Carly's poppy 12/16 conservative, Breed? GRAD 2/10

Carley, welcome to the Forum. First thing to know is that IVDD is not a death sentence!

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/

We like to you to take advantage of what we do best here on the Forum. That is help you navigate this new diagnosis in ensuring you are staying on track with the best care (medications, fully managing pain and understanding all the vet conveys).   When you can, do register and log in to post. "Guest" is a temporary thing to get you information the quickest.

 Would you fill us in on the details....

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?
List the 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? OR....
-- 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.

★3 List which 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? What is your dog’s name? Your name, too?
★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?
    -- a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
★6 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 - eats in recovery suite
- no baths - no sleeping with you
- no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times.
- Tips and ideas for doing the necessary very STRICT rest to heal the disc. dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
- How fast do nerves heal?  dodgerslist.com/most-asked-disc-disease-ivdd-questions

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....
-- Move the back legs at all such as to attempt to reposition in the crate?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?