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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 11, 2022 19:00:14 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Ciro’s Meatball - conservative starting 12/8 ]
We have a 7 year old weiner dog mix named meatball. He should be around 32 pounds but gained some weight over the last couple years. He was typically very active.
Shortly after thanks giving, he was having issues standing on his right front paw, and kept his head down. Not know what it was, we assumed it was an issue with his paw. We took him to the vet asap and he wasn’t showing much signs of pain at the vet so they prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain meds.
It’s got worse from a pain perspective over the next week, we made another vet appointment. He has always gotten super anxious and at the vet, he stiffed up and yelp when anyone touched him. Still able to stand and slowly walk. Vet confirm he still had feeling in paws.
She recommended an MRI, but it would be very tough (not impossible) to afford, so we are going to try conservative treatment.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
32lbs 7 y.o.
Carprofen as of 12/1 stop date 12/7 (not crated)
Prednisone as of 12/12: 30mgs 1x/day for 14 7 days, then 12/20 a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mg tab: 300mgs 3x/day
methocarbamol 250mgs 3x/day
trazodone 50mgs 3x/day
CBD as calmer
sucralfate 1 g: 1000mgs 2x/day
Priolsec® (Omeprazole) 20mgs 2x/day ]
The vet switched him to a steroid, which we start on 12/12. He went on strict crate rest on 12/8. From the time we saw the pain til crate rest, we just tried to limit his jumping and stair climbing. I wish crate rest was recommended off the bat, but I understand he wasn’t showing signs at the vet.
Thank goodness, no issues eating or drinking and potty time is normal. He hates the crate but quickly getting used to it.
We are getting into the grove with crate rest, we are really hoping for some positive signs over the next week. We made an appointment with a neurologist on 12/19 and even if he is showing strong improvement, we plan to take him for a second opinion.
The vet didn’t have great bedside manner and we really left feeling hopeless. After reading posts here and researching the recovery rate, im very encouraged.
I am so happy I found this site and could really use guidance and support. He is our baby and our sons best friend.
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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 11, 2022 21:35:21 GMT -7
Ciro, we are very happy you are here to learn about the disease your dog was born with. Meatball has a good chance to heal his disc and heal in comfort when the correct pain meds are on board. Please provide the details, specifics, clarify the things we are not certain about what you wrote: • If Meatball is in pain currently (moves slowly, won't bear right front limb weight, head held down or up high), his pain meds are not correct. Call your local vet and report pain asap Mon morn. These are the typcical pain meds for a neck disc episode: The best pain medications control is using more than one approach to address pain from multiple fronts (traMADol-general analgesic, methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain, gabapentin-nerve pain). All three pain meds need to be prescribed three times a day (every 8 hrs) to provide round the clock, dose to dose pain relief!
Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport. Describe the specific pain that you're seeing for us and for your vet.
Advocate for the three pain meds plus a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine) to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. Do your homework on why Pepcid AC, where to buy, and what the dose is here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/
-- Learn about anti-inflammatory drugs which includes the steroids. An informed owner is a dog's best defense when taking an anti-inflammatory. What your job is, how to arrange for a Plan B with your vet.
CONFIRM you are doing STRICT CRATE REST (inside the recovery suite. Only out to go potty.) Carried 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! 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. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc Quickly get up to speed on the disease Meatball was born with.
-- Know what to expect with each of the 4 phases of healing.
-- Be in position to ask the right questions and when needed firmly but politely advocate on behalf of Meatball. ▶︎ Get an over all understanding of your dog's disease for now and for living many happy years ahead with him. Shortcut Thru IVDD: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/26/time-and-ivdd/ QUESTIONSPlease provide details of name of all meds, dose in mgs, times per day given. Always use exact dates. The reasons for a neuro consult is not always for a surgery, or MRI. Is your vet objecting to given pain medication to provide comfort from pain, won't adjust them to give full comfort? Then a consult with a neuro would be a good idea to get the meds properly prescribed because your vet does not feel comfortable to use pain meds. Transporting Meatball to a neuro appointment when it is not time for thinking about a surgery or your vet is not highly suspicious of another disease may not be a good idea. Too much movement of the neck/back during transport could be dangerous for the early healing disc. The single most important care you can provide
is the 100% STRICT rest
to avoid re-damaging the early healing disc.
"even if he is showing strong improvement, we plan to take him for a second opinion."
The way to find out if the diagnosis is correct, is to see there is improvement in pain, no new or increased neuro diminishment. It is too early to tell that. It is the taper of the steroid that allows you to see if meds are working. More detail on exactly how that works is here: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ • Name of anti-inflammatory after Thanksgiving (date?)
