Kate’s Jameson 9/9 conservative - Terrier mix; GRAD 11/4

[Original subject line: Kate’s Jameson 4/25 - Terrier mix; GRAD 6/6, relapse 9/10 ]  

QUESTIONS
☆ 1 pain?Currently no, but last night [9/9] he suddenly started pacing and panting, refusing to lay down, and had an extremely tense tummy prior to vet visit.

Originally had a sudden slipped disc on 4/24 and received surgery for a stage 5 slipped disc on 4/25 after MRI confirmation, did six weeks strict crate rest during recovery, and quickly regained bladder control and ambulation of back legs.

2.  25lbs Age? 9 years old
meds currently given
Began prednisone today (9/9) at 5mg, one pill every 12hrs. Decrease on 9/16 to 1 tab every 24hrs, then every other day until finished.  We brought him to the vet and he got an XRay to rule out stomach issues, and the DVM suggested he may be having some muscular/skeletal pain in this relapse since he responded to spinal testing with hemostats. DVM advice is to treat with prednisone (dose above), along with gabapentin(100mg, 1-2 pills every 12hrs) and trazodone (100mg, 1.5 pills every 12 hours). The dosage certainly took away all pain and Jameson was able to finally rest and stop panting.

 After reading, I’m likely to adjust to 8hr dispensing and lowering the doses to 100mg gabapentin and 50mg trazodone, which was his dosage after his surgery. The DVM prescription seemed excessive after observation, and it’s difficult to tell if he’s having limb control regression (he’s entirely reluctant to lift his back half after laying down, and is dragging his knuckles and legs in a way that was similar to his limb control maybe a week after the surgery. Prior to medicating (-16hrs) his walking seemed pained but not regressive in motion.

[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
25lbs 9 y.o.
diagnosis ?
Prednisone as of 9/9: 5mgs 2x/day for 7 days, 9/16 test taper _pain/ _neuro
gabapentin 100mgs capsule:  200mgs  1x/day
traZODone 100mgs tabs 1.5mgs 2x/day
Jameson needs  GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of prednisone!  ] 

Initially during post surgery, he was prescribed Prednisolone on a similar taper.
Had not heard of [Pepcid AC] this! I can pick some up over the counter ASAP.

☆ 3 -- stomach damage. Currently none thankfully, even prior to vet visit he was still interested in food/water, did not vomit, and had relatively normal poops. Has an unrelated history with sensitive digestion with no known cause but has been controlled on a prescription low-fat diet

☆ 4 My name is Kate, and Jameson is a mixed street dog, best guess is jack russel terrier with pug, maybe some chihuahua.
☆ 5 Original diagnosis was a slipped disc with full compression of the spine (stage 5), he lost feeling in his back half. Slipped disc was at T13-L1, predominantly left sided.
-- Current vet is a general DVM, we relocated after his recovery. Will be seeking out a neurologist on Monday when the local office opens, as I’m guessing this won’t qualify as an emergency for weekend contact.
--Surgeon was DACVIM
☆ 6 Original surgery date was 4/25
 Surgeon required 4wks, but we did 6wks because we were in the process of relocating to a new state and wished to limit any accidents or injuries around boxes with the limited floor space.
    At home PT, we were given many videos and instructions for massages and exercises. Since relocating I’ve been trying to get him in at a vet rehab to see if we can increase range of motion (he can walk but cannot pick his back legs up very high, still slips) but was unable to establish a rehab appointment before the relapse.

☆ 7 Upon original release I was advised to palpate his bladder as he had not exhibited control (he was held at the neurologist for five days after surgery. Within four hours he was able to sniff and squat, I only had to palpate once.
    With current relapse, he still maintains bladder control for now.
☆ 8 Jameson can currently walk and wag, but with a ton of reluctance since the recent relapse.

After reading, I’m likely to adjust to 8hr dispensing and lowering the doses to 100mg gabapentin and 50mg trazodone, which was his dosage after his surgery. The DVM prescription seemed excessive after observation, and it’s difficult to tell if he’s having limb control regression (he’s entirely reluctant to lift his back half after laying down, and is dragging his knuckles and legs in a way that was similar to his limb control maybe a week after the surgery. Prior to medicating (-16hrs) his walking seemed pained but not regressive in motion.

It’s hard for me to tell if he is just now high as a kite or if he’s actually regressing. Still able to put weight on the back legs, but I’ve brought the sling back out for trips outside and gone back to carrying him and implementing strict crate rest.

Aside from picking up some Pepcid, and adjusting his mg dosage down along with 8hr dosing for pain instead of 12hr, am I missing anything? I’m mostly worried about when to involve a new neurologist, and how “normal” a relapse like this can be, or if he’s heading into another emergency situation.

Thanks!