spinal fusion
spinal fusion
After visits with an ortho vet and xrays, it was determined that Hope's spine is fusing which is the cause of her pain and leaving her unable to walk. Since my last message, she has been treated medications, and she is now up and walking slowly, with a slight limp and only for short periods. Then, this weekend, I noticed worms in her stool. We went back to the vet who originally treated her (he and ortho vet are partners) and he prescribed 5 tablets of droncit yesterday to be taken all at the same time. She was up all night moaning, and has been standing up only most of the day. She will not eat or drink. I have looked on line for side effects of droncit, yet there seems to be very little information on this. Does anyone know if this med could be causing other discomforts which would make lying down uncomfortable? Also, after praising Hopes original vet here in the Outer Banks, I must say he was rude yesterday, not listening to my question: now that Hope has finished her deramaxx will she need another prescription or is this a wait and see process. I left there very disturbed and upset. He was very short and distant that we were back again. I will maintain visits with the ortho vet in this office, however I will make it known to him how rude our original vet was and make it a point not to see him again. He is paid very nicely at each visit, I make it a point not to be a pest to anyone, however, Hopes comfort is very important to me. Thank you to all who respond. Mari
Re: spinal fusion
i just wonder it low dosage of prednisone might not be better then the derqmax..., ie an initial injecteion then followed up witha very low dose of pred also maybe in conjunction occaisionally with aspirin....once the dosage is set it works for a long time .....but how can you tell your vet you want to try it?????some vets are stubbern.i assume when you say fusion it is probably what i called bridging spondylits ...and once it fuses there is less pain....
Re: spinal fusion
Droncit is dosed by weight, and by starting dose of the tablet (i.e., 23 mg, 34 mg tablet). I'd call the vet and confirm the dosage was correct according to her weight. Side effects of droncit are rare, but vomiting, anorexia and diarrhea could occur at high doses. In the immediate sense, I would offer her water, and a very bland diet in small amounts within the next 24 hours, but do call your vet regardless.
You need to ask the ortho vet about the continuation of the deramax, he's the only one who can advise, based on her condition, response. I would suggest a blood check on her liver and kidney values however, while on these medications and since you said she had been on Rimadyl for several months.
The panting and excessive thirst you mentioned before may not be exclusive to the prednisone.....while thirst is increased with this medication, the panting could have been a result of pain, discomfort or nervousness.
As for the treatment you recieved yesterday, I'd take that up specifically with the vet who you saw (or the clinic manager), if you require his services at a later time and you have a bad relationship between you, this could spell disaster for any future care. At least voice your concern, it may be he would explain his behavior, offer an apology, whatever....if he doesn't, or seems perturbed by your comments, then leave it be and be sure to look for a new vet you're comfortable with who will be your primary vet. (if your vets are on rotation schedules, you may not always be able to see your ortho vet).
You need to ask the ortho vet about the continuation of the deramax, he's the only one who can advise, based on her condition, response. I would suggest a blood check on her liver and kidney values however, while on these medications and since you said she had been on Rimadyl for several months.
The panting and excessive thirst you mentioned before may not be exclusive to the prednisone.....while thirst is increased with this medication, the panting could have been a result of pain, discomfort or nervousness.
As for the treatment you recieved yesterday, I'd take that up specifically with the vet who you saw (or the clinic manager), if you require his services at a later time and you have a bad relationship between you, this could spell disaster for any future care. At least voice your concern, it may be he would explain his behavior, offer an apology, whatever....if he doesn't, or seems perturbed by your comments, then leave it be and be sure to look for a new vet you're comfortable with who will be your primary vet. (if your vets are on rotation schedules, you may not always be able to see your ortho vet).
..........Traci
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Jess in CA
Re: spinal fusion
Not sure if this will help or not, but I happened to have this info:
If a dog has spinal degeneration, many symptoms and pain can be eliminated in 8 weeks on a program from a California vet, Dr. Wendell Belfield (www.belfield.com) then click on Orthomolecular Specialties.
