Jasmine
,@peanutlove
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I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice for my baby. On 12/14/19, my baby took his last breath here and got his set of wings. He is no longer suffering anymore. I am trying so hard to convince myself of this as I feel so many things right now and the immense sadness is just overwhelming. Thank you again.
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My dog was Originally prescribed Gabapentin (50mg) every 12 hours but when I went back to the vet they allowed Me to do every 6 hours instead because pain seemed to be coming back faster. Now it seems the pain meds are not helping at all even with putting him to sleep. Can I give it even sooner than every 6 hours? My dog is 8.10 lbs.
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Sarah Good morning-
You really need to discuss this with your vet as they know your pet best. Everyone/thing is unique and reacts in their own way. I would talk with the vet and also ask about other methods of pain relief. Best of luck. -
Krista Magnifico I agree with Sarah. There is the book instruction for a drug and then there is the real life patient specific advice. If gabapentin isn’t working ask for other options. There are always options.
I just got back from the vet. Basically the vet told me there’s no point in going to the neurologist if I’m not considering surgery and there’s no point of an MRI because once again I’m not considering surgery. He prescribed Tramadol along with the galliprant and Gabapentin he’s already taking . I just gave it to him now. I also asked about rehabilitation. He told me that he has seen improvements with acupuncture however he did tell me that I need to consider his quality of life. He told me if he was going to get better he would have already shown signs of improvement .im so heartbroken right now. I’m not sure what to do.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I’m sorry that things haven’t improved and that you are feeling down trodden about his condition. I can’t tell you what the answer is for you or your dog. But I can say that it is not anyone’s place to steal your hope or break your heart. I know lots of dogs who aren’t perfect or even paralyzed. If you think you can manage that then that’s ok to try. If you are worried about pain that is something your vet can help with.
I ha e to agree with part of your vets advice. If you aren’t ready willing and able to see a neurologist for a CT scan or MRI a CSF tap and surgery tem I am not sure what benefit it is to go and see them. They can’t diagnose or treat without these expensive diagnostics. And I should add not every pet with an unlimited pocketbook does well. So in some cases it really isn’t about the money. If you need help or hope get another opinion. In my experience the best vets help people find answers they are comfortable with. Even if it isn’t what you want to hear. I wish you the best. Keep us posted. Sending hugs to you all.-
Jasmine Post author Thank you Dr.
I’m going to try the rehabilitation center and see if acupuncture or cold laser therapy works. I’m trying really hard to keep positive. I will try one more vet and see what they tell me. Thank you for all the advice and support.
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3 weeks since my dog was diagnosed with ivdd. I’m not seeing the light at the end of tunnel. He doesn’t seem to be getting better. He still cries and walks around in circles with his head low. He can walk for a few steps but then falls. Feeling so helpless. Any advice?
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Laura Hi Jasmine, have you contacted an orthopedic vet? Have you considered laser therapy, water therapy, etc? I understand your distress, and I have only barely followed your story so I’m not sure what you’ve done so far.
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Jasmine Post author I have not. I have taken him to 2 regular vets but I don’t feel that they have followed up with him as they should. They did not tell me anything about a follow up appointment . I am going to someone else. I don’t have enough money for an MRI . I am looking into rehabilitation centers. I think I’m going to try a place called BARC. He is currently on galliprant and Gabapentin for pain. They seem to help for 5-6 hours but then he starts crying (usually at night) I can’t tell if it’s from pain though or from wanting to be near me. He stops crying when I pet him or when I pick him up. I have noticed he also cries when he can’t get himself up( like he’s frustrated)
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I would seek the advice of a neurologist. And reassess pain management and quality of life. I think you need help from someone who can examine your pup and talk to you about Your thoughts. Sending ❤️ To you both. -
maria How did the appt go on 12/23. My dog has already had three spinal surgeries and is now dealing with his 4th episode. I would like some good news. I hope he got better. We really thought we had it beat. He did great after surgery. I just wish it was cheaper.
How do I help Keep my dog from knuckling his paw. Day 17 of IVDD.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
Dogs knuckle for one of two reasons: muscle loss or weakness from atrophy (chronic non-ambulatory use of a muscle causes it to shrink), or inability to innervate the muscle because the nerves can’t talk to them. I don’t know which one your dog has but your vet can help identify these. It is important to keep placing the feet correctly and encouraging your pup to stand so they don’t lose muscle and can hopefully regain walking as hopefully heal from their spinal injury. Physical therapy is a key part of recovery and lots of dogs knuckle with this disease. Please see my videos and blogs on IVDD. I hope they can help. Best of luck.
