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Post by Brent & Tank on Mar 15, 2023 15:03:32 GMT -7
This post is being marked. If there are corrections or additional info, please make a new post. Thanks!
[Original subject line: Tank - 10 Year Old Standard Dachshund - IVDD Diagnosis] 
☆ 1 pain? Yes.
Answer: I've been trying to keep him immobile as possible. Today (3/15/23) day 6, it doesn't look like he's moved all that much. That said, he can still stand. I think he's just wiped out from the pain, meds or both.
☐ shivering, trembling Answer: Yes, but I haven't noticed this without an incident. So, what I mean is shortly after he has an event that makes him scream/yelp, that's when I see these symptoms. If he doesn't trigger the pain, I'm not seeing these symptoms.
Answer: I've been picking up to take him outside, but I've been picking him up and supporting his spine 100%. He has not yelped or whined when I've picked him up. I haven't tried moving him yet and really don't want to force moving him.☐ tight tense tummy Answer: Yes, it does feel sort of tight to me. ☐ can’t find a comfortable position, appears restless Answer: Absolutely. He was moving around quite a bit throughout the night. ☐ Arched back ☐head held high or nose to the ground Answer: I haven't noticed this, but I'll keep an eye out.☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight Front, right leg definitely. I took him into the vet about 5 days ago for this because I noticed he yelped a couple times when walking. Initially I thought maybe he had pain in his leg, but I couldn't reproduce the pain by softly squeezing his paw. ☐ Answer: Oh yeah although he still does wag his tail, but he's lost quite a bit of perkiness.2 He's 10 (birthday 11/11/2012). Last weight was 27lbs. Meloxidyl(meloxicam), prescribed 1 day after initially noticing his pain (3/11/23), dosage is 25lbs (I don't know the mgs) dose by mouth daily with his morning food.
✙Gabapentin, prescribed today (3/15/23), dosage is 100mg, 1 capsule by mouth twice daily. His first dose will be later today shortly before bedtime.[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
27 lbs 10 y.o
Meloxidy as of 3/13 ?mgs 2x/day for ? days, then TEST STOP: _pain?/_neuro?
✙gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
Tank needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of Meloxidyl!]
Answer: No steroids were prescribed yet.Answer: I don't think this applies to my situation. I googled NSAID and seems like an anti-inflammatory medicine. I don't think the Vet prescribed anything anti-inflammatory. C.. PEPCID AC: Phrase a simple question that you expect a simple "yes "or "no" to it. Does my dog have 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). Answer: I don't think [Pepcid AC] this applies to my situation. ☆ 3 Answer: Shortly before the IVDD diagnosis, he was being treated for Hookworms. He was vomiting and had diarrhea, but the Vet gave him a prescription and we changed up his diet and his stool is looking healthy again. That said, when he was having issues, I was feeding him Farmer's Dog for a whole year and not until only recently was he having digestive issues. His appetite is good, it's just his stool was coming out all mucus-like and whatnot. ☆ 4 Answer: Standard Dachshund. Tank. My name is Brent.☆ 5 Answer: It's IVDD. The paperwork from the vet and radiologist says "In situ intervertebral disc mineralization at C3-4 could be associated with disc bulging and pain". So, I guess bulging disc. - Is the vet a general DVM? Answer: His LinkedIn says DVM, not sure if general. The x-ray diagnosis paperwork says that the radiologist is also a DVM and a DACVR. Answer: I asked to be referred to specialist today. I won't know this answer until the specialist reaches out to me to setup the initial appointment. ☆ 6 date you saw the vet for CONSERVATIVE treatment? Answer: I mean... technically, 3/13/23 the same date as when we asked the Vet to take the X-ray. I initially went in on 3/11/23 for the pain, but the initial examination didn't show signs of IVDD and the yelping only started the day before.Answer: N/A. I don't know yet if surgery is gonna be needed until after I speak with the specialist. I'll be getting my dog's X-rays via email from the Vet if that'll help. ☆ 7 sniff and squat and then release urine? Answer: Yes. I haven't noticed any issues with urination, sniffing or squatting. Answer: None so far, but I suspect if I keep him confined to a 6x6 foot 360 degree baby gate radius, I'm gonna run into wet sheets. If you think it's possible to take him out for bathroom breaks, please let me know. I'm totally petrified to move him at this point.
