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Post by Jenniw90 on Feb 27, 2024 11:03:24 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Holding leg up?!]
Hello
My dachshund Cali has previously had 3x surgeries for IVDD so we know the signs etc.
Since last Wednesday[2/21]she has been holding her right back leg up and not been able to weight bear on it. She's had xrays and investigations under sedation which have ruled out breaks/cruciate damage. It did show early signs of arthritis in both knees but not enough to cause the issue.
She doesn't seem in pain, is happy with a waggy tail and is rolling onto her back, curling in a 'doughnut' shape to sleep...
She's on loxicom and rest - just out for the toilet but doesn't seem to be improving at all which I expected if it was a sprain etc
[MED LIST/HISTORY- Moderator's Note. Please do not edit
weight age
2/21 Not bearing weight right rear leg
no diagnosis, on crate rest
Loxicam as of 2/21: ?mg ?x/day for how many days, then a test STOP
Cali needs GI tract protector, Pepcid AC, on board for duration of Loxicam! ]
Our only experience has been her going off her back legs with reduced sensation. Is it possible for this to be IVDD when she can obviously feel her leg and hold it up?? She's managing to balance pretty well on her other back leg when she's out for the toilet (although we're mostly using a sling to support).
We're back at our vet in 2 days but I just wanted to see if anyone had been through something similar?
Jenni x
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Feb 27, 2024 14:34:45 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist. 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/It is definitely possible that Cali has IVDD. Sometimes, the only symptom of IVDD is pain without neuro deficits like reduced sensation. When this is the case, the vet may have a harder time making a diagnosis.
Until you know for sure what is causing Cali to hold her leg up, the prudent thing to do is to treat it as if it were IVDD and continue with Very Strict crate rest. Crate rest for a dog being treated conservatively is much stricter than post-surgery crate rest. Surgery removes disc material pressing on the spinal cord, which should very quickly eliminate pain. With conservative treatment, it is the immobility enforced by crate rest that allows the disc to heal. We often compare this to the way a broken arm heals. The cast immobilizes the arm allowing the bone to heal. During an IVDD episode, the crate substitutes for the cast.
If this is an IVDD episode, Cali should be in the crate 24x7 for eight weeks. She should only be out of the crate for pottying and needed vet visits. Carry her to and from the potty spot and allow only the minimum amount of footsteps. Any time out of the crate puts the healing disc at risk.
We have more information about crate rest here: dodgerslist.com/2020/05/14/strict-rest-recovery-process/
The anti-inflammatory Loxicom will work on the spinal cord swelling. For how long was the Loxicom prescribed? What dose?
All dogs on an anti-inflammatory should be taking a stomach protector, like Pepcid AC, to prevent stomach damage from excess stomach acid. Ask the vet if your dog has any health issues to prevent use of Pepcid AC (famotidine)? (doesn’t need it, we wait til there is problem…are NOT answers to your question!) If you get a “no health” issues answer, then go to the grocery store to purchase over the counter Pepcid AC containing one single active ingredient (famotidine).
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound, 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory and thereafter every 12 hours for as long as your dog is on the anti-inflammatory.
Information about frequently used meds can be found at the link below: www.dodgerslist.com/meds-used-during-disc-episode/
We encourage you to register and become a member of the Forum. That way, it will be easier for you to reply and make it easier for us to track your dog and give the best of comments and support. Tips on registering: www.dodgerslist.com/forumads/RegisterFORUM/register.htm
You will be able to quickly get backup up to speed on IVDD by reading the information at our main website:
Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for specific topics.
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