Danielle's Hayu 5/9 conservative; GRAD 7/25

Good Morning. My apologies for the delayed response. We have had some unexpected events in the family and I have been traveling. Hayu stayed home with Dad rather than put him in a car for 18 hours.

[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 7/10; resumed 7/12
Pepcid AC 10mgs 2x/day]

So he was still having pain when picked up after I weaned him off the methocarbamol and was on 1 dose of tramadol (Thurs June 30). I took it upon myself to try the methocarbamol by itself and it worked well. Almost too well because even while in his crate he was trying to bounce around and when in his stroller he was standing on his back legs to watch what was going on.

Surprisingly at potty time, he has been listening and not trying to run off. When I tell him to wait he sits and waits. I gave him two (500 mg) methocarbamol a day from June30-July 5. Then we dropped to 1x a day until Saturday July 9. and then we stopped.

Monday (July 11) he went to the vet and they examined him and there was zero pain with anything. Doctor told me if he exhibits any pain I can give him methocarbamol and/or tramadol (meaning discomfort, not a full episode) If it is worse than that, he wants him to come in again.

Yesterday (July 12) my husband said when he got up (3 am), Hayu was hopping around in the crate and very excited to see him. He is in the smallest crate I can put him in. He let him go potty and put him back in. When I got up at 6 am I took him out and he whimpered when I picked him up. He went potty and into his stroller he went. He is back on the methocarbamol twice a day. When I pick him up I try to scoop him so my left hand is completely under his tushy and my right hand is below his neck at the top of his chest. Mid chest is where he reacts if we pick him up. He is sleeping right now and I am going to monitor for today. If there is no improvement, I will call the vet tomorrow morning.

Since he gets the methocarbamol right before bed, it is in the am that there is a reaction more often than not. He is on famotidine (20) daily since his stomach issue in June.

He thinks a flare-up. I think from his antics in the crate and the stroller it is sore/pulled muscle. Since I am not a doctor, I am following his instructions. This dog is going to give me a nervous breakdown if he doesn’t stop. He is chilling out right now thankfully.

Good Morning. Plan B is I have a bottle of each medicine (100 in each) I am ready if something happens over the weekend. I always make sure I have it on hand just in case. I am home and he will be with me most of the weekend since my husband is working.

On a positive note, he is peeing more often due to the steroids, so I have to pick him up. He has not whined, cried or flinched any time I have picked him up. I am hopeful this means it is a pulled muscle, but also realize the meds could be masking pain. I will keep you posted on how he does and what the doc says tomorrow when I contact him. Thank you.

I hope the pred taper will go smoothly and no pain will emerge.

Usually during a pred taper the pain meds are stopped or cut back. This allows us to see right away if there is still pain. This would indicate that swelling in the spinal cord is still present. If this is the case, more time on the anti-inflammatory is needed. With pain meds masking pain on board it will take longer to get the full picture of what is going on with swelling.

Hayu's behavior upon the decline in methocarbamol and traMADol indicates a good direction of believing all swelling may be gone.  As always, accurate data from you helps us to understand things best. 

What is the current dose of traMADol and methocarbamol:
-- ?mgs dose
-- how many times a day?

Pain meds do not require an every other day dose. It is only prednisone that MUST end with an every other day dose.  If you could omit a day of pain meds, then very likely he does not need any pain meds.

Avoid jumping the gun on relaxation of STRICT rest for his disc. The target date of graduation is Monday July 25

His water bowl needs to be inside of the recovery suite. There should be no walking 3-4 feet to drink.  Every time he walks his back moves. Every time the vertebrae move they press on all discs including the one trying to form  secure scar tissue.  Think "very minimal footsteps only"

At graduation day, then is the time to begin a very, slow and gradual introduction back to physical activity.  I'm so excited to have Hayu have a good graduation day.

Hayu seems to be doing well on the taper so far. Your plan to stop the methocarbamol now and observe Hayu's reaction is a good one. That way it will be easy to tell if all the swelling is gone.

We wanted to check on the methocarbamol because it is a higher dose than we usually see. Going back to your earlier posts, 500mg 2x a day is what he was also taking in May, so this is nothing unusual for him.

It is very good news that towards the end of the taper Hayu is pain free and off all pain meds.

Congratulations are in order on Hayu's graduation day!

Now begins a slow and supervised return to activity.  This supervised and slow will give you good opportunity to quickly notice any setback.  Also slow will make sure you are not confused by too much too soon physical activity that could also cause the similar pain as a setback to the disc.

This page will give you a sample schedule of rehabbing your couch potato in a slow gradual way:  dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/?highlight=sample%20schedule

Your Hayu's muslces are soft and out of shape after the rest period. Gradually build up his muscles and lungs over a month's time will have your dog safely running and having fun again!

PROTECTION: ramps, chair blockers, gates.
See what you can do around the house to protect him from himself.
dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs/
     
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HAPPY DAYS AHEAD
1) You and Hayu have survived a disc herniation! Learn what you can do from this point forward re: dentals, nail trims and more:
dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips

PT THERAPY AT CLINIC or HOME
- Strengthening core muscles which support the spine.
Core exercises don't require specialized equipment.
Here are some exercises you can do at home:
    5 exercises: totofit.com/five-basic-exercises-essential-to-building-core-strength/

When you can, don't be a stranger, let us know how Hayu continue to do.

Danielle, keep up the good work of training Hayu. It will pay off. I appreciate hearing about his progress since graduating end of July.