Welcome Amanda. Getting pain fully in control is an emergency to deal with tonight 8/24 ASAP. The vet on duty at ER can look at Finn's file to make med adjustments over the phone. Transports can be too much potential for too much movement of the spine causing worse damage to disc and then serious damage to nerve functions.
MEDS
Is there med history for this current disc episode you've not included? Something seems to be missing re: cause of stomach problems and softer stool?
T
here is no anti-inflammatory on board to deal with the painful swelling around the spinal cord.
Why? Do a quick study on anti-inflammatory drugs so you are in position to speak up for Finn and discuss which class is appropriate for Finn.
--- Plan on it taking 7-30 days of anti-inflammatory to fully resolve pain.
- Answers here:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/** 
Pain meds block pain to allow healing in comfort. Typically it takes 3 different pain meds to address the 3 different sources of pain, All given every 8 hrs (3x/day). Pain meds are effective for 8 hrs.
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Gabapentin for nerve pain promptly every 8 hours
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methocarbamol for muscle contraction pain promptly every 8 hours
Stomach protection Metronidazole is an antibiotic to kill bacteria. What bacteria does Finn have? Pepcid AC (Famotidine) 0.44mgs per lbs every 12 hours is used for the duration of an anti-inflammatory to suppress the extra acids stress and anti-inflammatory drugs cause. Acids can cause these progressing signs of GI tract damage:
nausea> vomit> soft stool> bleeding ulcer> read or black blood in diarreah> perforated stomach liningDISC healing It takes 8 weeks of limited movement of the spine to form secure disc scar tissue.
If you are not able to carry 30lbs Finn safely with support at both ends, then check out these ideas/options for heavy dogs for potty time:
www.dodgerslist.com/2022/02/10/large-dog-care-tips-ivdd/ Limit Finn to only the very fewest of footsteps in a 6' diameter to take care of business. If he's not ready after 3-4 minutes, bring him back in and try an hour or 2 later. When you set him down give the command to "go potty". When he has give lavish praise. Soon he should associate taking care of business right away with your command. The harness and leash is to contol his speed and to limit footsteps. You may find, as I did, my dog did much better in a 6' diameter ex-pen. The physical and the visual of the fence, lets them know there will be no sniff festing going on.
LIFT and CARRY (support both ends, keep back horizontal to the ground)
Lifting bigger/heavier IVDD dogs (support both ends, keep back horizontal to the ground):
Bend your knees!
Place one arm around the front of their chest (under the neck) and one arm around their back legs underneath the rump.
Lift up with your legs.
Being able to walk, makes Finn a very good candidate to heal his disc with conservative treatment. The key is owner knowledge to understand how to keep to the strict principals of STRICT limited movement of the spine.
Vet visit
A new vet or your own DVM vet would require by law an exam before being able to Rx meds. So your best bet if you can, is to get ER to adjust meds cause he's been examined. Any vet on duty at ER can read Finn's file and Rx.
With Finns VERY MILD symptoms of pain only, the only reason to get a specialst consult is because your local DVM vets are not comfortable in using pain meds and anti-inflammatory. You don't need any Rx to carry out the STRICT rest yourself. You just need a vet who will support use of proper meds and adjust them til they are right for Finn (full control of pain day and night)
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