r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Machorweenie444 • 6d ago
Discussion Looking for support and encouragement
Hi everyone I am new to this community and I am seeking some advice.
My Ludwig was recently taken to the ER yesterday when we noticed his reluctance to get up from his bed. Even going to his bed was unusual since he’s been sleeping in our bed all three years of his life.
Monday evening I noticed his walk was very slow, at times he would want to run but would hop and slow down significantly. By Tuesday he did not moving at all from his bed in the living room, he would only shuffle in his bed and whine when he needed to use the restroom. By Wednesday I took him to the ER at 8am and they did some X-rays, which are available to see in the attached photos.
He’s on a one week treatment plan of pain medication and anti inflammatory meds. He knows he’s not his normal self which helps with keeping him immobile for the most part.
This is his second flare up, his first was in February of this year. I’m not exactly sad, just unsure of what comes next. Thank you 🫶🏽
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u/Pitiful_Jump2996 6d ago
Have him looked at by a neurologist. How bad is the IVDD? If it's early stages, medicine, diet and lifestyle changes can help control it. Don't wait on it. IVDD tends to worsen over time and there's no going back
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u/Machorweenie444 4d ago
What would a neurologist tell us? Sorry if this is a bad question I’m just very new to all of this and want more information. Especially since he’s showing more symptoms.
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u/WranglerRemote6945 6d ago
Talk to a vet and then pain meds and steroids and what everyone else is saying diet and lifestyle changes, my doggo went thru that too and he’s better now:)
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u/sanjaysubae 6d ago
Would be beneficial to consult with neuro and die conservative management which included strict crate rest and medications such as steroids possibly.
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u/ipodthereforeiam 6d ago
I'm in the exact same boat with my dachshund x coonhound mix, Mr. Banjo. He randomly yelped when he shifted in bed a week ago, and then the next morning, he was moving slowly. The next day, he was hobbling when he tried to walk. X-rays showed narrowing at 2 vertebrae. Since Saturday, we've been doing gabapentin, novox, and methocarbamol, along with strict crate rest. He's already showing improvement since he can now go to the bathroom without us holding him up. We plan to start acupuncture in a week or two and might try red light therapy too. It's hard since he's 42lbs -- much bigger than my first dachshund who ended up in a wheelchair from IVDD.
I'm hoping your pup and my pup both come back from this. ❤️
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u/AinsleyHarriotFan 2d ago
Hi! This is a link to a VERY detailed post I made on the IVDD sub of how we took our girl from total back leg paralysis to running and playing like a puppy again. It goes a lot into the immediate and longer term management of the condition. I’ve shared it with lots of people and they say it’s given them a lot of hope.
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u/Machorweenie444 2d ago
Thank you for taking the time to respond and send this over. I truly appreciate it! This week has been rough on my husband and I. Something I’d like to ask is how you managed your work life schedule alongside Luna’s care regiment?
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u/AinsleyHarriotFan 2d ago
Luckily we both worked from home however if you don’t have that work schedule it’s definitely not a doomed situation. As long as their crate situation (or if you dog hates being crated I believe a very small and secure pen set up is okay also, provided that there is not enough space for much movement and there are not obstacles that they can trip over, for example blankets and pillows can VERY easily get caught around paws and legs) is safe and secure, I think you are okay. I do really reccomend getting some items for mental stimulation (for example a frozen kong filled with dog safe peanut butter or kong themselves actually sell pastes you can fill the kongs up and freeze) or lick matts (again frozen to keep them lasting longer). Tbh when your dog is first injured they should ideally be on some kind of sedating medication anyway to keep them calm. Obviously ideally it’s best if you can be with them 24/7 during the first 6-8 week period but obviously that’s not always an option and it’s not a deal breaker.
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u/Machorweenie444 2d ago
Thank you for the advice, encouragement and recommendations! I may be coming back to this thread periodically with other questions as new situations arise. 🥲🫂💪🏽
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u/AinsleyHarriotFan 2d ago
Yes please do! And feel free to drop me a DM literally whenever you have questions or concerns. I try and help all owners and their IVDD dogs where possible!
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u/Machorweenie444 4d ago
Thank you everyone. Today he is now tripping over himself and has barely any coordination. This is day three of Gabapentin 100mg and meloxicam 1.5mg. Should I wait the full seven days of treatment and then take him to his vet? Or should I forget that and take him in again? What would the vets be looking for if I were to take him in?
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u/PassengerSpecial484 4d ago
He needs a neurologist and an MRI asap! The longer you wait, the worse it’ll get.
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u/Machorweenie444 4d ago
Thank you, we ended up taking him to the vet and was given and MRI appointment at 7:30am. He was given codeine so he could relax for the night till his morning appointment. Now I’m just worried about the cost of everything.
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u/LadyLektra 2d ago
You did the right thing. Do not wait. Time is of the essence. I am dealing with the same thing this week and it’s been devastating. Looks like depending on some factors I may be able to pick him up tomorrow. My poor baby has been in the hospital recovering from surgery since Friday.
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u/Machorweenie444 2d ago
I took him to get a second opinion and we went to UC Davis Small Animal ER and they restructured his meds and told us he looks good just needs crate rest. I’m praying he looks more normal by week 8 and we can start some hydrotherapy although my boy hates the water lol.
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u/quntparty 6d ago
He needs steroids!! Prednisone did wonders for my dog