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Post by Mary & Kappy on Aug 7, 2022 9:50:03 GMT -7
Kappy is a 10 year old purebred Basset Hound. 70 pounds. Sudden onset of back injury July 27th. August 4th took us to Pet Emergency where X- rays diagnosed involvement of two spinal discs. Currently on bed rest in “recovery suite.” Eating and drinking well, but no control over back legs. Bladder and bowels have emptied which is a good thing. ER vet said recovery possible after six weeks, but no guarantees. Tail will wag, and yesterday she stretched all four legs. [MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
70 lbs 10 y.o.
date crate rest started ?
Carprofen as of 7/27: 75 mg 3x/day for 10 days, then 8/5 TEST STOP
Gabapentin 300 mg 3/day
Methocarbamol 250 mg 3/day
Codeine 15 mg 3x/day
Kappy needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board w/CARPROFEN! Hoping to see some indication soon that this condition will resolve. Gabapentin 300 mg 3X/day Methocarbamol 250 mg 3X/day Carprofen 75 mg 3X/day Codeine 15 mg 3X/day Given every day since Thursday, August 4th  |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 7, 2022 11:14:58 GMT -7
Mary, welcome to the Forum! Providing the STRICT rest will give Knappy every chance possible to allow the disc to heal and with time to see his path of nerve healing. Disc healing takes 8 weeks. Let us know if 3 pain meds are providing round the clock comfort from any pain. What about the anti-inflammatory Carprofen. For how many day course has that been prescribed? Then when it stops, that is the test to find out if carprofen has done its job. --- Please read and understand why an acid suppressor is need during carprofen: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/ Let us know when you have it on board (?mg and 2x/day)
--- Know your job and what to ask your vet at the stop of carprofen: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ Let us know how your vet wants the 3 pain meds dealt with on the stop of carprofen.What was the reason Knappy was not able to get to a vet on July 27th?
Did his tail specifically wag because you did some happy talk or he saw a yummy treat coming toward him? leg and tail movements during potty time can be due to reflex (not brain directed)
Does he leak on your when lifted? Do you find urine leaks in bedding even though you take him out to potty every 4-6 hours. Trying to find out if he actually has brain directed peeing or reflex overflowing of the bladder. Loss of bladder control requires for serious health reasons a hands on bladder expressing lesson. Read more here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/
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Post by Mary & Kappy on Aug 7, 2022 12:22:17 GMT -7
Kappy was seen by her regular vet on July 27th. Painful back, but she was still mobile.
Waited 3-4 days to see how she did on pain meds before doing X-rays. She seemed to be improving until august 4th, when she completely lost the use of her hind legs. Took her to ER where they did X-rays. Our regular doctor wasn’t in that day.
Kappy is on “recovery suite” rest. Not able to stand at all so is unable to walk or squat. She has emptied both bladder and bowels in her bed. Someone is with her round the clock, so we’re able to clean up right away. Her tail wags when we talk to her, but I’m not sure if it has to do with happiness or reflex. Will discuss meds tomorrow with her regular doctor.
Carprofen has stopped, as it was only prescribed for ten days or so. No stomach issues so far.
[Transferred a copy from another dog's thread to Kappy's thread]
Just had to let you know we are in pretty much the same boat. Our Basset Hound, Kappy, is 70pounds. My husband and I are in our mid-70’s trying to deal with Kappy’s spinal disc condition. We are also stressed, sleep deprived, and now I think I’ve pulled a muscle in my back. I suspect Kappy’s chances of recovery are less than 50%, and will discuss with her doctor tomorrow where we go from here. We want to give her every chance of recovery, but must also consider her quality of life not only now, but six months from now
[Transferred from Moderators Status note area:]
Kappy is female, spayed, 10 years old.
[6:30 p.m. Transferred a copy from another dog's thread to Kappy's thread]
Our Basset Hound, Kappy, also becoming VERY stressed being confined. She’s barking like crazy and tried to tear down the fencing. We’ve taken her outside to a shady spot (using a towel as sling….she has a severe case of IVDD and no use of her back legs.)
