Shawn's Bruno 12/23 Conservative or muscle issue

[Original subject line:Bruno - Conservative / Crate / NSAID / Pain Management ]  

Bruno is a 1.5 years old 14lbs (long) mini dachshund. I've dealt with extensive IVDD in the past with Newman but it was still surprising to have a back episode at 1.5 years. I have a sunken living room (8-10" drop) but have a custom ramp include a custom ramp to get on the couch and down the couch. And, sometimes he uses them and sometimes he doesn't.

A few days ago, we were outside playing fetch and the hard rubber ball hit him in the nose. He stopped playing and I didn't think too much of it -- Maybe it's related? The timeline is fuzzy but 1 or 2 days later he started to slow down, breath harder, and had the shakes. He walked perfectly fine. No wobbly at all. He yelped a few times when we picked him up or when I pushed on his chest to move him back off my lap (spine compression?).

I went to [12/23] Vet ER last night around 11PM and they noticed some mild discomfort when they pushed on the middle of the back. The doctor said it was too soon to assume it is IVDD and it could just be an over exertion or something of that nature. He recommended crate rest for 3 weeks, NSAIDs (Carprofen), pain meds (Gabapentin), and sedative to slow him down.

My primary vet who has an IVDD dachshund as well agrees and says to worry if it comes back in 1-2 years. Today he spent most of the time in his crate but he appears 100% normal. He eats/drinks, chews his bone, and wants to play. I am going to keep with the crate rest/meds but my obvious concern is long term. My plan is to get an in-home trainer to teach him to use ramps.

Trazodone 50mg Tablets  Give 1 tablet every 12 hours by mouth. Antianxiety medication
Gabapentin Oral Solution 50mg /ml   Give 1.2 mL every 12 hours by mouth for pain management.
Carprofen 25mg Tablets  Give 1/2 tablet (12.5mg) every 12 hours by mouth.
Pain on caudal thoracic spinal palpation

[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit  
  14lbs  1.5 years old 
Carprofen as of 12/24: 12.5 mgs 2x/day for ? days
gabapentin  50mg/mL:   mgs (1.2 mL dose) 2x/day
traZODone 50 mgs 2x/xay
needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Carprofen! ] 

Appropriate mentation.Intact cranial nerves — menace/palpebral/oculocephalic/PLR.No ataxia with normal gait and posture.Ambulatoryx4Forelimbs:Normal motor functionNormal re§exes

— withdrawalNormal CPs — placing, hopping, wheelbarrowSuperficial and deep pain +veHindlimbs:Normal motor functionNormal   re§exes — Withdrawal, patellarNormal CPs — placing/hopping/extensor postural thrustSuper¦cial   and deep pain +ve

Caudal thoracic spinal pain -- R/o: inter-vertebral disc disease vs trauma (fracture, subluxation, muscular,
hemorrhage) vs in§ammation (meningitis) vs neoplasia vs infectious (discospondylitis) vs other

Progress Notes
Discussed DDx including IVDD even with young age. Recommended at home supportive care with pain and
anti-infammatory management coupled with strict exercise restriction and rest at home. TGH with
carprofen  PO q12, Gabapentin 10mg/kg q12, and trazodone 50mg PO q12 PRN. Recommended
recheck sooner with progressive clinical sings.