Welcome to Dodgerslist, Andrea. 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! Learn more about us and how we team up with veterinarians:
dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/
Dodgerslist work's with vets:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/20/education-team-ivddYour vet has diagnosed Cody with IVDD. Even after considering a blood clot, he determined the more likely cause to be IVDD.
You have done the very best thing for Cody by starting Strict crate rest. The crate rest must be very strict. This is because the immobility enforced by crate rest allows the disc to heal. We often use the example of a broken arm. The cast immobilizes the arm, allowing the bone to heal. With IVDD, the goal is that limited movement of the spine will allow the body to reabsorb the bulging disc, so it's no longer pressing on the nerves of the spine which causes the pain.
When pottying, carry Cody to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps
A disc problem in the neck can be more painful and may take longer to resolve because a dog usually moves its head whenever any part of the body moves. That constant movement means that healing can take longer because the neck doesn't get the rest to allow the disc uninterrupted healing.
Extras you can do at home for a neck disc:
www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips
You can find information about each phase of healing below:
www.dodgerslist.com/in-the-right-placeAll anti-inflammatories, like pred, cause excess stomach acid, which can lead to serious stomach damage. To help prevent this damage, a stomach protector like Pepcid AC is used. Since Cody has a heart murmur, your vet should advise you on the dosage. He may also prefer a different stomach protector.
How much does Cody weigh?
I am happy to hear that Cody is pain free. The signs of pain we look for are:
- 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
If you begin seeing any signs of pain, don't hesitate to use the higher dose of gabapentin and let the vet know. The vet gave you that option of increasing the dose.
To get Cody to take his medicine, you can try this method: Prepare three treats, one will have the pill inside. Give the first plain treat with #2 pill treat in view. The idea is a greedy gulp to get the next. With #2 in the mouth have #3 plain treat in view.
The treats can be cream cheese rolled into a ball or a very ripe banana or even small size marshmallows. I have had the most success with a cream cheese ball.
I understand the need to feed high value food so he will eat on command. If any of the above work, consider going back to his regular food. A high quality dog food is balanced to meet the dog's nutritional needs.
It is very scary when our dogs have IVDD. It becomes less so when we learn all we can about the disease. There is a lot of additional information on our main website:
www.Dodgerslist.com
