Brittany's Gus12/23 rlaps conserv NECK CK Chrs GRAD 2/18/24

Britanny, welcome to the forum. I apologize for my inability to assemble a brief summary list of events with a date for each. So really can't follow Gus' history to comment much specifically for him at this time.

This is how care during a disc episode works.
--- any suspicion or a diagnosis of an IVDD disc episode means to STRICTLY crate to protect the spinal cord from the damaged disc.
--- An anti-inflammatory such as either pred or a NSAID (but not both) is selected. It takes about 7-30 days to fully resolve swelling. Pain meds provide comfort while anti-inflammatory is working.  Full info on how pred or carprofen works during a disc episode:
    🚩  dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/

--- Nerve damage heals on its own with time. There are no meds to heal nerves.
--- At the end of the anti-inflammatory, pain meds are stopped so, you at home, can quickly detect if any pain surfaces.
      * IF pain surfaces, another course of all meds is Rx'd.  Usually a 7 or 14-day course for the anti-inflammatory. 
      * If no pain surfaces then STRICT crate rest goes to the conclusion of 8 weeks. It takes 8 weeks for the body to form good strong disc scar tissue.

So with the shortcutting of 8 weeks of crate rest, as Gus was walking by you on 12/23, he likely indicated new pain due to a relapse of the disc from excessive movement. Gus' new date for graduation from the 12/23 disc relapse is:  2/18/24.  Mark your calendar.

A disc relapse (redamage) means to start all over from square one with:
   1) STRICT rest in the recovery suite to eat, to sleep, give the disc limited movement disc healing requires. Only out of the suite when carried to and from the potty place. Then only allowed the bare fewest of footsteps to take care of business.  How to potty and lots of other excellent tips INCLUDING changing dangerous rambunctious behavior or use of calmers to make 8 weeks of STRICT rest go smoother:  dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/

There are extra things you can do at home to help the neck disc heal. Good job on raising food/water dishes! Other tips of  softening hard kibble, etc.  More info here:
    🚩==> dodgerslist.com/2020/05/05/cervical-care-tips/

Of course we are not able to diagnose anything.  We rely on what a vet has diagnosed and then we have lots of good care information to share with you.  Most IVDD diagnoses are proven correct when there is success with STRICT rest and proper use of meds.  No X-ray can prove a disc episode of soft tissue. Xray's show hard tissue of bones, etc.  

So it is up to do the STRICT rest if there is a suspicion of a disc episode.  It sounds like the 10-day course of carprofen did the trick to get the swelling down. It is the crate rest that heals the disc.

On graduation day, 2/18, you will be able to give us an update. We'll base our comments on what you report.  We'll give you lots of information on how to safely and slowly re-introduce Gus back to family life.  Also information you'll want to know about  for living many happy years ahead.... such as how to handle dentals, why to trim nails for his health and more.

Hope this helps you out. Please don't hesitate to write if you have any unanswered questions.

Back pain is not always IVDD. Although IVDD is common among certain breeds, Cavaliers are reported to be among these breeds, there are other diseases that have similar symptoms. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) and Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) are two other diseases that may have similar symptoms. Generally, the vet diagnoses IVDD by the hands on exam, the breed often prone to disc disease and how the dog appears at the vet visit. An MRI can prove IVDD, but it is not generally used unless the vet suspects another disease where the treatment would be different.

IVDD is not a progressive disease like DM. It is however chronic in the sense that prematurely aging discs that causes IVDD cannot in themselves be changed by any medication or surgery. A dog with IVDD will always have IVDD. But many dogs with IVDD have only one episode. My dog had only the one episode and lived 7 years longer without having another episode. Some dogs may have more than one. There is no real way to tell.

Once a dog has been diagnosed with IVDD, precautions should be taken from that point on. Jumping on furniture should be avoided, stairs should be avoided, as should overly rambunctious play. Overall, once the episode is over and the dog is released from conservative or post surgical crate rest, the dog's activities can mostly be as they were before.

