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Post by Carol & Henry on May 22, 2023 21:03:52 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Henry / IVDD isolation & overwhelm]
Hi. I’m Carol, and my dog is Henry. He is a dachshund-jack russell-chihuahua who weighs about 18 pounds.
For meds, Henry is on Gabapentin (every 8-12 hours) and Metacam(once daily). The ER vet gave him morphine, which I did not ask for or give consent to.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
18 lbs age?
metacam as of 5/20: ?mgs 1x/day for ? days, then a test STOP for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin ?mg ?x/day
Henry needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of Metacam! ]
Henry received a diagnosis of IVDD at the emergency vet May 20. He saw an emergency room doctor as opposed to neurologist. Actually she referred us to a neurologist, but to see her he would have had to stay overnight. The entire experience of trying to find a vet was really fraught. Our vet told us by phone based on his symptoms just take him to UCDavis because he needs surgery asap. But UCD was not taking any new neurological patients and meanwhile I learned from calling around there is really no such thing as an on-call vet neurologist.
I found your site while searching in desperation for information; this is where I felt the first inkling that maybe I was too focused on a neurologist.
Henry has not gone potty since we brought him home from the vet 24 hours ago. He is very wobbly on his rear legs and lifting him is terrifying. I take him out to the grass but he stands still and does not seem to be able to or know to squat. I have not found wet bedding yet.
Seeing him unable to move is pretty upsetting. I had to hide my grief all day at work. This site has been great comfort as this is a uniquely isolating experience.
My biggest concerns, other than eventual recovery, are logistics. How do I lift him? He likes to sit in his cage and bark even though his hind legs are floppy — should I try to make him lie down? I see the advice no couches, no beds, but does that include pet beds?
thanks for reading.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 23, 2023 5:44:59 GMT -7
Moderator Paula is reading your post and preparing a reply. It can take 20-40 minutes or longer dependent on the complexity. Thank you for your patience. 👀 Please refresh your browser to see new replies.
➡️ EMAIL ALERTS
Timely interaction/communications is needed when helping your dog. Bookmark Henry's thread to receive an email alert when someone has replied.
1. Look for your dog's thread and checkmark it. 2. Look for the white ACTIONS button towards top. 3. Select “Notification Options" from the pull down menu — check mark “NEW POST” change from never to INSTANT email — press the SAVE button. Click the “x” to close the window 4. Next choose the “Bookmark” See the tiny book symbol now!
➡️ QUICK REPLY: Easy, fast and recommended! Go to the "Quick reply" typing area at bottom of your dog's thread to write a reply. Quick Reply allows scrolling up to a previous post & back down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 23, 2023 7:08:54 GMT -7
Carol, we are so very glad you found us. You are in the right place! It is, indeed, quite overwhelming to learn your dog was born with IVDD and all the new things to learn about caring for him at home. We also have details we need to know to give our best comments. Our goal is to help you to quickly learn by pointing you to essential readings. In the next days, hope you can take time to go over to our ==> main website to do your homework of getting up to speed. Calming you mind helps not only you but also helps Henry. He's smart and can read you like a book. He watches your body language and tone of voice. Put on a happy face and light hearted voice when around him. 🏵To calm your mind, I bet you'd like a realistic idea of how long it takes to heal. This is one of the most frequent questions asked. Here is the answer along with 2 tools to help you during your dog's recovery time: ==> dodgerslist.com/most-asked-disc-disease-ivdd-questionsFill in the picture for us with details marked in PINK: Meds 1. METACAM started 5/20: How many mgs ea dose? For how many days?
Pepcid AC (famotidine) is an acid suppressor that typically will be on board to avoid bleeding ulcers. Read/learn, then take action this morning. Read here: ==> 3 reasons why 0.44mgs famotidine x 18lbs =
dose 7.92mg (or rounded up to 10mgs) every 12 hrs. Is he eating and drinking normally?
Poop normal, not constipated nor loose? Learn about Metacam. 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/
2. GABAPENTIN ?mg ?x/day are you actually dosing?
Is all pain fully controlled round the clock, dose to dose? If not, the vet needs to know ASAP this morning to get the meds adjusted over the phone. Avoid risky-for-the-healing-disc trips into vet when things can be done without moving Henry by phone. Unfortunately a visit to your own vet would require an exam before he'd likely be able to adjust meds. At ER anyone can refer to Henry's file and then adjust meds.
Neuro status Can he move the back legs at all such as to attempt to reposition his body in the recovery suite? Does he attempt to move up into a stand with back legs? Do the rear paws knuckle under? Can he take wobbly footsteps if supported with a rear sling? Does he leak on you when lifted?Potty time safety
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!
Tell us more....such as does Henry have anyone to take him out to potty during your work hours?LIFT and CARRY (support both ends, keep back horizontal to the ground) STRICT REST means ▶︎ Super tried and true tips for doing STRICT rest, for setting up the recovery suite, the mattress and more! Size of the the suit should only be enough to easily turn around, fully stretch out legs. Read more ===> here ◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you ◼︎no chiro therapy ==> WHYs ◼︎no dragging or meandering at potty times. ◼︎no PT for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc ◼︎Choose at home laser or acupuncture service if desired. Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk of too much movement disrupting the disc healing vs. benefit for a serious health risk. Anytime out of the recovery suite is a danger to the healing disc. The suite is always horizontal and providing back support. Couches, cushions can slope into a person causing dog's back to not be supported. A dog can't in a blink of an eye jump up or down from furniture, dart off at something when in the safety of the recovery suite. As long as Henry sits/lays quietly and is not being rambunctious, it is ok. Will be watching for your answers so we know better how to comment. |
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