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Post by Jocelyn & Archie on Apr 20, 2022 6:03:52 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Archie’s Journey ] I am Jocelyn. My dog is named Archie. He is an 18 lb Chihuahua, Whippit Mix. I rescued him as a puppy 14 years ago. Archie is currently prescribed Presnidone 5mg 2x’s per day. He began this medication 4/13/22. His first taper date to 1x per day is 4/20/22. The last taper date will be 4/27/22 to 1x every other day. He is also taking Gabapectin 100 mg 3x’s per day. He is not on Pepcid AC but has diarrhea. [MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
18 lbs 14 y.o.
prednisone as of 4/13: 5mgs 2x/day for 7 days, then 4/20 test taper for: √4/20pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mgs 3x/day
Archie needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/prednisone! ] I was not given a “formal” diagnosis, but after X-rays, I was told that it appears to be a disk problem in his neck. His Vet is a General DVM. We first saw the Vet on 4/11/22. We returned the next day 4/12/22 as pain had continued. Archie currently has pain when shifting positions and lifting his head/neck after laying in his sleeping position for a long while. Currently, he wobbly walks. He can move his legs, stand up etc. At onset, his tail was tucked tightly under his back legs. He has released his tail a bit but he is not wagging it as of yet. He tries to shake his head but abruptly stops. He is currently urinating, pooping daily and on his own. He sometimes lifts his leg to pee. This just started 3 days ago. Currently, he has trouble with breakthrough pain overnight. Overnight is the longest time between his pain medication. Mornings have been rough.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Apr 20, 2022 8:27:42 GMT -7
Jocelyn, welcome to the Forum. You have an emergency to phone the vet to report pain and get the meds adjusted asap, now: -1) Prednisone taper is to test for pain. Pain exists! Pred needs to be back up at the original anti-inflammatory level dose (5mgs 2x/day) which will again begin working on painful spinal cord tissue inflammation. 2) PEPCID AC (Famotidine) 10mgs 2x/day: Archie needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of Prednisone to suppress stomach acids! 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/3) SUCRALFATE works in a different way than Pepcid AC. Sucralfate works to bandaid the damaged areas of the stomach lining. Read to know optimal timing with food, with Pepcid AC: marvistavet.com/sucralfate.pml4) Pain meds last for about 8 hrs. There are 3 sources of pain - gabapentin for nerve pain at 100 mgs 3x/day is good. - traMADol acts as an overall analgesic, 3x/day is needed - methocarbamol for muscle contraction pain, 3x/day is needed
STRICT rest is essential to heal the disc.
Let us know date you started strict rest:STRICT rest means: ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you◼︎no chiro therapy WHYs: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/ ◼︎no meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎At home laser or acupuncture if any neuro damage is best. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit. Vets who know IVDD understand. Phone updates to your vet can get meds adjusted.
◼︎ Bone up on how to do STRICT rest. Super tried and true tips for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-processPOTTY TIME strictnessCarry your dog to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, 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! Owner Education is the key to IVDD! Our goal is to team up with you to maneuver through the overwhelming things of an IVDD diagnosis. The aim is to get things right for your dog asap via the Forum.
Owner understanding ensures proper conservative treatment principals:
▶︎ 4 phases of healing, what it takes to heal each phase: dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc/
▶︎ Roadmap for your fridge. Stay the course, avoid dangerous detours for the healing disc: dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf
Begin your self- education.
It is far easier to meet your dog's care needs and advocate for your dog when you have scooped up as much IVDD knowledge as you can in the next week or so over at the Main Dodgerslist website
Jocelyn, please update us what the vet prescribed to get the pain in control, GI tract diarrhea damage. When an aggressive pain med approach is on board, in one hour the pain should be in control and stay that way right up to the next dose. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 6, 2022 8:32:21 GMT -7
[6/5 night, Post moved to the Forum on behalf of Jocelyn:]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 6, 2022 8:43:42 GMT -7
Joycelyn, good to hear Archie is doing well after surgery.
What date will he graduate from post-op rest next week?
What did the surgeon direct for slowing introducing Archie back into family life and activity?
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