Kristi's Brandee 9/29 conservative Portland Area

Kristi, glad to hear pain is back in control.

Is this the correct med dose/frequency you are now giving?

14 lbs
Prednisone 5mg 2x day
Tramadol 25mg 3 x day
Gabapentin 25 mg 1x day
Pepcid AC 5mg 2x day
methocarbamol 125mg 2x day stopped

So your vet does not know about increasing Pred back up to the anti-inflammatory dose of 5mg Pred 2x a day? All steroids are one class of meds that really need to be given under the supervision of a vet. This med is a synthetic replacement for the critical steroid the body makes itself. The adrenal glands produce a steroid, giving a synthetic one can dangerously confuse the body, so this is why it needs to be under the direction of a vet so he knows and tracks what is going on. Just checking .... LOL... you know us by now we are a group who LOVE details plus we read things literally "I have increased her dose"

Yay! glad she is feeling better

Hi Kristi,

As far as a cart, I wouldn't worry about that yet. She shouldn't even try using one until 8 weeks of crate rest is completed and that isn't until November 24th.  Also as healing continues and the weeks go on, you may find she does not need one.  It doesn't hurt to investigate all the options but she needs to heal first.

Since you have begun the taper with giving her Pred every other day, (does the Vet know?)  Be watchful for signs of pain as that would mean there is still swelling in the spinal cord and she would need to go back to the twice a day dosing.  If there is no signs of pain on completion of the taper, then she can stop taking all medications.  During the taper it is also a good idea to back off on Pain medications so you can tell if she is truly not in pain.  Pain=swelling= more time on Prednisone (and Pain meds) needed and call Vet immediately and let them know..

True,  panting is a side effect of Pred as well as Tramadol, but the panting can be managed. Try placing a fan near the recovery suite but not pointed at Brandee. The little bit of air circulation can help.

Kristi, is Brandee's pain still under control? Are you seeing any signs of pain during the taper of the Prednisone, such as shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy?

Be sure to tell the vet that you began a taper of the Prednisone. If the taper is going well and there are no signs of pain returning, then at the completion of the taper, all meds are stopped. There would be no need for a holistic pain med at that time.

If you're asking about giving holistic pain medication if she still has pain now, then, no, we would not recommend that.

Please let us know how the vet visit goes tomorrow. I hope that all goes well.

Hi Paula
We went to the vet today he is very impressed with her good progress! He can see a big difference in Brandee. We are so happy. He said we can taper to one pred every other day and keep giving the Gabentin? and tram when needed. I appreciate all your help. I worked for a holistic dog food store so I get a lot of feed back from that. But I listen to my vet and I do what he prescribes. We are so happy she is doing so well. He was open to Dodgerslist and checked it out which made me very happy. He spent about an hour with us this morning which is something I appreciate very much.
We are feeling so happy!

Thank you we are keeping her on gthe Prednisone every other day. The Gabapentin once a day ant the Tramadol as needed. I will get her back on the Prednisone if she shows any sign of pain.
Everyone has been so helpful here I appreciate all the advice.
We are very happy she is feeling better. She barks when she has to go outside to potty we are feeling very positive about her recovery.

Mimi has always been left alone for 6 hours each day when my husband goes to work (or at least for the last 4 years or so). She has bladder control and is able to hold her urine during that time. But that's only because that is what she is used to and will drink accordingly (she drinks a lot in the am before we leave - has a few good pees. then will pee when hubs gets home and drink a lot again). Not sure what advice others have.

I keep posting but looks like it hasn't been posted...? She pees and poops on her own and will bark to go outside. The vet didn't discuss the taper said to keep her on The Gabapentin for the next month or so? We have her on the pred every other day now. She doesn't seem to have any pain. She is very perky and happy wagging tail a lot when we take her outside to potty!~ I know she will be alright for the 6-7 hours I will be away a few days a week. I just started a PT job since her first episode. I will call the vet to see when the last dose of pred will be I have two left and thought I was going to pick up more when needed. Thank you for the advice. We are very happy with her progress and want the best for our baby.

Hi Kristi! Is Brandee still drinking ok?

Dogs with limited mobility (like while on crate rest) are prone to UTIs - sometimes there are noticeable symptoms (e.g. urine "smells off") but other times there aren't any noticeable signs. Does your vet's office have Saturday hours so that they could do a urinalysis?

))Hugs!((
- Sabrina

Hi Kristi..

Has Brandee shown any pain while on the Pred taper that made you want to go back to 1/2 a dose daily? 
If she is still taking Gabapentin, you would not be able to tell if there is pain on the taper unless you take her off her pain meds..  This way you can tell is the swelling is gone and if it is gone, there would be no need for any medications..  It is best to only use Prednisone only as long as there is a need for it because of the side effects.  Discuss with your vet.. 

Glad she is doing so well..That is wonderful news!

Kristi, healing in regard to prednisone means the swelling is gone. Pred does not heal a disc nor heal nerves.

Pred is one meds that affects every system of the body, so you only want to use it when it has a job to do… get swelling down in the spinal cord. Keeping Brandee on Pred if not needed is just exposing her to serious side effects for no reason.

So please do let us know..
-- when a taper down off of pred PLUS stopping pain med, gabapentin, will start under the guidance of the vet. The idea is to quickly identify if there is pain so the vet knows whether to quickly get back on pred. Or if there is no pain on the taper of pred PLUS the stop of gabapentin then you go to completion of the pred taper…. no meds at all are needed.

Congratulations on the new grand baby, Kristi! And glad to hear that Brandee is doing well.

Is Brandee still on medication? The last time I see that you mentioned medication on 11/8, she was still on Prednisone, which was being tapered, and Gabapentin. If she is still on those meds, when you see the vet on Thursday, please discuss Brandee's meds with him. A taper of the Prednisone and stopping of the Gabapentin needs to be done to test for pain. I see that the 8 weeks of crate rest will be up on 11/24. You'll need to find out if Brandee still has pain before you'll be able to stop crate rest. The medications mask any pain she might still be having so you won't be able to reintroduce her to movement and gradually let her out of the crate until all meds have been stopped.

Please let us know what the vet says after your visit.

All the best to you both.

Double congratulations, a new Grandbaby AND Brandee soing so well. Smiles all around