• What date did anti-inflammatory stop?
• What is the name of the steroid started on 12/12?
• Dose in mgs and how often given?
• What date does the steroid taper start?
• What are the names of each current pain medication?
• What is the dose of each in mgs and how often is each given?
• What is the name of the acid suppressor (example: Pepcid AC) Meatball takes for the duration of any anti-inflammatory drug?
• Describe for us any current pain signs you observe. NOTE: pain means the pain meds are not yet right for Meatball.
Will watching for your update to learn if your vet will adjust pain meds over the phone and the details of adjustments. |
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 13, 2022 10:01:57 GMT -7
Than you so much for the reply! Im so happy to have the support.
He was on Carprofen from 12/1-12/7, it help but we didnt have him on crate rest so he was probably pushing it.
he is on Prednisone 1x per day, started on 12/12, starting at 30mg, 4 week taper plan Gabapentin 100mg ( 3-4 [which?] pills every 8 hours), Methocabamol 250mg (every 8 hours, Trazadone 50mg (every 8 hours). Also giving him CBD treats as needed to help calm him.
he is on Sucralfate (2x per day) and Prilosec (2x per day)
Yesterday was almost a painfree day, first day he was comfortable in the crate. This morning, we woke up with some pain, but it got better 45 mins after initial meds.
I think we have the pain under control now for the most part, but he did wake up with some pain this morning, good throughout the day.
We are being strict on this, he is getting used to the crate for the most part. We are committed to strict crate rest and no walking.
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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 13, 2022 10:06:42 GMT -7
Help us by using the QUICK REPLY at the bottom the page. We are looking to find only your words (not our words) in your replies. This avoid confusion on who wrote what. Thanks for helping us.
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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 13, 2022 10:30:12 GMT -7
Ciro, thanks for the med list info. Just a few areas that need a bit more info, if you will. First though, if Meatball is in pain in the morning, then the pain meds are wearing off too soon.
ALERT VET: pain surfacing before next dose of meds.
Generally if there is the usual approach of addressing each source of pain with its own pain med, pain is best managed. Alert your vet to morning pain and advocate for: traMADol as the general analgesic 3x/day
Do not yet understand gabapentin Rx. It could be your vet would want to adjust gabapentin mgs???
Prednisone what date does the taper lower from the original 30mgs 1x/day?
gabapentin clarify the size of the tablet/capsule in mgs.
Then tell us how many tablets you actually give 3x/day
sucralfate: what size is the tablet in mgs or grams?
What portion the tablet do you give 2x/day
Priolsec® (Omeprazole): how many mgs is each dose 2x/day?
Let us know what your vet prescribes (mgs, frequency) to provide round the clock, dose to dose pain relief for Meatball.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 13, 2022 10:52:43 GMT -7
Prednisone 2 weeks on 30mgs, 1 week on 20mg, 1 week on 10mg
"▲gabapentin" The pills are 100mg, we give 3 to him every 8 hours. We are going to increase to 4 pills every 8 hours to see if that manages the morning pain. The RX states 3 to 4 pills, but we have been giving him 3.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
32lbs 7 y.o.
Carprofen as of 12/1 stop date 12/7 (not crated)
Prednisone as of 12/12: 30mgs 1x/day for 14 7 days, then 12/20 a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mg tab: ▲400mgs 3x/day
methocarbamol 250mgs 3x/day
trazodone 50mgs 3x/day
CBD as calmer
sucralfate 1g tab: 1000mg 2x/day
Priolsec® (Omeprazole) 20mgs 2x/day]
"sucralfate:" The bottle doesnt have the mg listed, we are giving him a full pill in the early morning (5am) and mid day (1pm), then waiting 2 hours before any food or other pills.
"Priolsec® (Omeprazole):" 20mg for each dose, 2x per day
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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 13, 2022 11:31:09 GMT -7
Can you send a picture of the sucralfate pill bottle, or picture of the sucralfate pill tablet, or can you call the front desk to ask the mg dose of sucralfate?
Do let us know what your vet thinks about pain surfacing in the morning. Also if your upping gabapentin to 400mgs 3x/day helps to provide round the clock comfort from pain.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 13, 2022 12:00:34 GMT -7
Here is a pic of the pill. I can call also.  |
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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 13, 2022 12:10:30 GMT -7
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 14, 2022 11:30:16 GMT -7
Yes, 1g of the sucralfate 2x per day
We upped the dose to 400 mg of gabapentin and he still had some pain this morning, although not as intense. He is pain free throughout the day. I notified the vet and I'm waiting on their recommendation to adjust the plan. Would a possible solution be giving him 300Mg at bedtime, then maybe the other 100mg around 3am?
