Tina's Link 8/7 conservative- peekapoo; GRAD was not 10/2

The best pain medications control is using more than one approach to address pain from multiple fronts. Pain med are effective for 8 hrs. Thus usually Rx is for 3x/day.
    --traMADol-general analgesic
    --methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain  How many mgs is the dose 3x/day?
    --gabapentin-nerve pain     How many mgs is the dose 2x/day?

Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport.  Describe the pain that you're seeing.  

Advocate for the three pain meds plus a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine) to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory.

     There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be  acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock.

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 

--  Learn about Prednisone. 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. 

dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/  

--  Be informed on each med your dog takes:  www.marvistavet.com/pharmacy-center.pml 

--- The anti-inflammatory Prednisone's job is to resolve swelling.  It does not heal nerve damage. 
--- Crate rest serves only the purpose of allowing the disc to form secure scar tissue in a matter of 8 weeks.
--- RELAPSE of a healing disc from too much movement would mean to start at square one with 8 weeks count of strict rest, and meds to work on swelling.  Did Link have a relapse to the disc by escaping his recovery suite, doing too much walking rather than minimal footsteps at potty time?  A relapse can mean increased pain, more neuro diminishment after the incident.
-- There are some few dogs who had STRICT rest for 8 weeks but the painfully swollen tissue is not gone.  
    The hope with conservative treatment is that the offending disc material or bulging disc  would in time shrink back away from the spinal cord and no longer aggravate it.  
    Those dogs may need a surgery to physically remove the disc material. While other dogs can live a good life as do humans via modern medicines to continue with the lowest dose that can still give them a pain free life.

We look forward to your educating us on Link's missing info so we can best offer comments.

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