☆ 8 Answer: He can walk. If he's wobbling, it definitely isn't blatantly noticeable. That said, I might be tricking my mind into saying this, but it does seem like he's walking differently. Again though, I might just be tricking my mind into thinking that because I haven't noticed any blatant wobbling. He's seems functional when walking. That said, I've been restricting his movements in the last 12 hours [on 3/15]. He is confined to a 6x6 foot 360 degree baby gate where I have a whole bunch of pillows, blankets, etc. laid out for him to lay on.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 15, 2023 16:26:49 GMT -7
#1 VERY IMPORTANT Brent you have a pain emergency to deal with right way today. Even if it takes going to ER. Tank, for a 27 lb dog, is way under mediated for pain if you currently see he yelps, can't find a comfy postition, hold up front leg flamingo like. Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport. Describe the pain that you're observing. Vets who know IVDD, understand and make med adjustments over the phone. There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next within the hour when the meds are correct. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Look for your dog to be acting their normal, perky self when pain is fully under control round the clock. Pain meds. For a neck disc usually three pain meds to address each kind of pain. Pain meds are effective for 8 hrs. Thus they are Rx for every 8 hrs (3x/day). traMADol-general analgesic
methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain
gabapentin-nerve pain
Resolution of spinal cord inflammation/swelling provides the relief from pain. It can take an anti-inflammatory such as Meloxidyl(meloxicam) a range of 7 to 30 days before all swelling is gone.
-- Understand about Meloxidyl(meloxicam). An informed owner is a dog's best defense when taking an anti-inflammatory. What your job is, how to arrange for a Plan B with your vet. dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/ PEPCID AC (famotdine) from the grocery store) Take no chances, get this acid suppressor on board. WHY? dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/ 27lb dog X 0.44mgs famotidine =11.88 mgs famotidine Round down to a 10mg tablet. Tank: Pepcid AC (famotidine) 10 mgs 2x/day
CRATE REST
This is the SINGLE most important care to allow the disc to heal.
You will find all the details along with tips to make the REST period of 8 weeks go smoother. Invaluable reading here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
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/
Please keep us posted on what the med adjustments are. This is so unfair to Tank to be so undermedicated for pain with a neck disc. He can't heal with all that pain. And you can't properly care for him such as potty time. |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Mar 15, 2023 18:16:52 GMT -7
Brent, I do hope that Tank's pain will be brought fully and completely under control ASAP today. Paula has given you excellent information to use in your discussion with the vet. Should your present vet not have enough experience with IVDD and is not able to bring Tank's pain completely under control so he can rest and heal properly via phone consult, do immediately get that specialist neurologist referral to consult with regarding change of meds. Should your present vet be able to get Tank's pain completely under control ASAP, then there would be no reason for a risky trip to a neurologist. All that would be needed once Tank's pain is under control is for him to rest and heal for the remaining 8 weeks of strict crate rest. It sounds to me like Tank may have Nerve root signature pain. One of the main symptoms is holding a leg flamingo style. Something is irritating the nerve root as it exits the spinal cord to travel down the leg. Severe leg pain is one of the main symptoms. Not all nerve root signature problems can be resolved with conservative treatment and surgery may be required. NSAIDs may not be strong enough anti inflammatory to deal with swelling. It may take a steroid. The pain may also take a combo of meds rather than just one, such as Tramadol, Gabapentin and Methocarbamol. Here's some info on root signature pain to read as a background for discussion with your vet.dodgerslist.com/2020/08/20/nerve-root-signature-pain/Paula has given you the link to Dodgerlist's page on how to set up a recovery suite, which I do encourage you to read once Tank's pain is under control. His recovery suite/area should be only large enough for him to stand up, turn around and like down with his legs comfortably extended. Any additional room needs to be filled in with rolled up blankets/towels. Think of the crate as a cast for the spine. Too much movement and the damaged disc can rupture or tear more, causing more pain and possibly more neuro damage. I do understand your fear of picking Tank up. But you should carry Tank in and out to potty. that will be easier once his pain is completely under control. Carry to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. If needed, 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 a 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! If Tank is trained to use pee pads, a pee pad can be placed right outside of his crate. dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpgPlease do keep us updated as we'll be anxiously awaiting word as to control of Tank's pain. Healing prayers for Tank. |
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