Need advice please, super desperate for an end in sight
My 4 year old rescue frenchie developed serious neck pain about a month and a half ago, I took him in to the vet on the second day I noticed it because the first day his pain went away after about 2 hours. He was diagnosed with a neck strain upon assessment and I was told to give him gabapentin and caprofen and limit his activity. No advice about crate rest or IVDD given.
Two weeks of no improvement, his walking seemed to get worse and I found this sub. I took him in to see another vet and she diagnosed him with IVDD stage 2 based off of physical assessment, walking pattern, and his symptoms that I reported. She advised to see a neurologist, but my husband and I are both students and have a son and barely have the funds for the vet, so I started his 8 week crate rest.
The first two weeks were okay, but after that, the barking started and would not stop. He is on the max dose of gabapentin, caprofen, methocarbamol, and trazadone. We give everything as frequently as possible every 8-12 hours as listed. Nothing is working. I tried a play pen, he tries to jump out, I tried an xpen, he tries to jump out.
He is MISERABLE. He woke my 11 month old up multiple times with his barking. He barks the second I leave the room, so I drag his crate around, but he keeps barking. He is becoming fecal incontinent because of all the meds he is on so I have him in diapers and have to wash his butt and put cream on so he doesn't get a rash.
I was at my wits end last week and I just needed the barking to stop so I let him out for a little bit while he was on a leash. He jumped off of the couch while I was trying to train him to use the ramp and reinjured himself.
I hate myself for even putting him in that situation, but I was just so desperate for a break of barking and him to not be so miserable. He cries all of the time.
I cried and cried and now I realize we have to start the 8 weeks all over again. Now he is in horrible pain like the beginning of his injury originally. I feel like the worst dog mom. I am getting frustrated with him and I know it isn't even his fault. He now hasn't eaten in two days, he is eating treats, but he seems so depressed.
I just want this to be over and I see no end in sight. I now have to shove his meds directly into his throat because he won't eat ANYTHING with the pills hidden in it. So three times a day, once in the middle of the night, I am shoving my hands down his throat and making him take these pills, changing his diapers, taking him outside to use the bathroom, all while wrangling my 11 month old son and trying to pass my classes.
I feel awful, I am at my wits end and I need help.
Is there an end in sight? How can I make him happy? Is he okay? What can I do? I really need help. My dog is so depressed, he just isn't himself. I miss my playful puppy who ran around and got the zoomies. I don't know how I am going to get through the next 8 weeks. I need help.