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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 10, 2022 5:58:49 GMT -7
Good Morning. We went away this weekend and took Hayu with us. Crate seatbelted in the back seat and him in it. We went to my parents and he jumped off a chair when he was with my mom. He has sensitivity on his left side in the upper rib area. I am not sure if it is swelling, soreness or a flare up. Yesterday [5/9]he was not his usual self so I gave him tramadol (50mg) 3x and methocarbamol (500mg) 2x. I called the vet this morning and [5/10] he said to introduce the prednisone (10mg) 2 x a day until [5/13] Friday and then follow up to give an update and taper.[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
23.2 lbs 8 y.o.
date STRICT crate rest started?
Prednisone as of 5/10: 10mg 2x/day for 4 days, then taper5/14 to test for _pain/ _neuro
traMADol 50mgs 3x/day
methocarbamol 2x/day
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 10, 2022 7:19:26 GMT -7
Oh dear Danielle, so sorry to hear the jump happened.
What date did you start crate rest?
Do you have Pepcid AC on board with the prednisone?
The prednisone is being dosed at 10mgs every 12 hrs (2x/day)?
What is his pain status today with two pain meds on board and prednisone?
Any neuro diminishment signs in front or back legs?
-- slow to right front or back paw on the ground?
-- wobbly walking
Are you carrying him to and from the potty place. Very, very limited footsteps at the potty place? Ophs, I see the note Hayu is pee pad trained!!
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 10, 2022 7:48:01 GMT -7
There is no diminishment signs with his front or back legs.
I started the pred [5/10] this morning and yes it is every 12 hours.
He is showing no signs of pain while he is laying, sitting or moving. He is a bit sensitive if I pick him up and put pressure on his upper chest. I am scooping him so that the majority of his weight is in his tail end while my hand supports under his tushy. I am holding his chest area more to support and keep steady but not putting pressure. He does not react when I do this. I am carrying him to potty and I have him resting in a stroller next to me.
I purchased a bigger stroller because he was trying to climb out of the old one. This one is too deep for him to get anywhere.
He just ate and all meds including the pepcid 10mg are on board.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 10, 2022 8:02:53 GMT -7
What date did you begin strict rest in recovery suite (stroller)?
What brand stroller did you settle on? Others may be interested to know.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 10, 2022 8:16:13 GMT -7
I started the stroller rest yesterday 5/9. I purchased Luckyermore dog stroller for large dog or multiple dogs. I went with this one because it is deep and he has no chance of climbing out and it gives him room to stretch out and turn without having to s curve his spine. I will find the link. The top is mesh but also has a solid top that goes over it. You can leave it closed with both or just with the mesh. I leave the top wide open with neither cover so he can see me. I had the front open for a little bit but Houdini figured out he can crawl out of it so I keep it zipped now. smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08S6RR9XH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 10, 2022 9:50:04 GMT -7
I added your comment about the Luckyermore to the discussion on strollers on the Graduates Board: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/3017/dog-strollers-recovery-suitesAs you will read, dogs are pretty crafty. Some have learned how to unzip a mesh window! So do be aware and safety pin down the zipper in a locked position if need be. As usual, strollers are used when you are there to supervise. Looks like a nice stroller size wise that can keep Hayu happy at your side. |
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 10, 2022 10:07:37 GMT -7
I agree with you on all of that. He is only in it if one of us is right there with him. IF we cannot keep an eye on him (sleeping) or are out, he goes in his crate. We have a split a/c unit in our bedroom in addition to our central air to keep it cooler in the warmer Florida months. I have a second crate set up in our room for him for when we go to bed.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 12, 2022 7:32:14 GMT -7
Good Morning:
Hayu seems to be doing much better. He does not flinch or or whine/whimper when I pick him up. Of course he thinks this means he can run like a Wildman around the house. I DO NOT allow him to.
