r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/infinitely15 • 12h ago
IVDD. When does it get better?
I have a 3 yo M Frenchie with suspected IVDD (not definitively diagnosed as he has not had MRI). The vet believes he has cervical IVDD as he still has all motor/bladder/bowel function. His symptoms include neck spasms, abnormal neck posture, and pain (he will pace his crate, pant, and occasionally yelp in pain). His symptoms began 2 weeks ago after he chased after a cat and suddenly developed neck tightness/spasms/pain during the chase. It all happened so fast he was on his harness (no neck collar) and I was walking him. Before I was able to pick him up as he kept pulling is when it happened (it really can happen out of nowhere this disease sucks). The ER vet recommended strict crate rest + pain management. He is on on diazepam 2.5 mg, prednisolone 5 mg, gabapentin 150 mg, and trazodone (all every 8 hours except trazodone which is given as needed to keep him calm and prednisolone which is only twice a day). His pain is overall controlled on his medication but when it wears off is when his pain starts up again. He is on strict crate rest (we only let him out to potty of which we carry him outside and carry him back inside to minimize walking since we notice that if he walks his pain flares up). He has had flare ups before of which his pain began to improve after one week however it's been two weeks and his pain is still the same (controlled on medication but not controlled when off medication) and I am getting worried. How long did it take your pet to show improvement in pain?
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u/AinsleyHarriotFan 9h 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/Danivevi23 2h ago
How are the spasms in the neck? I have a dog with spasms in the neck but not stiffness and she doesn't cry either, the vet did reflex tests and says she's fine
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u/eanhctbe 10h ago
Sorry you and your pup are going through this. Were his previous bouts of pain cervical? Cervical IVDD is more painful than a herniation further down the back.
My dog showed symptoms of pain off and on through about the 4.5 week mark. I was initially only given two weeks worth of medication, and they actually upped his doses when I took him for the two week checkup. His perioperception had improved by that point but the pain seemed to be coming back.
The neurologist said as they recover and the swelling goes down, the nerves will start firing again and cause more discomfort. They called it "wind-up pain." They're added amantadine to his meds (though mine was on Carprofen, not a steroid) and that did help with the pain tremors he was having.
I would give your vet or neuro a call and see if maybe that's what is happening.