Welcome Leslie! What's your dog's name? A bit more clarification and we'd be able to provide you with useful comments.
Why is dex not being started asap with the stop of prednisone? There is no need for days of washout from one steroid to another steroid?
What specifically was the vet not happy about that made him switch to the a more powerful steroid than prednisone?
It is the body's job to self repair nerve damage over time, often it can take months.
Any steroid (pred nor dex) does not repair nerves once damaged. Once damaged, it can take months for the body to self repair. A steroid's job is to resolve painful spinal cord inflammation/swelling which then provides the relief from pain. It can take any steroid a range of 7 to 30 days before all swelling is gone. Your dog had 7-day pred course and now a 7 days Dex course.
What is the size of the famotidine tablet in mgs?
NEURO STATUS confirmation
1)BLADDER CONTROL
Can your dog sniff and then release urine on an old pee spot in the yard? That is the kind of proof we need to know about as to whether your dog needs bladder expressing or if you SHOULD be taking him outside to potty every 2-3 hrs while on a steroid. Dex causes a bit less thirst so a dog with bladder control may need a potty break every 3-4 hours.
Male wraps are as last resort IF you are learning to express your dog due to lost bladder control. If it turns out your dog does not have bladder control, first view and read before getting a hands on your hands expressing lesson asap 8/22 morning.
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/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.
Let us know what you observe.
2) TAIL AND LEG FUNCTION
-- Can your dog do a happy tail wag when you SPECIFICALLY do some happy talk or show him a yummy treat coming?
-- Can your dog attempt to use his back legs to help reposition his body in the recovery suite?
-- Have you see your dog attempt to move up into a stand position?
3) PAIN
Good to hear when you need to move him you report no pain. We like observations rather general "no pain" comments. Can you be specific what you observe if any in the list below. Some signs of pain are not something many pet owners think about as being in pain.
The best pain medications control is using more than one approach to address pain from multiple fronts (traMADol-general analgesic, methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain, gabapentin-nerve pain). All three pain meds need to be prescribed three times a day.
Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport.
SIGNS OF PAIN during a disc episode:
⚙︎ 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 around them selves
-- Learn about Dex. An informed owner is a dog's best defense when taking an anti-inflammatory. What your job is, how to arrange for a Plan B with your vet.