I am dropping his ▼tramadol today to 2x from 3 and will see how he tolerates it. I am keeping the methocarbamol and steroid (+Pepcid) the same until I follow up with doc [5/13] tomorrow. I am hoping he only strained himself but with meds on board and not being a vet, I have no idea.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
23.2 lbs 8 y.o.
5/9 STRICT crate rest started
Prednisone as of 5/10: 10mg 2x/day for 4 days, taper 5/14 to test for _pain/ _neuro
traMADol 50mgs ▼2x/day
methocarbamol 2x/day
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 12, 2022 7:59:54 GMT -7
What did the vet diagnose/suspicion? For a sprained "something" prednisone is a rather huge big gun med!
No one can know about inflammation from a sprained "something" or inflammed/swelling from a new disc episode until all meds are stopped (pred, all pain meds). That pred tapering test is scheduled to begin Sat. 5/14.
Let us know what your vet says when you next speak with him.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 13, 2022 7:34:28 GMT -7
May 12, 2022
I wish I had a deeper knowledge of animal medicine. What you are pointing out makes sense. I will ask the question as well as give you his response. I will let you know what the taper looks like.
May 13, 2022
Good Morning. I picked him up this morning and there was a bit more pressure in the sensitive area then I typically have there when I pick him up. He didn't like it. It was not a huge reaction but he didn't like it. He is asleep in his stroller. I have emailed his vet and gave him what is going on. I also asked all of my questions. I am also going to head over with him today to weight him since that is an ongoing battle with my couch potato. I will let you know when I have further information. Based on this morning's reaction, I am inclined to believe it is his back rather than a strain. Obviously based on my lack of medical background. This is a guess based on just knowing my dog.
This is the response from the vet:
Here are Dr. Freeman's answers:
I started the ▼prednisone taper today. 1x Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then I will do every other for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I will follow up with Dr. Freeman on Tuesday morning.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
23.2 lbs 8 y.o.
5/9 STRICT crate rest started
Prednisone as of 5/10: 10mg 2x/day for 3 days, taper 5/13 to test for _pain/ _neuro
traMADol 50mgs 2x/day
methocarbamol 2x/day
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day]
Positive note. After 8 weeks of crate rest he was 24.5 lbs. He is down to 23.4 and I am working on getting him to 20.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on May 13, 2022 13:42:01 GMT -7
Good that Hayu lost a little weight even though his activity is very limited. During a disc episode it is best that Hayu stay on his normal diet. His body has a lot of repair work to do, so continue his normal food rations. It is good to watch his intake of calories, such as avoiding treats outside his normal meals. Treats if any should be low calorie like carrots, small cubes of apple, green beans or some frozen broth ice cubes to lick.
If, after crate rest, you feel Hayu still needs to lose a bit of weight, he can go on a bit of a diet to slowly get him down to a good weight over a period of several months.
Fingers crossed for a successful taper. Hayu is stilll on his pain meds, so, it will take longer to know if the swelling of the spinal cord is completely gone. Any pain that would indicate that swelling still remains may be masked by the pain meds.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 13, 2022 15:39:52 GMT -7
I have not cutback on his food. The issue we have is he is not a water drinker. Nothing worked to get it into him. One of the vet techs came up with an idea. He loves butternut squash so we started making a watered down butternut squash purée. He also has severe food allergies and the only protein he can eat is rabbit. Thankfully it is a lean protein. So I basically mix both together with a little canned rabbit limited ingredient dog food and a bit of brown rice. I am getting the water into him and he is pooping like a storm trooper from the squash which is helping with the weight loss and he is getting the nutrients he needs from the canned food without me having to push supplements into him. I do not give him treats except when he tries to do something he shouldn’t such as jumping. When he stops, then he will get a pinch of rabbit jerky for being a good boy.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 13, 2022 18:11:09 GMT -7
Danielle, what does "I am also going to head over with him today to weight him since that is an ongoing battle with my couch potato" mean?
Did you weigh risk to a vet suspicion and diagnosis of a healing disc vs. benefit of getting weighed?
