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Post by Megan & Hans on Aug 17, 2022 8:42:32 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Hi! I'm Hans with a Herniated Disk - Conservative Treatment]  ☆ 1 - Hans is reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow, ginger movements with a slightly arched back ☆ 2 - Hans is a 6 years old, 12.5 lb DacshundA - Trazodone, 25 mg every 8-12 hours Gabapentin .06 to1.2 ml every 8-12 hours ['The Gabapentin dosage is 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension"] Carprofen 12.5 mg every 8-12 hours with food (NSAID) Methocarbamol 125 mg every 8 hours B - On NSAID (Carprofen) beginning 8/15/2022
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
12.5 lbs 6 y.o.
carprofen as 8/15 12.5 mgs ?x/day for ? days, then a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin formula 250mg/5mL: (2mL dose) 2x/day
methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day
traZODone 25mgs range as needed.
Needs Pepcid AC (Famotidine) for duration of carpforen] C - PEPCID AC - Currently No, but have the question out to the vet and will be administering myself if not prescribed ☆ 3 - No sign of stomach damage at this time ☆ 4 - Hans is a Miniature Dachshund - I am Megan Eckhart ☆ 5 - Diagnosis is a disc herniation -- Vet we saw at Emergency Clinic was a DVM☆ 6 - Conservative treatment began 8/15/2022 with no plans of surgery☆ 7 - Hans still has full bladder and bowel function at this time ☆ 8 - Currently Hans has a [increased neuro diminishment!] bit of a wobbly walk, but can walk on his own and is wagging his tail We have an appointment with his regular vet [8/18] tomorrow and will discuss the Pepcid along with the Carprofen duration. Should I be utilizing a "sling" to help him walk at this point? When we were at the Emergency Vet he was not wobble walking.
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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 17, 2022 10:13:54 GMT -7
Welcome Megan. Good news is there is only mild wobbly walking. If you can commit to very strict rest for 8 weeks Hans can be a very good candidate to heal both his disc and that neuro diminishment.
Call your vet right away to alert them that all pain is not being fully covered YET.
Have no patience at all with pain. When meds are correctly pain is gone in one hour. Pain then stays in control right up to next dosing time of pain meds (gabapentin and methocarbamol).
⚠️WARNING- carprofen!!
Carprofe IS NOT GIVEN on an every 8hr (3x/day) dosing!!! Double check you are NOT giving this anti-inflammatory every 8 hrs. NSAIDs are normal dose every 12 hrs (2x/day) Let us know the correct dosing you are actually giving 12.5 mgs of carprofen
QUESTION about meds your dog being in pain
Gabapentin for nerve pain:
1. what is the formula of number of mgs in one mL of liquid. Formula is on the bottle.
2. Which have you ACTUALLY been dosing promptly every 8 hrs or 12?
3. If not dosing PROMPTLY every 8 hrs, start NOW. That can be one reason for Hans' pain. Pain meds last for about 8 hrs.
4. What is the actual dose in mL you had been giving? If not giving the higher 1.2mL
Carprofen anti-inflammatory to resolve swelling over 7-30 days.
1. For how many days is Hans to take carprofen? Vets can only guess. Therefore many vets may choose a 5-7 day course or maybe a 14-day course
traZODone for anxiety and calming.
1. How often do you actually give?
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Post by Megan & Hans on Aug 18, 2022 9:43:44 GMT -7
1) The Gabapentin dosage is 250 mg/5 ml oral suspension (per ml)
2) I dosed every 8 hours Day 1 and 2 and adjusted to 12 hours on Day 3 - the new dosage provided by his regular vet is [gabapentin] 100 mg capsule 2-3 [?] times daily
4) I have been giving him 8 ml dosage
5) The vet extended the Carprofen out for an ⚠️addition 30 days (12.5 mg ever 12 hours)
6) I have been giving him Trazodone every 12 hours but will be stopping in the next 2-3 days
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
12.5 lbs 6 y.o.
carprofen as 8/15 ER: 12.5 mgs 2x/day for 3 days, √8/17 pain/_neuro
local vet as of 8/18: 12.5mgs 2x/day + for ?days
gabapentin 100mgs tab: 100mg 2x/day
methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day
traZODone 25mgs 2x/day
Needs Pepcid AC (Famotidine) for duration of CARPROFEN!]
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 18, 2022 13:17:52 GMT -7
Thank you for the additional information. The details help us understand a dog's situation.
Is it the gabapentin that is now 100 mg capsules? Will you be giving it 2 or 3 times a day? Gabapentin does not last long in the body and may need to be given 3 times a day to provide relief.
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Post by Megan & Hans on Aug 22, 2022 5:13:10 GMT -7
The ▲Gabapentin is now 100 mg capsules and we have adjusted it to 3 times a day (every 8 hours)
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
12.5 lbs 6 y.o.
carprofen as 8/15 ER: 12.5 mgs 2x/day for 3 days, √8/17 pain/_neuro
local vet as of 8/18: 12.5mgs 2x/day + for ?days
gabapentin 100mgs tab: 100mg ▲3x/day
methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day
traZODone 25mgs 2x/day
Needs Pepcid AC (Famotidine) for duration of CARPROFEN!]
