|
|
Post by ritchie57 on Sept 8, 2013 16:22:24 GMT -7
I first learned of dodgers list back in January 2013 when my 9 year old Patterdale Terrier while chasing a ball suddenly yelped and immediately could not walk. At first I thought maybe he pulled a muscle in his leg but by morning it was very apparent it was some form of paralysis as he could not stand on his own. After a trip to the vet and an X-ray, which showed some damage to his spine, it was most likely IVDD and could "maybe" be fixed with surgery that would cost $4000 or more. I love my dog to death, but I could not afford a $4000 surgery that "might" help my 9 year old dog. The vet recommended steroids and tramadol for pain. I asked him if I was just putting off the inevitable, and he said that it was too soon to tell, that Earl had a 50/50 chance of some type of recovery. So I brought him home with some hope and immediately found your website while searching for information on earls condition. I set him up in a playpen and felt hopeful for the future after reading the inspiring stories on this site. Earl had deep pain sensation in his rear paws and had retained urine control which was very good, so I decided as long as he wasn't in pain, and he still had quality of life I was in this to the end with him to make it work!
I immediately found a rehabilitation vet nearby that had just received a class 3b laser. Earl was the first patient to use the laser and began treatments 3x a week. Earl slowly began to show signs of healing, beginning with being able to reposition himself using his rear legs, then he began to stand, and so on. By 8 weeks Earl began to walk, although his paws still knuckled under, he adjusted by exaggerating his gate to accommodate the loss of feeling in his paws. We continued therapy at home with exercises prescribed by our doctor and made our house more friendly to Earls condition. Earl no longer showed interest in even trying to jump on furniture, so that was good. We no longer allow Earl in our bed because of our fear that he would jump off and hurt himself, so we made a nice bed for him on the floor that he is quite confortable in. We do not allow Earl to go up the stairs so we carry him, which is doable as he is only 22 lbs. My husband even built a ramp for him outside so he could get on and off deck without trouble.
We were finally easing into a new kind of normal with Earl, some days were better than others, but all in all his quality of life was good and he was as happy as he had been before the injury. Then Saturday morning when Earl got up in the morning, he had a total relapse. The paralysis in his rear legs has returned, he can not walk and seems like he's in pain. I immediately called the rehab specialist that he had been seeing, but of course, she's out till Monday (why is it that these things always happen on the weekend?). I began digging through some of my meds for Earl and found some Rimadyl and Torodol. I know I shouldn't be medicating him without seeing the doctor, but I know he needs something for the inflammation and pain and I have just enough to get him through the weekend until I can see the doctor on Monday. I expect that they will give him a laser treatment to make him more comfortable and aid in healing, and a new prescription for steroids. (I am aware of the waiting period between NSAIDS and steroids, but was too afraid not to start him on some kind of anti inflammatory as I didn't want his condition to worsen). He has been urinating on his own, although I don't think he is completely emptying his bladder, so I will discuss this also with the doctor.
For now, we have taken the playpen out of storage, and began our second battle with IVDD. As I write this, Earl is sitting beside me, in his playpen, squeaking his favorite toy, oblivious to the challenges to come. What a profound lesson he teaches me , to live fully in this moment.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
|
Post by Marjorie on Sept 8, 2013 18:03:19 GMT -7
I'm so sorry to hear that Earl is having a second disc problem not a year after his first one. My name's Marjorie - what's yours? Can you give us a bit more in essential information about Earl:
-- What was the exact date when you started 100% strict crate rest? -- What are the exact dose in mgs and frequency of the Rimadyl and Torodol you're giving him? Please include the must have stomach protector such as Pepcid AC … 5mg 30 mins prior to anti-inflammatory med. -- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood? You did a very good job with him the first time around, getting laser treatments for him, making your house back friendly and carrying him up stairs. So it certainly sounds like you've done your research on IVDD. Good for you on being the best advocate you can be for Earl. I'm going to share some information with you and some links and if you already know any of this, then just skip what you know. But I don't want to miss telling you something you might not be aware of since you're new to us, though not new to the disease. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and out to potty. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm -- Dogs with IVDD must be carried with their spines vertical, carrying both ends. Here's a video showing how to properly lift and carry: The best way for you to help your dog is by learning about his disease. Here are some links to get you started. Please click on all of them to get a good background of understanding. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmDodgerslist has an excellent DVD available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Let us know what the vet says. I know how hard a second disc episode is, having just gone through the second one with my Jeremy. But at least you have more knowledge the second time around. Healing wishes for Earl. |
|
|
|
Post by Nancy & Polly on Sept 8, 2013 18:11:09 GMT -7
My heart goes out to you, as I know how difficult this is. We just finished our second confinement. First time in January after surgery, this time 8 weeks conservative. It all seems worth it as I just today watched my Polly run on the beach. Don't lose hope. For some of us this IVDD business isn't going to be a one shot deal, unfortunately. You know what to do this time. Get him to the vet as soon as you can, and just start taking it a day at a time. For me, thinking about the entire 8 weeks was overwhelming. It felt better to take it in one week bites. You can and will get through this. There are lots of us here who have been through the same thing. We can talk you off the ledge when you need it. Courage!!
