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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Oct 25, 2013 19:14:35 GMT -7
That is awesome news!! Happy Dobby is doing so well! He is such a cutie in his pic!
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Oct 28, 2013 6:00:49 GMT -7
Icky poo this morning. Appetite good. I will give him some pumpkin and hold off on the new supplements today. We have an appt. with holistic vet this afternoon.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Oct 28, 2013 7:31:20 GMT -7
Poor baby. Maybe it's the supplements? Hope he feels ok and no more icky poops.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Oct 29, 2013 10:20:05 GMT -7
Holistic vet continues to be very pleased with Dobby's progress. I wish there was a way to measure how much the acupuncture is helping vs. how much progress he would make with just crate rest. I am happy with his progress, but a little worried about finances.
Morning poop was good. Will try giving supplements every other day & see what happens. If he has icky poop again, we will cut dose in half. If that doesn't work, then we'll try another track. We need to trim his nails. He HATES to have this done & cries & tries to wiggle out of arms of whoever is holding him. (wiggle is probably too mild) He probably needed to have it done right when all of this started. Vet trimmed them a little once a couple of weeks ago, but he needs more. Any suggestions? He has the solid black nails & you would think we are torturing him to death. Have tried clippers and sanders (like Dremel or Pedi-Paws). Have tried letting him lick peanut butter or treat and talking calmly. Added to the mix now is my fear that he will hurt his back with all of his movements.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 29, 2013 10:28:55 GMT -7
Pam, the focus is protection of what can be injured and never come back if severely injured.…the spinal cord. You can always trim nails when it is safe after all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed.
If you are worried about finances then hold up on acupuncture, only do it if it fits your pocketbook. The body heals nerves on its own. Acupunctures is a way of stimulating nerve cells…. in the end the body does the job of nerve healing over time.
Good job on trying to eliminate the reason for diareah…could be the supplements. Did you read up on each ingredient to find out the side effects?
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Oct 29, 2013 11:19:00 GMT -7
Glad Dobby is feeling better. I was thinking the same thing about Mimi's nails, but she isn't a fan either. Will wait the three more weeks for nails.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Oct 29, 2013 18:02:59 GMT -7
Paula, I have been concerned about his nails impacting his walking, even for the little bit he does during potty breaks. Given his reaction to nail trimming, I think the risk is too great. Thanks for putting that and the acupuncture into perspective.
I read as much as I could about all of the supplements discussed and we only started the vitamin E and selenium at very low doses. Neither should have caused diarrhea. However, Dobby's system sometimes has atypical reactions. Will continue to monitor input and output.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Oct 31, 2013 17:29:11 GMT -7
Dobby is doing well after his 3rd acupuncture session. His stools are back to normal and he seems to be OK with the supplements every other day. Tomorrow will be the first day with no Methocarbamol.
He is currently taking phenobarbital 16.2mg 2x day for epilepsy and: Tramadol 25mg 2x day Methocarbamol - last dose 10/31 vitamin E - 100 IU every other day Selenium - 100mcg every other day
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Post by Pauliana on Oct 31, 2013 21:04:00 GMT -7
Pam, very glad to hear Dobby is doing so well on the taper of his medications!
Thanks for the update!!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 1, 2013 6:16:24 GMT -7
Yay sounds like he's doing great! So happy for you
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 4, 2013 6:40:30 GMT -7
Dobby is showing no signs of pain since stopping the methocarbamol. He is chomping at the bit and ready to go! Yesterday this became quite challenging. He wants to walk more & more when taken out to potty and is not happy when I limit him. He got worked up in his crate when we were doing some outside chores for about 45 min. Then when the other dogs were being taken for a walk, he was jumping up and down in his crate and being very vocal. I was afraid he would hurt himself. I finally took him out of the crate and got on a large dog bed on the floor with him. He was still so frantic that I was afraid he would hurt himself and was almost afraid he was having a seizure at one point. He is getting more vocal when he's ready to eat, ready to go out to potty, or just ready to be out of the crate. It took him longer to settle down at bedtime last night. I have a thundershirt for him, but it only helps sometimes and only if I put it on before he gets wound up. I may try putting it on him during one of his calm spells and see if it helps. Is there any reason not to use the thundershirt? I was not able to get to the Rescue Remedy yesterday, but will try it today, if needed. Any other suggestions? This is our sixth week.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 4, 2013 6:59:09 GMT -7
No pain - that is awesome!!!
