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Post by Lorena & Lola on Dec 4, 2022 2:36:34 GMT -7
[orig subject line: Dachshund ongoing licking and swallowing saliva]
Hello,
My dog who had prior IVDD episodes and has been acting strange for almost two weeks.
It started with her being up all night November 23, she seemed in discomfort and her stomach rumbling. Since it was thanksgiving, our vet was closed, so I gave her some baby reflux medicine, which helped her and she felt asleep for a few hours.
Since then, she has continued with the same swallowing of saliva. I have been looking for other symptoms of IVDD, but other than being needy, she doesn’t show them. We took her to the vet Friday and they said she seemed fine overall. The vet [12/2] gave her Omeprazole and recommended a vitamin for managing stress. I am at a losa right know because I know something is wrong, from my dog's behavior and I don't know how to help her. Have you seen this as an IVDD sign or experienced something similar with their dachshund l?
Thank you!
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Post by Ann Brittain on Dec 4, 2022 7:11:40 GMT -7
Hi Lorena, Welcome to Dodgerslist. I'm sorry to hear that Lola is having issues. You're right to be concerned that it could be an episode of IVDD. There are a lot of obvious symptoms like yelping in pain, reluctance to do normal activities, and weak or wobbly legs. Lola's symptoms are more subtle but could be the beginning of something more serious.
Could you give us more information?
How old is Lola?
What does she weight? When did her symptoms start? Has she had any previous IVDD issues? Does she have bowel and bladder control?
This will help restrict Lola's activities and hopefully prevent further damage if she is having an IVDD episode.
The diagnosis from you vet seemed vague. Did you mention your concerns about IVDD? Did they prescribe the Omeprazole because they believed her issue was related to stomach or digestive issues? Did they run any tests to determine the cause of Lola's discomfort?
Getting a second opinion would be an option you could consider if you are not satisfied with the current diagnosis.
You know your dog better than anyone. When your instincts tell you there is something wrong, you're right to act on them.
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Post by Lorena & Lola on Dec 4, 2022 11:12:00 GMT -7
9 YO 10 Lbs
symptoms start? Nov 23
Yes, she had three back surgeries. The last one was Nov 2017.
bowel and bladder control? Yes
Yes, the vet examined her back and she seemed fine, didnt react as she was touching her back
Yes, her stomach has been rumbling. But she eats fine and is not throwing up.
They did blood test, Mon 12/5 we will get results tomorrow.
UPDATE/
From vet:
Good news about Lola's lab work--it's all normal.
Lets see how she does with the omeprazole for a week or so, and give me an update at the end of next week.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 4, 2022 11:35:33 GMT -7
Lorena, we depend on a diagnosis of a disc episode from a vet, then we know how to provide the best comments. Other diseases than IVDD, we are not prepared or knowledgeable to comment on. The blood test results, hopefully will give the vet something to go on in his procedure to come to a diagnosis. Do let us know what the vet thinks is going on and what his diagnosis is.If you have a gut feeling this is IVDD related even though there are none of the usual symptoms, it won't hurt to restrict movement of her back til the time you get a firm diagnosis of something else. I hope Lola is feeling better very soon.  ** P.S. I just happened to notice your update added to a post already read by us. Also best to make a new post so we don't miss your updates. Good news that blood test was good. |
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Post by Lorena & Lola on Dec 4, 2022 18:54:11 GMT -7
Thank you, Paula. My gut is telling me is IVDD. The emergency vets are at full capacity and
my vet doesnt open until tomorrow at 9AM. Lola is is crate rest and Im considering giving her ?✙Carprofen. I don’t want her being in pain and she is clearly uncomfortable. I will take her again to the vet first thing tomorrow and let you know.
Thank you,
Lorena
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Post by Lorena & Lola on Dec 5, 2022 16:31:37 GMT -7
Hi everyone,
We took Lola back to the vet today. A new symptom she had today wa shivering. The vet examine her and said she doesn't react when touching her back, which I attribute to her high pain tolerance. Vet also did an Xray, which did not show anything on her back but did show a lot of gas in her intestines.
Lola was sent home with:
Carprofen 1\2 25mg every 12 hrs
Gabapentin liquid 50ml 1-2 ml every 12 hrs
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
10lbs 9 y.o.
carprofen as of 12/5: 12.5mgs 2x/day
Gabapentin ?mg/one mL?: ?mgs (which 1 OR 1) mL 2x/day
omeprazole ?mg ?x/day ]
Lola is still able to pee on her own, but I have not seen her poop.
She is in crate rest, only out for potty breaks.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 5, 2022 17:19:15 GMT -7
Lorena, gas can be a painful thing. What did the vet give as his diagnosis for what is going on?
Is omeprazole (?mgs dose, times per day?) on board for the duration of carprofen?
On the gabapentin bottle what is the formula of gabapentin mgs to one mL liquid?
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Post by Lorena & Lola on Dec 5, 2022 18:29:18 GMT -7
The [gabapentin] bottle says 50mg/ml.
This is the vet’s full assessment:
OBJECTIVE SECTION
No nerve deficits appreciated, she is ambulatory.
On abdominal palpation, she gives a quiet groan. Her abdomen is slightly tense.
Radiographs: There is ileus throughout, not an obstructive pattern. Her vertebra look acceptable. On palpation of her thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, no pain reactions appreciated. Good range of motion of neck.
Tartar 2+
Gingivitis 3+
ASSESSMENT SECTION
We wil treat for both of these at the same time and see how she does.
RULE-OUTS: LUMBAR PAIN, ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT
NOTES
She needs to have 500 mg of ✙sucralfate one hour after the carprofen each time. I'm not sure the strength of the liquid you have. I see it comes in 100 mg/ml or 200 mg/ml.
For ✙simethicone, her dose is 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours. I see a variety of concentrations for that as well. If you need
help with the math on either of these, call me.
DIAGNOSTIC PLAN
Antech X-ray Consult
Licensed Vet Tech Care 12
Radiographs - Diagnostic Study
Carprofen 25mg caplets Give 1/2 tablet by mouth every 12 hours.
Follow each dose one hour later with the sucralfate. alm
Gabapentin Liquid (50mg/ml) Give 1 to 2 ml by mouth every 8 hours for pain. alm
[Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
10lbs 9 y.o.
carprofen as of 12/5: 12.5mgs 2x/day, for ? days, then stop
Gabapentin 50mg/ mL: ?mgs (which 1 OR 2) mL 2x/day
✙Sucralfate liquid 500mgs 2x/day
✙simethicone 50 mgs ?x/day actually given
omeprazole ?mg ?x/day STOPPED? ]
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 6, 2022 9:47:14 GMT -7
Lorena, thank you for the Vet's assessment, it is helpful to get the full picture. Sucralfate is a med that works to protect the stomach lining and aid in healing if there has been damage. Sucralfate works when there are stomach acids that activate it forming a gel coating. Here is the usual order of giving sucralfate as per the Mar Vista veterinary information for sucralfate:
It is always good when a vet provides a range a med could be given should you need to adjust a med. What we want to know is what you actually give. - Gabapentin- which do you actually give now: 1 mL or 2 mL 2x/day - Simethicone 50mg every 4hrs or every 6 hrs.? - Omeprazole ?mg ?x/day--- has this med been stopped? How is Lola doing today re: her stomach and gas issues? P.S. Just curious. I am not familiar with the acronym "alm" in the vet's notes. Do you know what it refers to with sucralfate and gabapentin? |
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