Welcome to Dodgerslist. We are glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve learned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you!
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Your Zed is still in pain. This means that his pain meds are not yet right. The pain med, gabapentin does not last long in the body and usually will need to be taken 3x/day to be effective.
You mentioned that he is showing signs of pain only at times. Is this when the gabapentin is starting to wear off?
What we have seen works best for IVDD pain is a combination of three meds, each attacking pain differently:
Methocarbamol 3x/day for painful muscle contractions.
Tramadol Rx'd 3x/day as the general pain reliever
Gabapentin for nerve pain also Rx'd 3x/day.
Please call your vet right away and report the signs of pain you are seeing and discuss the pain meds mentioned above. Pain will only slow the healing process.
Learn about commonly used meds here:
For how many days was the Carprofen prescribed?
The right meds will work much better than heat or ice for Zed's pain. It is best to avoid anything on the back during an episode.
Is Zed taking apoquel for allergies?
Trazadone is usually prescribed as a sort of sedative not really a pain killer.
I am glad that you have learned about the importance of crate rest. It is the immobility enforced by crate rest that allows the disc to heal. The crate rest must be very strict. Zed should be in the crate 24x7 and out only for necessary vet visits and pottying. When you take Zed out to potty, carry him to the potty spot and then allow only the most limited amount of footsteps.
Information on how crate rest works can be found at the link below:
A disc problem in the neck can be more painful and may take longer to resolve because a dog moves its head with almost all actions and when any part of the body moves. We have special tips for the neck disc dog here:
All anti-inflammatories, like Carprofen, cause excess stomach acid. This can lead to serious stomach damage. A stomach protector like Pepcid AC should be taken to lower the odds of damage. Ask your vet if Zed has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine).
The usual dose of Pepcid AC for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
We encourage you to register and set up email alerts as timely interaction/communications is needed when helping your dog. How to register and how to do the email alerts here:
www.dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread
Help you and your family recognize emergency signs and action to take. Print this flyer for your fridge:
dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/emergency-fridge-flyer.pdf
Here are some: at-home nursing care tips you can use during a disc episode:
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