IVDD?,Prednisolone,Robaxin cause bloody diarrhea
 

My otherwise healthy baby Annie (6yrs) was diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) 2 days ago and given Prednisone & Robaxin. Dr. said she has to be in her crate, or on my lap being perfectly still for 3 weeks.

Her symptoms were limping and screaming if she got her shoulder or back out of place while trying to walk. She didn't want to play, or jump, or walk very much and there was an occasional yelp from pain. I had been trying to keep her still, thinking she jumped off the sofa and hurt her leg or shoulder for a few days prior. Then two days ago she had been lying on her pillow napping and she woke up and tried to stand up. The loudest, most pitiful scream she gave while trying to run down the hall towards me. I picked her up, called the vet and took her in for a check.

That's when the Dr. did an Xray and told me she had IVDD and it could end up with her becoming partially paralyzed or worse, if she injured it further by wrong movement. Dr. also gave her Prednisolone and Robaxin. I kept her still and quiet the whole next day and she was eating and pottying just fine. But last night she had bloody diarrhea all night long. Poor thing, I felt so sorry for her. She walks with a stiff back and then tries to squat to poop and I can tell it hurts her. I went ahead and fed her a little this a.m., but have not given her any more medicines until we hear from the Vet this morning when they open.

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever heard of IVDD (nobody I know has heard of it) and was it a wrong diagnosis, or is it easy to diagnose? Anyone know if Prednisolone or Robaxin could be what cause diarrhea?

She's finally sleeping on my lap right now...precious. I'm just so scared. :(

Thank you for any info. :)
Emmy

You need to call your vet and let him know what is going on.

# Adverse effects [of prednisone]include increased thirst and appetite, panting, vomiting, restlessness and diarrhea.

# Some animals may develop stomach ulcers from prednisone use.

Prednisone / Prednisolone

Thanks Ladymom, yes I had already called my Vet when I posted previously and was waiting for her return call.

She called back and her reply was to lower the dosage of prednisone and also take Imodium.

I sure hope this works. :confused:

I hope your baby feels better soon. If Annie continues to show worsening problems I would get her to a specialist or an ER hospital.

Thank you Patti :)

I am watching her constantly, all day, every day and if she shows the slightest sign of getting worse, I'll get her more and better help. So far though, she has stopped having diarrhea. So either taking half dose of the Prednisone or the little bit of Imodium helped. Not sure which one, so maybe both.

I feel a little bit of relief. Now if we can both get a few hours of sleep tonight.....we will be doing lots better.

Poor baby! Sending hugs and kisses for her to feel better soon! It sounds so painful! Let us know how she's doing.

Thanks for your concerns. :)
After starting the Imodium and lowering to 1/2 dose of her Prednisone, she is doing better as far as the poop, but last night she whined a lot. I kept getting her up to see if it was an emergency.....but I think she was just lonely, or hurting. :(
xox

You might call your vet and let him know about the whinning. Maybe she is in pain. Poor Baby. Hope she feels better soon.

Yes, I certainly will. Thank you Manolo's Mom. :)

FYI for anyone interested, I just found this site about IVDD. What an awesome website, telling us every single thing to do and how to do it, when our babies get it.

Crate Rest Recovery Process

or just go to Dodgerslist Home Page


It says it can happen to Shih Tzus and Yorkies as well as Dachsunds.

I recently went through this with one of my fosters. She too was put on prednisone and was on crate rest. She is fine now.
I am sure your vet told you....if they start to show any increased neurological symptoms it is an emergency and they need to be taken to a specialist immrediately.
Hopefully, your little Annie will recover without any problems! :)

Thank you LadyJane! :)
It's so nice to hear your baby made it through this ok. How long was she on crate rest?

About this: "I am sure your vet told you....if they start to show any increased neurological symptoms it is an emergency and they need to be taken to a specialist immediately."

No, my Vet didn't tell me that! I think she's rather new at her position and maybe she just forgot.

Annie's already acting spacey, but that's the drugs I think. Thank you for this info. I'm really watching her (and she's really watching me lol). I just hope I don't do anything wrong, or anything to injure her further.

Sometimes they do not respond to steroids and do need surgery. I had that happen to one of my pups years ago. He had surgery at Texas A&M and recovered. Just watch for any weakness in her limbs. That would be a sign that she is having increased problems. This can lead to paralysis, so at the first sign of any problems walking, they need to be seen immediately. Once they lose the deep pain reflex, the chances of surgery being successful go down considerably.

Heidi was on crate rest for about a week and a half. She responded quickly to the meds. She also is a fairly quiet girl anyway, so letting her be out of the crate was not an issue. She does not jump on and off of furniture.

Oh my gosh LadyJane thank you for the info...she falls sometimes...it's like her leg (I think it's a different leg sometimes) just gives way, but she catches herself. I'm sort of worried now! I thought it was due to the Robaxin (a muscle relaxer) or Prednisone...but am I wrong?

I've been picking her up and setting her on the potty paper but she has to circle around a few times before she can poop. I think it's because she's not getting any exercise while sitting in her crate all day, every day. So I can't really keep her from trying to walk or stand. I also pick her up (out of her crate) and set her in front of her feeding dish and water dish when it's time.

As long as she is not getting worse, I think everything is fine. My foster was not able to stand on her back legs when it started. She improved on the meds! She did not get worse.
Sounds like you are doing all the right things!

Forgot to say that when she circles around on the potty paper, she never trips or anything. Sometimes she walks pretty fast.

You're lucky Heidi is the quiet type and took well to the meds. My Annie is the liveliest (sp?) yorkie I've ever seen. Always right in the middle of everything.