Brandy's Coco 8/28 Surgery

Welcome to Dodgerslist, Brandy. I know how frightening this all can be. We're here to support you through this.

First of all, Coco needs to be on 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only carried in and out to potty and to the vet. 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). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

As for when to consider surgery, please read this webpage: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm

Many dogs can be helped with conservative care, that would be 8 full weeks of 100% crate rest. It sounds as though Coco has improved somewhat since she started the medication and is being kept still. The crate acts as a cast for the back and allows the disc to heal and scar over. The steroid helps to bring down the swelling of the disc which is pressing into Coco's spine.
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm


Can you give us a bit more in essential information about your dog:

-- Are you as of today doing the all important 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7?

-- Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position...head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, holding leg up flamingo style...not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self. There should be no signs of pain between doses of medication. If you see pain starting close to the next dose, then the dose needs to be adjusted by the vet.

-- What are the exact names, dose in mg's and frequency of all meds? Please include the must have stomach protector such as Pepcid AC … 5mg 30 mins prior to anti-inflammatory med. What is the Lasix being given for?

-- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?

-- Eating and drinking OK?

-- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?

-- If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet.
ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html

Dodgerslist website contains so much information that you need to read up on. Please go through the website and read, read, read so you can become knowledgeable about IVDD. Here are some links to get you started. Please click on all of them to get a good background of understanding.
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm
www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm

You can check out the vet recommendations by other members at dodgerslist.boards.net/board/10/guidelines-posting.

Looking forward to receiving your answers to the questions above so we can help you better.

The best thing you can do for Coco right now is 100% strict crate rest 24/7. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

Here are some ideas that should help with getting Coco adjusted to crate rest:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm

The fact that she isn't bearing weight on her leg and acting depressed are signs of pain. You need to contact her vet immediately and discuss this with him/her. Please let us know the mgs of the medication as soon as you have a chance to check it. Pain adversely affects healing. There should be no signs of pain from dose to dose of the medication.  You might discuss with your vet if this is nerve root signature pain. It is disc caused but instead of pressure to the spinal cord the pressure is on a nerve root exiting down to the leg. This is painful and makes them not want to bear weight. Dr. Isaacs explains here: www.dodgerslist.com/neurocorner2/rootsignature.htm

Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory. Please ask your vet if there is any medical reason why Coco shouldn't take Pepcid AC - 5mg 30 mins prior to the Prednisone. You need to be proactive about her GI tract. You should also give the Prednisone with food.

Lasix is a diuretic so be sure that Coco has plenty of water to drink. Prednisone also increases thirst and urination. Coco should be allowed to urinate every 2-3 hours while on this medication. You don't want her bladder to become too full and stretch out.

Let us know those medication dosages and what the vet says about her pain.

Crate rest 24/7, noted and done.

Meds:
Tramadol 12.5mg twice a day since 8/22
Gabapentine 100mg one tab per day since 8/23
Lasix 12.5mg one tab twice a day (7 days supply) since 8/23
Robaxin 125mg twice a day since 8/22
Prednisone 5mg 1 tab twice a day for 3 days, 1 tab once a day for 3 days, then every other day until gone since 8/22

She received an injection of steroid the first day of this episode, 8/21.

I've been adding a bit of pumpkin to her food once a day and she loves it!!

When I got home, she went potty easily. I used the method mentioned to support her hind end with a scarf and her harness and she seemed much more comfortable. She was able to crouch AND lift herself back up. The right rear leg still is curled under a bit but the left was strong. She seems a bit sedated now that I've given her the meds, but when I got home she wagged her tail madly

I will check about the Pepcid tomorrow. I picked some up at the store to be prepared.

I am also going to get he record and X-rays on cd so that I may take her to a specialist quickly if need be.

▼Prednisone 5mg once a day as of yesterday 8/25. There still isn't much going on in the right hind leg.

Coco didn't seem to favor either rear leg this morning when we went outside, so I am hoping this is a good sign. Hopefully, day by day, she will continue to improve. Thanks all, for the support! It really helps me feel a little better.

Just wanted to share Coco's condition. Her condition swiftly deteriorated in the past two days so I brought her to Bush Veterinary Neurology Service in Springfield, VA. She was examined and an MRI was recommended due to her loss of motor function and pain. They found she had a 90% blockage of her spinal canal at T12 and surgery was recommended. She underwent surgery this evening and it went well according to Dr. Bush, the neurosurgeon. She has a 90-95% chance of a full recovery in about 6 weeks. This has been a rough week.

You certainly have had a rough week, Brandy. The doctors have given Coco a wonderful prognosis, indeed. She's come through surgery well and that's a huge hurdle to have gotten through. Please keep us updated on her progress. Blessings to you both.