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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 4, 2013 10:38:07 GMT -7
Dobby is doing the same thing! Hoping we can all stay calm and sane while Shorty and Mimi and Dobby go through their final weeks of crate rest.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 4, 2013 17:46:28 GMT -7
I am not 100% sure where shorty should be with his taper when his 8 weeks are up. The vet was taking it week by week with his taper but he kind of gave me an idea of what his plans were. We just started the 5mg daily dose today and will do that for a week. I am thinking after the week is up we will decrease again if everything is well. He would then be on 2.5mg dose daily for two weeks then 2.5mg every other day for two weeks. So I am thinking by the time his 8 weeks are up he should be on the 2.5 mg dose daily... I am assuming that's not an anti-inflammatory dose so he could be let out of his crate. He should also be off all pain meds. I will be stoping his Tramadol this week.. He hasn't shown any signs of pain for a while. Also I have the same question as Jean regarding do we continue to sling or support their back during potty time or just let them go? Thanks again !
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Nov 4, 2013 19:56:17 GMT -7
You will keep using a sling to support until his legs have had a chance to rebuild muscle. A nice slow controlled re-introduction to his normal activity will prevent re-injury.
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 4, 2013 20:12:37 GMT -7
It really is not a good idea to be off of crate rest until all meds have been stopped and you have a clear picture of inflammation. Your vet is calling for a taper that is long (extended). Discuss tapering to get to the every other day dose sooner and going off all pain meds so you have a clear picture on how swelling has been resolved. Ask the vet is there is a particular reason he is choosing such a long slow taper.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 6, 2013 10:45:15 GMT -7
I have a call into the veterinarian ... Unsure if shorty is regressing. He is into day 3 of his 5 mg dose of prednisone. No obvious signs of pain. The only thing that has me nervous is that usually when I put him down to pee he tries to walk like crazy and I have to hold him back. Today he will stand there and doesn't really want to walk.. He did move some to pee but nothing like usual. Is there any way possible this is just a bad day or is he in pain? He has been off pain meds for two days.. Or is he regressing?
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 6, 2013 10:50:31 GMT -7
No answers, just lots of hugs for you and Shorty.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 6, 2013 12:39:37 GMT -7
NOt wanting to move much IS a sign of pain. We look forward to hearing your vet's take and any adjustments on the meds.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 6, 2013 13:10:01 GMT -7
I was thinking that could possible be a sign of pain.. The vet increased the prednisone back up to 7.5mg until Monday then to call him and we would discuss what to do next. I will also put him back on Tramadol at least once a day and more often if any further signs of pain. So worried about him.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 6, 2013 13:19:08 GMT -7
Just to clarify can you fill in the blanks about his current meds:
▲ prednisone to 7.5mg ?/day til 11/1 reassesment Tramadol ?mg's ?-?/day Pepcid AC ? mg's ?/day
Hoping to hear Shorty is more able to move at potty time.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 6, 2013 13:28:18 GMT -7
Shortys medications :
Prednisone 5mg in am now 2.5mg in pm Pepcid 1/4 tab (5mg) half hour before prednisone 2x /day Tramadol 50mg 1/4 tab in the morning.
Shorty had been off Tramadol for two days.. Before that he was only getting Tramadol in the morning for about two weeks . At his worst shorty had only needed Tramadol 1/4 tab twice a day. This slight reluctance to move today was the first sign of any pain in a long time. The vet did say that this was still not the anti-inflammatory dose but that he was hopeful that we wouldn't need to bump up further since he did so well last week on the 7.5mg.
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Marjorie
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 6, 2013 14:53:23 GMT -7
I know you'll be keeping a close eye on Shorty to observe for any signs of pain, Samantha, especially since Shorty hasn't been put back on an anti-inflammatory dose of the Pred. As you know, the pain means there is still swelling. Please keep us updated on what you're observing.
Prayers that all will go well.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 6, 2013 15:09:54 GMT -7
I will be sure to advocate for the Anti-inflammatory dose if he shows any further signs of pain. Was so hopeful this was going to be it this time!
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 6, 2013 20:45:07 GMT -7
Hope this little bump up is all he needs and he'll be back on track soon!
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 9, 2013 7:57:30 GMT -7
He is doing well thank you. Don't know what I will do if I can't get him off the prednisone. I am now understanding that his unwillingness to move was a sign of pain and don't know how there is still sweliing after 6 weeks ?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 9, 2013 11:30:48 GMT -7
Samantha, the goal with conservative treatment is that with time the offending disc/disc pieces can be absorbed enough so that nerve bundles in the spinal cord are no longer irritated. Nerve irritation causes swelling and swelling causes pain. Pred is the med to reduce swelling.
