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Post by Elaine & Snowball on Jun 7, 2023 23:31:32 GMT -7
[Original subject line:Elaine's Snowball May 25 2023 ] Hi, my name is Elaine. My dog Snowball is probably a West Highland Terrier/Dachshund/maybe some Chihuahua mix. About 10-11 years old.
She weighs about 25 lbs.
She is currently taking:
Gabapentin 100 mg twice a day
Meloxicam 1.25 mg once a day
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
25 lbs 10-11 y,o.
5/25 wobbly
6/8 weak front/rear leg movements
Meloxicam as of date? 1.25mgs 1x/day for ? days, then test STOP for _pain/_Neuro
Gabapentin 100 mg 2x/day
Snowball needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of Meloxicam! ]
I didn't know about adding Pepcid, will do that.
Her problems started [5/25] suddenly a couple of weeks ago. Wobbly at first, but now she can’t walk. She can move her hind legs but they don’t support her. Her front legs can’t support her either, and they seem very weak.
She pees and poops ok. Good appetite. She’s mostly just laying around looking unhappy. She’s alert when she’s awake, and barks at the usual things (neighbor’s dog, etc). Since around May 25 we’ve had her on crate rest. She has a slight shiver sometimes. She can wag her tail and likes to be petted.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,566
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 8, 2023 8:45:43 GMT -7
Elaine, welcome to the Forum. We are glad you have joined us. 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. With your details of event dates, med details etc., we'd know best how to help. We'd feel awfully bad to mistakenly assume anything ... delaying help for your Snowball. Do know it is likely that her front and back leg neuro decrease could self heal with time. The disc heals with STRICT rest. You may like to have these two tools to help you see the big picture: ==> dodgerslist.com/most-asked-disc-disease-ivdd-questions ==> Quality of life: dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life/QUESTIONS:★1 List for us signs of pain still occurring nearing next dose of meds or when having to move: ⚙︎ 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
➕with 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
★2 Fill us in on the med details: Meloxicam started on date? 1.25mgs 1x/day for ? days, then a test STOP for _pain/_Neuro Pepcid AC (famotidine)? Let us know when you have 10mg 2x/day on board.
• Important to let us know you understand the "why" of Pepcid AC:==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/ • Keep a med chart see patterns, etc. for best communications with vet and Forum. D/l a sample and a blank form to use with your dog's meds dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/med-chart-printable.pdf★5 • What date did you first see a vet ? • Did you get a diagnosis of a disc episode •what kind of vet: your local DVM vet or a neuro ACVIM or an ortho ACVS? • Did the vet say the bad disc was in the neck or the back? • What date did you start STRICT rest?
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
- Full details and tips to carry out ==> STRICT rest to heal a disc
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! ![https://dodgerslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Potty-leash-harness400-19kb.jpg]() ** ★8 What do you believe the cause of neuro decline from 5/25 wobbly to now 6/8 front and back legs can only weakly move? -- Had Meloxicam been stopped since it started 5/25? Details help us understand things.
-- What date did the front and back leg neuro decline happen on? -- Had Snowball's back or neck had too much movement? Date? details? Elaine, let us know if you have an area of concern we can focus on to help you with Snowball's care or maybe something you are wondering about? Also just so we know, would a surgery be an option for your family if, IF at some point it would be something to consider? |
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Post by Elaine & Snowball on Oct 11, 2023 16:49:23 GMT -7
Hi, sorry for the lack of updates! I lost the link address but found it. But I do have good news.
An update on the medication history: The vet discontinued the meloxicam and started her on prednisolone, and she stayed on the gabapentin. I found out that the vet had not used the prednisolone right away because she thought that Snowball might have diabetes, due to some blood test results. But she had a second blood test and she doesn't have diabetes. Sorry I don't have the dosage, but she was on prenisolone for a couple of weeks I think. We were also doing the red laser treatment with a device that I bought. Also, for her mental health, I bought a stroller and some licki-mats, both of which she appreciated.
Her front legs were completely paralysed for about 6 weeks. She did appear to have feeling in them, though. We noticed her feet twitching while she was sleeping, and one day, my husband was putting her back onto the floor, and she sat herself up, supported by her front legs! Over the next couple of weeks she was stronger and stronger, finally taking a few steps. We took her in for an acupuncture treatment, and the next day, she seemed a lot stronger. Weaned her off the gabapentin about a week later.
Now, it's almost 5 months later, and she's 100% ok! The biggest challenge now is keeping her from overdoing things. We block off steps and furniture, and keep an eye on her. She insists she is totally fine, of course!
It was a horrible heart-wrenching experience while it was happening, but we never gave up hope. It's amazing how a dog could recover from something like this.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,566
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 11, 2023 17:30:06 GMT -7
Elaine, we see the wonderful miracle you report of dogs self healing their disc and then with time self repairing nerve function. So good to hear Snowball is 100% now after having lost neuro function in the front AND back legs initially. You may be interested in learning all you can in living with your IVDD dog from now on. Everything from nail clipping for health, how to handle dentals, which type of harness is best and how to just plain have fun: dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips-2Thank you for the update! |
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