Also, since we are seeing small improvements, no regression, we are going to take your advice and hold off on the neuro appointment for now. We really want a second opinion since the vet didnt 100% diagnose IVDD. Said it's possible there is a mass, but she didnt feel anything. I feel pretty confident it is IVDD since he is the right breed for it and symptoms 100% align.
As of now, no neuro issues. Should we stay the course unless we see it getting worse?
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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 14, 2022 12:18:19 GMT -7
Ciro, there are all sorts of adjustments a vet can do to get pain fully in control. Do discuss your night time dosing adjustment as a possibility. There is the general analgesic traMADol that could be added before bedtime to also discuss. While pred is at work to get all swelling down, Meatball must be afforded full comfort from pain. On Dec 26 the 14-day course of pred is scheduled to taper to lower doses which no longer work on swelling. This taper is a must for health reasons. It is also a perfect window into quickly seeing if pred has completed its work. It is a quick way to assess when pain meds are stopped on the same 12/26 pred taper day. So stay the course in making sure Meatball is in comfort while healing. And be prepared for 12/6 by reviewing how anti-inflammatory drugs like pred work during a disc episode: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/If you could be descriptive in what you observe: "some pain, not as intense" what did did your eyes see to cause you to use those words? |
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 14, 2022 12:23:25 GMT -7
Thanks again!
He was not shaking nearly as much as pain episodes have been, less stiffness and neck bulging, also much more responsive when we talked to him. During the really painful episodes, he just froze in pain and didnt really respond, that wasnt happening today. Also, it didnt last as long. It took him about 15 mins to get comfortable and lay down (assuming pain subsided a bit) vs them lasting 25 to 30 minutes in the past.
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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 14, 2022 16:11:45 GMT -7
Ciro, this description you now give, is to me is unacceptable suffering with pain.
When you communicate with the vet give the specific details of the pain that you observe. When pain happens in relation to the last time doses were given. .
Pain meds when correctly dosed in mgs last for 8 hrs. Is the last night dose of pain meds more than 8 hrs when you do the morning dose?
There may be an option the vet can prescribe an extra dose of pain med at bedtime. Let us know how the discussion goes.
Did you contact vet today, what changes in med details (mgs, frequency and name of med) Was a 3rd pain med such as traMADol Rx'd (name, mgs, frequency)?
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 14, 2022 21:24:41 GMT -7
I’ll follow up with the vet tomorrow, thank you for pushing on this, we don’t have a knowledge base. We have been giving him night meds around 10 and morning meds at 7, this is 9 hours. I’m going to give him meds at 11 tonight. I’ll chat with the vet again in the morning.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 15, 2022 9:48:50 GMT -7
Still waiting on the doc to follow up, she was not in yesterday. We gave him meds [name, mgs?] at 11pm last night and he was still in a little pain this morning, so pushing for a night time supplement for pain. We also moved the neuro appointment to 12/29 just to have something on the books if he doesnt show improvement on the 12/26 which is the day we taper. I believe he is starting to feel a bit better since yesterday he was trying to play and wanted to walk around. We are being strict though and not letting him, but this attitude seems o be improving. It's a little struggle to get him to sleep at night since he slept in out bed his entire life. I have to lay next to the cage to get him to sleep. Hoping he gets past that because that might be tough to sleep on the floor for 2 months  but whatever we need to do! Taking it day by day. |
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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 15, 2022 10:10:41 GMT -7
Ciro, if an expected adjustment to the pain medications by your local vet does not get the painful swelling down, then it would not be time to do a taper which tests for pain. Having a neuro appointment on the books is a good idea.
AT NIGHT
If Meatball has a wire crate type of recovery suite, you could move it to your bedroom. OR you could buy a 2nd recovery suite ( a wire crate and an 8panel ex-pen), many of us have found 2 suites to be helpful. Anyway the wire crate suite at night time can be placed on an sturdy bedside table. That way Meatball can see and smell you. And you can touch him through the wires from your bed and be close to him while he is in a safe sleeping environment.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 15, 2022 11:11:14 GMT -7
To clarify your first point. Are you saying that we should not taper until the morning pain is under control? We are pushing for supplemental meds to address. Also hoping healing starts soon to so that when the time for taper comes, we can test pain level without meds.
If for some reason we cant get morning pain under control, should we ask vet not to taper? Should we extend?