We have seen some dogs with our group take over a month or so to get all the swelling down with prednisone up at the anti-inflammatory dose. The key is being on an anti-inflammatory dose (5mg 2x a day) Being on less than an anti-inflammatory dose is prolonging things. So either the dog is on anti-inflammatory dose or he is not getting the amount needed to work on existing swelling…prolonging inflammation
16 lbs Prednisone as of 11/6: 5mg in am+ now 2.5mg in pm Pepcid 1/4 tab (5mg) half hour before prednisone 2x /day Tramadol 50mg 1/4 tab in the morning. stopped as of 11/4
REVIEW of TAPER: During the time on the anti-inflammatory the pain meds do need to be adjusted so that there is no pain surfacing dose to dose of pain relief medications. Can you tell us if you see any signs of pain today? Slow to move, yelps, can't get comfortable, is not his normal perky self, shivers/trembles?
Often it takes being at the anti-inflammatory dose of prednisone (5mg 2x/day) for 1-2 weeks or even for some dogs more like a month before all the swelling is gone. When the vet guesses swelling might be gone there will be a taper. The dose is lowered to less than the anti-flammatory dose your job at home would be to assess just how well reduction of swelling is going by observing for any hint of pain. To have a clear picture on a taper, pain meds are also stopped or backed off too. Have you discussed with the vet about speeding up the process? Either going to the anti-inflammatory dose to get swelling down asap. Or if the believes at this point the swelling could be gone to start the taper to reach the every other day end of the taper process sooner. Tapers need pain meds backed off or stopped so there can be a quick ID if there is still a hint of pain and get meds restarted.
If there is no pain on the taper then it goes to completion. Then no meds at all are needed. As long as Shorty is on meds, he needs to stay in his recovery suite. Ideally he would at minimum be off all meds a week before his graduation day so that you are sure he is not having any pain.
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 13, 2013 13:32:51 GMT -7
Quick update... Just got back from another acupuncture and laser session. No real improvements as far as the doctor can see but holding steady. I don't know whether to be relieved or discouraged. We started the taper again today . He is now on 5mg prednisone for 5 days then taper to 2.5mg. I am praying we make it to the end of the 5 days this time. At this time.. No pain and keeping hope we stay that way. Hope everyone else is doing good! If we can make it through the whole taper it probably will be 10 weeks of crate rest.. Fingers crossed.
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Sabrina
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My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
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Post by Sabrina on Nov 13, 2013 16:48:35 GMT -7
Hi Samantha! Don't be discouraged by Shorty "just" holding his own. There is no time limit to nerve healing - it can take weeks, months, or years... so Shorty doesn't have any "expiration date" for his recovery! www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingnerves.htm I'm so glad to hear that Shorty isn't showing any signs of pain! I'm hoping for a smooth taper for you this time! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 13, 2013 18:48:22 GMT -7
No pain is good. Holding his own is good. Best of luck with this taper!
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Nov 17, 2013 6:35:36 GMT -7
Shorty is doing well on his taper. Today is his last day of the 5mg of ▼Prednisone dose then we taper onto the 2.5mg/ daily dose tomorrow. I didn't want to post any updates to jinx ourselves but this morning he lifted his LEG to pee!!!! Can't contain my elation! One proud mama!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
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Post by StevieLuv on Nov 17, 2013 9:24:33 GMT -7
No jinxing happening here - just a happy cheer that he could lift his leg to pee.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 17, 2013 15:18:04 GMT -7
Bravo!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Nov 18, 2013 6:55:07 GMT -7
Would never jinx...
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Nov 23, 2013 6:56:54 GMT -7
Thinking of you and continuing to cheer for Shorty!
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Post by Samantha & Shorty on Dec 1, 2013 7:18:49 GMT -7
So today is the big day! He is done with crate rest !! It was officially nine + weeks and he is ready to go!!! Shorty is off all meds and continues to do well with no sign of pain. I will slowly begin to reintroduce activity and watch for any signs of pain or loss of neuro function. My plan is to follow the activity after crate rest guidelines to a T and go from there. I would love some recommendations or tips if anyone has any personal experience. Thanks so much!
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StevieLuv
Helpful Member
Conservative Treatment 3x. It really does work!
Posts: 1,335
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Post by StevieLuv on Dec 1, 2013 9:37:02 GMT -7
Happy Graduation Day!! You did it
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Dec 1, 2013 9:42:30 GMT -7
Congratulations!
Following the slow introduction back to physical activity is how I did it with my dogs…. it works to keep them from getting sore muscles. It gives you a chance to assess if they need a day off… just like atheletes…they don't over train the same set of muscles every day.
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Post by Pam & Dobby on Dec 1, 2013 10:25:07 GMT -7
Congratulations! If Shorty is anything like Dobby, new challenges await because they are so eager to be out of the crate. Best of luck to you in this new phase!
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Post by Jean & Mimi on Dec 1, 2013 17:00:08 GMT -7
Comgratulations!!!! So excited for you and Shorty! Here's to happy healthy days ahead
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lupi
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Post by lupi on Dec 2, 2013 2:37:13 GMT -7
So happy to hear that Shorty is off crate rest and doing well!
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