This post is intended as a handout to my clients for home care with their dog with management of IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). It is meant to be personalised for each patient so recommendations specific for your dog will be made at the time of the consultation.
Injury Prevention
This is super important. In the first 10 days we rest, out for toilet breaks, no couches to jump on/off, no owners beds to fall off. Non slip flooring is a must. If you can't keep off the couch and off slippery floors then you may need to crate your dog.
Following the initial rest period the recommendations for injury prevention are ongoing (no jumping off beds/couches, ongoing grip on floors). Please see post on slippery floors.
When lifting and carrying your dog take care to keep their spine straight. For small dogs support under front legs or chest and back legs or belly at the same time.
Rehabilitation Exercises
Following the initial period I don't recommend ongoing crate rest. We want to keep muscles active and minimise disuse and atrophy. However - see point above on injury prevention and a crate or playpen may be required when you cannot monitor your dog. You will be given a rehabilitation protocol to suit where your dog is at.
Initially the following exercises will be suitable for most dogs
Feather light circling touch of toe pads - this helps to build the connection between the brain and the feet. For dogs with a neck lesion do all 4 feet. If the disc issue is along the back then just the back legs may need this.
Toe squeezes - gentle squeezing of each of the toes helps to stimulate the acupuncture channels running to the toes. Concentrate across the nail base.
Gentle massage of legs - keeps the blood flowing, circulation active, move lymphatic waste, provides comfort and relief. See our post on massage. Avoid massaging of the back at this stage unless provided specific instructions.
Range of movement exercises - this is just extending and flexing (stretch and bend) the joints through the toes, ankles, knees and if appropriate hips in the back leg. If there is a disc lesion near the lumbo-sacral junction you need to be careful with hip extension. In the front leg toes, wrists, elbows and shoulders can be flexed and stretched. This helps to keep mobility in the joint and joint capsule, move joint fluid, prevent contraction of joints and also many of the benefits of massage.
Nursing Care
Ensure your dog is eating, able to get to water bowl to drink and urinating and defecating normally. If your dog is not urinating you need to see a vet urgently.
Your dog will need to be on padded bedding and turned regularly to stop getting pressure sores. If leaking urine or incontinent the disposable bluey sheets are helpful - these can be purchased a chemist. Reusable 'Brolly' sheets can also be used to help to keep your pet dry.
If you dog is walking they may need assistance to be taken out to the toilet. A harness such as a 'Help em Up' harness is a valuable tool to assist you, especially with larger dogs but also useful for smaller dog.
Urinary tract infections are not uncommon in dogs that are leaking urine - keep track of any unusual odours or blood in the urine.
Pain Relief
You will have been prescribed pain relief from either myself or your clinic vet. Some dogs don't tolerate all medications very well - let your prescribing vet know if there are changes in appetite, diarrhoea or constipation.
I generally try to wean non-steroidal anti-inflammatory once the initial pain has subsided and use other pain support such as gabapentin and chinese herbs. Non steroidal drug are helpful with initial pain, however will inhibit ongoing healing longer term.
If your dog has been having Berensa (or Librella) injections for arthritis these are contraindicated and need to be stopped. Berensa is a nerve growth factor antibody and we want all the nerve regeneration we can get.
Supplementation
You will be advised on supplements and chinese herbs as suited to your dog to promote nerve regeneration and disc repair.
With all supplements start with 1/4 of the prescribed dose and increase gradually over a few days to check they suit your dog. Slow down or stop if any looser stool, or even increase in farting etc.
Owner Self Care
Looking after a dog with IVDD is challenging, both emotionally and physically. Take care of your own back when assisting your dog. The 'Help Em Up' harness described above is worth the investment. I also recommend getting your own back regularly cared for from your osteo or chiro whilst you care for your dog. Also look after yourself emotionally - I have a post on self care here.
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