Joey's on Four Weeks Crate Rest

[joeysmom]

Joey has regressed. I took him to the emergency vet on Monday night because he was shaking and crying out in pain and walking in a slow, guarded manner. Joey had been yipping occasionally when I took him for walks the last couple of months, but I thought he was just reacting to me scolding him for lunging at cat pooh.

At his examination on Monday, Joey walked around fine, reacted appropriately to the toe tip test and wouldn't cry out when his spine was manipulated. The doctor didn't think he needed to be admitted to the hospital for the neurologist to see him. She said to use the codeine medicine that I had left over from his December surgery if he still seems like he is in pain.

The good news is that Joey's appetite is still strong, he can still walk and pee and pooh and he hasn't cried out in pain today. I am however still very distressed because he still trembles like he is cold. I am also worried because this pattern of symptoms is so similar to Joey's first back episode when he became temporarily paralyzed. Joey didn't react in pain during his two spinal exams at his former vet before he went down in December. I'm also concerned because Joey wasn't prescribed any anti-inflammatory drugs. Can crate rest alone without any anti-inflammatory medication still heal him?

I'm taking Joey to his new, holistic vet later today to see if I should combine acupuncture treatments with his crate rest. I’ll do anything to keep him healthy. I wish Joey's neurologist would examine him but his first appointment for consultation is July 12th.

Geez. I don't understand how this happened. I have thoroughly supervised Joey since December... no stairs, no jumping off furniture or down from the bed. He also gets glucosamine, esther C and salmon oil supplements. He does go for weekly outings at my in-laws house where he runs laps at full speed around the yard but I didn't think that running was a risk factor after he had healed from the surgery.

What next?

[Frzframe]

to hear about little Joey's set back. Sending you rayzzzz from hot, muggy Kansas from Mitzi and Dudley and me too. Get better soon!!

[dutchman]

I won't make any comments on the suggested treatment plan. Like you I wish his hneurologist could take a look at him. Crate rest is generally done along with the use of anti-inflammatories but perhaps you vet is thinkinga muscle pull of some type. Does your neurologist know of another one in your area who might be able to get Joey in sooner for an exam?

Sending rays,

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[minicooper]

I am so sorry to hear of Joey's problems.

The crate rest will help. It sounds like a good idea to consult the holistic vet.

We are sending rayz :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: for a speedy recovery.

Please keep us posted.

[Heidismom]

I am so sorry to hear of Joey's relapse. Thank you for being so careful - whatever is going on, the jumping could have made this episode much worse! Take care of yourself, as well as Joey! :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:
Julia B.

[Mark]

that Joey is not well. :(

IDD is not just about jumping or stairs . . . it is genetic and those things can aggrevate the condition . . . abstention, though good, is not a preventative. Rather, it just helps eliminate things that will make it worse.

Mega Dachsie Healing RayZ are on their way to you :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

Please do keep us posted.

[lotsadox]

I'm so sorry to hear about Joey. Crate rest without anti-inflammatories can work. I had one dachsie who had back problems and was paralyzed and I didn't want to do surgery on her because of her age so we used crate rest. My homeopathic vet didn't want to use anti-inflammatories. She did give me some homeopathic remedies and supplements for her. She did fine and lived 2 more years to a ripe old age of 16. Rayz coming from Texas for Joey :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[jshepard]

My Rudy had surgery for a slipped disk in October and in March seems to have started with some back pain. I heard about a supplement called Fresh Factors and started her on it. She is a different dog on it and has not had an episode since. You can buy it online and it's fairly inexpensive. Also, I invested in the doggy ramp for the bed and sofa and that has made a big difference!!!!

Here's a link for the Fresh Factors: http://www.saveawatt.info/freshfactors.htm

Good luck!!

[onebigmickeyfan]

Rayz :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: are coming Joey's way for him to make a speedy recovery.

[lotsadox]

Sharon, how is Joey doing? Please send and update when you get a chance.

[Heide]

you Ms healing rayz :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:
I think strict crate rest is needed and in the meantime hopefully you can get him what he needs with the new vet.
Please keep us informed.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Hang in there, we are all here for you:angel:

[Patt]

Sharon:

How's Joey??? Maybe you can call his neurologist to see if he has a cancellation before July 12th. Is he responding to acupuncture? I know you must be busy and very worried. Please let us know whats happening.

Sending prayers and positive thoughts Joeys way.

Patt

[joeysmom]

I’m relieved to report that Joey had his first day without a painful yip on Monday… he did this even though he had his last baby aspirin on Sunday morning. So after a week of little change, it appears that the combination of crate rest, baby aspirin and the acupuncture treatment along with everyone’s healing rays and prayers seem to be working. I now have the problem of trying to control Joey’s enthusiasm when he goes outside for potty breaks. He wants to run around and sniff things but I won’t let him. He is also really protesting his confinement. I think it will be a challenge to keep his spirits up during his next three weeks of rest.

Joey’s neurologist works out of the emergency vet clinic where I took Joey June 16th so he consulted with Joey’s attending vet even though he didn’t examine him. Since last Monday, I’ve communicated with Joey’s neurologist via trading voicemails. I expressed my concern about crate rest without predisone and told him that I was administering baby aspirin as an alternative. His neurologist said that he didn’t want to use predisone at this stage and that I should also be careful to not give baby aspirin for too long either.