Oh I feel you! We are starting the sixth week and Mimi is also getting more irritated about being confined. Yesterday when I was carrying her in from potty time she saw another dog being walked out our front window and started flipping out and barking. I put her back in her ex-pen and I caught her trying to climb up the sides! No ideas to help, just letting you know that we are in the same boat. Hang in there...two weeks will go fast!
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 4, 2013 7:57:06 GMT -7
That's wonderful news about the pain-free taper, Pam. Very good, indeed. Yes, it can be quite a challenge when they start feeling better - they want out of that crate! However, any time out of the crate can be a dangerous time for a dog on conservative care, especially if they are in an excited condition. So keep Dobby in the crate and use some of these tips to calm him down: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/EmergencyCrate%20Training.htmUsing any oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives. Of course always keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below: Oral calmers: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets/behavioral-health 2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure] 3) Rescue Remedy is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation www.bachrescueremedypet.com Plain Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) with no additional medications added. Buy at your grocery store or pharmacy. Get the dosage from your vet. The wrong dose can have dangerous side effects, so your vet needs to prescribe the proper amount for your dog. I would definitely not use the Thundershirt until Dobby's back is completely healed. Those shirts hug pretty tightly and you don't want any pressure on his back.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 4, 2013 17:14:42 GMT -7
So glad to hear that he is doing well!! I can't believe we have made it 6 weeks already !! Prayers that he calms down a little for you and you can relax a little before we have to re-introduce them back to the outside world!
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 8, 2013 11:50:49 GMT -7
Dobby is still doing well, showing no signs of pain & regaining strength. I really have to be careful when I am getting him out of the crate because he is so eager to go-go-go. He has not been as frantic as he was on Sunday, but still anxious to get out of crate and wanting walk more and play. Putting a chew toy in the crate has helped at times. Vet has OK'd a low dose of Alprazolam (Xanax) if he gets too anxious or frantic again so that we have something that may help quickly. Neither Benedryl or Rescue Remedy work for him. Still exploring the DAP diffuser and other oral calmers. Is the soft food recommended for the entire 8 weeks? or just while on medications?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 8, 2013 12:04:36 GMT -7
Moistened food is needed with addition of 1 teaspoon 1x a day of extra fiber (pureed pumpkin, mashed sweet potatoe) when combating Tramadol caused constipation. How is Dobby's poop now? Is he still on Tramadol?
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 8, 2013 17:40:52 GMT -7
Poop has been good for over a week now. He is getting the pumpkin. We have been reducing the Tramadol & plan to stop it in about a week.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 13, 2013 8:01:15 GMT -7
Yesterday was 7 weeks since first vet visit that led to diagnosis of probable IVDD. It has been a bumpy ride, but I think we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I know our lives won't ever be quite the same, but hopefully we can find the right balance of safety, crate rest, and activity to manage this thing after the 8 weeks. Prior to this, he loved to run, retrieve ball, and play tug, toss, and rough'n'tumble with his terrier sister. They are both eager to get back to it. It will be a challenge to establish new rules for both. Dobby is now on 12.5mg Tramadol 2x day for a few more days and then none. So far, so good, with no signs of pain. Both regular and holistic vet have suggested that I keep some on hand.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 13, 2013 8:11:13 GMT -7
I am so excited for you Sounds like things are going great. I too am worried about life after crating. We are in our second long taper today (day two) so I am still trying to remain positive. We are buying materials this weekend to make our two outdoor ramps that we need. Then we have to train her to use them and only them and not the two steps. Our problem is our patio is only about 3 inches above our yard so we have no fence/railing around it. In one small section there are two steps down to get to the gate. I am going to have to work hard on stopping her from using those steps and only the ramp to the back yard. We are investing in a puppy stairs ramp for our living room to help her get to the couch.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 13, 2013 19:03:21 GMT -7
Thank you for your well wishes... Fingers crossed for Dobby as well. Hopefully no more Tramadol will be needed!
