Welcome to Dogerslist. 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:
I am sorry to hear that your dog has pneumonia in addition to IVDD. It is good to hear that the pneumonia is improving, and wonderful to hear he is expected to come home soon. Here at Dodgerslist we know a lot about IVDD but not that much about pneumonia. That being said, let's see if we can come up with some suggestions.
Has the vet treating your dog for pneumonia told you that lying down a lot is likely to cause problems with fluid accumulating in the lungs? People tend to lie on their backs while dogs lie mostly on their stomachs so it might be different.
You mentioned that lifting his head slightly made him more comfortable. Strict crate rest 24/7 is very important to allow the disc to heal, but you could use a pillow or bolster in the crate he could rest his head on. We have information about how crate rest works at the link below:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
Would you be willing to share more of your dog's IVDD story with us?
What meds is he taking? Dosage and frequency as well, please.
I know that the vet said the fluid in his longs may be steroid related. Did they change to a different anti-inflammatory because of that ?
All dogs with IVDD are at risk of stomach damage caused by an excess of stomach acid. this is particularly true for dogs on an anti-inflammatory. To lower the risk of damage, a stomach protector like Pepcid AC is used. Ask the vet if your dog has 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).
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory. More information on stomach protection is below:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection
Are the meds taking care of his pain? 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
When the pain meds are right, relief will be seen within an hour and there will be no pain between doses.
Can your dog move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
We have information about the phases of disc healing below:
dodgerslist.com/healing-the-disc
How much does your dog weigh?
What breed? What is your dog’s name? Your name, too? I am Romy.
It is very scary when our dogs are diagnosed with IVDD. It becomes less so when we learn all we can about the disease. Additional information can be found at our main website:
Please update us when you get a chance. We will be wanting to hear.
