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Post by Mark & Wolfgang on Feb 20, 2024 13:31:30 GMT -7
[Expecting a surgery 2/20]
Our 9.5 year old 10 pound dachshund starting having issues with his hind legs on 2/17. At first he favored his hind left paw, and then he started wobbly walking. He had tooth extraction surgery on 2/12, so initially we thought he had ataxia due to gabapentin (25mg). We stopped gabapentin for 24 hours but when his wobbly walking continued after that point, we took him to emergency on 2/18 where he was diagnosed with IVDD. The doctors gave him a one-time shot of methadone, upped his dosage of gabapentin to 50mg (administered every eight hours) and also gave him 2ml of amantadine, administered once a day.
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
2/12 tooth extraction surgery ]
2/17 crated but no diagnosis of IVDD, no anti-inflammatory used.
wobbly rear
10lbs 9.5 y.o.]
We've keep him crated for the last 36 hours, only bringing him out to potty. He whined for some of that time, but I think that was more because he's not used to being constrained. He can still wobbly walk, although it's heartbreaking to watch, because sometimes he'll lose full control of his back half and fall over. He has full control of his bladder, has feeling in both his legs and can wag his tail. Today (2/20) he visited a neurologist. He's getting an MRI later on this afternoon, and depending on the results, there's a chance he'll go in for surgery later on today. |
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 20, 2024 14:43:56 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist, Mark. We are glad you’ve joined us all. We’ve got valuable information we’ve learned from the vets Dodgerslist consults with and our own experiences with IVDD since 2002 to share with you! Learn more about us and how we team up with veterinarians: dodgerslist.com/about-team-dodgerslist/
You are doing the very best thing for Wolfgang by keeping him on strict crate rest. There are two treatments of IVDD. The first, is conservative treatment which uses anti-inflammatories to diminish spinal cord inflammation, pain meds to keep the dog comfortable until the anti-inflammatory has finished its work and a stomach protector. But very importantly, 8 weeks of Very Strict crate rest 24/7. The dog should be out of the crate only to potty and for needed vet visits.
STRICT means: - no laps - no couches - no baths - no sleeping with you - no chiro therapy - no dragging or meandering at potty times .
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 help support a wobbly back end. We can think about crate rest similar to the treatment of a broken arm. A broken arm is put in a cast to keep it from moving. This allows the break to heal. The crate is like a cast, it keeps the spine from moving, allowing the disc to heal.
We have some information about crate rest here:
The other IVDD treatment is surgery. Surgery immediately removes the disc material pressing on the nerves. This should take care of pain, but neuro deficits can only be healed by time.
Dr. Andrew Isaacs, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology) discusses surgery at the link below:
Info about conservative vs surgery can be found at the link below:
Please update us on your dog's treatment. We will be wanting to hear. |
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Post by Mark & Wolfgang on Feb 21, 2024 11:00:18 GMT -7
Thanks. Wolfgang had his surgery [2/20] yesterday and I'll be bringing him home today. I'm expecting at least a month of strict pen rest while he recovers.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 21, 2024 13:58:16 GMT -7
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