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 15, 2022 0:55:45 GMT -7
Fortunately my vet is not far from the house. I walked over with him in his stroller.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 15, 2022 9:09:18 GMT -7
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 17, 2022 5:19:02 GMT -7
Ok
Good Morning. He seems to be tolerating the prednisone taper. He had 1x a day Fri, Saturday and Sunday. I skipped yesterday and he had it this morning. The tramadol and methocarbamol are still 2x a day. He got away from me this weekend and ran like a maniac. He went to jump on the sofa and I screamed which scared him and stopped him. When he goes potty in his designated place I am pretty much now a hockey goalie to prevent him from getting out of the room and running. I don't want to put a harness on him because his pain when it manifests is the underside of his ribs. I told the vet what happened. He said to continue to taper the prednisone and after a few days start to taper the methocarbamol first then the tramadol. He said if necessary the tramadol and methocarbamol can be used long term if necessary. I need to pay attention to how he does when each is tapered and if need be he can be kept on a low dose long term or permanently.
He sleeps in his crate at night. If I have eyes on him he is in his stroller. If I cannot watch him he goes in the crate but since he sleeps in it at night I try to keep him in his stroller as much as possible. When my husband is home, if I have to walk away, he sits with him until I can come back.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 17, 2022 8:20:04 GMT -7
Danelle, might be worth investing in an 8 panel wire ex-pen for use in the house as a potty area. Hayu is just too prone to escaping. Would be tragic if he did damage to the disc and possible in turn the disc damage caused loss of neuro functions. The ex-pen would be flexible and handy to use even after he graduates in July for containment or blocking off areas. i.postimg.cc/nrqdzYJd/Wire-ex-pen.png |
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 17, 2022 9:49:18 GMT -7
I never thought about a pen. I think it is a great ide and am going to look into them. Thank you. :-)
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 23, 2022 5:13:19 GMT -7
Good Morning. Hayu has tolerated his prednisone taper well. We finished it up on Saturday and he has been behaving. I have not purchased the pen yet but do have a baby gate up in the room where his pee pads are. When he tried to escape it is always after he goes potty. He tried to run out of the room. With the gate up, he cannot and he sits and waits for me to lift him and carry him.
I am starting the methocarbamol taper today and he will get it 1x today and tomorrow and then [5/24] we will stop it.
I will start the tramadol taper on Thursday to 1x a day for Thursday and Friday and then [5/28] stop it as well.
His appetite is less but it has been very hot and humid here in Florida. He is my third dachshund and all 3 of them didn't eat as much in the summer months. I am monitoring to make sure he is not in pain but there is no indication he is. He is asleep in his stroller on his back with all four legs in the air. This is his preferred position when he sleeps. When his back was bad back in February and March, he would roll on his back for belly rubs but didn't sleep that way. He is animated when my husband gets home from work. If I cannot keep eyes on him, he goes in his crate which he likes but when I come back to let him out the tail is like a helicopter rotor.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 23, 2022 10:16:32 GMT -7
Danelle, I'm so happy for you guys and Hayu. It really appears you soon will know if all the painful inflammation is gone. Plus your extra precautions with the gate will go along way in protecting from too much movement to the healing disc.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 27, 2022 6:00:12 GMT -7
Good Morning. Hayu is doing extremely well. He finished the methocarbamol Tuesday and I gave him his last dose of tramadol this morning. He does not react at all when we pick him up. He is back to his animated self but I am keeping him under control. During the day when I work, I have his stroller on one side of me and an orthopedic bed on the other side. He is typically in the stroller but I will allow him in the bed if he is being quiet and no one is home but me. If I have any calls or meetings he goes into the stroller so I know he cannot wander. He is still in his summer eating pattern and I am hoping this was just a bump in the road. That being said, we are both watching him and making sure he is not doing anything he shouldn't be doing.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 27, 2022 8:17:12 GMT -7
Fingers crossed for disc healing to continue with your proof now that no meds are needed cause all swelling is gone!!!.
