Karen, I highly recommend using the Quick Reply at the bottom of the page. We want to read ONLY your own words not quoted text. Here's how....
QUICK REPLY: Easy, fast and recommended!
Go to the "Quick reply" typing area at bottom of your dog's thread to write a reply.
No need to quote from another post. Use your own words and maybe 1-2 words of reference if needed to make the sentence clearer.
Quick reply allows you to scroll up and down to a previous post and then back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.
Karen, any observation of pain means the pain meds are not YET prescribed for Joey's needs. Pain hinders the healing process. So read about each of the three meds typically used and present your best advocate approach for making sure Joey is able to heal in comfort from the pain of not wanting to put weight on the front legs and doing it gingerly.
Always your vet must Rx meds in light of Joey's current medical issue of Congestive Heart Failure. Please read these links so you can ask good questions and fully understand the treatment:
traMADol •
gabapentin •
methocarbamol The kind of pain you describe could very likely be disc material pressing on the nerve root coming off of the spinal cord going out to the front limbs. Discuss with your vet about Nerve Root Signature pain with neck disc.
How the disc heals
Disc healing only happens with limited movement of the spine. Conservative treatment is all about minimal footsteps, no walking around.
STRICT rest means:
◼︎ Size of recovery suite is only large enough to stand on all fours. To easily turn around. When lying down to fully stretch out the legs. Lots of tips in setting up the memory foam mattress inside of the suite and much more here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
** ◼︎ All eating and drinking are inside of the recovery suite
◼︎ Reminder: Carry from the recovery suite to outdoors spot for potty time. Just a very few minimal footsteps (with leash/harness and sling (if needed) are allowed to take care of business. Then YOU carry Joey back to the suite as outlined in previous post.
◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you in your bed
◼︎ Nighttime option: Put your unwashed t-shirt in the ex-pen suite. You can put a mattress for you next to the ex-pen or maybe sleep on the couch if necessary to be near Joey. Another option is to purchase #2 suite, a wire crate. Put the crate on a sturdy table next to your bed. Then you two can see each other & touch through the wires. Joey will be safe in the crate from herself should she want to dart off at an unusual-unexpected sound. Dogs always do the unexpected. We need to be one step ahead of 'em!
◼︎no chiro therapy WHYs:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/ ◼︎no meandering at potty times.
◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎ avoid dangerous detours. Follow the "Roadmap." Tape it to your fridge. D/L and print out:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement except for the very most urgent of vet visits. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment.
Hope you will be able to successfully advocate with your current vet to avoid having to transport to a new vet that would include another exam before prescribing meds. See what you can do to advocate for full pain relief with current vet.
Surgeons use pain meds every day all day, so if your vet is just not comfortable in using pain meds, a specialist surgeon (neuro or ortho) consult is a possibility or .... your vet should do as other vets do phone their university colleague to get insight on their pain medication tips.
Check our member directory for vet recommendations. dodgerslist.boards.net/board/13/member-reported-surgery-costs-recommendations FIND a specialist and other emergency FAQ page:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/emergency-faq/ Board-certified neuros (ACVIM) and ortho (ACVS) surgical specialists can be found at University vet teaching hospitals or private practice. Directory for Veterinary surgeons (ACVS) and neuro surgeons (ACVIM):
find.vetspecialists.comFor how many days is the Rimadyl Rx'd for? This is important information!!!
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