Uecker's Geoff 9/23 conserv -Chi/JRT/Dox; GRAD: Jan 2024

10-18-23. Update on Geoffrey. We did the 10 days of prednisone at 1x a day, everything seems to be going well. Tomorrow 10-19 he will not get a prednisone as we are starting the every other day for 10 days dosage.

[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
16lbs 10-11y.o
9/23 wobbly, right rear paw knuckling
Dex inj 9/23
prednisone as of 9/24: 5mgs 2x/day for 5 days, 9/29 test taper for: 9/30 pain / 9/30▲wobbly neuro
                   as of 9/30: 5mgs 2x/day for ▲11 days, Tues 10/10 test taper:  final Dose 11/8.
gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day
thyro-tabs 2x/day
lactulose 2x/day ]

Was the Assisi Loop a recommended treatment?

10-30-23 update. Thank you so much for the responses above, I did not see there was 2 of them. The tapering is going well w/ the prednisone. No pain, no paw knuckling. We have to do 10 days every other day - and today [10/30] was the 6th pill, so we would have 4 more pills to go [final pred dose  on 11/8].

Will keep you posted on the medication changes once vet advises.

I did notice he has a rash on his upper inside leg/groin area though, not sure if this is from the tapering of prednisone? maybe a yeast infection?

Thank you for both for the information on the Assisi loop, I was wondering more about it as it was a suggestion given. The time and information given is greatly appreciated.

The vets are going to send a prescription to the pharmacy cefpodoxime 100mg so I have some on hand in case it's needed.

[Oct 31, 2023 at 8:07pm]: Thank you. I checked w/ the vets and she wrote back its a bacterial skin infection, prednisone can decrease the immune system and possibly had an outbreak of a skin infection. We can apply Neosporin or pick up a mousse with an antibiotic and apply to the skin. Or if it spreads to add in an oral antibiotic.

I have not felt him wet from urine at all on his skin. He has been going potty on his own either outside or on a potty pad.

Uecker, what a complicated case Geoff has with so many issues. Good job on keeping on top of things plus having a good vet to work with.

Asking again....With the final every other day dose of Pred to be on 11/8, will gabapentin 100mgs 2x/day also be stopped on 11/8?

Typically a dog would be off of all meds (pred, pain relievers) at minimum of 7 days before a graduation on expected 11/18.  Off all meds and no pain nor any new neuro diminishment would give proof all painful inflammation around the spinal cord is actually resolved.

From what I read, the bacteria in yogurt is not the usual array of bacteria in a dog's gut. So if you are wanting to replenish a dog's gut bacteria, you may want to seek probiotics designed for a dog. Your vet or on-line can be a source.

Fingers crossed on stop of final pred dose and no pain meds on board, Goeff, will be set up for expected graduation day on Nov 18.  We'll have lots of information to help you safely re-introduce activity and many tips for living many happy years ahead with your IVDD Goeff.

Also with the stop of pred, hopefully Geoff, can overcome skin and other issues that might be related to being on pred.  Thank you and please continue to keep us posted.

Uecker, after watching years of owner reports come in, each vet seems to have their own way to back off of gabapentin based on their knowledge of the dog's needs/case issues (a seizure dog, rebound pain or other). 

Just mentioning again... that the Nov 18th expected graduation, should delay til off of all pain meds for a week before releasing Geoff to a slow and gradual re-introduction back to family life and activity.  So we will be watching for your report of when he is off all pain meds. Then we'll have lots of info to share with you about Graduation.

Gabapentin is extremely bitter to be mixing into his food.  One taste of it and Geoff will take a long time to not be suspicious and trust you again.

Here is how to dose gabapentin in capsules.

Unfortunately, the smallest size gabapentin capsules are the 100mg ones!

The powder in the capsules can be easily divided:  
As an example if Rx'd approx 30mg of gabapentin then:
 Divide the 100mg capsule powder into 3 equal parts by dumping into a creased pieced of paper. With a razor blade move the powder into 3 equal piles.  Store the remainder of the powder piles in one of those 7-day pill boxes with a lid for each day.  

NOTE: Make sure you do not transfer any of the bitter dust from your fingers to the outside of the pill treat. Wash your hands!  I mash a piece of banana, form a ball, make an indentation.  Transfer one powder dose into banana well and close up. If necessary drape a piece of thin deli meat around ball for further tastiness!


 

Another alternative is to purchase a small qty of the empty clear capsules from your local health food store to place the necessary dose of powder in.  Then you can pill as you normally have been doing for a capsule.  NOTE: you may need help to hold the half capsule upright as you funnel the powder from the folded/creased paper into the capsule.

11-15 update. Decrease on gabapentin went well yesterday, no illness this time. No signs of pain, no paw knuckling.

Hope you will add your observations with being off of Pred and now decreasing gabapentin......

Is there a final dose date projected when gabapentin will stop?

Uecker. sounds very promising with Gabapentin 2x/day (25mgs) that all swelling might be gone. We look forward to the day he is fully off gabapentin so you can begin a slow introduction back to family life and get those muscles working, strengthening bones with exercise. We'll have lots of valuable tips for doing this safely as well as living with your IVDD dog for many happy years ahead. Let us know when you know about the proposed stop of gabapentin.

Uecker, such good news that now getting very close to last dose of gabapentin. Do you have a date PROOF with the last dose of gabapentin? We'll be watching to learn when Goeff can graduate and begin a safe and slow introduction back to life!

Once Uecker is off all meds and no signs of pain/neuro, then we are in position to give you and outline with comments that pertain to Uecker on graduation day. We await hearing the date of the last gabapentin med dose. Gabapentin does not need to be given every other day... EOD is just used for a steroid in order to signal the body to make its own steroid hormone. Why is gabapentin dragging out so long for yet another week?

It is concerning that Goeff has started limping and holding his paw up. Are you confident that he injured his paw when tripping? Just to make sure I understand, the vet thought that when he tripped, he also made his back sore?

What is the evidence (observation) that you and your vet see that tells the back is sore?

Uecker, continue to mention how the front left paw/leg does with bearing weight and any other signs of change Geoff might show about pain or with neuro.

Hope to hear the 100 mgs gabapentin 2x/day continues to give relief from was the cause of the pain.... tripping/muscle sorness, etc.

The test will be when gabapentin stops. Pain meds block pain, so you will need the ability to get a clear picture if pain exists or all gone when gabapentin stops.

What are the details/observations about the stop of "gabapentin he became super ill"

I am glad that Geoff is not showing any signs of pain and wants to walk around with the increase in gabapentin.