Hi there, Posting relevant details below. Some other relevant info is that Gungi was also recently diagnosed with
Cushings, however we have not started him on his medication for that (
Vetoryl) due to diarrhea he's been having the past month.
1. Gungi is
20lbs. His current medication protocol is:
2 100mg
Gabapentin every 8 hrs
.5 of 15mg
Codeine every 8 hrs
.25 of 100mg
Amandatine every 12 hrs
We started Gabapentin on 5/21, added the Codeine on 5/22, and added the Amantadine on 5/24
[Moderator's note: please do not modify
20 lbs age?
Gabapentin 100mg 3x/day
Codeine 7.5mg 3x/day
Amandatine 25mg 2x/day
psyllium husk
Vetoryl for cushings when diarrhea has resolved]
2. Gungi is a
Shiba Inu, we live in Oregon.
3. Diagnosis of IVDD on
5/22 at ER vet after presenting with pain being picked up. X-rays were taken to support the diagnosis.
4. We started rest on 5/19 as the pain presented on 5/18 evening.
Strict rest was implemented on 5/22. 5.
Gungi is still in pain. He cries when being picked up and placed down (for potty and replacing him in the house). He also cries when he attempts to sit up by himself. He
rarely shifts position once laid down. His pain is coming from the lumbar, and the x-rays supported this finding as well. He initially got groggy, sedated, when we first started medication, however, now he does not seem as impacted by the pain medication.
6. Gungi
can walk, he
can potty on his own, and he
wags his tail every so gently when one of us arrives home.
7. Gungi has full control of his bladder.
8. His appetite is okay. It is not super strong, but he is
eating small meals throughout the day and taking pills hidden in cheese and other snacks. He has had
diarrhea for the last month, which we have tried many things to resolve. He is currently
on psyllium husk to help firm up his poops and we
see occasional poops that are more intact (as opposed to runny). He had one bought of blood in his diarrhea (5/23) but it has not returned after the one instance. I have
not inquired about pepcid AC yet, but plan to do so. I want to make sure anything he takes won't interfere with his cushings.
My biggest concern is his pain level. The fact that he is still in pain worries me. He seems to have function still in his legs, although they are notably weaker, also likely due to muscle wasting from his cushings. I'm not sure if it's worth seeking out an MRI consultation given that he is still able to stand/walk, control his bladder, etc. but again, the fact that
these pain medications do not seem to be working on him is worrying. Our current vet (an internal specialist) basically said there weren't any more meds they could give us, and recommended we meet with a neurologist. So waiting to see when/if we can get an appointment...
Thank you for your support!