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Post by mararice on Aug 27, 2013 9:21:29 GMT -7
Hello! My name is Mara and my tweenie doxie Lacey is 8 (9 in December) and last month (7/20) she started having issues with her neck. An x-ray by our vet showed she had arthritis between her C5 and C6 vertebrae. We did prednisalone 2x day for 5 days, then once a day for 5 days, we had just started on every other day for 5 days and she was back in as much pain as she was when we started. The vet then put her back on once a day for 7 days, then every other day for 7 days. She was doing okay when we finished the last round but she wasn't back to her old self, but she wasn't in pain. We finished the steroid on 8/15 and on 8/25 she was back to being in pain. Our vet suggested we go see a neurologist if the pain returned so today we saw the neurologist. I was not impressed so I came here. The neuro walked in the room, sat on the floor and informed me that she had a ruptured disc and needed surgery. He didn't even look at her before coming to that conclusion. She has had 2 instances where she was limping, but that was when we first started the steroid. The only problem moving she has is moving her head around, she has no problems with her limbs. I'd really like to avoid surgery as we don't have $5600 to pay for it, so today we are starting 100% crate rest. When I asked the neuro about crate rest because I had seen this page, I was told it won't work, only surgery will work. I'm hoping that because her case isn't severe that crate rest will work. Does anybody have any advise on how to keep her happy(ish) in the crate for 8 weeks? She doesn't mind the crate but has a tendency to whine non-stop if she's in it when we're home. I plan on putting one of my husband's shirts in there with her, as he is "her" person. She loves the rest of us, but there is no question that Mike is the person she prefers.  Also, she is eating and drinking fine and will wag her tail when she's not in pain and she hasn't had any bowel/bladder control issues. She is currently on ▲▲▲prednisone 5 mg 2x/day (just started today, this is her 3rd round of steroids), we also have tramadol 5 mg to giver her for pain 3x/day, pepcid AC 10 mg 1x/day. Her clinical diagnosis, according to the paperwork from the vet, is neck pain; partial disk rupture most likely. We are also giving her cosequin bonelets, once/day. |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 27, 2013 9:56:44 GMT -7
Mara, I'm sorry to hear Lacey has a disc problem. The neck ones can be more painful and take longer to heal. Besure you take advantage of doing the extra things that can help on this page: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htmIt is unfortunate that mandatory crate rest was not suggested and thus the use of Pred was not allow to be effective. She may well be able to recover if you are now committed to 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7s only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the neck and back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. The other critical thing is she MUST be out of pain…often that will take being more aggressive with pain meds that what she is currently on. Do not have any patience with pain…. it should be under control in 1 hours when the right dose, frequency and combo of meds are on board AND THEN thereafter dose to dose. It that is not happening get on the phone and tell your observations of pain. Read over the meds used with a neck disc in the link given at the begining of this post. Is she getting 50 mg of Tramadol 3x a day? Methocarbamol is often one of the first with tramadol to deal with the pain stemming from muscle spasms. Signs of pain include: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight? Let us know specifically which signs of pain you are observing today (currently) if any. Please visit our main web site so you can really get up to speed on this disease and have an understanding of all the phases of healing that will take place during the next 8 weeks as well as have some ideas of what to do after crate rest has been c om pleted: www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmI highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm |
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Sabrina
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My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
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Post by Sabrina on Aug 27, 2013 10:24:49 GMT -7
Hi Mara, I'm Sabrina. I'm so sorry you and Lacey have to go through this! But it's wonderful that you are doing your own research to help your girl. Like Paula said, it's so important to get her pain under control asap. I'm glad to hear you have Lacey on PepcidAC. The general Dodger's List recommendation (when a vet hasn't specified a medical reason Not to use it) is "5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before" the pred. With Lacey getting the pred 2x/day, it is better protection for her stomach to give her PepcidAC 2x/day (30min before each dose of pred). www.dodgerslist.com/literature/IVDDcourse/medications_used.htmlYou may well have already seen these pages, but when my Charley was diagnosed I had to read, re-read, and read some more before things started falling into place in my mind! Conservative Treatment - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htmCrate Rest Recovery Process - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htmHere are some strategies to help Lacey actually rest during crate rest: Emergency Crate Confinement - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htm#Emergencyconfinement(I have the "Music to Calm Your Canine Companion" cds from Through A Dog's Ear - the site is linked from the above link. I'm very impressed with how they really do help to calm my Charley). My husband built me a little dolly for Charley's crate out of a sturdy piece of wood and four caster wheels. Depending on the style of Lacey's crate, you may be able to find wheels that attach to the bottom. It is so helpful for me to be able to wheel Charley around the house with me! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina |
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Post by mararice on Sept 12, 2013 19:43:17 GMT -7
Well, it has been a little over 2 weeks since we started crate rest and Lacey is doing great! She's down to 1/2 of the 5 mg ▼prednisone once a day and hasn't had any pain meds in about a week. She is in no pain and is not too happy to be stuck in the crate but if it saves her from surgery it's worth it. My husband, Mike is having a really hard time keeping her in the crate, she's his cuddle buddy, but he's sticking to it because it killed him to see her in so much pain. I think as long as we keep to the crate rest she'll be good. The eight weeks is already marked on the calendar as Lacey Freedom!! 5 weeks and 5 days to go!!
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Post by Pauliana on Sept 12, 2013 20:08:49 GMT -7
Mara, Great news that Lacey is no pain on the Prednisone taper. Good for you and Mike for sticking to the crate rest. 5 weeks and 5 days will hopefully go fast..She may not be happy now but she will be, once she is feeling better and ready to take on her happy new normal. Here is a little link that explains about how to make your home back friendly to make things easier for her when she is off crate rest. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htmTake care and thank you for the encouraging update! |
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StevieLuv
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Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Sept 13, 2013 9:41:21 GMT -7
Wonderful news! You have done an excellent job getting her pain under control and crate resting her so that she can heal. It is amazing what a determined, loving family can do to save their dog - that surgeon was an "ijit" and i am so happy that you didn't buy into his negativity. You show 'em Lacey girl!! |
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Post by Nancy & Polly on Sept 15, 2013 11:54:00 GMT -7
Having just finished 8 weeks crate rest, I know how you're feeling. It's SO hard sometimes. If you can, move her crate around. We put Polly's crate on the kitchen table a lot. She seemed to like the change of scenery, and she could watch us work in the kitchen, etc. Kongs filled with little treats and a bit of peanut butter kept her happy for awhile. Stick with it!
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Also, she is eating and drinking fine and will wag her tail when she's not in pain and she hasn't had any bowel/bladder control issues. She is currently on 
