Emergency Nerve Damage Info
Limiting Nerve Damage
Hours matter with first sign of any nerve damage to get vet help. Nerve damage causes loss of neuro function, legs wobbly, paralyzed, etc. Quick owner action to immediately crate their dog at first suspicion of a disc episode can help to prevent nerve damage. Crating limits movement of the neck and back. Reducing pressure of moving vertebrae to a suspected bad disc is to prevent the disc from tearing and causing severe spinal cord damage.How a disc damages the spinal cord
Hours matter with spinal cord damage
Take quick action to get your dog to the vet for a confirmed diagnosis and starting meds. The right diagnosis and the right medications just as soon as possible means protection for the spinal cord with IVDD! The sooner medications are on board the sooner healing can get underway, pain be brought under control and deterioration of neuro functions be avoided. For the trip to the vet, roll up a blanket to stabilize your dog’s spine in his crate during braking and coming to stops.
Classes of anti-inflammatory drugs: Steroid or non-steroid
Either a steroid or a non-steroid (NSAID) would be prescribed. Expect swelling/inflammation reduction in the spinal cord may take anywhere from 7-30 days before it has been resolved. Your vet will also prescribe pain meds to provide round the clock comfort from pain until it has been proved all inflammation is gone.
Steroids vs. non-steroid (NSAIDS)
Recommended readings
- More about the order of nerve healing and expectations: What Neuro surgeons say: https://dodgerslist.com/2021/02/06/nerve-healing-after-disc-episode/
- Why there is quality of life: https://dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/hope-quality-life
- Important for all owners to understand anti-inflammatory drugs as used during a disc episode plus have clarity on the pros and cons of the several stomach protectors products on the market: https://dodgerslist.com/2020/04/18/steroids-vs-nsaids/