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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 22, 2022 9:22:25 GMT -7
Megan, with any change in meds, not only do we like to know the mgs and frequency BUT also what is effect. Can you tell us if Hans is now fully out of pain round the clock, night and day, right up to the next dose of his two pain meds (gabapentin and methocarbamol)? If not fully out of pain, report right away this Monday 8/22 what exactly you observe (us too) and advocate for a 3rd pain med traMADol as the general analgesic also 3xday. CARPROFEN All anti-inflammatory drugs can have side effects. To get the important benefit of resolving all swelling around the spinal cord, it is worth taking a risk but doing so with care and safety in mind. -- No vet knows how long to give this med. -- All vets must take a guess. -- This is the reason they try a short course. Maybe a 5-7 day course maybe a 14-day course. It may take in the range of somewhere in the range of 7 to 30 days to resolve swelling. Vets who are comfortable with their knowledge of IVDD very likely would not Rx a 30-day course! -- Would you read the carprofen bottle to find out how many days the local vet has Rx'd use. -- IT is the STOP of carprofen that gives proof if another course is needed or not depending if pain surfaces or not. -- Read all the details so you are up to speed on Carprofen as used with a disc episode. Knowledge is your friend in being able to speak up, ask good questions on behalf of Hans. Recommended reading: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/i.postimg.cc/9MqP4ndF/healingsweling.jpg-- What is the stumbling block to getting acid suppressor Pepcid AC (famotidine) on board for the duration of carprofen? This page will give you important understandings dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/ 1. Why acid suppression is important during a disc episode 2. Specifically how to phrase the question about your dog taking Pepcid AC.
Let us know when Pepcid AC from the grocery store is on board for your 12.5 lbs Hans:
One active ingredient in Pepcid AC:
famotidine 5mgs twice a day.
We look forward to hearing if Hans is now able to heal in comfort from pain, be protected from a potential bleeding ulcer and the carprofen stop date as a test if all painful swelling has been resolved.
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Post by Megan & Hans on Aug 23, 2022 11:35:31 GMT -7
Hans is now out of pain - I increased [?] the Gabapentin at the next dosage and it appeared to provide relief.
We renewed all the meds, Vet wants to continue on this course for [how many days?] a few more days.
He ws prescribed Dia-Gel (Dog 1-30 lb, 1 syringe) for his diarrhea.
He has not worsened and at times appears to be improving (with little to no knuckling under). He has his first cold laser therapy session tomorrow. We continue to be hopeful for a positive recovery.
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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 23, 2022 11:50:13 GMT -7
"increased the Gabapentin" please help us understand what this means. What is the dose in mgs and how often are you now giving (every 8 hrs or 12 hrs? IS this the correct info about gabapentin increase?
Dia gel DOES NOT get to the root cause of the diarrhea. It is only a high fiber product.
Pepcid AC DOES get at the root cause. What is the stumbling block to getting Hans the help he needs for the duration of carprofen. Were you able to read the link about the 3 reasons that cause the RED FLAG signs of GI damage posted in my last reply.
With dangerous diarrhea red flag do not take any more chances for bleeding ulcers. Get Pepcid AC now!
What is the specific number of days that carprofen will be continued?
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Post by Megan & Hans on Aug 23, 2022 12:03:43 GMT -7
He still had some of the liquid Gabapentin left - the instructions were .06 to1.2 ml every 8-12 hours. I gave him 1.0[mL] instead of .06 (.06 to1.2 ml every 8-12 hours ['The Gabapentin dosage is 250 mg/5 mL oral suspension"])
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
12.5 lbs 6 y.o.
carprofen as 8/15 ER: 12.5 mgs 2x/day for 3 days, √8/17 pain/_neuro
local vet as of 8/18: 12.5mgs 2x/day for 14 days, Test STOP 8/31 for _pain/_neuro
gabapentin 100mgs tab: 100mg ▲3x/day STOPPED 8/22
gabapentin 250mL/5mL: ▼50 mgs (1.0mL) ?x/day on 8/22 using left over liquid
methocarbamol 125mgs 3x/day
traZODone 25mgs 2x/day
✙Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day]
He takes 1/2 of a 10 mg ✙Pepcid twice a day prior to taking the Carprofen. He's always been my sensitive stomach child - and picky eater.
The Carprofen is prescribed for another 14 Days
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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 23, 2022 13:10:04 GMT -7
Megan, we simply can't follow along and give good comments when there are so many up and down doses day to day, it is baffling. The dose you give of liquid gabapentin is not the same number of mgs as the new RX with gabapentin tablets. Let us know when the liquid gabapentin is finished and you are actually using the new Rx of gabapentin 100mg tabs. That is the tablets: 100mgs 3x/day promptly every single day until there is a stop of carprofen. Carprofen Rx of 14-day course would mean the next stop of carprofen will be on Wed. 8/31. Along with the stop of carprofen it is usual to also stop the pain meds which block your ability to assess if all painful swelling is gone. There idea is to proof if another course of Carprofen is needed or has it fully resolved the painful swelling in the spinal cord. It is VERY concerning to hear about diarrhea. What date did you begin giving Pepcid AC 5mgs 2x/day.
It if it has been days ago since starting Pepcid AC, THIS WOULD THEN be a BIG CONCERN to get a 2nd protector on board asap today. Most dogs are well protected with just Pepcid. For those dogs who are not and show RED FLAG signs of not eating, vomit, loose stool, diarrhea, bleeding ulcer, red or black blood in diarrhea, SUCRALFATE is needed. Know about this 2nd protector that is needed and how it works in a different way: marvistavet.com/sucralfate.pml |
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