|
|
|
|
Post by ritchie57 on Sept 8, 2013 19:32:13 GMT -7
Earls relapse began Saturday, September 7 th and we began strict crate rest on that day. I have been giving him 25mg of Rimadyl every 12 hours and 25 mg of Tramadol for the last 48 hours, although I'm now out of meds and off to see the doctor tomorrow. (I will be picking up some Pepcid ac) Earl is eating and drinking very well, as usual and is even interested in having his toys nearby even though we are not actively playing with him to keep him as calm and comfortable as possible. Poops are very normal although I don't believe he has complete control over them. No accidents in the house but seem more incidental when we are outside. I also don't think he is passing enough urine when he does pee. I will have the vet check him tomorrow and instruct me on expressing if needed. Thanks for all of the information. I've been taking a refresher course so to speak to make sure I haven't forgotten anything, after all knowledge is power!
|
|
|
|
Post by Pauliana on Sept 8, 2013 20:28:08 GMT -7
Hi Ritchie, welcome to Dodgerslist. Sorry to hear about Earl's IVDD relapse but I am glad you joined to tell us about Earl's experiences with IVDD. You have taken awesome care of him and have definitely done your research and that's fantastic! I am sure you have seen this link on expressing but just in case, it might help make your lesson from the vet easier: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htmBe sure to advocate for Sucralfate to add another layer of protection to Earl's GI tract along with Pepcid, to act as a sort of "bandage" for her upper GI tract. Sucralfate needs specific timing - you can read up on it here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugsMy Tyler had a second episode also.. He had his first in January and then a relapse in mid July. He graduates crate rest tomorrow. Wishing you and Earl the best on his recovery. |
|
|
|
Post by ritchie57 on Oct 17, 2013 10:33:51 GMT -7
Just a quick update on Earls condition. Today is October 17, 2013 and Earl is walking again. This dog is truly amazing and his spirit is unbreakable. I credit his recovery to strict crate rest, Prednisone as an anti-inflammatory, and class IV laser treatments. Earl received 2 laser treatments a week for 3 weeks, then once a week for 2 weeks and now he has two treatments left every other week. I have been slowly increasing the area he is allowed to cover and giving him crate rest as per doctors instructions. He is not back to 100 percent, walking is challenging for him as I know he doesn't have feeling in his rear legs as his paws still knuckle under. But when he is walking he will right his foot to land on his pad. He's happy and playful and would overdo if not monitored and given mandatory rest periods. I am so thankful that he can get around on his own and is a happy dog again.
|
|
Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
|
Post by Marjorie on Oct 17, 2013 14:49:47 GMT -7
I'm very glad to hear that Earl is walking again, Ritchie! And being able to right his foot is a very encouraging sign. Laser treatments are excellent and I'm sure have been very helpful. However, I am concerned when you say that you've been slowing increasing the area he is allowed to cover. I take that to mean that you are allowing him to walk more than a few steps at potty time. Is that correct?
Crate rest began on 9/7/2013 so the eight weeks would be up on 11/2/2013. Until then, he should be on 100% strict crate rest, 24/7, only carried out and back to do potty or to the vet with a very few steps doing potty. It does take a full 8 weeks for enough scar tissue to form over the torn disc before movement can gradually be started again. If movement is allowed before 8 weeks, the disc can re-tear and Earl could be back to square one, with pain and neuro deficits starting all over again. We just had a member whose dog was on his 7th week of crate rest and was re-injured while at a boarding place because they allowed him to move too much. I would hate to hear that Earl has pain again or his improvements have regressed because of too much movement.
Is Earl still on any medication? If so, please let us know the exact dosage in mgs and frequency of dosage.
All the best to you and Earl.
|
|
