Jamie's Levi 2/1 conservative Hrt murmur; NECK? GRAD 3/29

Welcome jmarchfeld. My name is Paula. What is yours and your dog's name?

Please fill us in with all the details so we know best how to help.


QUESTIONS:
★1 Is there still currently pain now or when having to move or nearing the next dose of pain meds?  Please type ONLY the signs you observe in your reply post.
    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 __How much does your dog weigh? Age?
      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 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?

★4 What's your doxie's name and your name?
★5 Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
   -- Is the vet a general DVM? or
   -- a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?

★6   What was the date you saw the vet for conservative treatment?
      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). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons. How to: 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 his body in the crate?
       -- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?

Calm your mind about nerve healing, know the facts: dodgerslist.com/2021/02/06/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/


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Jamie, pain meds are not given as needed.  Since you are reporting pain, clearly gabapentin (for nerve pain) needs to be given promptly every 8 hrs.
 
The two other  kinds of pain with a disc episode are not being covered. Call the ER so you can avoid a risk to the disc movement during a car transport.  Vets who know IVDD know how important limited movement is to a disc trying to heal.  Tell the ER vet the signs of pain you are observing.  Expect additional pain meds every 8 hrs:
    traMADol as the over all analgesic
    methocarbamol for muscle contraction pain
    Get the ok for Pepcid AC® (famotidine) from your grocery store.   famotidine 5mgs every 12 hours to suppress the acids stress, prednisone cause to avoid bleeding ulcers.

Did the vet say the disc was in the neck?  These are the extras you can do tohelp with a neck disc. Won't hurt even if a back disc:  There are extra things you can do at home to help the neck heal, such as softening hard kibble, raising food/water dishes, etc. More info here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/

Let us  know exactly how often you are and will be giving gabapentin. It is nice you got a range, but we need to know what is actual.

Let us know what the ER vet does to adjust meds over the phone
    Falling down is loss of neuro function in which legs (front of back legs)? Re[port if the legs are getting worse (more neuro diminishment)
    Pain signs are whimpering when having to move. Review the list provided in my post above to see if Levi is showing any other signs of pain that need reporting. Accuracy and details helps everyone (including us) to understand Levi's situation.