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Post by smmyers1 on Sept 11, 2013 12:02:38 GMT -7
Hi, all,
Sorry it has taken so long for me to get started once I created my log-in information for Dodgerslist, but I was recovering from outpatient surgery when my little Frankie had an IVDD episode, so I've been very busy taking care of myself as well as Frankie.
The vet put Frankie on a steroid and also pain medicine. We are almost done with the steroid. Started at twice a day, now once a day, and getting ready to be every other day. I still give the pain medicine every 8 hours. Frankie is sleeping mostly, and he eats and drinks in his crate. The only time he is out is when we 'very carefully' take him out to potty. This isn't my first rodeo. His last episode was a couple of years ago, and he was on crate rest for about 3 months. Talk about heart-wrenching!
Well, so here's where I am at with his condition. When he initially started his IVDD episode, he was outside playing with our Golden Retriever puppy and we heard yelping. When my husband brought him inside, he was struggling to use his back legs - mainly just one of them, which he kept bent and tucked up under him. I instructed my husband how to hold him when we took him out to potty for the first time, and being stubborn, he told me he was doing it right. At that same instant, Frankie let out a yelp, and I just looked at my husband with an "I told you so" look, and he corrected the way he was holding him.
Anyway, we are on his second week of crate rest, and when he goes out to potty, he uses both back legs about every other time. I'm planning on taking him to the vet on Saturday and have him looked at and see if we need to continue the crate rest or what. I guess at this point I'm wondering if it's a back leg issue (he still bends it up under him about 60% of the time), or if it is actually an IVDD episode. The crate I have him in is small...possibly smaller than it should be, but I wanted to limit his movement as much as possible. I have noticed that in the past couple of days he seems to be more upbeat and anxious to get out and play, and when he goes potty he walks around a bit more. Hopefully, the vet can tell me if he still needs to be on crate rest or not. I guess I am trying to plan ahead, because I work full time about 25 minutes from my house, so it is not possible for me to go home on my lunch break and take him out to potty. Plus, if I allow him out of the crate, how much playtime with our Golden Retriever puppy (who misses him so much right now) is going to be detrimental to his back IF the vet says Frankie is ready to get out of the crate...
Any thoughts?
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Sept 11, 2013 12:22:20 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. My name is Paula what is yours? IVDD episodes take 8 weeks of crate rest. The crate rest is to allow the disc itself to heal…to form good secure scar tissue. There are no meds to help a disc heal. The meds serve two purposes…to help get the spinal cord swelling down which causes pain. Pain meds are to give comfort while the steroid works on swelling. -- What is the exact name of the steroid? How many mg's do you give 1x a day. What date is it to go to every other day. While on the taper your job at home is to see if any signs of pain appear indicating it is not time to finish the taper. Pain = swelling = more time on the steroid is needed. When pain meds are still on board during a taper there is no clear picture of inflammation, pain is being masked. Discuss with the vet about also backing off, stopping the pain meds. -- What are the exact names of the pain meds, the dose in mg's that you are currently giving every 8 hours? --Has Frankie's stomach been protected by use of Pepcid AC against the damage steroids can do? 5mg every 12 hours? Glad to hear you know the least amount of footsteps at potty time are necessary to protect the early healing disc. Some good tips at potty time to keep movement limited as well as how big the recovery suite should be : www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm |
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Post by smmyers1 on Sept 11, 2013 13:43:14 GMT -7
Thanks for your response. My name is Sonja Myers. Sorry I didn't mention that earlier.
My husband just texted me from home and said the medications are Tramadol, 50mg and Prednisone 5mg. I can't remember which one is the steroid and which one is the pain med, but I remember that on the steroid the instructions were for 5 days, take 2 times a day, then for 5 days take 1 time per day, then take every other day. I think I have three pills left, and today is the last day of the 1x per day dosage.
On the pain meds, the vet said to take 1/2 a pill every 8 hours for pain.
Unfortunately, no Pepcid AC was mentioned by the vet.
Sounds like I need to give the vet a call and ask about the Pepcid AC and also about stopping the pain meds during the taper...
Thanks!
Sonja
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Post by jochs311 on Sept 11, 2013 20:08:25 GMT -7
Hi Sonja, My name is is Jen. I'm sorry you are having issues with your Frankie. This must be tough recovering yourself as well. Yes, please contact your vet about giving Pepcid. Even though you are starting a taper. Steroids are very tough on the tummy. Also give the prednisone with his food. Give the Pepcid a half hour before you feed and give the steroid. Have you had any X-rays done since you think this may be an issue with his leg? I'm glad he seems to be feeling better but 8 weeks strict crate rest is the best medicine to make sure that if it is an IVDD episode his disk has time to heal.
I have Tucker. He has been off of crate rest for a little while now. I found him paralyzed in his rear legs when I came home from work one day. With the 8 weeks and accupuncture ( highly recommended) he is now walking again. Wobbly but using his legs. We went through a lot. He lost bladder control and we had to express his bladder for a few weeks. It was just devastating for us. We are so happy we found Dodgerslist!! I'm so happy you came to us for advice and comfort in this time you need it most. I really recommend you read as much of this site as you can. It will ease your mind. Sending healing prayers and positive thoughts your way!
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Post by Pauliana on Sept 11, 2013 20:28:19 GMT -7
Hi Sonja, welcome to Dodgerlist. I am so sorry to hear that Frankie is having an another IVDD episode.. This is a degenerative disease our dogs are born with..Some have one episode in their lifetime but others have more than one episode. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpage.htmI am sure your puppy misses playing with his buddy Frankie but for 8 weeks it is important for Frankie to rest in his crate and heal. Afterwards it is best to not allow stairs or jumping or rough play to prevent a relapse.. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm www.dodgerslist.com/index/SDUNCANquality.htmPrednisone is the Steroid and Tramadol is a general pain reliever. This link will explain more about the drugs commonly used for IVDD. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htmWhile the Prednisone taper is going on, keep watch for signs of pain. Signs of pain include: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, not their normal perky selves. If you or your husband see signs of pain let the vet know to renew the Prednisone prescription at the twice a day dose and also the Tramadol every 8 hours. It's a good idea to have a plan in place in advance of the weekend when the vet office is closed and only emergency vets are available. Yes very good idea to call and ask your Vet: Is there any medical reason why Frankie can't take Pepcid AC? If there is no reason it is available at your grocery or drug store.. Buy the original 10mg. For a small dog the dose is half a tablet every 12 hours 30 minutes before the Prednisone.. Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up? Helpful videos with tips on expressing both urine and poop: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Expressing.htm-- Eating and drinking OK? -- Poops OK - normal color and firmness no dark or bright red blood? Sending healing wishes to Frankie and get well wishes to you. I hope you are feeling better after your surgery.. |
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Post by smmyers1 on Sept 12, 2013 18:41:56 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies. I have talked to the vet, and am stopping the pain meds to see how Frankie does. The steroids are at every other day, and she said to continue those. I forgot to ask about the Pepcid AC, but I will go ahead and get that and start giving it to him. He is peeing and pooping well, and also walking really well. I told the vet about him holding up his back right leg for the first few days, but now he is walking on it just fine. I plan on watching to see how he does without the pain meds.eating and drinking is great, too. Time will tell!
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