Melissa, we are very glad you have joined the Forum. Kudos to you for getting Shorty onto STRICT rest right away! The crate rest is to protect the early healing disc from worsening and further damaging neuro function beyond the wobbly legs.
Especially continue to protect that disc since the taper and stop of the steroid was for YOU to assess for existing pain. YET blindfolding pain meds are still on board?!? More on that below.
Your getting up to speed on IVDD knowledge will allow you to give the instrumental care needed to get the disc healed. For the now do read the links recommended for immediate information. Stay the course with STRICT rest!
ROADMAP
Avoid dangerous detours with the Conservative Roadmap for your fridge.
VIEW, DOWNLOAD and print:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, ACVIM has hit it on the nail especially with IVDD. Each of us needs to be self educated so we can team up to work with our vets.
Our hope is in the next few days you will have a chance to delve into the readings on our
Main Dodgerslist Webpage and be the prepared IVDD savvy owner your Shorty needs as his advocate.
1) This is a good spot to start :
dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place/ 2) Then click on the rest of the "KNOWLEDGE" pull down menu items at the top of each of Dodgerslist Webpages.
It is difficult to spot issues you may not know about or to provide specific comments without essential details and history of your Shorty. The reason is every disc episode is different. Every dog is individual. Different vets have different experiences with IVDD.
Comments are based on
1) understanding your dog's medications,
2) dates of action taken by you and by your vet beginning with the first suspicion of a disc episode
3) the title of the vet making the diagnosis (DVM, ER DVM, or a specialist neuro or ortho surgeon).
🍫🍫 Your answers to these questions below, will provide necessary facts for comments specific to your dog's situation. We are reluctant to assume anything as it may cause the conversation to go in a harmful direction or delay help for Shorty.
QUESTIONS:
★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe.
If you are seeing any signs of pain, then phone your vet today and report those pain observations asap. Advocate for the steroid anti-inflammatory to beback on board to finish ridding the body of painful swelling. Adjust pain meds if needed to provide full round the clock comfort from pain. Bone up on how a steroid is used during a disc episode to do the best job you can of advocating for Shorty:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/Pain signs typical to a disc episode.
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ 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
★2 Fill us in on Shorty's medication history. Especially looking for the
missing info in pink and confirmation of dates, mgs, frequency given★5 Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
-- Has Shorty seen your general DVM vet for this disc episode?
--- or has he only been seen by the ER DVM?
-- a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
★6 What was the date you saw the vet for conservative treatment?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
i.postimg.cc/3rLH7g7X/320still-healing-disc.jpg **
Confirm you are and have been following STRICT rest so the disc can heal without further neuro damage than the wobbly walking: - no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIMES for dogs who can still sniff and pee
Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps.
Using a sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) will save your back and help to keep a wobbly dog's back aligned and butt from tipping over.
A harness and 6 foot leash is to control speed and keep footsteps to minimum as you stand in one spot.
An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to minimizing footsteps with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on!
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg **
★8 Describe what you observe currently about neuro functions.
-- Do the legs cross?
-- Do the back paws knuckle under?
-- Can he right the paws properly on the floor even if slow to correct?
We look forward to learning all about Shorty with your answers.
