MaryAnne & Siggy
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Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 16, 2022 14:16:55 GMT -7
[ Suspicion of March 16, 2022 Disc episode]
Yesterday and today I have observed Siggy sit down after he has sprinted to guard the house from the mailman. Yesterday in particular he had been laying in my front courtyard sunning himself when I heard him bark wanting to come in. While he wasn't dragging his hindquarters he was walking in a twisted like manner. Of course it freaked me out so I ran him to my vet. He did a check and didn't think it was a back related issue but perhaps a tendon issue in his weaker leg. Of course Siggy walked fine in the vets office and at home. BUT having been down this road in 2020, I called the neurologist and told her what I had observed and am looking to get into see her early next week when she is back at the hospital. Meanwhile he does not show any signs of pain. He has no issues with pottying or eating. I have him on Ostimax (1/2 pill every 24 hours). [MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
Ostimax (Deracoxib) as of 3/14: ?mgs 1x/day
Siggy needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/Ostimax! ] Today is day 2 on being on the anti-inflamatory pill. And I will give it to him tomorrow and see where we're at. I am having him rest. He is either in my office with the baby gate up so he can lay on his heating pad or he is in his crate. I had met with the neurologist back in November and she gave him a clean bill of health. This past fall I started him on cold laser therapy sessions. He just finished the last of a 6 week session and up until two days ago he was walking as if nothing had ever happened. So this little episode of course has me a bit on edge. Thus I am making him rest and I have called both my vet and neurologist and have called the other surrounding vet hospitals to get an idea as if they have a neurologist / surgeon on staff and the days they are in hospital - JUST IN CASE. |
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 16, 2022 14:41:16 GMT -7
I am sorry that Siggy may be having another disc episode.
If there is a suspicion of a disc episode, you are doing the right thing by crating Siggy. The crate rest should be Very Strict because immobility will help to prevent any worsening of neuro symptoms. STRICT means: - no laps - no couches - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy Here is information on why: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic- no dragging or meandering at potty times Carry Siggy to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. If he is unstable, using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep his back aligned and butt from tipping over. |
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MaryAnne & Siggy
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Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 16, 2022 15:17:37 GMT -7
Thank you for the quick reply. He's walking but I am really restricting his movement until I can see the Neurologist and figure out if this is a disc episode or something else. I'm not taking any chances!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 16, 2022 21:14:53 GMT -7
Don't forget Pepcid AC with the Otimax. Dogs don't speak up at first signs of trouble like a person would. Red flag signs can progress from nausea> vomit> loose stool>.... Bleeding ulcers (red or black blood in diarrhea) can turn to a life-threatening perforated stomach lining. LEARN MORE: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/FIRST do ask your vet in this very, very particular way... --Is there a medical/health reason my dog may not take Pepcid AC (famotidine)? --Doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question! --The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease. -- It may be prudent with heart patients to choose another class of acid reducer. The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound. --Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory. --Dose thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory. thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg ** We'll be watching for your updates and hoping this is not a disc episode. You are doing the prudent thing of STRICT rest, until you know this is not a disc episode. |
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MaryAnne & Siggy
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Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 17, 2022 6:23:01 GMT -7
Thank you for the reminder. I was just checking to see which strength of Pepcid I had in my medicine cabinet. I need to go get the regular vs extra strength. That is my morning task as of course last night he did have an upset stomach.
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MaryAnne & Siggy
New Member
Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 21, 2022 10:42:07 GMT -7
Just got back from visiting the neurologist (Lara Curtis, DVM, DACVIM). She reiterated strict crate rest for 6 weeks.
If Siggy either shows signs of pain or further loses mobility, then it is suggested to get an MRI to rule any issues out and determine if and what disc(s) are compressed.
While she did check Siggy, he hinted a little pain in the area where he had his initial surgery. Thus she prescribed 100 mg of ✙Gabapentin every 8-12 hours as needed. No use of anti-inflammatory or steroids at this point.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
6.6 kg/ 14.55 lbs 5 y.o.
Ostimax (Deracoxib) as of 3/14: ?mgs 1x/day STOPPED 3/21
✙Gabapentin 100mgs 1x/day ]
She did also recommend meeting with their PT specialist and meeting with their acupuncturist. I had been thinking to try acupuncture next so I'm glad this hospital has both a PT person and a vet that does acupuncture.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 21, 2022 14:20:42 GMT -7
MaryAnne, when vets diagnose, they consider what several diseases might have same symptoms.
