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Post by Brianne & Clementine on Dec 9, 2022 8:31:03 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Clementine cardigan corgi]
Hi! Clementine is a 2yo cardigan welsh corgi. She weighs 28lbs and is very athletic and energetic. A few months ago we noticed she wasn’t enjoying her normal activities and she started to get very growly when we would pick her up or if we touched her in a way she didn’t like.
We went to the vet [11/22] a few times and finally found she had a back pain issue the Tuesday before thanksgiving. We got an X-ray and the results came back with likely ivdd. We have been carrying her up and down stairs now, no jumping, no activities no crazy running around.
She had novox 25mg twice a day for a week and we bought her a cold laser vest. We have a neuro appointment for an MRI January 2.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
28 lbs 2y.o
11/22 pain or neuro when squatting
crated?
Novox as of 11/22: 25mgs 2x/day for 7 days
apoquel for alergies]
Just wondering what else we should do! She never had paralysis or foot dragging. She did have some hesitation to squat for a few weeks but seems to have reversed and haven’t seen It again
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 9, 2022 9:03:28 GMT -7
Welcome! My name is Paula, what's yours? Just in case you have not seen this information: These are the compiled tips and ideas members over the year have contributed to help make the all important STRICT rest go smoothly: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
Strict rest means◼︎No laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎No chiro therapy whys: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic/◼︎No meandering at potty times. Only a very few minimal footsteps permitted. ◼︎No PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎ Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs with little to mild neuro diminishment. ◼︎ Avoid dangerous detours. Follow the "Roadmap." Tape it to your fridge. D/L and print out: dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roadmap-for-Fridge.pdf QUESTIONSWhat is the reason for a neuro consult and MRI. Is there another disease than a disc episode your vet is highly suspicious of? Was Clemintine put on strict rest on Nov 22 with the vet visit and diagnosis of a back issue? Has she continued with the strict rest to allow the disc to heal until graduation day of 1/17/23? What kind of recovery suite does Clementine have (ex-pen, wire crate, baby Pac N Play)? What is the brand name of the cold laser vest? Did your vet recommend or another? Look forward to learning more about your girl with your answers. |
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Post by Brianne & Clementine on Dec 9, 2022 9:19:35 GMT -7
This is the radiology report
Our vet recommended we go to get better visualization and speak with a specialist. He’s not as familiar with ivdd and wants her to get the best care and good life span given she’s only 2 and we have pet insurance so I’m not concerned about cost.
She was put on strict exercise restriction but he did not recommend we crate her as she wasn’t experiencing any paralysis and showed improvement from 11/22 to December 2. We are keeping her calm but allowing her to walk around the house as desired. No getting on furniture or stair use.
Yes we are continuing strict rest, just normal movement around the home and short outside walks to potty.
We do have an x pen and crate but are not using it at present.
We bought her a spectra therapy laser vest. I have some of their products for my horse so took it upon ourself to get without vet recommendations immediately after her exam where back pain was found on 11/22. At follow up on 12/2 told vet about it and he said it was a good idea so keep using it.
She’s having regular bowel movements, eating well and seems to be less fussy more each day. We have her on glucosamine and she gets apoquel for allergies (unrelated).
Oh sorry my name is Brianne!
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 9, 2022 14:36:07 GMT -7
From the report, we know that your vet suspects a disc episode. Conservative treatment for a disc episode consists of 8 weeks of very strict crate rest, anti-inflammatories and pain meds if needed. It takes about 8 weeks to heal the damaged disc and form secure scar tissue during conservative treatment. Over time, the hope is that out of place disc material will shrink back enough so that pain resolves and nerves can start to self repair. Too much movement and the damaged disc can tear more, even rupture, causing more pain and possibly more nerve damage.
Anytime out of the crate is a dangerous time for a healing disc. The dog should be out of the crate only during potty time and necessary vet appointments.
I am concerned that walking around the house will be too much movement for the healing disc. When Clementine walks and moves, her vertebrae move, tearing down the important scar tissue that is forming to stabilize the disc rupture. Please consider keeping Clementine on very strict crate rest in a crate or x-pen. It would be just horrible if too much movement caused further injury to the disc.
We have some information about what to expect for each phase of healing at the link below: www.dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-place
Has the Novax been stopped at this point?
If your vet is not experienced with IVDD and you want to consult a specialist, we have information about locating a specialist here:
Healing thoughts for Clementine.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 9, 2022 17:24:03 GMT -7
Brianna, I am concerned also with a diagnosis of a disc episode, same as Romy wrote above. It takes 8 weeks of STRICT REST inside of a recovery suite to allow the disc to heal. You are not providing the Strict rest that conservative treatment demands. You have it in your power to protect Clemintine by learning about IVDD. Not all vets can possibly know every disease in detail of all the many species they see in their practice. But you can certainly know about one special to you disease. STRICT REST! WHY? If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal and form secure scar tissue. So it is up to you as the pet parent to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
A prematurely aged and degenerated IVDD disc can often lead to disc herniation, a tear. Escaped disc material can escape into the spinal cord canal. This could well injure the spinal cord and nerve functions
--Anti-inflammatory Novax worked to reduce painful swelling around the spinal cord 7 days. -- Please allow her to self heal her disc with real true STRICT rest for the disc. --Avoid setback with too much movement, avoid the potential for expensive surgery.
-- The body can repair the disc if STRICT back/neck motion is implemented. Much like a damaged ankle ligament can self heal by staying off the foot. Clementine needs to limit movement to her spine. Each footstep pressures the healing disc. -- Human back pain: People with back pain suffer pain but rarely neuro diminishment. -- Dog back pain: Don't be mislead how different dogs are from people. Dogs with back/neck pain most often will suffer with initial pain. However, without STRICT rest dogs can quickly move to loosing nerve function of legs and bladder control!
-- VERIFY YOUR PET INSURANCE. Now that it is on record she has IVDD, will the company insure her for MRI's, surgery, and other IVDD related treatments? Read the fine print of your policy. Many companies WILL NOT cover a dog with known history of IVDD for IVDD related treatments.
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Post by Brianne & Clementine on Dec 12, 2022 9:06:09 GMT -7
Thank you all. I’m calling today to reach out to the neuro before our January 2 appointment to get some more information as well.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 12, 2022 12:07:02 GMT -7
Brianne, is Clementine now on strict rest?
Is she still on Novax or did it stop after the 7-day course at the end of Nov?
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