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Post by patiod on Oct 1, 2013 7:18:29 GMT -7
This is my late mother's dog, now 100% my dear little fellow. I watched her nurse 2 dachshunds back from paralysis to health and mobility with crate rest. I do know the crate rest drill and have a lot of faith in it.
Frank is 15, and is hobbling and yelling in pain when I carry him. Started last night. He has had neck issues in the past, and doesn't go down stairs. This feels more like a back issue.
I am going to call my vet, but I don't have much confidence in them in terms of understanding dachshund issues (they are otherwise fine). Any suggestions in the Philadelphia NW suburbs? He's currently a patient of Horsham Veterinary Hospital, and they do have all his 15 years of records.
He's didn't change position all last night, so he's fine with the immobility thing.
But what can I do for him? Should I find another vet? What can I do for pain right now?
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 1, 2013 9:09:41 GMT -7
Welcome to Dodgerslist - what's your name? I'm glad you understand the need for crate rest as it's vital to Frank's recovery. He needs to be immediately seen by a vet. If the vet feels he is having a back disc problem, Frank needs an anti-inflammatory to bring down the swelling in his back, a pain medication and Pepcid AC to protect his tummy from the anti-inflammatory. If you do go to your regular vet, make sure that the anti-inflammatory and pain med are prescribed. The Pepcid AC is over the counter but you should ask the vet if Frank has any medical condition where he shouldn't take Pepcid AC. If not, then 5 mg of Pepcid AC should be given 30 mins. before the anti-inflammatory. This page can help you find a neurologist in your area: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/VetchkList.htm But it's important that Frank be seen ASAP and started on meds. 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks is the SINGLE most important thing you can do to help your dog-- it is the hallmark component of conservative treatment. Carried in and out to potty. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm Dogs with IVDD must be carried with their spines horizontal, carrying both ends. Here's a video showing how to properly lift and carry: If there is pain or neuro diminishment, dogs can benefit greatly with acupuncture or laser light therapy. These therapies can be be started right away to help relieve pain and to also to kick start energy production in nerve cells to sprout. So if this therapy is in your budget, seek out a holistic vet. ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html The best way for you to help your dog is by learning about his disease. Here are some links to get you started. Please click on all of them to get a good background of understanding. www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htmwww.dodgerslist.com/literature.htmDodgerslist has an excellent DVD available for only $3 including shipping. It's great to have on hand to show to family/friends/petsitters so they will know what they can and cannot do with your dog and how they can help: www.dodgerslist.com/store/DVDorder.htm Please let us know what the vet says after seeing him. We're here to help you and Frank through this. All the best to you. |
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Post by patiod on Oct 1, 2013 11:00:43 GMT -7
Thank you. I took him to the vet this morning, where he was, of course, walking around great. Fortunately the vet recognized this as a function of all the adrenalin that was going through his system.
My only concern is that due to a past history of elevated liver enzymes (the side effect of a variant of Addison's disease) the vet DID NOT RX AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY. Instead, she gave him Tramadol.
I appreciate that you folks are here, and will follow your bed rest suggestions. He is already fairly immobile simply due to age and neck issues, so there isn't a problem keeping him off furniture, beds and steps. (Oh, and my name is Pattie. Sorry about that)
Also, I ordered the DVDD, since we're going to leave them with our petsitter next week, and I'd like her to see how to carry him properly.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 1, 2013 14:28:36 GMT -7
I'm sorry to hear that an anti-inflammatory couldn't be prescribed, Pattie. Hopefully, Frank's own steroid hormone produced by his body will be enough to keep the inflammation down. The anti-inflammatory is to get the swelling down but there are no meds to heal the disc. The disc is healed by the strict crate rest and I'm very glad that you'll be following that.
What is the dosage of Tramadol and the frequency of use? Have no patience with pain and if the Tramdol doesn't completely control the pain, get back to your vet so they can adjust the pain meds. There should be no sign of pain from one dose of the Tramadol to the next dose. Tramadol has a short shelf life and is most effective when given every 8 hours.
Please keep us updated on how Frank is doing. Healing prayers for him.
