Welcome to Dodgerslist! We are glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve gleaned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you.
What is your name? I am Romy.
Lola is showing multiple signs of pain. Her pain meds must be adjusted. Cervical discs are very painful. Please call you vet right away and let him know the signs of pain you are seeing.
The meds that we have seen as effective and commonly prescribed each attacking pain differently are below:
Methocarbamol for muscle spasms which are common during a neck disc episode.
Tramadol for general pain relief
Gabapentin for nerve pain
Gabapentin works synergistically with Tramadol for best of pain relief.
These meds do not last long in the body and may have to be prescribed every 8 hours for full relief. When methocarbamol, tramadol and gabapentin are on board, you would expect full pain control in 1 hour and for it to stay that way dose to dose.
When you speak to your vet you can discuss adding tramadol and medications with him.
More info on meds is here:
www.dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc-episode/
Is she on the original dose of pred or has the taper (lowering of dosage or frequency) started already?
Do you currently have Lola under very strict crate rest? When did you start the crate rest?
A very important component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little movement). With little blood supply discs are much slower to form good scar tissue than it takes a blood rich broken bone to heal. Those weeks of a cast for a broken arm to heal is similar to the recovery suite being a kind of cast for the disc. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 for 8 weeks provides limited movement to allow good strong scar tissue to form.
STRICT means:
- no laps
- no couches
- no baths
- no sleeping with you
- no chiro
Here is why:
dodgerslist.com/2020/04/22/chiropractic
The page found at the link below discusses how crate rest works to heal the disc:
dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
Can Lola specifically sniff and squat and then release urine which is bladder control – OR- do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted which are indication of an overflowing bladder and loss of bladder control?
Overflowing bladders need to be expressed to avoid UTIs. Review the video then get a hands-on-top-of-your-hands expressing lesson.
If she does have bladder control, carry her 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 a minimum as you stand in one spot. An ex-pen in the grass is an excellent alternative to help minimize footsteps, with the physical and visual to indicate there will be no sniff festing going on.
Information on Cervical (neck) disc care and more is below:
www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips
Currently can Lola wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
Is she eating and drinking normally? No diarrhea or vomiting ?
It is very scary when our dogs have IVDD. It becomes less so when we learn all we can about the disease. More information can be found at our main website:
www.dodgerslist.com
