Welcome to Dodgerslist. 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/
Disc disease is not a death sentence!
Struggling with quality of life questions? Re-think things:
Is your name Katia? I am Romy.
The most important thing you can do for Ritchie now is keep him on Very Strict crate rest for 8 weeks. He should be in the crate 24/7 and out only for pottying and needed vet visits. The crate rest must be very strict. It is the immobility enforced by crate rest that allows the disc to heal.
STRICT means:
- no laps
- no couches
- no baths
- no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy
- no dragging or meandering at potty times.
Carry Ritchie to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very few limited footsteps. A sling (long winter scarf, ace bandage, belt) can be used to help support the dog's back end.
We have some info on how the crate rest process works at the link below:
Ritchie should not be in any pain. Pain will only slow the healing process. These are the signs of pain we look for: ☐shivering, trembling ☐yelping when picked up or moved ☐reluctant to move much in crate such as shift positions or slow to move ☐tight tense tummy ☐can’t find a comfortable position ☐Arched back ☐ Holding front or back leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ☐head held high or nose to the ground ☐Not their normal perky selves?
Full pain relief is expected in 1 hour and stays that way between doses. If you are seeing any of these signs, especially more than one, let the vet know right away and discuss adjusting the pain meds.
There are two types of anti-inflammatory medication; NSAIDs, like Carprofen and steroids. The steroid type is more powerful. If your vet decides to move from Carprofen to a steroid, Ritchie will need a 5 to 7 day washout with neither type of anti-inflammatory being used. Without the 5-7 day washout period, severe GI tract complications can occur. If nerve function is being lost, this takes priority over the washout. With an emergency, the GI tract is double protected with not only continued use of Pepcid AC, but also with the addition of another medication,sucralfate.
Information about commonly used meds is below:
All anti-inflammatories, like Carprofen, cause excess stomach acid which can lead to serious stomach damage. To reduce the chance of damage, a stomach protector like Pepcid Ac is used. Ask the vet if Ritchie 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 info on stomach protection can be found below:
It is common for dogs with paralyzed legs to lose bladder control. You seem to be doing well with expressing if Ritchie is keeping dry. You can also express for poop. Expressing a dog's bladder when he cannot empty it himself is necessary for health reasons. Expressing for poop makes clean up easier and eliminates stress for both us and our dogs. We have info on expressing here.
We know a dog has bladder control when they can "sniff and pee". Let Ritchie sniff a previous pee spot. If he urinates right after, that shows a message has been able to travel from the brain to the bladder. Give Ritchie regular opportunities to try this, so you will know if bladder control returns.
Ritchie can wag his tail and according to the neurologist has feeling in his back legs. This bodes well for future recovery.
It is very scary when our dogs have IVDD. It becomes less so when we learn all we can about the disease. More information can be found on our main website:
www.dodgerslist.com.