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Post by patiod on Oct 2, 2013 13:27:39 GMT -7
Wow, really? No signs of pain?
I've been pretty good with the Tramadol 50 mg every 6-8 hours. I gave him a 1/2 in spite of the vet saying "start with 1/4 and see how that works" but there hasn't been an hour that he doesn't seem like he's in pain. He was up all night last night (and therefore, so was I) breathing heavily. He's still in pain all the time - biting and yelping when anyone touches him (much less carries him outside).
And of course this coming week I'm traveling for work and my husband won't be home during the day, so we have to get a professional petsitter for some of the days and the neighbor kid for the others. I'm okay with the pro, but am VERY worried about the neighbor kid, but those are our only options. Normally there are two adults here - but for about 15 days, there won't be. Ugh.
Thank you Paula, for being there for those of us going through this - I feel very alone and his pain is making ME hurt!
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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 Oct 2, 2013 19:42:26 GMT -7
Hi Pattie, I'm Sabrina. I'm so sorry to hear of Frank's disc episode, and the complication of his Addison's. Pain hinders healing, so do call the vet (or the on-call vet) and report that Frank is still in pain, and ask what options are available to control his pain given his Addison's. Here are some links to research pain meds: - www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#paindrugs- dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/951/dogs-medsI'm sorry that Frank's episode is happening while you have to travel. I'm glad you will have the DVD to use to educate those who will be caring for Frank. ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina ps - Could you clarify: is Frank on 25mg Tramadol every 6-8hrs, or 50mg? |
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,935
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 2, 2013 20:46:57 GMT -7
Pattie, since an anti-inflammatory can't be used to due liver issues, then the vet has to be REALLY agressive with pain meds. Pain simply can not be tolerated or allowed. You are in a really tough position not being there to supervise his care. The pain meds have to be adjusted prior to your leaving so you are not leaving this to a petsitter. How much does Frank weigh? Get with the vet and strongly advocate for methocarbamol AND gabapentin being on board. Frank has nothing to deal with the inflammation but his body's own steroid which is a at a level way less than the needed anti-inflammatory level used with IVDD. This article will give you good background knowledge to speak with your vet to get aggressive pain meds started: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingpain.htm Expect pain to be in control in one hour when the right combo of meds, the right dose and the right frequency has been established. And thereafter no pain dose to dose. Let us know what is prescribed. |
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Post by patiod on Oct 3, 2013 9:57:06 GMT -7
Thanks to Sabrina and Paula for your wisdom! I reported the severe breakthrough pain to the vet (I just walked PAST Frankie and even that made him yelp). I'm off the vet's now for a short-course of prednisone, and if that doesn't help enough, I can up the dose to 3/4 of a 50mg tramadol Q6-8 hours. Right now, the 1/2 Q6 is leaving him in bad shape for the last 3-6 hours.
If that all doesn't seem to do it, we'll discuss bringout out bigger guns for pain, since the vet is worried that bigger or longer anti-inflammatory treatment may cause some liver damage.
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Marjorie
Moderator~
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724
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Post by Marjorie on Oct 3, 2013 12:48:30 GMT -7
Dear Pattie, Kudos to you for advocating on Frank's behalf so well! Please don't hesitate to give him the higher recommended dose of the Tramadol, starting with his next dose, every 6 hours as the lower dose was not working anywhere near well enough. The Prednisone will take some time to bring the swelling down, hopefully fairly quickly as it cannot be used for long in Frank's case. Meanwhile, the pain needs to be brought under control now, so it doesn't hinder the job Prednisone has to get the swelling down. As mentioned before, there should be no signs of pain from one dose of Tramadol to the next. Even though the Prednisone will only be given short term, Frank's GI tract needs to be protected. Pepcid AC is usually recommended but I do see on Dodgerslist's website that The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugsA better choice to protect Frank's tummy might be Sucralfate: www.marvistavet.com/html/sucralfate.htmlPlease check with your vet about starting Frank on one of these meds as serious gastrointestinal toxicity such as bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms. Blessings to you and Frank for a speedy and complete recovery. |
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