My dog is on day 9 after being diagnosed with ivdd . He was walking a lot better after losing mobility in his right front and back leg but today it looks like he’s losing the mobility in his 2 front legs all over again. What happened?? He was doing so well. His pain looked like it had gone away and he was sleeping through the night without the pain killer.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
This is a hard question to answer for a few reasons. One we hardly ever get a confirmatory diagnosis on this disease. To do that you would need an mri or ct and an csf tap. Without them we guess that it is IVDD which is the most common cause of acute paralysis or weakness. So trying to understand what is or isn’t normal when we aren’t sure of the diagnosis is difficult.
If it is IVDD then yes it is not uncommon for them to get worse as we try to get them better. The worsening can occur because more of the disc is slipping into the spinal cord area or because another disc is also slipping. Or because the damage to the spinal cord is progressing. Please call your vet with any questions or concerns or changes to your pet. They can help. Best of luck.-
Jasmine Post author Does this mean a longer recovery time? He is now on day 15 since he went down. I have him on around the clock Gabapentin and galliprant which seems to help . He’s still very wobbly and can only walk a few steps before falling.
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Has anyone ever used the Assisi Loop for their dog with IVDD? Does it work?
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Krista Magnifico I haven’t used it, nor had clients who have. But I’ve seen them at the trade shows. I don’t think there is any hard evidence or studies to support their use. But I also don’t think they do any harm. If you use it and like it will you let me know.?
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Jasmine Post author Sure, still doing my research on it but I’ll let you know if I buy it.
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Jasmine Post author Sure, still doing my research on it but I’ll let you know if I buy it.
My dog is 15 years old and was diagnosed with ivdd. He keeps trying to walk around but continues fall. I have him in a play pen right now. Should I continue to let him walk around? I feel like he’s going to end up hurting himself more.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I suppose I would ask why do you think he is walking? I’d be bored? Felling better? Stressed? What do you think? In my experience they start walking when the pain dissipates so I am all for walking and maintaining muscle mass. But, it doesn’t displace the need for physical therapy to regain lost nerve function and muscle mass. Ie you still want to encourage them to use the weak legs and not just the sting and functional legs. As long as it is safe (no stairs or access to danger) and they are not causing abrasions on the feet they can’t use normally, AND you can keep doing your pt then I am ok with it.-
Jasmine Post author Hi Dr. Magnifico, thank you so much for replying. Half of me thinks he is doing it because he’s bored but the other half of me says that he does it because he’s in pain. Because right before he wants to start walking he cries a lot and then I stand him up so he can walk and he stops crying and only whimpers a little as he walks.
ok, so I will continue to let him walk around under supervision .
Thank you!
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Hi, I have a 15 year old chihuahua named Peanut. He was diagnosed with IVDD on Sunday. He is able to stand for 30 seconds on his own and can walk a few steps before falling over. His right front leg and right back leg are the main limbs that knuckle over and give out when he stands. He can’t get himself to an upright standing position. He is currently on Gabapentin and galliprant. When the pain killers don’t have him knocked out he is crying and whimpering. He looks like he is pain and can’t get in a comfortable position . He is eating and drinking water. He is able to use pee and defecate on his own but most of the time does it while he’s laying down in his pen.
I feel so bad for him I’m honestly just crying all the time because it hurts to see him in pain and I feel helpless. I try and let him stand and walk for a few
Minutes a day with my support but should I be letting him walk? Or should I be trying to make him rest more? Also he doesn’t let me switch the side he lays on. He only lays on his right side . I know Dr. Krista said we need to switch the aside they lay on but he looks like he’s in more pain when I try to switch him to the left.
Any advice , thoughts, or feelings? I really just needed to not feel so alone in this.
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Jasmine Post author Peanuts X-rays
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Sarah Good morning-
I’m so sorry you are going trough this. Dr. Magnifico has a lot of videos regarding ivdd posted, and you might find them useful. Another thing to maybe try as far as getting him on his opposite side- when he has his pain killers in his system and is sleeping for close to it, perhaps gently maneuver him to the another side and see if that works any better. If he is not giving up, please don’t give up either. Best of luck to you both!!!!-
Jasmine Post author Thank you so much for the advice! I’m going to continue to fight with him as long as he can. He still looks like he’s trying his hardest!
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Hello,
I’m so sorry for your loss. And thank you for the kind words. This place is a labor of love and it’s really nice to feel appreciated. We all know how incredibly hard it is to say goodbye. We have all been there and we empathize completely. . I hope you have a nice holiday. And we all wish you well.
I’m so sorry, Jasmine. Know you gave him a good, long life. Any of us can see that. Please, be gentle with yourself – you made the right choice for him.
I’m so sorry.