Vinnie, we are glad you've joined us. With ANY indication or thought Neo is suffering a disc episode, the SINGLE most important care is that of STRICT CRATE REST to allow the disc to heal. Too much movement of the back could neurologically impact the spinal cord beyond rear limb weakness and in ability to place the rear paws on the ground correctly.
Typically the diagnosis for a disc episode requires only taking into consideration:
--- if a breed prone to disc disease
--- a hands on neuro exam
--- Xray does not prove a disc episode. Xray shows hards tissue like bones. Discs and spinal cord are soft tissue.
--- MRI is typically only used when there is a very high suspicion of another disease to be able to rule it out. MRIs are also useful in planning a surgery to know exactly which disease.
IF the dog is being treated conservatively, then it matters not which disc (no need of an MRI). All discs, including the bad disc) would be limited in movement with a recovery suite (playpen, ex-pen, crate)
MASTER THE BASICS OF CARE
Dr. Isaacs, Neurology (ACVIM): "Some dogs respond well to medical management and it would be worth giving it a try. In the meantime,
it is very important to keep your dog strictly inactive so as not to get any worse.
Dodgerslist is a great resource for trying to manage intervertebral disk disease and helping improve your dog’s quality of life."
dodgerslist.com/2020/08/14/conservative-treatment-medications-rest-and-time/The things that make conservative treatment work for many disc episodes.
➤ 🏠At home nursing care tips: Tried and true tested ideas:
www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/ ➤ 💊Medications used during a disc episode:
www.dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc- ➤ 💡What to expect for each phase of healing:
💜Know in your heart, the body does have an impressive ability to self-heal a disc and to self-heal nerve damage. Today, 🔎 view "
Shortcut Thru IVDD and become the IVDD savvy pet parent your dog will need.
We'd loved to be able help you and Neo out better, after learning all the details about his treatment.
With your details of event dates, etc., we'd know best how to help. We'd feel awfully bad to mistakenly assume anything ... delaying help for your dog.
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.
QUESTIONS:
★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Phone your vet and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted.
⚙︎ 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
★2 __How much does your dog weigh? Age?
What is the list of meds your dog is taking?
-- Exact names for each med, their doses in mg’s and times per day given?
-- PLUS: IF on a non-steroid (NSAID) for how many days?
-- PLUS: If on a steroid....what was the start date & dose? Date of steroid 1st taper
-- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea.
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound. ==>
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html--Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory.
--Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory.
thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg **
★3 List any red flag signs of stomach damage you are currently observing:
_Not eating? _vomit? _loose stool? _bleeding ulcers? _red or black blood in diarrhea?
★4 What breed?
★5 Did you
specifically get a diagnosis of IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
-- Is the vet a general DVM? or
-- a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
★6 -- if surgical: what is the date of surgery?
-- number of weeks surgeons wants for post-op rest?
-- surgeon directed at-home PT?
OR— -- What was the date you saw the vet for conservative treatment?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
** STRICT rest means:
- no laps - no couches
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIMES for dogs who can still sniff and pee
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!
** ★7 Brain controlled "peeing" or reflex "overflowing"? Can your dog:
-- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)?
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons. How to: ==>
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/bladder-bowel-care/★8 Describe what you observe currently about neuro functions. Can your dog....
-- wobbly walk?
-- Move the legs at all?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
Calm your mind about nerve healing, know the facts: ==>
dodgerslist.com/2021/02/06/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/On a Mobile device? The Forum is best viewed on a mobile phone via the "desk top view" As shown in picture below, you would scroll down to the bottom of the screen to click on "Desktop".
i.postimg.cc/rpcSRrsp/Desktop-mode320.jpg **
Best to reply to a post by scrolling to bottom of page to "Quick reply" typing area. Avoid clicking on the "Reply" link.
Quick reply allows you to scroll up read a previous post and then scroll down to the "Quick Reply" typing area to continue your own post.
Please register when you can. You benefit by being able to get email alerts when you have a reply waiting. We benefit by better ability to track your dog. Timely communications are important in getting good care for your dog.
