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Post by sarahsmile3 on Mar 17, 2013 12:52:32 GMT -7
--What is your dog's name? My dog's name is Cooper. He has had 2 surgeries to repair ruptured discs. His troubles began in April 2012. He was The first surgery was June 30th, 2012. His second Surgery was exhibiting the "drunken walk" so I rushed him to the vet. During his neurological exam, he knuckled both back paws. The vet gave him meds and instructed me to put him on bed rest for 2 weeks. After the two weeks was up, he appeared to be just fine. Little did I know what were were actually in for (and that I should have kept him on crate rest for two months). On June 30th, he experienced another episode. This time, he could not move either of his back legs. He was down. Cooper had surgery followed by crate rest and then physical therapy for 6 weeks. He never fully recovered 100% motor function in his back left leg. In October, it happened again. Cooper was down and we had surgery. We started out trying conservative treatment, but three days into his rest he got worse and could not move his back legs. We had surgery again (T13 and L! Right side), rest, and physical therapy. Cooper improved much quicker this time around. He regained more of his left leg motor function. Last week, I noticed Cooper's back legs were a bit more uncoordinated than usual when walking. I say more than usual because his motor skills have been a bit off in that left leg since his first surgery. I started crate rest and called the vet for some steroids Prednisone, 5mg. He is not in pain so we are not giving him tramadol. He is handeling his crate rest pretty well. I hope we can avoid surgery this time around.
--What breed is your dog and did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD? Cooper is a dachshund with a diagnosis of IVDD.
-- What was the date you saw the vet and started 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7? Cooper started Strict crate rest on 3-10-13
-- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? No.
-- What are the exact names of meds currently given, their doses in mgs and frequencies?
Prednisone, 5mg.
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
He can walk, though his back left leg is noticeably weaker than his right. He can wag his tail, defecte, and urinate without assistance.
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? No.
-- Eating and drinking OK? Yes.
-- Poops OK - normal color no dark or bright red blood? Normal.
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Post by natureluva on Mar 17, 2013 15:27:39 GMT -7
Hi Sarah, sorry to hear that Cooper is having another IVDD episode! It sounds like you know the drill for conservative treatment - 8 weeks of strict crate rest plus meds to reduce swelling and control pain. I notice you did not mention that Cooper is taking Pepcid AC to protect his tummy from the excess acid produced by the steroid. Please ask your vet if you can give 5 mg of Pepcid AC 30 minutes before each dose of steroid. Here are three links to help you with crate rest and conservative treatment: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htm www.dodgerslist.com/literature/conservative.htm If you are not already getting it, we highly recommend acupuncture and laser light therapy for IVDD. They both stimulate the nerves to heal and reduce pain and inflammation, and acupuncture has the additional bonus of relaxing the dog. These treatments can begin asap, as long as you can safely transport your dog to and from the appointments (crated). You can ask your vet for a referral to a holistic vet that does acupuncture and laser light therapy, or you can search for one in your area here: www.holisticvetlist.com/ Should Cooper exhibit signs of pain, such as lack of appetite, a tight-feeling tummy (like a drum), panting, yelping, or reluctance to move, do not hesitate to ask your vet for the general pain reliever, Tramadol. If that does not fully control the pain, your vet can add in another pain reliever such as Methocarbamol or Gabapentin. We look forward to hearing how Cooper does throughout crate rest. Best wishes, ~Lisa |
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Post by sarahsmile3 on Mar 17, 2013 16:12:23 GMT -7
I'll call my vet tomorrow morning to ask about the pepcid. I am very interested in the acupuncture and laser therapy. Anything to help Cooper! Thanks so much!
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