PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 31, 2013 8:14:55 GMT -7
Redirected to the Forum on behalf of ramon:
I was reading your messages with Patricia's dog Ella. Thought you might have some suggestions for Bella, our basset beagle mix. She lost use of rear legs due to pinched nerves (no obvious pain but lethargic) caused by 2 bulging disks. She was restricted in movement with us babysitting 24/7 for 2 weeks with prednisone. Follow up with vet he indicated she was well enough for moderate walking but no steps for another week. Now 2 weeks later after jumping unexpectedly from couch we noticed she seems to loose equilibrium on her rear legs occasionally. We have restricted her to the couch with leash and one of us with her at all times. She only minimally walks to go potty. Her spirits are up and hard to keep still and if we put her in crate without side restrictions she tends to circle often to lay down. Should we consider medication again? She also wiggle/shakes a lot (normal for her). Should we consider using wiggleless brace? wiggleless.com. We also were looking at Vetri-disc supplement, available at chewy.com. Thankyou, Ramon
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 31, 2013 8:23:46 GMT -7
Ramon, welcome to Dodgerslist. I have redirected your post to the Forum so we all can keep up with Bella's story and make comments. I'm not clear on the date of the disc episode. If it was on Aug 17, it takes 8 weeks to let the disc heal. Crate rest, not any medications, is what allows the disc to heal…no medications do this. If Bella has not had sufficient time to heal her disc, please go back to 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 to allow that to happen. We do not recommend back braces… the full information on why is here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/826/back-bracesThis page will help you to understand supplements with IVDD dogs do you do not waste your money: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Supplements.htmSo we have information to better support you, can you fill us in on these details: -- Is there still currently pain - shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy? -- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk? What can make a great deal of difference in dealing with IVDD is your own self education. Knowledge is the best defense in fighting and winning with this disease. Reading others posts on the forum can be of comfort. But the meat of what you need to know is on our main web page. A very quick way to get up to speed on meds, how healing happens and when for each of the phases is the "Overview: the essentials" yellow button. Then work your way through the rest of the orange and blue buttons to complete your education. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm I highly recommend adding this comprehensive "must-have" $3 DVD on IVDD to your arsenal of educational resources. Friends, family and those who will be caring for your dog should also watch this DVD; plus don't forget to order one DVD for your vet www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmWe look forward to learning more about Bella with your answers. |
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ramon
New Member
Looking for help for our Bella recovering from 2 bulging discl
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Post by ramon on Sept 3, 2013 21:34:23 GMT -7
Paula thanks for the reply. Bella was 1st diagnosed on Aug 2nd. On that day we noticed her dragging her rear legs sporadically. She never has shown signs of being in pain. No shivering, trembling,yelping when picked up or moved. She only yelped during Aug 2nd Vet visit when he stretched her rear legs straight back. Was on prednisone for 2 weeks. Aug 19 follow up visit, no yelping or pain when legs stretched straight back. Vet said walking was OK but no jumping on sofa,bed or going down stairs. She tries to be very active as usual. We caught her jumping on/off sofa Thur Aug 28 and Friday we noticed loosing footing on rear legs sporadically. She trots very well. She wants to take off running and scratches ground after doing potty #2. She wags tail and body when excited or happy. When waking in morning she does her usual ear flopping/shaking/wiggle. Maybe we are being overly cautious?
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Marjorie
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Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Sept 4, 2013 4:53:02 GMT -7
No, you're not being overly cautious, Ramon. Disc injuries are very serious and can lead to paralysis if the spine is not limited from movement. Here's a video showing how a disc damages the spinal cord: 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and out to potty. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal. Please keep us updated. All the best to you and Bella. |
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