Not time for pain meds for an hour, so we’re sitting quietly with her in the yard. She seems content to “stay put” as long as someone is with her. Just taking this hour-by-hour. I’m hoping that as long as she’s NOT MOVING, quiet, and stays in place that this will be ok. We’re falling into a routine with her care, and it’s becoming easier. She’s 10 years old.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 7, 2022 16:21:01 GMT -7
Mary, want to make sure we have all the details about Kappy correct so the conversation does not go in a wrong direction. Can you help? STRICT REST date? W as Kappy put on 100% strict rest with the July 27 vet appt? Or did crate rest begin on Aug 4 when he lost back leg function? It is established, then that Kappy does have tail wagging neuro function as she has a head level involvement (hears you talking to her) and then she wags her tail. This is good news! As it bodes well for nerve healing to self repair with time.BLADDER CONTROL?What we do not know is if she has bladder control. This is quite important to get this information correct today. Seek vet help asap 1st thing Monday in the am to get a lesson expressing the bladder if YOU determine she has no control over the bladder. Having to clean her up from urine soaked bedding, could be a sign of no bladder control. Urinary tract infections can start quickly when dog who should be expressed is not. A urinalysis will prove if a bladder infection is going on. No dog wants to eliminate where they sleep unless they have no choice OR unless they have lost bladder control. Are you PROMTLY taking Kappy outside to do her business every 4-6 hours? When you take her outside with support of a harness and sling, will she sniff about and then make the decision to release urine?
More detail on expressing urine and for poop when a dog does not have this neuro function. You will get more out of the lesson if you need it by first viewing the video: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/HEAVY DOGDo you have a Help 'em Up harness or the like to protect your own back when caring for Kappy? There are lot of tips and ideas for caring for a heavy breed dog during conservative treatment (potty time, slings/harnesses): dodgerslist.com/2022/02/10/large-dog-care-tips-ivdd/
CURRENT MEDS?A current medication list allows us to make good comments. We now know that Kappy no longer takes carprofen and of course does not then need Pepcid AC. HOWEVER, is she still taking these three pain meds at these mgs and times per day? Gabapentin 300 mg 3/day Methocarbamol 250 mg 3/day Codeine 15 mg 3x/dayAt any time of the day or night is she in pain? If in pain, the vet needs to know that all inflammation is not yet gone with the 8/5ish STOP test for pain of carprofen. If pain, then another 7-10-day course of carprofen + all pain meds on board + PEPCID AC are needed.SIGNS OF PAIN:
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved ⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned bac ⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position ⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions ⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves ➕if a neck disc: ◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground ◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily. ◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain ◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight When possible vets who know IVDD, will adjust meds, take updates from you over the phone. Especially with a heavy dog, transporting can have the risky potential to disrupt the early healing disc. Vet visits are reserved for the urgent things. For example if it turns out the Kappy does not have bladder control, it is of an urgent matter for YOU to learn how to express the bladder. So the health benefit of learning to express outweighs the risk of a vehicle transport into the vet's office.As long as Kappy is out of pain, interested in life around her, happy to hear you talk to her, then for these 8 weeks of disc healing, quality of life is good for this point in her treatment to heal the disc. After graduation, THEN she gets to slowly get back to enjoying family life and activities. By the end of 8 weeks where the focus is all about healing the disc, nerves may or may not have healed in that short of time. So on graduation day if she need more time to heal nerves, Kappy can use a wheelchair to enjoy life. On graduation day we will have lots of information to help you with the gradual and safe way to increase physical activity.With the IVDD disease we must learn to think positive...look at the glass as being half full not half empty. Your dog IS going to get back to enjoying life and all the activities she did before. Remember to put a big smile on your face and in your voice and carry it in your heart while your girl is recovering! Dogs CAN smell when you are happy, sad or scared because each emotion has a subtle change in your scent. Many times their behavior reflects our mood and they may even misinterpret our sadness and worry and believe they have done something wrong. Everyone heals better in a positive energy environment. SO, "put on a happy face!!" and tell Kappy everything is gonna be OK cause you are on it. Soon, you too will come to understand it will be so. It will help you and your sweet one!
Mary, one last thing. I see you are posting information that is valuable to us about Kappy to other owners. So I am needing to take extra time to copy your posts back on to Kappy's thread so all details are in one place.
How to help another member type of post
If you are wanting to help another owner that is great!. The Forum has the best advice on how exactly to do that. Please read over these "Helpful Member" ideas: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/3277/helpful-member |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 7, 2022 19:07:42 GMT -7
Mary, we just can't allow a dog to be rambunctious in their recovery suite. There is danger of re-damaging the disc's early forming scar tissue.
So help Kappy be able to relax in her suite. Phone the vet first thing in the a.m. and request a prescription for traZODone to aid in relaxing. Or the vet may have another relaxer he prefers for Kappy. Let us know what the details are of mgs and times per day on what is prescribed.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 7, 2022 19:09:36 GMT -7
Mary, please scroll up to read the post I wrote earlier today. Don't think you've read it. Look forward to your answers to know best how to help Kappy.
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