Welcome! My name is Paula. What's yours?
It takes quite a bit of information to form good comments about your dog. So look for a list of questions at the end so we can better know your dog.
You have an emergency to call your vet ASAP in the morning 1/20. An anti-inflammatory drug likely will need to be back on board up at the original dose for a bit longer. Hours really do matter in ensuring there isn't permanent nerve damage. Do you call first thing in the morning to alert your vet of the NEW worsening of rear legs.
The Forum takes the approach to provide comments that match each dog's indiviual needs. IVDD vet visits can be stressful. The mind can find it hard to absorb all the vet communicates and translate correctly into at-home care. Small things missed could easily change the healing potential for the dog. We will be depending on the details you share to spot things to help your dog.
In a nutshell,
know these things to help your dog during conservative treatment get the STRICT limited movement to heal the disc.
3 points to successful disc healing with strict rest
1. Potty time footsteps over perilous walking
2. Recovery suite over regretful mattress on the floor
3. Stay the course of 8 week's rest over shortcutting weeks of disk healing!
DISC
~ There are no medications to heal a broken arm and there are no medications to heal a damaged
~ A broken arm heals with time of about 6 weeks with little movement of wearing a cast. A damaged disc heals with the time of 8 weeks with little movement in a recovery
MEDICATIONS
~ Find what roll medications play during a disc episode. Your dog depends on your understanding when discussing things with the vet and your ability to ask good questions on his behalf:
dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc-episode_________________
QUESTIONS:
★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Phone your vet and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted. ⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
➕if a neck disc:
◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
★2 What is the list of meds your dog is taking?
-- Exact names for each med, their doses in mg’s and times per day given?
-- PLUS: IF on a non-steroid (NSAID) for how many days?
-- PLUS: If on a steroid....
what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid 1st taper
-- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea.
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound.
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html --Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory.
--Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory.
thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg **
★3 List any red flag signs of stomach damage you are currently observing:
Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea?
★6 What was the date you saw the vet for conservative treatment and STRICT rest?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
i.postimg.cc/3rLH7g7X/320still-healing-disc.jpg **
STRICT rest means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIMES for dogs who can still sniff and pee
Carry 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! dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg **
★7 Brain controlled "peeing" or reflex "overflowing"? Can your dog:
-- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)?
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Going in with your dog for a manual bladder expressing lesson would be necessary for health reasons. How to so you get more out of the lesson:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/★8 Describe what you observe currently about neuro functions. Can your dog....
-- wobbly walk?
-- Move the legs at all such as to reposition in the recovery suite?
-- still can attempt to get up into a stand OR can no longer do that?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?