Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10

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Angie & Rhett
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MALE - Breed?

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Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10 Aug 18, 2023 7:38:56 GMT -7

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Post by Angie & Rhett on Aug 18, 2023 7:38:56 GMT -7

[Original subject line:Newly diagnosed ivdd ]
Newly diagnosed fur baby with ivdd grade 5 no deep pain response. Sudden onset Tuesday August 15th. Went from soreness and not acting as active to complete paralysis to back legs with no bladder or bowel control. Was seen by vet [DVM] dx was not good. They said surgery wouldn’t be a good option given he has no deep pain response and complete paralysis.

He recommended conservative treatment. Started [8/15] prednisone 10mg daily and gabapentin 100mg three times day.

[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
14 lbs 7 y.o.
8/15 sudden rear leg paralysis
prednisone as of 8/15: ?mgs 10mg 1x/day for 20 days, then a test taper for: _pain / _neuro
gabapentin 100 mgs 3x/day
Rhett needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of prednisone! ]

This is going on 3rd day of meds and crate rest. Only eats few bites at a time. He cries and whines so much. He like thrusts the front part of his body around and

]. He seems so anxious and restless. I don’t know what is true acute pain or just the fact he’s can’t move and confined to crate which he’s never been in crate prior.

We have diapers for him but he jerks around so much it’s hard to keep them in place. He is now peeing [overflowing] sooo very much. His diapers are completely soaked through. The vet said this was side effect of the prednisone. He has no bowel control but has been going.

My heart is breaking for him. I’m completely overwhelmed. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing and if I’m doing everything right. I worry when I am cleaning him from his poop and peepee I’m hurting him or not holding him right. Just completely devastated and i feel so hopeless. Just a few days ago he was this spunky 7 year old very active loved running and swimming baby to completely paralyzed with no hope of normal life again. I just want to know that I’m doing everything I can to make his new normal as I can with keeping him as comfortable as I can. Any tips or ideas or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much. Angie

Last Edit: Aug 18, 2023 15:41:24 GMT -7 by PaulaM

PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA

Posts: 19,928

Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10 Aug 18, 2023 10:57:44 GMT -7

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Post by PaulaM on Aug 18, 2023 10:57:44 GMT -7

Angie, I can well understand how overwhelming this has been. As soon as you can learn more about this disc episode, you mind will come to know it is in the cards for Rhett to get back to enjoying many happy years ahead. Watch for links pointed out to help you quickly get up to speed.

FIRST, only a specialist can tell you when a surgery is warranted or not. Many DVMs get the deep pain thing wrong as well as the timing for surgery. It has been days since the loss of bladder control/rear leg use. Still that does not mean DPS has been lost. If you are wanting a surgery, then get to a specialist asap today to help with that and the other below issues to attend to right away today 8/18!  Other wise you have to deal with your local vet and drive this boat to get things right for Rhett.

MONITORING NEURO FUNCTIONS
As damage to the spinal cord increases, there can be a predictable stepwise deterioration of functions if excessive back/neck movement for example.
1. Pain with initial tear of disc and ensuing swelling
2. Wobbly walking
legs cross
3. Nails/toes scuffing floor
4. Paws knuckle under. Dog is slow to correct or can't right the paw(s) at all
5. Weak/little leg movement,
can't move up into a stand
6. 8/15 RearLegs do not work at all (paralysis, dog is down)
7. 8/15 Bladder control is lost. Leaks on you when lifted. Can no longer sniff and then pee on that old urine spot outdoors.
8. Tail wagging with joy is lost
9. Deep pain sensation, the last neuro function, a critical indicator for nerves to be able to self heal after surgery or with conservative treatment. If surgery is not an option (for whatever reason) then the best option is conservative therapy.
Surgery can still be successful in the window of 12-24 hours after loss of deep pain sensation. Even after that window of time, there can still be a good outcome. Each hour that passes decreases that chance.
Precious hours can be lost with a general vet who gets DPS wrong. Trust only the word of a neuro (ACVIM) or ortho (ACVS) surgeon about DPS.
        A quick overview of conservative treatment vs. a surgery:
dodgerslist.com/2020/02/10/surgery-vs-conservative/

