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Post by Peppers Mom on May 28, 2023 16:01:57 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Overlapping discs causing hind legs to drag] FEMALE: i.postimg.cc/HndzvQRF/dox.jpg i.postimg.cc/D0DdSK45/Conserv-Paralzed-rear.pngI took [5/26] my 4 year old dachshund to the emergency vet. [MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
weight 4 y.0.
prednisone as of 5/26: ?mgs ?x/day for ? days, then a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin ?mg ?x/day
Pepper needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of prednisone! ] She was given predisone (20 capsules total) Gabapentin (9 capsules total) and Methocarbol (for two days, which is now gone.) I’m concerned about next steps and pain management. We will be out of meds completely soon. Should I be continuing them or is this enough medication? I am not sure who to contact for a refill. The ER Vet or regular vet who has not seen her yet? I cannot afford the neurologist visit. If it comes down to it, I would have to put myself into extreme debt to make it happen. But I am trying to avoid that. This happened on[5/26] Friday and today is Sunday and my dog is showing no improvement. She is staying the same. My husband is getting worried that our only option is to perform the surgery or have her euthanized and it is taking a toll on me. With her current condition, and how miserable she appears, he does not believe crate rest will help. I am feeling hopeless and it’s getting to the point where I can’t sleep or eat. I am only seeing horror stories online. I can’t stand to see her miserable and not her normal perky self. I’m worried she’s not responding to toe pinches like she should be. She looks in my direction, but does not pull away.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on May 28, 2023 18:06:27 GMT -7
Welcome! My name is Paula, what's yours? I can tell you a way to ease your mind and that is to become educated about your dogs disease. Boy is it scary when your mind has to fill in with horror stories when there isn't any knowledge on the topic. So watch for the links I point you to this will help you get up to speed on IVDD while you take time in the next days to use our Website www.DODGERSlist.com to further your IVDD knowledge. Young Pepper will live many happy years ahead after healing from this disc episode. Expose your mind to the truth and not the horror stories one's mind can imagine! ==> Emergency FAQ: dodgerslist.com/2020/02/24/emergency-faq==> How long it takes to heal dodgerslist.com/most-asked-disc-disease-ivdd-questions==> Why there is hope and quality of life ahead for Pepper should she need extra time for nerve healing to bring back leg function: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life/Below are general comments, until you can fill us in on the essentials, the details. See the questions below. I will be watching for your response to be able to zero in just where Pepper's problem is. =============
RIGHT NOW TONIGHT #1 Make sure Pepper is inside of a recovery suite so her disc will heal due to limited movement of her back/neck. How to set up the suite, and tips for provding STRICT rest: ==>https://dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ #2 If Pepper is showing signs of pain when having to move or nearing next dose on the one remaining pain med (Gabapentin), then phone the ER vet ASAP tonight get the meds adjusted. ===============Resolution of spinal cord inflammation/swelling provides the relief from pain. It can take an the steroid PREDNISONE a range of 7 to 30 days before all swelling is gone. Learn about PREDNISONE. 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/
Adjusting meds by phone avoids a risky-to-the disc car transport.
The best pain medications control is using more than one approach to address pain from multiple fronts (traMADol-general analgesic, methocarbamol- muscle spasm pain, gabapentin-nerve pain). All three pain meds need to be prescribed three times a day. Advocate for the three pain meds plus a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine) to protect against the side effects of the anti-inflammatory. ==> 3 reasons why Pepcid AC
SIGNS OF PAIN:
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved ⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned bac ⚙︎ 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
QUESTIONSWith your details of event dates, mg doses., we'd know best how to help. We'd feel awfully bad to mistakenly assume anything ... delaying help for your dog. The Forum takes the approach to provide comments that match each dog's very specific needs. IVDD vet visits can be stressful. The mind can find it hard to absorb all the vet communicates and translate correctly into at-home care. Small things missed could easily change the healing potential for the dog. ★1 Is there still currently todate pain? List ONLY the signs you observe. There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Phone your ER vet tonight and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted.★2 __How much does your dog weigh? What is the list of meds your dog is taking? -- Exact names for each med, their doses in mg’s and times per day given?
Gabapentin ?mg ?x/day -- Prednisone as of 5/26: ?mg ?x/day for ? days, then a test taper -- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med. The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound.
==> www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html --Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory. --Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory. thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg ** ★3 List any red flag signs of stomach damage you are currently observing: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea?
★5 Did you specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc? -- Is the vet a general DVM? or -- a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?★6 If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them. i.postimg.cc/3rLH7g7X/320still-healing-disc.jpg ** Let us know you have been doing the single most import of care, the STRICT rest since 5/26: - no laps - no couches - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.POTTY TIMES for dogs who can still sniff and pee (meaning they have bladder control) 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! dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg **★7 Brain controlled "peeing" or reflex "overflowing"?
Can your Pepper: -- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)? -- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons. How to: ==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/★8 Describe what you observe currently about neuro functions. Can your dog.... -- wobbly walk with the assistance of a sling for rear limbs? -- Move the legs at all? Such as to reposition her body in the recovery suite? -- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk? FORUM TIP On a Mobile device?
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