Such as with "pain only," could be lots of things: arthritis in the back, a new disc episode of same or another disc, a tumor, bone infection, etc.
Then they go about ruling out diseases coming to the top most disease they believe that are dealing with.
What is the name of the disease your neuro diagnosed as the disease she is dealing with?
Gabapentin 100mgs Which actually given ? (every 8 or12 hrs)
Siggy's age? weight?
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MaryAnne & Siggy
New Member
Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 22, 2022 9:17:11 GMT -7
your neuro diagnosed ? Suspects recurrent intervertebral disc disease.
Gabapentin 100mgs I gave him one dose yesterday mid morning and nothing since. He does not appear in pain. IF that changes then I will give him every 12 hours.
Age = 5 years and Weight = 6.6 kg
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 22, 2022 19:11:27 GMT -7
MaryAnne, glad to hear with once a day Gabapentin 100 mgs, Ziggy has no pain. Since there is a diagnosis of a disc episode and also that your neuro "reiterated strict crate rest for 6 weeks" , it is a mystery why to meet with a PT specialist at this point in time? ? ? Be very careful of PT during the healing of the disc. Anytime out of the recovery suite which limits movement is a danger to a healing disc.
A disc episode even if of a mild case of bulging disc and pain only, still needs to heal. Disc can only heal with limited movement.
Pain happens upon the initial cracks developing or an actual tear on exterior of disc.
Tissue around the cord then becomes inflamed and painful the more the disc invades the spinal cord canal, pressuring the cord.
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MaryAnne & Siggy
New Member
Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 25, 2022 6:50:58 GMT -7
I had the same question about PT at this stage. I have an evaluation appointment with the PT and acupuncturist on 20 April as I did not feel that he needs to risk further injury while he is healing. Right now he is under strict crate rest and he is carried to and from his potty place. He is only allowed to walk when pottying or when he is eating (in a very confined area).
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 25, 2022 11:32:20 GMT -7
MaryAnne, a phone consultation appt is always a good approach to keep limited movement of the spine. Taking care of things over the phone prevents risky transports. Acupucture can help with pain and nerve healing. You report pain is fully covered by gabapentin. You report no neuro diminishment. What are you expecting from acupuncture evaluation on 20 April? What is there to evaluate at this point in time for physical exercise? Sorry but I'm confused. Disc episode happened on 3/16. Graduation Day from strict rest is on May 11. Siggy's disc will be protected while in his recovery suite. Do you have his food/water bowls attached at head height? dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bowl-holder-DIY-320x240.jpgStay the course with your STRICT rest. Anytime out of the suite can be a danger to his healing disc. |
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MaryAnne & Siggy
New Member
Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on Mar 26, 2022 11:07:03 GMT -7
I will likely push any appointments for PT and Acupuncture until mid May once he has rested and we see if he has any further issues.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 26, 2022 13:03:37 GMT -7
I think this is a good plan. It is immobility that allows the disc to heal, and transports can be risky at this stage.
You are doing a really good job crating Siggy and keeping his footsteps to a minimum. There will plenty of time to pursue these therapies when crate rest is over.
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MaryAnne & Siggy
New Member
Curious to know if anyone else on this forum has experienced their dog having random leg spams.
Posts: 31
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Post by MaryAnne & Siggy on May 11, 2022 12:23:46 GMT -7
After 8 weeks of strict crate rest the prisoner is ready to escape his jail. Siggy seems to be doing very well thus far. He is walking and the rear right leg which has been problematic since surgery is a little weaker after 2 months of crate rest. But he is walking and acting like his usual self. In the next two weeks I will be visiting with the Physical Therapist to see what we can do to help strengthen his hind leg either through home based exercises and/or through water therapy at the clinic. He did have some minor issues with the anti inflammatory meds but I have put him on a chicken and rice with very little kibble and it seems to help. He went for his annual visit yesterday and everything checked out normal. As for now, I am continuing to restrict his activities as we ease slowly back into a mostly normal routine. |
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Post by Paulette & Henry on May 11, 2022 13:31:58 GMT -7
Congrats on your graduation!!
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 11, 2022 13:32:57 GMT -7
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