Dino, very good news that you observe more movement in back legs. We'll ask you questions to understand better what helped. See questions at end.
Most DVMs in a general practice see many different species- hampsters, cats, all breeds of dogs, reptiles, birds, maybe even farm animals. They practice many specialties in the course of a day: pediatrics, dentistry, surgery, internal medicine. Is it surprising, that keeping current and indepth knowledge of each and every disease for every species is probably not likely?
However YOU can easily become a mini-expert on one very-important-to-you disease.
Dodgerslist has an unusual vantage point in observing well over 10,000+ vets and how they treat a disc episode. Not many vets other than at a very busy surgical referral center will see so many IVDD dogs. Since 2002 we have seen patterns of which dogs tend to do well and which dogs have problems of relapse to an early healing disc, which dogs have GI tract problems when on anti-inflammatory drugs, which dogs suffer needlessly due to being under medicated for pain. Couple all these anecdotal stories with our consults with neuros and other veterinary professionals we have collected an unprecedented amount of information on disc disease for owners to quickly learn.Dino, until you have a different diagnosis that this is not an IVDD disc episode, then is it prudent to maintain
STRICT limited movement of the spine REST, mark your calendar for a graduation date of Nov 26. At that time we will have lots to share with you about a safe, slow, gradual introduction back to family life and physical activity and living many happy years ahead with Rocky.
Please confirm that we're on the same page as to conservative care.
The hallmark component of conservative treatment is the very STRICT crate rest part (no PT, little spine 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.
◼︎no laps ◼︎no couches ◼︎no baths ◼︎no sleeping with you
◼︎no chiro therapy WHYs:
dodgerslist.com/chiropractic/◼︎no walking around, meandering at potty times.
POTTY TIME strictness
Carry your dog to and from the recovery suite to the potty place and then allow a very, 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.
◼︎
no PT or massage for conservative dogs during 8 weeks to heal disc
◼︎Attach water/food bowls inside recovery suite.
◼︎How to set up mattress system for the suite plus many other tips in carrying out STRICT REST: 🚩https://dodgerslist.com/strict-rest-recovery-process/
◼︎ Transports are always a risk to the disc of too much movement. Vet visits must be weighed risk vs. benefit for dogs. Vets who know IVDD often take phone updates & adjust meds via a phone call.
A second opinion is prudent to -- get meds right if current vet won't adjust and dog is in pain
-- there is a suspicion this could be a different disease
◼︎ Hone your IVDD knowledge with the links we point you to AND doing some reading on our website at
www.dodgerslist.com The
orange search bar at top of every page can help you find what seek. This Forum focuses on being your mentor while you learn about at-home care for Rocky and to best be able to communicate and understand your vet and ask pertinent questions.
Fill us in on what has transpired since Oct 1, so we know best how to provide comments that are specific to Rocky.
QUESTIONS★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe in your reply.
There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Phone your vet and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted.
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
➕if a neck disc:
◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight ★2 -- How much does your dog weigh?
-- Please list the exact names of meds currently given including:
☻ the start date ☻ their doses in mgs ☻ how often you give.
Give additional info for the anti-inflammatory (steroid or NSAID):
▪️STEROID: for how many days Rxd til first taper? OR....
▪️NSAID date to stop?
-- Please include the "all important" stomach protector.
Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea.
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound. ==> www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html
--Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory.
--Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory. ★3 List if there are currenlty any red flag signs of stomach damage:
_Not eating? _vomit? _loose stool? _bleeding ulcers? _red or black blood in diarrhea?
★5 What was the exact diagnosis given? Was it IVDD, aka: a disc problem, a disc herniation, a bulging disc, slipped disc?
-- Was the vet a general DVM?
-- Was the vet a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
★6 -- What was the date you saw the vet for conservative treatment, Oct 1?
-- What date did you start STRICT rest?
If your dog moves around too much, the disc cannot heal. With pain medications to mask pain, dogs will not be in pain and want to be more active. So it is up to you to restrict your dog’s activity for them.
★7 Brain controlled "peeing" or reflex "overflowing"?
Can Rocky:
-- Specifically sniff and squat and then release urine (bladder control)?
-- Do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted? Indicator signs of an overflowing bladder (loss of control). Manual bladder expressing is necessary for health reasons.
🚩How to express:
dodgerslist.com/bladder-bowel-care/★8 Describe what you observe currently about his back leg neuro functions. Can Ricky....
-- wobbly walk?
-- weak legs ? crossing and nails grazing the floor?
-- Move the legs at all? Such as to reposition his body in the recovery suite?
-- Does he knuckle under paws (left rear? or left right?). Is he slow to correct the paw(s) or can't correct them at all?
-- Can he wag the tail if you specifically do some happy talk to him?
-- Discribe any other nerve function that concerns you
Dino, we look forward to getting up to speed on Rocky's details and following him as he heals his disc in a safe and pain free manner to reach graduation day on Nov 26.
