Thanks To Frankys Mom for the Heat suggestion

DP · July 19, 2007, 10:43:48 AM

Dawn,
I want to thank you for all of your information on the IVDD and the suggestion for the heat wrap. I had thought that heat was not good for inflammation or swelling, I talked to the vets about the warm compresses and they normally do not recommend electric heating pads but the compresses might help the relax the muscles in his neck. I have one of those bean bag wraps that you heat up in the microwave but I don’t like using it because it smells like beans. It feels good but that bean smell after a while gets old. Champ, Smokey and I spent some time on the couch together yesterday evening. Smokey had wraped his body across my neck and Champ had the bean bag wrapped around his. Me with my "black and tan" wrap and Champ with his blue wrap. My husband and kids were laughing and thank goodness he couldn’t find a camera. It was a Kodak moment. We got in a good hour of rest and it was the first time that I saw Champ relax and he actually snored (I didn’t think I would miss that sound in my ear but I did and it was good to hear again.) He was much more relaxed when I put him back in his kennel. I now have an “I can’t get off the couch for an hour will you do the dishes Honey?” excuse for the next few weeks. It now appears that we have the right combination of meds (4 of them), injections and heat wraps to ease the pain in his neck and get him to relax. I want to thank you again for all of the information you all gave me and all of the support from the board when I was really stressing with the options.

Barb · July 19, 2007, 06:41:08 PM

It is always so stressful when our babies are hurting and we can't help. So glad you found something that helped !!! Brainstorming here is such a godsend - I always pick up great ideas ! Glad he was able to relax !

Frankys_mom · July 19, 2007, 07:23:54 PM

WHOO_HOO! I am sooo glad that the heat wrap is helping...... I could do a little dance, but no-one wants to see that

I really understand how you were feeling because I been through it too and remember feeling angry, scared, tired and helpless. I admit I was alittle concerned after my post because I didn't want to seem pushy orlike I was wrongly questionsing the doctors. They are the experts, but in the past I never questioned anything and I have since found my voice. Frank was misdiagnosed twice, first the IVDD then after two months of blood in his urine, a specialist found out he has cancer. I don't harbor any ill will towards the vet ands she still treats Delilah for routinue things, but I am not afraid to ask lots of questions or get a second opinion. Thankfully with surgery and chemo Franks cancer seems to be in remission and he is back to his fiesty self.
From your updated post, I understand why they don't want to do surgery.... it sounds like he has spondylosis (degenerative spinal arthritis) as well as IVDD. It sounds like you are giving him the best care! We will continue to send our prayers your way.
I agree with Barb's post... this board has been great to us and has cornered the market of knowledgable and caring people.

About adequan injections... it is an injectable form of glucosamine that is used to treat horses with degenerative joint disease and is being tried in dogs with IVDD. Its a big topic on DodgersList and the neurosurgeon suggested it for Frank when he seems to flare up in the winter, but we have been lucky so far pain-wise so we have not gone that route, yet.
There are massage techniques that the chiroppractor taught me to help relax Frank, but I'm not comfortable explaining the technique especially since Champ's problems are more complicated....but it wouldn't hurt to ask your vet.
Another thing you might want to check into is a cervical collar for when he is really agitated, so he can't twist his neck. They look a little scarey, I'll admit. I never used one but came across them when I was researching for Franky. I'll try to post some pictures...
Again I am really happy that things are getting better! Hang in there and never lose faith.
Dawn, Franky & Delilah

papbouv · July 19, 2007, 09:40:26 PM

If the beans smell bad and it maybe too heavy you can do the same thing with rice in a tube sock tied at the end.
Papbouv

LUVMYGUNNER · July 20, 2007, 07:49:01 AM

Glad you found something that works.

DP · July 20, 2007, 07:58:19 AM

Dawn, I don't remember the exact diagnosis but the vets did say that there was more going on with the joints and the bones along with the IVDD. We had another good evening and Champ is enjoying his bonding time with me on the couch. Smokey likes it too. When I pulled the wrap out of the microwave Champs tail was wagging full steam and he stood by the couch and waited for me to pick him up. I think this heat wrap thing might be one of those habbits that Champ will want to keep up with long after the flare up is over. The wrap is a 4 inch wide by 20 inch long tube of a flanel like material with 5 pockets filled with the beans. I lay it down on my lap and Champ like to lay his head on it. I then fold the sides over his neck and it looks like a thick scarf on his neck. It is not too heavy and the weight seems to be calming to Champ. I will try the tube sock with rice idea for myself but Champ appears to like the bean smell. I thought about putting som dried herbs in it but I am not sure what I would use, maybe eucalyptus or some other sooting scent that would mask the beans. I would probably end up with a spiced bean smell. :thinik: . Again I want to thank you all for the information and the encouragement!!!

Roberta · July 20, 2007, 10:57:45 PM

Why not try lavender oil.

Teresa · July 21, 2007, 12:22:24 PM

Some of the malls have one of the kiosks that sell the rice or buckwheat type wraps that also have herbs in them. I know they have lavendar, and I'm going to look online to see what else they have. The advantage of the lavendar would be the relaxing quality. I'm so glad you found something that works. I love it that he was wagging his tail when he realized what you were doing. That is the best sign of all that this is working!! What a relief for you, too!

DP · July 23, 2007, 11:23:53 AM

We have been doing the wrap for a couple of days now and I think the tail wagging is from the fact that Champ knows he is out of the crate for about an hour and he gets to lay beside me for that hour on the couch. We have tapered down both the Valium and the steroids and the pain is not returning. He will still be in the crate until the vet gives him the all clear. We will be eliminating the steroids by next week and that Valium by the week after. We only have one more week of the muscle relaxers and we were told to give Champ the pain med only when we see any indication of pain. So far Saturday was the last of the pain meds. Champ is so funny with the heat wrap around his neck. He just lays there on his back and every muscle in his body is totally!!!! relaxed. You can move his feet and they just flop in the air. He will only open one eye to look at you as if to say, "Are you done messing with my feet yet??? I need my beauty sleep!!" The kids even told Dad that Mom can't be bothered because Champ is sleeping needs his beauty sleep. So far so good but this heat wrap thing might last well past the crate rest just because the King wants it.