Nailing down any potential for even an attempt to dart or other excessive moment and being one step ahead to prevent is a big safety factor for the healing disc.
Dogs always do the unexpected.
I don't know how being one step of head of your known practiced escape artist and what the circumstances are with the bed beside you means exactly re: disc safety.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 27, 2022 8:21:27 GMT -7
I should have added in I have the gate up so he cannot get out of the room. My apologies for leaving that out. If I need to move about, he goes in his stroller. If I am eyes off him he is in the crate.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 27, 2022 10:25:22 GMT -7
Danelle, which do you think is the safer restraint idea for a dog who may unexpectedly dart off with the sound of a vehicle backfiring, a door bell or some other unexpected thing.
--- eyeballs?
--- the surround of a recovery suite (wire crate, wire ex-pen, stroller)?
You own your dog. It is YOU who is ultimately responsible for deciding the kind of care he receives. With any attempt to dart off, your dog might be lucky to not damage an early healing disc. Personally I would not want to spin the roulette wheel and take that kind of risk with my dog. This is your dog, your risk, but your dog's pain and possible permanent paralysis if Lady Luck is not on your side.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on May 27, 2022 13:58:58 GMT -7
I get the impression you are passing judgement and I really hope I am wrong. What I know is I am a fantastic dog Mom. I know my animals better than anyone AND I take care of them. When he is not feeling, I move him to where he is able to get comfortable. I knew something wasn't right with him so I let him go in his bed so he would sleep. I took him to the vet and he has a bacterial infection causing gas and bloating in his belly. Laying on the orthopedic bed gave him the opportunity to stretch out and get relief.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on May 27, 2022 14:06:33 GMT -7
Danielle, we are not judging you. I am very sorry if any of our posts made you feel that way. Our only concern is for the health of our member's dogs
You are a very good dog Mom, and clearly you love Hayu very much.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on Jun 2, 2022 10:16:38 GMT -7
Hayu is done with prednisone for 2 weeks. Methocarbamol is done for 10 days and tramadol is done for a week. He is showing zero signs of pain. He has recovered from his gastro issue and has been quiet this past week due to it. He is in his stroller during the day and his crate at night.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Jun 2, 2022 13:04:31 GMT -7
Excellent news that Hayu is not showing any signs of pain now that the meds have been stopped!
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on Jun 13, 2022 7:54:21 GMT -7
Good Morning. He is still doing extremely well and showing no signs of pain or discomfort. He is listening better but still raring to go so we are watching him like a hawk during potty time.
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Post by Danielle & Hayu on Jun 27, 2022 5:39:02 GMT -7
Good Morning. Thursday (6/23) when I picked him up he whimpered a bit. He is in his stroller or crate at all times unless he is in his potty place. I will allow him a to walk about there to sniff and do his business and then he is picked up and carried to his stroller/crate. He was given 1 dose of prednisone on Friday. He was given methocarbamol and tramadol morning and night Friday, Saturday Sunday. This morning he was given methocarbamol and tramadol. The methocarbamol stops with this morning dose (Monday 6/27) and tramadol continues 2x a day today and tomorrow (6/27 and 6/28) If he is tolerating the taper and showing no pain I can drop the tramadol to bedtime only Wednesday (6/29) and Thursday (6/30) and then stop.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
23.2 lbs 8 y.o.
5/9 STRICT crate rest started
Prednisone as of 5/10: 10mg 2x/day for 3 days, taper 5/13 to test for: _pain/ _neuro FINAL taper dose 6/24
traMADol 50mgs 2x/day 6/29 backs off to 1x/day, SToPPS 6/30
methocarbamol 2x/day STOPPED 6/28
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day]
Since the one time he cried last Thursday he has not reacted to being picked up. He is eating and drinking normal and bathroom time is normal. He needs no assistance.
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