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Possible bulging disc for Gibbs


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So Gibbs had a normal game of fetch yesterday morning, just like he does 2 or 3 mornings a week. Ate breakfast, laid down for his mid-morning nap, got up when I called him, and then wouldn't move. When I got him to walk, it was evident that he was in a lot of pain - kind of hunch-backed, crab-walking, very reluctant to move at all.

 

I went to work, thinking he might just sort of snap out of it. He has before. Came home 6 hours later and he's just the same. Off we go to the E-vet.

 

Vet did a neuro physical exam, making sure all his reflexes are good, which they are. He did show some pronounced wincing when she pressed right around T12, so a tentative diagnosis of bulging disc at T12. Not doing an MRI just yet. Sent us home w/Tramadol and Gabapenten for 2 weeks, strict crate rest, etc. She recommended he get blood work done and then possibly start some anti-inflammatory med. We'll do that at our regular vet, saving some $.

 

He slept through the night, just gave him his second dose of pain med.

 

Oy. I need to find a ramp so he can get to the back yard, will be looking at some videos for activities I can train while he's in a crate or x-pen. Need to re-arrange my work schedule just a bit. I do have wonderful dog walkers, but he goes nuts with excitement when they visit. So, it's just me for at least 2 weeks.

 

I guess I just need some board mojo and sympathy for him, and general support for me. It was a long day yesterday.

 

Ruth and Gibbs

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Thanks, my friends. He's feeling much better w/a few doses of pain meds. I'm waiting to hear about contact info for a much recommended chiro. And I am aware that the meds are masking the pain, so he remains on strictly limited activity.

 

I was loaned a folding ramp. It fits in my car nicely, and will live most of the time on the back stairs. Neither Gibbs nor I liked lifting him up/down the stairs. A nice benefit of agility classes from last summer is that he's quite comfortable walking on ramp devices. I put it down in the living room, just to let him get used to it flat before we tried outside. He was on it practically before I had it stretched out - no problems outside, either.

 

Phew.

 

Ruth and Gibbs

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I'll do my research, you can be sure of that. Thanks for the input - I'm just glad he's calm and so far accepting the restricted activity.

 

The woman I took agility lessons from sent me a link to things you can teach a dog on crate rest, so we've got some fun stuff that's not taxing to do a few times a day.

 

Ruth & Gibbs

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Pupdate - he's now giving me the sad eyes, because he hasn't gotten to run around like a nutcase for, gasp! Almost Two Whole DAYS!

 

The pain is well managed, he's walking with almost a normal gait, eliminating w/no problem, (Friday he wouldn't even lift his leg to pee, his back hurt so much) and the appetite is not suffering at all.

 

I'm doing some of the trick training that my friend Karen suggested - all things that he can lay down and do with very little motion. He's actually pretty calm, I'm sure the sedating effect of the pain meds is working in my favor.

 

And I was shocked to learn that he's gained 4 lbs! So his total intake is now lowered by about 20%, measured out and that includes training treats. I've been a careless dog owner, but no longer.

 

More news as it occurs - Gibbs sends a "Thank you" woo wooooooo to all who are sending us good mojo.

 

Ruth and Gibbs

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