If the dog has spondylosis (fusion of the vertebra in the spine), the same program can get up to 85% relief of symptoms in 8 weeks. This is a lifetime program for the dogs. As long as they remain on it they will do well.
and I had this saved on my HD too, hope Diane doesn't mind my cross-posting:
Here's my spondyliosis story,,Kodi, my 7 year old GSD, (who is huge, 125lb,32"at shoulders) was losing control of his rear legs back in August, I thought, as vet did, he had injured himself, running around..within 3 weeks it was in fact worse, soo we xrayed..His hips are excellent, however, 1/4 of his spine had "fused" together, cutting off the nerves to his rear legs, thus resulting in his loss of mobility..At this point, with him being soo bad, I seriously thought of putting him down, his rear legs would "flop" out
from under him, he wasn't putting weight on one rear leg at all, running was very sad to watch..Anyhow I am not one to "give up" when vet says no cure, he'll be paralyzed in a month..I started him on Rimadyl(And I know the risks, at this point he'd be paralyzed
before the Rimadyl did anything to him) which didn't help much, I tried a couple of homeopathic remedies with a little improvement but I wanted more...I say Carol's post re: Dr. Belfields' plan and decided it couldn't hurt, so,,put him on 3000mg of Vitamin C, 800iu of Vitamin E, Theralin VMP(a multivitamin), Brewers Yeast(for Vit B), Glycoflex and Pain Free(which is 500mg of chondroitan & 400mgof glucosamine)..Within a month
I was seeing definite improvement..Now 6mths later, my vet is amazed,,he walks on all fours, and so little "flopping" its not worth mentioning, runs like an idiot, climbs stairs
...I am not saying he is "perfectly normal" but he has a quality of life he didn't have prior to this "immune booster"..He was never in pain from what I am told and surgery was not an option for Kodi's condition..I
also would like to mention, Kodi suffered from constant yeast/staph ear infections. For YEARS this dog had to have his ears cleaned and medicated atleast once a week,,no allergies from all the testing, just small ear canals, anyhow, since he began taking these supplements, I haven't had to touch that dogs ears in months,,a record for him.. Just Kodi's experience and he's thriving..Good luck with your pooch
Diane @ Jakoda Acres
I hope this helps in some way.
Jess
If a dog has spinal degeneration, many symptoms and pain can be eliminated in 8 weeks on a program from a California vet, Dr. Wendell Belfield (www.belfield.com) then click on Orthomolecular Specialties.
If the dog has spondylosis (fusion of the vertebra in the spine), the same program can get up to 85% relief of symptoms in 8 weeks. This is a lifetime program for the dogs. As long as they remain on it they will do well.
and I had this saved on my HD too, hope Diane doesn't mind my cross-posting:
Here's my spondyliosis story,,Kodi, my 7 year old GSD, (who is huge, 125lb,32"at shoulders) was losing control of his rear legs back in August, I thought, as vet did, he had injured himself, running around..within 3 weeks it was in fact worse, soo we xrayed..His hips are excellent, however, 1/4 of his spine had "fused" together, cutting off the nerves to his rear legs, thus resulting in his loss of mobility..At this point, with him being soo bad, I seriously thought of putting him down, his rear legs would "flop" out
from under him, he wasn't putting weight on one rear leg at all, running was very sad to watch..Anyhow I am not one to "give up" when vet says no cure, he'll be paralyzed in a month..I started him on Rimadyl(And I know the risks, at this point he'd be paralyzed
before the Rimadyl did anything to him) which didn't help much, I tried a couple of homeopathic remedies with a little improvement but I wanted more...I say Carol's post re: Dr. Belfields' plan and decided it couldn't hurt, so,,put him on 3000mg of Vitamin C, 800iu of Vitamin E, Theralin VMP(a multivitamin), Brewers Yeast(for Vit B), Glycoflex and Pain Free(which is 500mg of chondroitan & 400mgof glucosamine)..Within a month
I was seeing definite improvement..Now 6mths later, my vet is amazed,,he walks on all fours, and so little "flopping" its not worth mentioning, runs like an idiot, climbs stairs
...I am not saying he is "perfectly normal" but he has a quality of life he didn't have prior to this "immune booster"..He was never in pain from what I am told and surgery was not an option for Kodi's condition..I
also would like to mention, Kodi suffered from constant yeast/staph ear infections. For YEARS this dog had to have his ears cleaned and medicated atleast once a week,,no allergies from all the testing, just small ear canals, anyhow, since he began taking these supplements, I haven't had to touch that dogs ears in months,,a record for him.. Just Kodi's experience and he's thriving..Good luck with your pooch
Diane @ Jakoda Acres
I hope this helps in some way.
Jess