Asia, welcome to the Forum. Be alerted that the pain meds are not yet right. Head pointed up is a sign of pain that need your attention asap now.
Please tell us where you live. At this point I'm kinda assuming you took Yoshi to an ER vet? If ER, then you can phone and report the pain as the fastest way to get the meds adjusted over the phone. Your local DVM vet would very likely need to have you transport him in for an examination before prescribing meds. Whichever way gets those meds adjusted now, today, asap is the correct vet to see.
Neck discs are the most painful because when any part of the body moved, the neck usually has to move as well.
--- often the pain med need to to be Rx's for every 8 hrs (3x/day) as that is how long they are effective for.
1. Advocate for methocarbamol (muscle spasm pain) Rx for 3x/day
2. Advocate for traMADol (general analgesic) Rx for 3x/day
--- The anti-inflammatory Meloxicam can take 7-30 days to finally resolve all painful inflammation. An acid suppressor that works asap in 30 mins such as Pepcid AC (famotidine) should be on board for the duration of Meloxicam to avoid bleeding ulcers (signs are: not eating, loose stool, vomit, moving to bleeding ulcer and red or black blood in poop.) If you are in the USA, it can be bought at the grocery store. Understand the full picture on why to protect the stomach here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/
There are extra things you can do at home to help the neck heal, such as softening hard kibble, raising food/water dishes, etc. More info here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/If Yoshis can no longer sniff an old pee spot outdoors and then decide to pee there, he needs you to express his bladder. These are other confirmation that he has lost bladder control: 1) leaking on you when lifted 2) finding urine leaks in bedding
◽️
Review on bladder expressing: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/ After reviewing video and tips, get a hands on top of your hands expressing lesson on Yoshie. Urinary tract infection can quickly start in a matter of days if Yoshie has, indeed, lost bladder control.
The single most important care in addition to providing Yoshi to be pain free with adjusted meds is 100% STRICT rest inside of a recovery suite (ex-pen, wire crate, baby's Pac N Play.
The suite should be only large enough to allow him to easily turn around, and fully stretch out his legs when lying down. He can lie down as he wishes on his side or tummy.
STRICT rest means:
◼︎ Dog with bladder control: carry him to and from recovery suite to the potty place if he has bladder control
◼︎ Limit him to footsteps only....no dragging around during potty time.
◼︎ Dog who leaks when lifted or leaks in bedding needs you to manually express the bladder.
◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎no chiro therapy WHYs:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/ ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎At home laser or acupuncture for severe neuro damage is best.
Lots of tips and ideas for carrying out the STRICT rest for
the 8 weeks it takes to heal a disc:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/"The" roadmap for understanding each of the 4 phases of healing during a disc episode with conservative treatment. Avoid dangerous detours with the Conservative Roadmap for your fridge.
VIEW, DOWNLOAD and print:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdfIf surgery would be an option for your family if indicated by a specialist (neuro-ACVIM) or (ortho ACVS), then be prepared to ask good questions and best understand what is explained to you. Know the two treatments (conservative vs. surgery):
**
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/dr-isaacs-surgery-interview-1.png 1) Dr. Isaacs answered alot of questions we've had about surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/12/dr-isaacs-surgery-answers/ 2) More excellent info to help with conservative vs. surgery decisions:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/Questions
--What is your city/state/country?
--Specify kind of vet seen on 12/5: your local
DVM vet, a
DVM ER vet, other kind of vet specialist (
neuro-ACVIM) or
ortho-ACVS)?
--
Which front leg paw is knuckled under? If not a knuckling paw, describe more fully.
**
--
Do you find urine leaks in bedding? Or find he leaks on you when lifted. That require going in today with Yoshie to have a vet tech or the vet put their hands on your hands type of lesson.
Yoshi can heal his nerves with time. He CAN heal his disc with 8 weeks of strict rest. We will be watching for your detailed updates that his meds have been adjusted so he can heal in comfort from pain.
