Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Please hit me with all the GT info that anyone has. I am in the hospital and have little web access. Please, any info....I am just in shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Is this a fancy name for a ruptured disc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Is she paralyzed or dragging feet or what? There are many treatments, most successful are non invasive (i.e., no to surgery) Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) From here http://www.dodgersli...ck_problem.html : (This info is from a dachshund site--apparently it's common in them.) Disc herniation/rupture is when the wall of the disc weakens allowing disc material to move into the spinal cord area. Pressure on the cord causes pain and loss of neuro functions such as leg use and bladder control. Symptoms, all or any one: General indications of pain. (shivering/trembling, not wanting to move, not wanting to eat, yelping, tightened tummy, nose to ground if a neck disc) Weakness or loss of ability to move legs. (dragging nails, wobbly walking) Emergency situation: loss of complete leg use or bladder/bowel control such as finding urine or poop in the bedding or leaks when you pick up the dog. Rapid loss of function in a matter of hours is also an indicator of an emergency. More information on the sequence of the disease and recovery. The another installment, the same site: The clock is ticking! Time is the spinal cord's enemy. Crate immediately. Limit the vertebrae and spine from moving. Movement causes the disc to leak and push more disc material onto the spinal cord. The result can be pain and paralysis. With haste get to a vet knowledgeable in IVDD. Immediately transport your dog carefully in a crate padded to keep the spine quiet. Your vet will rule out other things that mimic IVDD with x-rays or maybe blood tests. In addition, a neurological exam will help the vet pinpoint the likelyhood of a disc herniation. Board certified surgeons don't only treat surgically, if a dog is not ready for surgery or doesn't require surgery they are still the very best resource for medical treatment of IVDD as they see many cases of it daily. ACVIM neuro specialists/surgeons ACVS's list of ortho surgeons Also: "WARNING: Avoid chiropractic therapy with IVDD dog." Edited November 9, 2012 by KF_in_Georgia Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 She has left leg lameness. Not weight bearing. Vet says just to watch her for now. If she loses her legs under her, MRI. Right now she is in pred. No gaba for her. Plus she has seizures. Narrowing of the spinal column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Burpdog, like what???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Narrowing of the spinal colum sounds more like LS. I have had two dogs with big spine issues. When my yorkie had a ruptured disc he was the only non doxie of about 10 in the specialists waiting room. Later Rex had LS (narrowing of the spine) and also a ruptured smorle's nodule in his cervical vertabrae that finally got him. Please PM me if you wish and many good thoughts for you and Maddi. . Edited November 9, 2012 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Can you email Ohio State? Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Once i am out of the hospital, i will have my vet send all reports and xrays. I just need to know that she can live with this; quality life still. She just turned nine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 As far as gabapentin-I'm confused why you are advised not to use te medication. Gabapentin is used to help control seizures in humans-don't see why you wouldn't be able to use it with your hound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 My vet has had too many bad experiences with greys on it and is highly recommending against it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 IVDD is fairly uncommon in greyhounds. X-rays might lead to a suspicion of IVDD, but a definitive diagnosis usually can't made without a myelogram, CT, or MRI. Treatment recommendations are usually based on the severity of clinical signs. Signs can range from mild discomfort to complete paralysis. Is the only problem your dog is having a non-weight-bearing lameness of her left (rear?) leg? Need more info about why your vet thinks it's IVDD. Is she on anything besides pred? Nothing for pain? I usually treat suspected cases of back pain/IVDD with a combination of pred, tramadol (pain med), and methocarbamol (muscle relaxer). If this is really IVDD, and especially if it's a mild case (ie. mostly just pain and no weakness or paralysis) it tends to be an acute episode that can resolve with restricted activity and meds. The problem may recur, but the dog is usually fine in between episodes. What kind of bad experiences has your vet had with greys on gabapentin? You just have to read the osteo thread to see how many greys have benefited from and do just fine on gabapentin. It's fairly rare for any dog, greyhounds included, to have a bad reaction to it. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Agreed with above--gabapentin is know to be extremely safe-in fact it can be given in combo with other medications and the dosage can be tailored to your dogs specific needs. The only temporary side effect that has been noted is they can get a bit wonky on it initially until the body adjusts--therefore it is beneficial to start with a lower dose and then increase as needed. I know you mentioned that you are hospitalized yourself right now but, when able may you should seek a second opinion-perhaps with a specialist? Hope you both feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 IVDD is fairly uncommon in greyhounds. X-rays might lead to a suspicion of IVDD, but a definitive diagnosis usually can't made without a myelogram, CT, or MRI. Treatment recommendations are usually based on the severity of clinical signs. Signs can range from mild discomfort to complete paralysis. Is the only problem your dog is having a non-weight-bearing lameness of her left (rear?) leg? Need more info about why your vet thinks it's IVDD. Is she on anything besides pred? Nothing for pain? I usually treat suspected cases of back pain/IVDD with a combination of pred, tramadol (pain med), and methocarbamol (muscle relaxer). If this is really IVDD, and especially if it's a mild case (ie. mostly just pain and no weakness or paralysis) it tends to be an acute episode that can resolve with restricted activity and meds. The problem may recur, but the dog is usually fine in between episodes. What kind of bad experiences has your vet had with greys on gabapentin? You just have to read the osteo thread to see how many greys have benefited from and do just fine on gabapentin. It's fairly rare for any dog, greyhounds included, to have a bad reaction to it. Cash had IVDD. This is exactly the experience I had with it-a wonderful description. Only comment is to remember that it is CRITICAL to RESTRICT THEIR MOVEMENT as much as you can for several weeks. Could be the difference between recovering or being paralyzed. That and be carefull of the methocarbamol dosage if you use that-too much might relax the muscles too much allowing the disc to be injured further. Even if their muscles are "tight" and painful that could be a better alternative because it could be natures way of keeping the disc from being injured further while it heals and the end result of further disc damge by bypassing that with meds could be paralysis and death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Acupuncture definetely will help. I can't remember hearing anything bad about the gabepentin. My alternative vet (who has more letters after her name than the alphabet) has suggested it for Isaac. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Ok, so she is doing tremendously on the pred. The hard part is keeping her still. Lol she acts like a two year old. Seems this lameness bout is over for now. We need to keep a close watch, monitor and id like to start acupuncture asap. I guess the xrays show what is happening, but we still have lots of time to treat and be pro-active, which we will. I just needed to know our baby had a good quality life ahead of her. All of the info posted helped tremendously and i now feel a sense of hope for her and whatever changes come. Thanks again, GT'rs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Thinking of you both Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grandmagrey Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Thinking of you ... Gabapentin is used in humans and canines for nerve pain especially in legs. Ive seen this med work wonders in chronic pain pts w disc disease. (I'm an RN) Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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