called and asked them about pepcid AC and got some and gave him some 30 mins before I gave him his rimadyl tonight. I just took him outside and he's acting completely normal now. No signs of pain and he was wagging his tail. We'll see the vet Friday anyway though.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 22, 2013 7:53:44 GMT -7
Christy, you did great getting Pepcid AC on board!!! I'm very glad to hear that there were no signs of pain last night. Let us know how this morning goes as that is when you had been observing trembling.
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Post by Yvonne & Billy on Aug 22, 2013 13:08:47 GMT -7
Like a pro! Great job!!!
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