Becky, welcome to the FORUM! Until we have a full picture of Tilly's situation, the best course with loss of leg function is to get to ER today. Hours matter in preservation of nerves from permanent damage. Fingers crossed the folks at ER will give you the med adjustments needed, refer you to surgery if that would be a family option.
I
NFORMATION which can help orient you until we know more about Tilly
1. NEURO MONITORING
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
1.
__ Pain caused by the intial disc tear & inflammation in the spinal cord
2.
__ Wobbly walking, legs cross
3. __ Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. __ Paws knuckle under
5.
_?_ Weak/little leg movement: attempts to scratch ear, attempts to reposition body in crate, attempts to try to stand by herself _?_ can't move up into a stand by herself
6.
_?_ Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7.
_?_ Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors. Requires today getting a hands on expressing lesson. Review video and get to ER vet for lesson:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/8.
_?_ Lost ability for happy tail wag if you do some happy talk
9. __
Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome.
Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a general vet that gets DPS wrong.
Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/A disc episode compresses the spinal cord and causes a lot of bruising, swelling, and inflammation.
--
Surgery immediately relieves the pressure with severe paralysis by removing offending disc material.
--
Conservative treatment relieves pressure with an anti-inflammatory drug and takes 7-30 days.
Just as with any traumatic injury, the body can self heal nerves and the disc.
-- The disc heals under Conservative treatment with very STRICT limited movement and time of 8 weeks.
--
Damaged nerves in the spinal cord heal with time after a surgery or conservative treament. Best to think in terms of months rather than days/weeks for this slowest part of the body to heal.
2. You can master the basics. The things that make conservative treatment work for many disc episodes.
➤ 🏠At home nursing care tips:
-- Tried and true tested ideas for the recovery suite, etc.:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ -- Expressing; Neck disc; Laser/acupuncture; PT:
dodgerslist.com/2021/01/19/nursing-care-at-home-tips/➤ 💊Medications used during a disc episode:
dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc-episode/➤ 💡What to expect for each phase of healing:
dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-placeKnow in your heart, the body does have an impressive ability to self-heal a disc and to self-heal nerve damage. "Shortcut Thru IVDD":
dodgerslist.com/2020/06/26/time-and-ivdd/ These questions would give us full detailed information to give very specific answers. To give you the quickest insight to help you negotiate caring for Tilly.QUESTIONS★1 Is there still currently pain today? List only what you observe.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Tell your vet about any of these observations asap to get meds adjusted.
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
➕if a neck disc:
◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
★2 What is the list of meds your dog is taking?
-- Exact names for each med, their doses in mg’s and times per day given?
-- PLUS: IF on a non-steroid (NSAID) for how many days?
-- PLUS: If on a steroid....what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid 1st taper
-- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea.
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html--Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory.
--Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory.
thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg **
★5 What was the date you saw the vet "last week" for conservative treatment?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
** STRICT means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIMES for a dog who has bladder control.
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps.
Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over.
A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot.
An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg **
★6 List any red flag signs of stomach damage you are currently observing:
Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea?
★7 Currently, can your dog....
-- wobbly walk?
-- Move the legs at all?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
★8 Peeing or overflowing. Can your dog:
-- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)?
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons. How to:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/On a Mobile device?
The Forum is best viewed on a mobile phone via the "desk top view" As shown in picture below, you would scroll down to the bottom of the screen to click on "Desktop".
i.postimg.cc/HxYJbyVY/Desktop-mode600.jpg **
Will be watching for your post on the Forum so we know best how to help.
