Hi and welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away. I have a ton of questions, hope I don't overwhelm you.

It's awesome that your vet recommended the therapist. Did they happen to give you any instruction about exercise and injury prevention? Or exercises to keep doing at home? What kind of therapy did he get besides chiro? 

Based on what you're describing, and keep in mind we are not rehab therapists but it sounds like Jack is getting too much activity at the day care center. It's a huge issue with Tripawds being left in the care of others. Unless the day care is super good about making sure they monitor how much activity he gets each time he visits, who he plays with, and makes sure he's not playing on hard surfaces all day, day care can really exhaust a Tripawd to the point of injury. I'm so sorry he's not feeling well.

Is he on any pain management right now? What instructions did the new vet give to help him recover? And what were the changes on the x-rays that makes the vet want to do an MRI? Did they mention any possible conditions that would warrant surgery, and on where? Usually that test is a level of diagnostics that's reserved after a good range of rehab modalities are done without success. Does the new vet offer any in-house rehab? 

If you can fill us in a bit more we can help with more concrete suggestions. Oh and how old/young is Jack and what leg is he missing? 

Hi, welcome back! I'm so glad you filled us in, thank you. OK so the bulging disc explains a lot. Poor guy! I'm so glad he is doing well! His pain control sounds excellent. WHEW! Did they mention when he may be able to start rehab therapy?

Tell me more about the boot situation. Traction is so necessary for Tripawds but boots usually aren't the answer. Mostly because 1) they don't let a dog's paws breathe, and 2) because they can't feel the floor while wearing them. Instead you may want to consider something like Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips if hardwood floors are a problem, and don't forget to add rubber-backed carpet runners and throw rugs to your home for extra safety.

WOOOHOOO! I'm loving that report, that is wonderful! The acupuncture will help, it's awesome you are taking him. Hopefully it will work quickly but sometimes it can take 4-6 sessions to show real improvement so try to be patient, I know that will be hard.

Rehab therapy comes in a lot of different "flavors," including water therapy. What you really want is a practice that offers multiple modalities to assist him in getting stronger, such as acupuncture, massage, exercise, laser therapy, etc. If you want to PM me your address I can find a good practice near you. You can also feel free to check out the at-home Tripawds Rehab Program designed by our friend Dr. Waterhouse. However, I would make sure to discuss something like this with your acupuncturist, who is likely also a credentialed rehab therapist (they usually are). Since Jack had a spinal issue, I would run any exercises or programs by a professional first.

As for Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips , no they do not affect circulation in the nail beds because they do not come up to the edge of the nail bed (where the "cuticle" if you will, meets the paw). Dr. B has assured us of this in our interview with her. We've seen some "DIY" approaches people have done that will do that kind of damage, so Dr. Buzby's are the only ones we recommend. I know what you mean about not being able to cover every inch with carpet runners, it's a tricky situation! Most dogs do learn how to gravitate toward the easiest places to walk.

I'm so glad we could be here to help. I would be freaked out too! But now look at you guys, you are over the worst part and on your way to a great life on 3!!!