12/26 is the current date we are suppose to taper, made a neuro appt on 12/29 if he is in pain without meds on the 12/26.If we do have to extend, should we just wait for the new taper date to gauge pain and make a call to visit neuro?
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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 15, 2022 11:25:07 GMT -7
Ciro, prednisone taper is to find out if all pain is gone. Therefore, if your dog is still showing signs of pain on the scheduled pred taper date of 12/26, there is no use in testing for pain.
I surely hope that Meatball will not be suffering in pain thru to 12/26. I hope this pain thing can be solved asap by getting med adjustments made pronto!
There is no one size fits all pain relief. It may take several trys at adjusting meds before round the clock, dose to dose pain relief is achieved. You are your vet's eyes and ears to tell him what he can't see going on at your house. Alert your vet to signs of pain and expect adjustments to be made in:
---addinig pain med(s) to cover each of the three usual kinds of pain (methcarmabol (muscle spams), gabapentin (nerve pain), and traMADol (general overall pain) with a disc episode. NECK discs are usually more painful. The head usually moves when any other part of the body moves. NECK discs usually need an aggressive pain med approach.
-- Pain meds last for about 8 hrs. They are usually Rx'd for every 8 hrs (3x/day) to provide optimal full comfort from pain. There are cases where the frequency of pain meds are Rx'd 4x/day (every 6 hrs) if needed.
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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 15, 2022 11:32:13 GMT -7
I would add to work up a PLAN B with your vet should she not be open/on duty and you find say on a future pred taper that pain surfaces. It should be YOUR vet not YOU having to make a decision to give meds that have not been prescribed. Tell us the Plan B you have worked out in advance of the next 12/26 prednisone taper---- will pain meds be stopped on 12/26 ---- If pain surfaces when vet is closed, how are you to handle pred mgs/frequency, pain med mgs/frequency until the vet reopens for you to report pain. --- PLEASE READ to help you formulate your Plan B "How anti-inflammtories are used with a disc episode —6 things to know about anti-inflammatory drug use" dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ |
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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 15, 2022 11:47:30 GMT -7
If your vet is not comfortable prescribing pain medications, then that is the reason you would consult with a Neuro. Neuros use pain meds every day in fully controlling their patient's pain. It can take up to around 30 days at the anti-inflammatory prednisone level to fully resolve painful swelling. Taper days are too low to work on swelling. So the 14-day current course of pred could possibly need another course to finally get all swelling resolved. Every dog is different in their disc episode. Can't really jump the gun and predict things. This is why vets do not give a 30-day course of pred right off the bat. They take a guess with a shorter course and then see how that goes. In order for conservative treatment to work, pain MUST be fully in control round the clock. If an actual, real, aggressive pain med approach has been used and pain simply is not able to be brought into control, then a surgery might be something to consider. Only a neuro is qualified to tell you when/if a surgery should be a consideration. Bone up now to appreciate the two treatments for a disc episode: -- to be able to ask intelligent questions -- understand what a vet is conveying -- have a sense of confidence you are not being pushed into one or the other of the two treatments. dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/ |
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 15, 2022 12:16:34 GMT -7
Okay, As I stated, only pain is in the AM right now. I will work with my vet to get that under control ASAP. If we dont think he is ready, I can ask vet to extend first course.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 15, 2022 14:29:19 GMT -7
I am glad that you will be working with your vet to keep Meatball pain free. Pain will only slow the healing process.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 15, 2022 14:59:47 GMT -7
The vet just said 400mg of gabapentin is max dose and she doesnt want to change to different meds. said if we want to change course to go see the neuro. I am going to see how he is with pain tomorrow based on giving him meds at 11pm to its 8 hours. Also, once we finish the sucralfate in a couple days, we are going to start pain meds at 6am instead of 8am. The pain is happening around 7am when everyone is getting ready for the day. Think the pain is amplified at that time because everyone is getting up and our son leaving for school.
I feel like he is progressing slowly and I dont want to pivot to neuro until we gave crate rest a good shot.
That being said, if we cant get pain under control within a couple days we will go see neuro.
Very frustrated, I am not very happy with this vet to be honest.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Dec 15, 2022 15:19:25 GMT -7
Clearly, your vet is not experienced with IVDD and not willing to work with you to find medicine that will keep Meatball pain free. Neuros treat IVDD regularly and are familiar with the meds needed to keep pain under control.
Seeing a specialist does not mean that you cannot continue conservative treatment. If you are not considering surgery at this time, just let the neuro know that you are interested in medical management. |
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 15, 2022 15:33:33 GMT -7
Okay! if we cant get pain under control within the next couple days, we will take that advice and see the neuro. Luckily they have pretty open availability.