PAIN needs attention today 8/18 by specialist or local DVM vet
There are three sources of pain.
_√__Gabapentin for nerve pain 100mgs 3x/day
___Methocarbamol for muscle contraction pain 3x/day
___traMADol as the general analgesic 3x/day
___Pepcid AC (famtodine) for GI tract damage: not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcer, red or black blood in stool= perforated stomach lining.
3 reasons why Pepcid AC includes Dose, how to ask vet:  dodgerslist.com/2020/05/06/stomach-protection/

Learning to express bladder needs attention today 8/18 by specialist or local vet
Rhett's bladder is overflowing (not peeing) First refresh before getting a hands on you hands lesson: ==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/

Breed?
Weight?
For how many days is Prednsone to be given 10mgs 1x/day?

Please do keep us updated on the Pepcid AC, pain med adjustments and another lesson on expressing. And about surgery if that is what is decided on.

Last Edit: Aug 18, 2023 15:46:12 GMT -7 by PaulaM

Hi there Guests❗️ REGISTERING would help us to help you and your dog best: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/7353/register-bookmark-dogs-post-thread

Angie & Rhett
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MALE - Breed?

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Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10 Aug 18, 2023 11:41:55 GMT -7 Angie & Rhett likes this

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Post by Angie & Rhett on Aug 18, 2023 11:41:55 GMT -7

Thank you so much for your help and quick response. That makes sense about the bladder being overflow. I thought all this time he was peeing but it’s overflow. His tummy did feel puffy to me. I’ll work on learning [expressing] that technique. I will talk to vet about better pain control. We have decided to go the with conservative treatment plan. He is a 7 year old dachshund and weighs 14 pounds.
Our DVM gave him 20 days of the prednisone then we take him back to vet for recheck. He said he would likely start to taper him off of the prednisone after the 20 days.

I worry about hurting him while I try to clean him up after he poops. Even with the diaper it’s hard to get him all cleaned with wipes and he tries to jerk around in his crate and manages to get the diaper out of wack so he ends up with pee and poop everywhere. Can I lay him in tub and rinse him off. He doesn’t like being messed with at all. He yelps and growls.

Last Edit: Aug 18, 2023 15:38:58 GMT -7 by PaulaM

Romy & Frankie
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Posts: 4,213

Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10 Aug 18, 2023 13:24:11 GMT -7

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Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 18, 2023 13:24:11 GMT -7

Caring for our dogs during an IVDD episode can seem overwhelming at first. After a while, you will get into a routine and it will seem easier.

Good that you are talking to your vet about pain control. Gabapentin alone often does not provide full pain relief. Pain will only slow the healing process.

When you speak to your vet, ask about GI tract protection. Our IVDD dogs have enough to deal with without adding in stomach problems.

Expressing is a bit tricky to learn. Getting a hands-on lesson from your vet is usually necessary. Once you become proficient at expressing, it will be much easier to care for Rhett. You can also express for poop. While expressing for urine when a dog cannot empty his bladder, is essential for health reasons, expressing for poop will ease the cleanup process for you. Also, dogs do not like poop where they sleep so finding poop in his bed may be upsetting to Rhett.

Please be very cautious about giving baths while Rhett is on crate rest. Baths are very dangerous for a dog recovering from IVDD. In water, they're slippery to hold, and there is a risk of too much movement. Please do all you can to clean him while inside the crate.

One tip many of our members have used is green tea for cleanup. Brew a cup a green tea and then COOL it and dampen a washcloth with the green tea, it neutralizes urine on skin and fur to avoid rashes from urine scald and adds a clean fragrance.

Disclaimer:
This information is presented for educational purposes and as a resource for the IVD dog community. The coordinators are not veterinarians or health care professionals. Nothing herein should be interpreted as medical advice and all should contact their pet care professionals for advice. The coordinators are not responsible for the substance and content contained herein and do not advocate any particular product, item or position contained herein.

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Angie's Rhett 8/15 conservative; Breed?; GRAD 10/10

Post by Angie & Rhett on Aug 18, 2023 7:38:56 GMT -7

Post by PaulaM on Aug 18, 2023 10:57:44 GMT -7

Post by Angie & Rhett on Aug 18, 2023 11:41:55 GMT -7

Post by Romy & Frankie on Aug 18, 2023 13:24:11 GMT -7