a_daerr
-
Posts
4,368 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Store
Articles
Posts posted by a_daerr
-
-
Going through the same thing with Truman. He got his IVDD dx last week following an MRI.
She looks really hunched in that video.
-
just curious, have you contacted his breeder? maybe ask about other dogs in his lineage and if there have been similar problems. genetics do play some role and we know he has had the luxurious life of a regal pet for ever- btw, how old is Truman now?
The vet thinks it has everything to do with his lineage. He was bred to be super tall, lanky, thin, dinosaur spine. For all his prettiness, his anatomy is pretty unnatural. He's almost 6 now.
-
Just wanted to pop in and give an update on my big boy. For the past two weeks, we've been resting Truman and giving copious pain meds. He's no worse, but also no better. He's still yelping intermittently, struggling to lie down and get comfortable... looks noticeably hunched in the back end. He's just not himself at all.
We decided to move forward with the specialty clinic's neuro department and have an MRI done today. No doubt about it, IVDD. No indication of malignancy (fortunately) but the disc between C5-C6 is noticeably deteriorated. The one between C6-C7 is herniated and pinching his spinal cord. Neuro specialist wants us to try steroids for ten days, then taper off to see if the pain returns. He thinks Truman could be a good candidate for ventral slot surgery, although I do worry about the risks and the potential for "domino effect." Chiro treatments are out. Laser treatments would help stimulate the nerves healing, but he's very nervous and spooky at the vet. It took two people to lay him down, and even then, he acted like a bucking bronco. I think he'd be miserable if he had to go to the vet multiple times per week over a long period of time (and I'd also worry about him re-injuring himself during a freak out). Not exactly sure where we go from here, but I'm definitely worried. Poor Trumie.
-
Robaxin will be a huge benefit too. (Takes the spasms out). Fwiw cervical ivdd is pretty common with our guys and it's typically managed well with meds.
I also have a hard time believing they found a disc issue with rads alone.
She showed me (granted, this is an emergency vet, not
a radiologist), there is no clean pocket of space between C5 and C6. They looked like they were touching. All of his other ones in his back and neck had nice, dark spaces. But only the MRI will say for sure. Has that been your experience, Tracy?
-
Okay, x-rays are back. Definitely his neck. Looks like there's compression in the one disc. They're going to get him a good combination of meds (Rimadyl, Tramadol, Gabapentin), then we monitor for five days. If no improvement, they'll refer to neurology and MRI. Talked about IVDD and some other less likely possibilities. She said I could have him admitted and do the MRI tomorrow morning, but he's pretty exhausted and worked up. I'm going to take him home for now.
-
At e-vet now. Just noticing that he's avoiding shaking off. He'll only try to do it very gingerly. Definitely thinking neck or back.
-
It's been awhile since I've been on here, but I'm coming for help for my boy, Truman. Last week, he became what I can only describe as painful and yelpy. He yelps out, sometimes when getting up or lying down, and other times when walking or standing. I can't nail down a definite pattern. There is also no discernable point of injury- I've checked legs, paw pads, toes, nails. Manipulated them all, no swelling or limping. Something seems a little 'off' to me with his gait, but it's not very noticeable to the naked eye.
I was immediately concerned about TBD, since we've been hiking and the tick situation is horrible this year. I was traveling for work all week, so Sterling took him to the vet. No evidence of TBD, but she did agree that something is making him painful. He would not allow the x-rays, so we ran pre-sedation bloodwork and agreed to schedule for a week out. She wanted to try him on Rimadyl for a week to see if that made a difference. Well... I got home today (after being gone since Sunday), and he seemed worse. He was shaking a bit when I touched him, then peed on the floor.
Probably going to take him to the e-vet tonight, just because I don't want him to be in pain the whole weekend. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience, and if so, what should I be looking for?
Thanks in advance from me and Trumie.
-
Mark... I haven't been on Greytalk in awhile. I was so saddened to log-in today and see this. You did EVERYTHING possible for your sweet boy. I hope you can find some peace in knowing that you gave him the best life imaginable. Taylor reminded me so much of my Henry. First greyhound, diagnosed so young, embracing the tripod life and beating the odds. I'm sure Hen welcomed him across the bridge, and that they're running like lunatics, doing laps around all the four-legged greys. Hugs to you and Face.
-
Ah! Sorry guys! She gave us an antibiotic. That seemed to do the trick. Within 24 hours, I was able to take the bandage off and leave it open. It's looking a lot better now and had formed some new growth.
-
Well to answer Jen's question, YES, it is the exposed quick. Here's a pic of what it looked like when it first happened. The quick is just hanging out.