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 13, 2013 20:16:03 GMT -7
Thanks! Fortunately no steps or ramps needed to the back yard. House is split-level and there is also the furniture issue. Now I've got baby gates to block all of the stairs but still exploring options for the furniture.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 14, 2013 9:00:49 GMT -7
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 14, 2013 10:39:53 GMT -7
Thanks, Paula. I have read this more than once during the 7 weeks. Fortunately, he is accustomed to being in his crate when no one is at home. And he is used to at least some of the stairs being blocked already. Unfortunately, most of his favorite forms of play are on the "never again" list. I have 2 other dogs (terriers not doxies), so it will be a matter of not just training Dobby with new limits, but all 3. There are primarily 3 places/pieces of furniture I am trying to decide how to deal with. Feeling challenged, but determined.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 18, 2013 11:39:37 GMT -7
Dobby is now off of all Rx meds (except for his on-going meds not related to IVDD). No signs of pain. Will our graduation be 11/22? And then he can start gradually doing more? Have vet follow-up appointment on 22nd. Even though he seems to be doing well, hard not to be nervous.
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 18, 2013 12:17:42 GMT -7
Not saying anything to jinx
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Nov 18, 2013 16:54:11 GMT -7
Hi Pam! Wonderful news about Dobby being off of all IVDD meds and pain free! Yes, 8wks from your start date of 9/27 will be this Friday, 11/22. I live in a semi-rural part of the country, so I didn't have any easy access to a PT knowledgeable about IVDD. So for the first few weeks after crate rest, I followed the sample schedule on this page ( www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htm ) nearly to the letter. For Charley, (because we don't have any hallways in our house) I found that the easiest way to let him do those 1 min increments of walking the first week was to make his "potty spot" bigger. That way he still had a fenced in area so he didn't try to go hog wild with his freedom! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 18, 2013 20:27:51 GMT -7
Congratulations for being off all meds! Praying for continued success for Dobby! Hard not to be nervous about letting them out!!
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 23, 2013 7:36:37 GMT -7
We have completed 8 wks of crate rest. Dobby has been off of all IVDD meds all week with no signs of pain. Had 4th (and probably last) acupuncture session yesterday afternoon and vet showed me some massage and beginning PT things I can do and will provide more. We had a good conversation about limitations and gradually increasing activities outside of the crate. Since she comes to the house, she has seen our layout, met the other dogs (terriers), and is aware of our specific challenges. Even though we don't have more appointments scheduled, she wants progress reports and will check in after the Thanksgiving holiday. Dobby is beside me snoozing with his head on my lap.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,565
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 23, 2013 8:29:51 GMT -7
Congratulations on completing all 8 weeks!! We love to learn new things…did your vet give you some PT ideas different than the Dodgerlist articles? Did the vet work with you on a gradual schedule over the next two weeks of a slow re-introduction back to physical activity? www.dodgerslist.com/literature/AfterCrateRest.htmWhat is his current neuro status? Still a bit of wobbly walking? Does he still knuckle his paw? Slow deliberate sling walking to keep his back aligned and butt from falling over while his nerves continue to heal and he get's back his muscle strength can be helpful. Another way to for him to practice the correct form of let movements could be water therapy either at a clinic or in your bathtub: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 23, 2013 9:45:57 GMT -7
Congratulations!!! So glad Dobby is doing well
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