Krystle, welcome to the Forum. So very glad you got Pepcid AC on aboard. You can help us by giving exact details about meds.
1) Pepcid AC: how many mgs dose; how often given (should be every 12 hrs)
2) Prednisone. Why was this steroid pill started on 6/24, but the vet was not seen until 6/26?
3) What is the exact name the steroid shot on 6/26?The taper of prednisone (started on 6/29) is a testing time of sorts to find out if it has completed the job of getting rid of all painfully inflamed tissue around the cord and the there is no new neuro diminishment.
When there are still pain meds on board, that makes it impossible for you to correctly assess if pain still exists but is masked by the methocarbamol and the gabapentin. This is important information for you to read how anti-inflammatory drugs are used during a disc episode:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ Your knowledge allows you to speak up for Daisy, ask pertinent questions, maybe understand the vet's thinking. I would advocate asap Fri morning for the full stop of pain meds or backing them down by frequency and times per day so you can correctly do your observations.
What date did you begin STRICT rest inside of a recovery suite? Member tips to make crate rest go smoother: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/Can Daisy use her back legs to attempt to scratch an ear, attempt to try to raise back legs up into a stand by herself? Attempt to use the back legs to reposition her body in the recovery suite.
MONITORING NEURO FUNCTIONS
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there is a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions. When nerve healing begins, often it follows the reverse order.
Help us understand Daisy's progression of neuro loss with correct dates.1.
6/24? Pain caused by the intial disc tear & inflammation in the spinal cord
2.
6/24? Wobbly walking, legs cross
3.
6/24? Nails/toes scuffing floor
4.
6/24? Back p
aws knuckle under
5.
_date?_Weak/little leg movement,
_date?_can't move up into a stand
6.
? Back 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 with conservative treatment or surgery. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance. Precious hours can be lost with a vet that gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS. So if surgery is an option for your family get to a neuro or ortho asap.
A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/IMPORTANT HEALTH ISSUE:BLADDER CONTROL and SNIFF and PEE TEST
The only way for humans to know if there is bladder control is with the “sniff and pee test.” Carry outdoors, set them on an old pee spot to sniff. Make sure the sling or your hands are not on the tummy area as that can press on the bladder. See if they will release urine on the old urine area. If urine comes out after sniffing, that is bladder control.
Let us know what you observe.OVERFLOWING BLADDER danger
The body has a safety feature built in if bladder control should be lost. When a bladder is overstreched and filled with urine, reflexes will allow some urine to escape (called overflowing bladder). In short time, the owner needs to manually express the bladder to avoid
--- permanently ruining bladder wall tone with constant over stretching that muscle
--- Urine an overflowing bladder can not remove will quickly become a breeding ground for a urinary tract infection. Infection is a danger if not promptly treated with an antibiotic.
--- Dogs who've lost control need to have their bladder expressed every 2-3 hrs when first learning this new skill. With a weeks worth of practice, expressing can move to every 3-4 hrs. As they stay dry move to every 4-6 hrs and overnight for 8 hrs.
Video and tips before going to get a hands on your hands lesson: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/
