Here we go again :verdict: Same song different verse. This time it is the little clueless one (the epileptic one) who has IV DD in the back this time. Dr said it is mild at this point, not looking at surgery at this time, some rest and meds and he should be as good as new in about 6 weeks. Only ONE LARGE PROBLEM ........ ONE little dog who does not know the word rest. He has two speeds, asleep and full speed ahead. We have to hold the kennel door almost closed and grab his harness or he will run out and start his "back and forth" chasing that last for about 5 minutes until we can catch him and leash him for the walk. Have you ever tried to pick up a small dog that thinks you are playing a game with him??? What a headache!!!! The drugs the DR gave him are not calming him down but they have reduced the pain so that he thinks that life is great again! and the world is his racetrack!! I wish the DR would have given him the Valium. She said that the back is not as painfull as the neck so the clueless energetic one does not need it for pain like the older dog did. DH took him for the appointment, I would have demanded the Valium for Smokey just so I could get him to rest. We are being vigilant about the crate and we have been able to keep him from going overboard but with the steroids for his back he wants to do everything all the way 100% full speed ahead. That does not mix well with the direction for crate rest. We have added a heating pad set on very low for Smokey in his kennel under the bed and he loves it. He will actually go in the kennel after he does his business outside in the cold. I would ask for rays for him but the way he is acting and what we have to do to keep him from running his fool head off, I think my DH, the kids and I need the rays more. Sorry about the long post, just needed to vent my frustration about this IV DD that these pups are prone to.
Oh no!! So sorry to hear that this dreaded disease has raised it's ugly head again in your family!!!! It is good that you are being strict on the crate rest...whatever happens, don't give in on that...remain firm! He should actually be in the crate 24/7 and only out to pee for about 5 minutes each time (allowing him to only go as far as his leash will permit) and then right back in the crate. Do you know about www.dodgerslist.com (http://www.dodgerslist.com)? If not, please join and you will receive all sorts of wonderful advice and information from some wonderful people......I feel for you and I feel your pain. Sending healing rays and prayers your way for not only your little boy but for your entire family....it is very stressful and tiring but you will get through it....Will be praying that he will not require surgery :pray: vent all you want...we will listen :thumb:
Oh no !!! It is so troubling to hear that one of our puppers is having problems. The very hardest part is keeping them down - sending rays, prayers and good thoughts that you can contain that pupper !!! Keep us posted please -
Oh No! I'm so sorry to hear this. I can relate with keeping them quiet! It is really hard!!!
How about Rescue Remedy natural herbal type calming meds has been around forever some people have good luck with it?
Patches Mom
We have tried the rescue remedy and that helps Smokey when he is feeling anxious but it does not seem to slow him down. Instead of being anxious he is happy and a Happy Smokey is a Hoppy Smokey!! (We think he may be part rabbit, part mountain goat!!)
We only take him out of the kennel to do his business but even that can be a challenge because to him OUT = PLAY = JUMP = RUN. He is the CLUELESS!!! One after all. When we take him out of the kennel he gets SOOOO excited and you know what excitement means. A loss of bladder control. If you are holding him you will be christened by him. The ordeal means you have to approach the kennel with two people, one to man the door and grab the little rat by the harness and the other who is equipped with a towel to wrap him and then leash him. Have you ever tried to hold 9 lbs of pure excitement without hurting him???? Champ was easier because he was on the Valium and he tends to only exert himself if there is food to be had, type B personality. I do not know if the Valium would slow down Smokey though, he is the epitome of a type A personality.
Less than a week on the drugs and he is acting like nothing ever happened. At least he is responding to the treatment. X-rays indicated that there is no need for surgery at this time. Champ on the other hand took longer to respond. We will be continuing the crate rest and after the 6 weeks we will be blocking the dogs in the kitchen so that the clueless one will not use the furniture in the rest of the house as his personal launching pads. We could not build enough ramps to keep him from jumping off all of the beds, couches and chairs that he likes to leap from.
We have been working on training but with these two there do not seem to be enough hours in the day and Smokey does not seem to care about treats (We still question the fact that his papers say dachshund) so that has not been working well with the training to stay off the furniture. He loves to be up high so the back of the couches and chairs are his favorite spots. The kitchen does not have the launching pads for him to jump on or off of so that is where the Clueless One and the Fat Boy will be banished to.
It is not as scary this time as when Champ had his issues, and Smokey is responding well to the meds. Dr thinks he will do just fine we will just have to watch the jumping. I told the DR that stopping Smokey from jumping is like telling the sun not to shine. We will be limiting his access to things he can leap off of.
I want to thank you all for your ray and suggestions and for listening to my venting!!!!!
I have Beans recovering from IVDD surgery on 1/3/08 on 24/7 crate confinement xcept for PT & potty outings. We use a leash AND a rear sling to keep him close, no running etc. Since he is paralyzed in the rear at this time, it is easier to control his movements, but may I suggest you try the sling under Smokey's belly/by rear legs to keep him close and not running. www.dodgerslist.com is a great site for IVDD help.