Crystals Axie 3/25 conservative - Maltese

Crystal, welcome to the Forum.

A two week follow up would be if the STRICT rest, the anti-inflammatory prednisone and the pain management med Gabapentin are not doing the job. And if your vet feels uncomfortable with her knowledge of IVDD and how to treat a disc episode.

If we had some details from you, we'd be best able to tell you what is going on with Axie's healing status and what you should advocate for if anything at all.

Conservative treatment is the best option when surgery isn't... such as... dog is still able to walk, health reasons, not affordable.

The single most important care is the 100% very STRICT crate rest. So any transports into a vet appt would be for the most urgent of things.

Until we know all about Axie, reading and getting up to speed will be important for you.
    Familiarize yourself with "the" amazingly most positive method to... heal a disc and prevent nerve damage. Start today giving your dog every chance possible to heal with conservative treatment.
➤ 🏠At home nursing care tips:  
-- Tried and true tested ideas. Learn how to set up a “recovery suite” with room service for your dog!  dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
➤ 💊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-place
    

-- Weigh the risks vs. benefit. Anytime outside of the recovery suite... would be a day for risk of potential pain, nerve damage, more vet bills, a costly surgery.
Benefit examples... Potty times and the most urgent of vet visits would outweigh potential risks of too much movement during a transport..  
-- Know in your heart, the body does have an impressive ability to self-heal a disc and to self-heal nerve damage. CLICK  [Today, 🔎 view Shortcut Thru IVDD] and become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog needs.


With your specific details  of event dates, etc., we'd know best how to help. We'd feel awfully bad to mistakenly assume anything ... delaying help for your dog.

QUESTIONS:
★1 Is there still currently pain, let us know which 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 __How much does your dog weigh? 
      Fill-in the details about Prednisone and gabapentin history 
         -- Gabapentin - ?mgs dose    how often given?
         -- Prednisone started on what date?
               What dose in mgs AND how often given?
               Date prednisone began to taper?
         -- Please include the "all important" stomach protector if still on prednisone. 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 **

Let us know you are on the same page about STRICT REST:
      If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to manage and 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.
       i.postimg.cc/3rLH7g7X/320still-healing-disc.jpg **
     STRICT means: 
  - no laps                    - no couches
  - no baths                  - no sleeping with you
  - no chiro therapy      - no dragging or meandering at potty times.

POTTY TIMES
  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 even if very weakly?
       -- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?

Calm your mind about nerve healing, know the facts: dodgerslist.com/2021/02/06/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/

★8 Peeing or overflowing. Can your dog:
    -- Specifically sniff  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/

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