At the holistic vet last Wednesday, once again, Joey walked around fine and didn’t cry out once during the exam. Joey tolerated his first acupuncture treatment very well, but it didn’t seem to have any immediate impact. He has another appointment this Friday. I’m sure that Joey will enjoy the change of scenery and the car ride in any case.

Thanks everyone for all the rays and encouragement; I will also check out the fresh factors supplement. I’m feeling more optimistic today and rested too. I got my first good night of rest in a week on Monday.

Joey sends out lots o licks too.

[Meemoo]

Great News! Have you got him on any supplements? Salmon oil is a GREAT natural anti-inflammatory. You might want to consider Ester C, Glucosamine/Chondrotin too if you aren't already. Our holistic vet gave us some herbal supplements called Back Relief...did your vet give you something similar?

I know how hard it is to try and keep Joey quiet now that he's feeling better..but TOUGH love here! Maybe you can keep him busy with a kong or some type of toy?

More rayz.....:rayz: :rayz:

[TessieMom]

Fantastic news!!!
So glad he is improving. I know a lot of vets that don't want to mask the pain with prednisone. We do glucosamine/condroitin here also. More rays for Joey!

Rena and the Waco crew

[dutchman]

Thank you for the update. We were wondering how Joey was doing . When we don't hear we sometimes start to think the worst.

We will continue to send rays both to Joey for his back and to you ofr having to try and keep him happy while he pends three more weeks confined.

Tom and the boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[Heide]

so glad to hear the great update.
I would rather see them get better without the prednizone myself. They pant so hard and just look awful when on it.
I know it will be really hard to keep him confined but you must! It will be hard.
just know we are here for you and have shoulders to lean on for you.
Sending more MS rayz:rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: your way and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[minicooper]

More :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: for a continued recovery!

Look after yourself as well as Joey, and please keep us updated!

[Patt]

Super, glad to hear things have turned around a bit. Keep up the TLC and sending healing rayz :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[joeysmom]

JOEY is still doing well. He is getting used to crate life, sort of. I gave him a raw hide once in an attempt to passify him, but he immediately started digging vigorously around in his bedding to bury it so I replaced the rawhide with a peanut butter coated nylabone. THe nylabones seem to make him happy without all the activity.

I goofed again today...I bought JOEY a lambskin rug at Costco. I thought he would like a new comfy, soft crate pad for his last week of confinement. Joey liked the lambskin of course, but he didn't view it as a bed, he thought it was a giant furry chew toy. So mean mom took his new giant toy away too. I sprayed it with some bitter apple and hopefully he will curl up and sleep in his bed instead of try to eat it.

[Patt]

Yikes, one more week? How time flies. I'm glad he is doing so well, Joey must be so bored.

I bought "Quiet Time" pet bed at PetSmart. I believe it is for crates or cages, however, I use it on the floor. My little Gretta loves it, easy for her to get in and out of, slightly raised around the edges. It is made of Ultra-soft Synthetic Sheepskin, cushioned cotton base, really very nice. Maybe Joey would be happier with that and not use it as a toy. LOL

[lotsadox]

I'm glad to hear Joey's doing well. I know it was hard for my Amanda the last week or so of her crate rest. Lots of rayz for Joey. :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[dutchman]

Glad to hear Joey is doing well. Just think of all the fun and wayes to get into trouble he will have saved up for you after the four weeks crate rest:D We neer seem to mind the trouble quite so much if it's a sign that they are once again healthy.

Tom and teh boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[Mark]

Many more Dachsie Healing RAYZ comin your way :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: :rayz:

[TessieMom]

Good Job Joey! What a mean mom spraying your giant chew toy! Then she wants you to sleep on it... More rays are headed Joey's way.

Rena and the Waco crew

[tori's mommy]

So Sorry to hear of Joey's relapse. I hope and pray that all will be well for him. Since Tori had her surgery in January it has been a constant fear that she would have problems and I know that like me you have been diligently watching him. I will be checking post daily to see how he progresses. Sending lots of love from Tori and her family.
Margie

[joeysmom]

I'm happy to report that Joey is still doing well. On Monday I'm going to ease him back into more activity by letting him walk around and sniff things after his potty outings instead of carrying him inside immediately. I also plan to gradually increase his exercise space. I will open his crate to an exercise pen so he can get around but not over do. The ongoing challenge will be building his strength without casuing injury.

Margie, I know exactly how you feel about the constant fear of more problems, but even though Joey had an early relapse, I don't think you should expect Tori to experience the same symptoms as Joey. Back in January Joey's nuerologist said that recurrance happens in 5% of the IDD cases after surgery so Joey is probably just an exceptional hard luck case. Joey has a charming personality and beautiful markings on the outside, but on the inside, he problably has a bunch of crummy disks.

Oh well. I will continue to love my dog and do everything I can to keep him healthy.

[lotsadox]

Unfortunately, Sharon, I think your right. I've had two that have had disc problems, one had surgery and one didn't. They were mother and daughter and evidently bad discs just run in the family. I'm glad to hear that Joey is doing better. It sounds like you have his activities under control. Have you tried swimming him? The surgeon that did my Amanda's back surgery and specializes in back surgery had us swim her to get her strength back. He said it's very good because the water holds them up and takes stress off of the back while they exercise and move.

And, Tori, try not to worry too much. Of the two that I have that had back problems, neither has had any recurrence. I worry about my "leaper" Miller, who insists on leaping and jumping everywhere!