PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 30, 2022 22:50:48 GMT -7
Keelie, sorry to hear about the UTI. Is there any reason you are not revealing the start date, name of the antibiotic, mgs and times per day? If it is the right match for the bacteria, then you already could be observing signs of improvement. Which meds are believed to be causing weakness in her back end, causing you to have to help her poop? What did the vet do to adjust meds to turn these problems around? What does "have to help her poop" mean? Are you expressing for poop or constipated or ??
Bella is not showing any negative side effects to a pred taper.
Truth is neither you nor your vet knows if there is still pain in existence during the pred taper. This is because there are still three meds that block you from a prompt and accurate observation about pain (methocarbamol, codeine and gabapentin.The pred taper is to observe if pain will surface and to notice if neuro functions diminish or are lost. Using dates would help us understand things. Could it be "weaker in her back end" is a neuro diminishment especially during the taper of prednisone.Pain resurfacing AND any neuro setback during a taper is an alert that another course of prednisone is needed. It may take 7 to 30 days (excluding any taper days) for prednisone to fully resolve painfully inflammed tissue and any neuro decline. So far Bella has had two 5-day pred courses (10 days total).
MONITORING NEURO DIMISHMENT 1. Pain caused by the intial disc tear & inflammation in the spinal cord 2. Wobbly walking, legs cross 3. Nails/toes scuffing floor 4. new on 6/2-6 Both paws knuckle under (slow to right or can't right at all?) 5. 6/9? Weaker rear during Galliprant washout ? little leg movement ? can't move up into a stand 6. __ Legs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down) 7. __ Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors. 8. Tail wagging with joy is lost 9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. Hope by now you, yourself, are feeling a lot better! |
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Post by Keelie & Bella on Jul 1, 2022 17:54:54 GMT -7
I have sad news. We went for an assessment with the vet today and it was determined that it was highly likely Bella had Degenerative Myelopathy and there just wasn't more that we could do. We made the decision to give her peace.
I just want to thank you so much for your time and advice. It has been a challenging road but with your help and guidance, I feel I was able to give her the best possible care that I could give her.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 1, 2022 19:17:58 GMT -7
Keelie, my heart breaks to hear this sad news for a different diagnosis than disc disease. Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) a progressive disease of the spinal cord. It is not a hopeful disease.
Your depth of love ❤️ = depth of grief. My sincerest of sympathy for the loss of your dear Bella. Warm ((hugs)) to you and your family.
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