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 16, 2022 10:50:42 GMT -7
Happy to report Meatball was pain free this morning!
We addressed the sleeping issue by putting the cage next to the bed on a table as suggested. He slept all night and woke up pain free. So happy I found this for guidance. I feel like we are in a groove now, hoping to report some additional progress soon.
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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 16, 2022 11:04:51 GMT -7
Wowee, who knew the pain situation could be alleviated with change in sleep environment.
Perhaps in past nights he was moving around too much in his suite due to anxiety of being away from you during the night?
Thanks for sharing this most wonderful news!
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 16, 2022 18:59:34 GMT -7
I agree, restlessness must have added to it. I'll check in next week. Have an amazing weekend!
I was actually mistaken, he has a taper after 7 days per the RX.
I originally posted it was a 14 day period for the first round.
[Prednisone as of 12/12: 30mgs 1x/day for 14 7 days, then 12/20 a test taper for: _pain / _neuro]
Hoping he is pain free daily until then. If he isn’t, should we advocate for a longer period on the higher dose?
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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 17, 2022 9:53:44 GMT -7
Ciro, thanks for catching that important piece of info about the prednisone taper.
Prednisone is a hormone drug that always must be tapered. The taper gives a signal to the body to resume making its own steroid hormone Cortisol.
The prednisone taper happens to be a perfect window for IVDD dogs. It becomes a sort of "test for pain" & increased neuro diminshment.
• Prednisone taper days are a lower mg dose which is not effective in resolving painful inflammation.
• Inflammation causes pain because the swelling and buildup of tissue starts pressing against nerve endings. This pressure results in pain for the patient.
•The nerves do not like being pressured. Pressured nerves can die causing neuro diminishment.
If Meatball were to show pain on the scheduled 12/20 pred taper date or even a day or two before, then there is no need to test for pain.
• No need to do the pred taper.
• Pain indicates prednisone has not resolved all of the painfully swollen tissue around the spinal cord. It may take prednisone 7 to 30 days rid the body of inflammation (excluding any taper days).
• The expectation is for the vet to Rx another course of prednisone (7-day, maybe 14-day) and then try for another taper and the end of that course.
Avoid delay in identifying pain. An accurate and quick method to observe for pain on the taper is:
• The vet has ok'd stoping of all pain medication (gabapentin and methocarbamol) on 12/20. Pain meds mask pain.
Have a Plan B worked out ahead of time with your vet. How to handle things if your vet clinic would be closed or your vet is not on duty at night. You should not have to make decisions on what to do re: medications until you can connect with the vet to update. Hopefully the Plan B will be:
• to have extra pills at home and the dose to give + x/day if pain surfaces OR...
• to have an Rx in your hands to go to a 24hr pharmacy to get additional meds
• to avoid having your dog suffer with pain until the vet reopens to get meds adjusted
• to avoid neuro diminishment worsening even more. Hours really do matter in getting back up on the "anti-inflammatory level" asap. The more hours that pass, the increased potential that it may take months for the body to self heal nerves and regain function. Or that neuro function loss could be a permanent thing (non-repairable by the body).
What is the "plan B" worked out with your vet for medications during the taper should pain surface or neuro diminishment occurs?
At the start of the 12/20 pred taper, does your vet OK stop of both pain meds for a prompt and accurate assessment of pain?
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Post by Ciro & Meatball on Dec 17, 2022 11:33:16 GMT -7
The vet is closed through [12/19] Monday (the day we anre suppose to taper) and honestly she is just gonna tell me to see the neuro. I don’t think he is ready to taper, we just got pain under control yesterday. I’m very frustrated, not sure what to do.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
32lbs 7 y.o.
Carprofen as of 12/1 stop date 12/7 (not crated)
Prednisone as of 12/12: 30mgs 1x/day for 7 days, then 12/19 a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100mg tab: 400mgs 3x/day
methocarbamol 250mgs 3x/day
trazodone 50mgs 3x/day
CBD as calmer
sucralfate 1g tab: 1000mg 2x/day
Priolsec® (Omeprazole) 20mgs 2x/day]
If he seems pain free the rest of the day today and tomorrow, should I do the taper? I probably won’t talk to the vet until mid-day on the day he should taper.
As for a plan b, I’ll try to get help there.
Could I do the taper with pain meds and test at the next taper? I’m sorry I can’t just go to my vet, I think I have to find another vet, we are going to see the neuro on 12/29 so then I’ll have someone more qualified to help.
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but whatever we need to do!
