It’s been 48 hours since Dandy’s visit to the specialist. Dr Rushing had recommended a CT scan and immediate surgery, since it is very likely that Dandy has had a recurrence of a herniated disc. However, the prohibitive cost of both items plus the timing of the last surgery (it’s only been about 10 months) has eliminated surgery as an option. Dr Rushing has therefore prescribed the alternative, medical management. This is often known as the conservative approach to treating IVDD; the doc suggested that the success rate is 50/50 if going this route. Given the quoted cost of $4100 for surgery and hospitalization, medical management is the only option at this time.

Dandy is still mobile however. She still has deep pain sensation and is able to eliminate normally; it is only her gait and speed that has changed. She does whimper/whine when she is experiencing pain or discomfort more than usual. The doc prescribed Tramadol (for pain and swelling) and Gebapentin (for neuropathic pain). We are looking at 4 weeks of crate rest and restricted activity. The IVDD resource recommends 8 weeks of crate rest. So it will be a long wait to see if Dandy can recover from this second onset of IVDD.

She is again residing in a split crate with Doogie; and she has to be carried everywhere, including outside to potty. She has seemingly accepted this treatment and willingly gone along with it. I think she needs the human contact most especially, since she is definitely anxious with what is going on with her body. Of course, being the typical food lover that she is, her appetite has not been affected in the least bit.