Britanny, good to hear no evidence of pain.  I can imagine Gus is so ready to get back to living life.  Before we start, hope you will be able to register.  We look forward to updates after graduation day, to know how he is doing. Your updates, also, can kinda "pay forward" to another.  Give hope to new members just starting a scary journey.

Please register.  Guest access to the Emergency Board is designed only as a temporary courtesy to get quick help.

Gus' thread will be moved to the Graduation Board at some point.   Registering to be a member gives ability to post on all boards, including the Graduation board.  Thank you.


GRADUATION, A SLOW RE-INTRODUCTION
     Determine how you are going to ease back into more normal activity at graduation from rest. The idea is to gradually give more freedom under controlled conditions. Not free rein of the house and yard immediately! LOL
      Your dog's muscles are soft and out of shape after the rest period. Take a look at our information. Gradually building your dogs muscles over a month's time will have your dog safely running and having fun again!

SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Here is a sample schedule to safely and slowly introduce your dog back to family life and physical activity: www.dodgerslist.com/2020/06/15/back-friendly/?highlight=sample%20schedule

DIY back PROTECTION around the house
   **
 
1) Good ideas in making your home back friendly:   dodgerslist.com/2020/07/09/home-protect-ivdd-backs/

2) Teach your dog to be safe and not jumping up or down, but to use a ramp whether over steps leading outdoors or to furniture in the house.
Dogs are best at visual learning rather than verbal commands. Dog trainer Anna Jane Grossman says “Dogs learn in pictures. Inside your dog’s brain is a very simple algorithm – pleasant images in one place and unpleasant images in another."


HAPPY DAYS AHEAD
1) You and Gus have survived a disc herniation!  Learning from the past is important in applying to the future. Hopefully Gus will never have another neck or back disc episode. Should he, then you will want to have implanted these concepts in you mind now:  www.dodgerslist.com/2020/05/20/ivdd-primer-living-with-ivdd
2) Now, for today here lots more ideas and tips in living with an IVDD dog such as dentals, nail trims, safe ways to have fun together, and more:
www.dodgerslist.com/living-with-ivdd-tips-2

PT THERAPY AT CLINIC or HOME
     Safety first. You should always consult with a veterinarian before starting any exercise program with your dog. For example, although senior dogs need to stay limber, severe arthritis might make certain movements inappropriate.
-- Strengthening core muscles.
This applies not just for humans, but REALLY applies to the IVDD dog: "...improve the strength and coordination of the muscles that surround the spine so they can act like the world's greatest back and neck brace." www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spondylosis
Core exercises don't require specialized equipment. These are 4 exercises you can do at home: 1) Sit toStand, 2) Down to Stand, 3) Three Leg Stand, 4) Backing UP.
⚠️The last, HIP extension, exercise is NOT for dogs with IVDD back disease!


May we turn the tables and ask YOU for help?
      Did you know there are less than a handful who volunteer daily to help dogs and their owners? We need helping hands from other Forum members in educating.
      Education about disc disease is our number one mission!
We invite you to hop on to our educational bandwagon team. Too many dogs are put to sleep because owners lack education about IVDD treatment. STRICT crate rest and proper medication have helped many dogs recover. We depend on all members to pay it forward for the help they have received with their dog by helping us educate!

Pick what suits you....
We depend on you. Here are some ways to help..
-- Please celebrate Gus' graduation! Add a graduation photo and a short caption to our Gallery to give other members inspiration about your IVDD Survivor! dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/2262/add-dog-dodgerslist-photo-gallery

-- "Share" our FB posts www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist

-- When in conversation at the grocery store line or wherever you may meet breeds most prone to IVDD (Dachshunds, Beagles, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas, Frenchies) give out our free little wallet cards.
Hand carry our literature and print out our letter of introduction for your vet.
           ►ORDER BROCHURES & cards they are free!◀︎] 
          for your vet and wallet cards for you


And finally, don't be a stranger! Stop in periodically. We really do love to hear how your dog is doing. We'd love a short video clip to see Gus in action at home, at PT and living & loving life in spite of IVDD!
    if you see a new member in a tough spot, give them hope. A brief paragraph about your dog can be insanely supportive and inspiring in a time of need!