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Post by Kelly & Sophie on Feb 16, 2023 9:33:26 GMT -7
[Original subject line: First Time Diagnosis]
Good morning! I'm so relieved to find a group specifically for IVDD. This is my first time having a dog with this disease and it has been really scary.
Here are details on my situation.
I have a 7yo female miniature dachshund named Sophie. She is petite at only 8.5lbs. I've had her since 8 weeks old. I have ramps and stairs in various locations of the house to minimize jumping. I've had the for the last 4-5 years. I've always been conscious to support her chest and back when picking her up.
Thursday 02/09, Sophie presented with shaking and cries of pain when I tried to pick her up to take her outside. She showed no signs of paralysis and had normal bowel and urine movement. I got her into the vet with in 2 hours and had an examination and x-rays. She was given a steroid injection for pain. X-rays were sent to a radiologist for a second opinion.
Diagnosis is possible IVDD with mineral deposits in between C2-C3 vertebrae. May have arthritis in both shoulders. I chose not to have an MRI or see a neurologist at this time due to closest being 4 hrs away. Proceeding with kenneling and meds.
02-09 started
gabapentin 0.04ml 2x a day for 2 weeks.
Prednisone 0.5ml2x a day for 2 days, 1x a day for 2 days and tapering to 1x every other day for 2 doses.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
8.5 lbs 7 y.o.
Name of steroid injection on 2/9
prednisone formula 5mg/ml as of 2/10: 2.5mgs (0.5mL dose) 2x/day for 2 days, then 2/12 test taper for: 2/14 pain / _neuro
as of 2/15: 2.5mgs (0.5ml )2x/day for 3 days , Sat 2/18 test taper for _pain/ _neuro
gabapentin ?mgs/mL: ?mgs( 0.04mL) 2x/day til 2/22
Sophie needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of prednisone! ]
Discontinued use of collar and using harness instead of needed. Confinement in crate except for potty breaks and water/food breaks
Saw improvement in pain after 2days and started tail wagging and normal appetite. I did make the mistake of letting her out of kennel after day 3.
Started tapering Prednisone on 02-12 per vet instructions and noticed some pain without shaking return on 02-14.
02-15 increased Prednisone back to 0.5ml 2x per day and implemented strict kennel rest. Called vet for a refill of Prednisone to continue longer timeframe for additional swelling to subside.
02-16 noticed Sophie was feeling better as she was barking at another dog when on a potty break.
Wondering if I should try acupuncture, fluid therapy, or laser therapy at this point. I'm somewhat at a loss of how to proceed at this point being that a neuro vet is 4 hours away.
I feel like I'm a little better off than some of the other members in this group as Sophie shows no signs of paralysis at this time. I want to give her the best chance at living a long happy life. My previous mini developed diabetes at age 5 and crossed the rainbow bridge at age 10. Worst time of my life. Sophie helped heal my heart and I want her around as long as possible. I did purchase pet insurance the day I brought Sophie home.
I appreciate any advice and constrictive comments.
Thank you, Kelly
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 16, 2023 11:40:36 GMT -7
Kelly, welcome to the Forum. We are glad you found us. Let us know how you got here when you have time. First thing to know to put your mind at rest is that Sophie is a good candidate to heal her disc under conservative treatment. Because you you are adhering to the very important principles that help the disc to heal: -- Limited movement of the vertebrae by minimal footsteps and carrying her to and from the potty place. The disc heals like a broken bone heals. The recovery sute for the disc limits movement similar to a cast for a broken arm.
-- Reserve car transports to those of the most of urgent of health reasons. IVDD knowledgeble vets understand all else can be handled over the phone (med adjustments, updates).
-- With her mild symptoms of pain only, the best course is keeping her at home inside of her recovery suite. Do you have her suite setup for easy maintenace? Lots of great ideas and tips to make the next 8 weeks of disc healing go smoother: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
Some Pointers
-- Quickly alerting the vet during the test prednisone taper that started on 2/12 that pain surfaced on 2/14. Clearly the 2-day course of pred was not time enough to fully resolve all pain. All vets must guess how many day course. Normally those gueses are a 5-7 course or even a 14-day prednsone course and then a test taper to find out about pain. -- Discuss with the next taper that gabapentin also be stopped on that same date for a quicker ability assess for pain and get pred back up at the anti-inflammatory dose should pain surface. -- Owner education is key in fighting the IVDD enemy. Please do get the full story on how pred is used with a disc so you know your roll and can be prepared: episode: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/-- Check on getting an acid suppressor on board today. Read so you know why when you pass it by your vet, the dose and that it is available at the grocery store. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/-- Neck 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/-- Get an overall quick understanding of the disease Sophie was born with. It will help you in discussions with your vet and living many happy years ahead with Sophie: dodgerslist.com/2020/06/26/time-and-ivdd/QUESTIONS-- For how many days is the 2nd pred course which started on 2/15. The course is the part before a taper starts. Tapers serve a different purpose-- What is the name of the steroid injection on 2/9?-- Prednisone formula?: how many mgs are in one mL of liquid?-- Gabapentin formula?: how many mgs are in one mL of liquid?-- Let us know when Pepcid AC (famotidine) is on board: ?mg ?x/day |
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Post by Kelly & Sophie on Feb 16, 2023 20:59:29 GMT -7
The Prednisone started on 2/15 is just 3 days. Sophie's liver enzymes were above normal but not serious. So not sure if that is why she is on such a short schedule.
The Prednisone is in liquid form and is equal to 400mg.
The Gabapentin is liquid and is equal to 500mg.
I will call the vet in the morning to ask about pepcid ac.
I do have head height bowls already.
Thank you for your help.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Feb 16, 2023 22:19:06 GMT -7
Kelly would you check for the forumula printed on the bottle for each of these meds. Formulas could look like: 5mg/1mL, 1mg/1mL 50mg/1mL etc. How many mgs of gabapentin are in one mL of liquid?
How many mgs of prednisone are in one mL of liquid?
Let us know the name of the steroid injection on 2/9The 3-day course of prednisone will begin the taper on Sat. Feb 18. YOu will definately want to have worked out in advance a PLAN B with your vet. He'll likely only be open 1/2 day on Saturday and closed on Sun. An ER visit is very expensive, a "Plan B" is free! If you've not read up on Plan B's then do so here: When the pain med Gabapentin is on board during the pred taper, it makes it very difficult for you to get a fast and accurate assessment about existing pain. Find out if gabapentin can full stop or back off in mgs/frequency given on Sat. Feb 18th. RULE OF THUMB during prednisone taper Pain surfacing= another course of PRED + all pain meds back on board. Pepcid AC for the duration of prednisone
No Pain= go to TAPER conclusion...finish out the 8 weeks of crate rest for the disc to heal. |
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Post by Kelly & Sophie on Feb 17, 2023 12:15:41 GMT -7
Prednisone is 5mg/ml.
Gabapentin doesn't say.
I guess I will read up on a Plan B. Personally, I don't think 3 days is enough for the Prednisone before tapering. It will be Monday before we start tapering.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 17, 2023 15:04:11 GMT -7
Reading up on a Plan B is a good idea. It will be invaluable if, during the taper, pain is seen when your vet is not available. With a Plan B, you will know what action to take and what meds you should give until your vet can be contacted again
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