I called and requested an appointment at the vet. Earliest I can get in is Saturday, unless there's a cancellation.
-
Hahahahaha, Andrea! That's 100% the truth.
Hmm, I actually feared I wasn't changing his dressings enough. I've rewrapped it three times in two weeks and soaked it twice. I've tried without the bandages, but it starts bleeding again within an hour. Still looks very wet and raw.
He's in so much pain from it, he actually GSOD'd and tried to bite me last night. I'll probably just take him back and ask to have it removed. Tracy, can they do that with a local?
-
It still continues to bleed and ooze like that after two weeks. Does that sound normal?
-
Wolf tore his dew claw recently. Took him to the vet who tore the rest of the nail out, until just the quick was exposed. She wrapped it and suggested keeping it wrapped for about a week or so. I followed those instructions, but every time I try to take the bandage off, it starts bleeding all over the place (not a gusher, just streaks of blood on the floor and on the dog beds. It's enough that I wrap it again. It sure seems to hurt him, but he lets me put his foot in the bucket and do an epsom salt soak every couple or days. But I can't even tell if it's getting better or worse.
If anyone can take look at these pics and explain to me what I should be looking for...
This is what it looks like when I change the bandage. Still a lot of blood and drainage. Doesn't appear hot or pus-filled.
At what point do I give up on this song and dance and get the dew claw removed?
-
I'm not gonna belabor the point, but a martingale with a half-check chain isn't a punishment collar. Maybe I didn't explain that correctly. They do not tighten up any more than a regular martingale. I've actually sold martingale-chain collars to greyhound adoption groups on wholesale (that's what they like to use for hounds right off the track who don't have leash manners yet). Maybe CollarTown or Dog Collars by Design or Dogs By the Bay can back me up if they see this.
-
Personally, I would NEVER leave a half-chain martingale or a full chain collar on any dog full time.
Agreed. The same can be said for regular martingales too. One of my friend's greyhounds pulled the jump ring from her tags through a toe because she got it stuck while scratching her neck. Flukey things can happen at anytime with any type of collar.
-
I make collars with both, it just depends on the dog's behavior on leash. The half check chains on martingales are very nice for heavy pullers. It makes the collar more durable. With a fabric control loop, the continued friction of the fabric against metal when a dog is pulling heavily causes the fabric to twist and tear. There's nothing uncomfortable about the chains, by the way. Truman wears them from time to time.
ETA, a regular choke chain and a martingale with a half check chain are different, if I didn't make that clear. Here's a side by side- the chain only closes up to a certain point.
-
Awww! You guys are the BEST.
-
A few more cute buckle collars for sale. As for sighthounds go, these can be used as tag collars (in the house, in addition to a harness or martingale). For all other breeds, they're durable with stainless steel buckles and hardware and perfect for walking on leash. $15 a piece, free shipping on two or more. PM me for details.
-
I'm so glad he's doing well at this stage in the game. -
Sorry! That was literally the first one to go.
-
Hey all! I have some pre-made greyhound-sized collars I'm trying to unload. Free shipping on two or more. Any interest?
First pic is 1.5" width, second pic are all 2".
-
I am so sorry for your loss. He looked like a sweetheart. -
Thanks, everyone. JB was a dear friend of ours. He was the sweetest greyhound, not a mean or snarky bone in his body. I asked Henry to meet him on the other side.
-
Posting for Rachel and Matt, for their boy, James.
Our sweet boy got his angel wings this morning. We helped him cross the rainbow bridge where he can run free and chase all the birds and butterflies he pleases. He was perfect, the absolute best dog. He was loved by many and we were lucky to have some of his closest friends with us when he passed. To say we will miss him is an understatement. Until we meet again, my love...
I'm so glad he's doing well at this stage in the game. 
I am so sorry for your loss. He looked like a sweetheart.
Ivdd/disc Issues
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
Did you say in the last post that she's been on a steroid? If so, there's a washout period before you can start the NSAIDs, so be aware of that. My vet is really big on alternative medicine (there's a vet chiropractor in the practice). However, he told us absolutely, 100% no chiro with suspected disc issues. The wrong adjustment can lead to nerve damage and/or paralysis. We currently have Truman on Gabapentin, Prednisone (tapering down), and Tramadol as needed, when he's particularly yelp-y or uncomfortable. We've already done the MRI and pinpointed the specific disc. Tuesday, we'll do a re-eval with the neurologist and probably schedule him for ventral slot surgery. It's my understanding that acupuncture and cold laser can help stimulate growth in the nerve when done regularly over time. Surgery is the only immediate, curative option (although there are plenty of risks and drawbacks there too).
Interested to know how you guys move forward. Seems like we're in the exact same boat.