Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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For those of you who don't know Sammy has been bed ridden for the last couple of weeks. He just collapses when he tries to walk, x-rays have revealed nothing. I am desperate to get him some help so we got him an appointment today for chiropractic work and acupunture.
I have never really believed in either of those, but will try anything if it will make my boy smile again. The down side is, a winter storm has swept through our area and with the snow we have had, I don't know if the clinic will be open today. I have to leave really early in order to get there on time before it opens and I can find out if the vets have made it in.
I am so afraid of hearing bone crunching, or have something happen to make it worse on Sammy. The said they are board certified, so that is something at least. My husband thinks that just the hour long commute will be to hard on my boy and make things worse, I am kind of fighting him as well as my own personal issues about this.
Please say a prayer (or send good juju) that this works for him, we are all in.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I'm am very curious to see how this goes for you. We have been considering these treatments for Zeus but there is no one in this area board certified (apparently that is pretty important). We put any thoughts of acupuncture and chiro. on hold after he recovered naturally from his back "tweak" and seems to be doing well now. But, I can't help wondering if he could be even better with these treatments. I hear it can work wonders. Charon has said it really helped her Gayle.
Please keep us posted and have safe travels! Prayers that this will help! And, I don't say that lightly. I really do pray individually for each of these special dogs when they face new trials.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Good luck -- I hope Sammy gets some relief.
I don't have experience with chiro for dogs (Abby never needed it) but would have taken her in a heart beat without reservations if she did. My hubby and I both had amazing results with chiro, when our conventional doctors could either do nothing (for me) or wanted to do back surgery (for my hubby). No surgery needed for him, and for me - my two years worth of near-constant sore throats were fixed! I know a lot of folks don't really trust chiro, but it worked amazingly for us!
I hope it will work for Sammy too.
Keep us posted,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh Sammy. I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I hope that this will bring you good results!
Elizabeth, I'd also be interested in hearing how the appointment turns out. I just made an appointment for Percy to have accupuncture in about a week, because he's been having some weakness in his back leg. The oncologist thinks it might be a disc problem in his back. We've never done this before either but given the choice of this, lots of pain meds, or possibly back surgery, it seems that this is definitely worth a try.
elizabeth, we're sending our very best ET juju to our boy, hoping he gets relief from his adjustments and needles. we definitely SWEAR by acupuncture, it was so beneficial for both gayle and jane, her older sister. both of our girls loved getting the needles, they would just get so relaxed, be so much more 'fluid' in their movement. hope this helps sammy get back to his happy, smiling self, we know gayle is watching over him and nurturing him from above!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Elizabeth I'm so sorry, I meant to ask you about his mobility after you called into Stacy's radio show. I'm sorry he's not mobile yet.
You've done a REALLY great thing by making this appointment. Give yourself a pat on the back for that! Yes, board-certified is really, really important to ensure he gets the full benefit of treatment and care. I hope he gets into see a doc today, and that you guys stay warm and dry from the storm.
You won't hear bone crunching or things like that, it's all very gentle and not invasive at all. Remember, acupuncture therapy has worked for folks for thousands of years and is now just being used to help animals. We have all our paws and fingers crossed that it helps your boy, please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh and for anyone curious about acupuncture and chiro care, this video will tell you a bit more:
Canine Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Therapy Tips for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks as always guys! We felt Sammy's beloved girlfriend Gayle, she was keeping Sammy company while we waited 🙂 He kept wagging his tail for no reason in the car.
This is weird but true..... the doctor is the one who did the case studies on "wormwood" for dogs with osteosarcoma. We talked while he worked away and I was suprised and really pleased to know that he has lots of experience with dogs with bone cancer. The clinic is in Bellevue and it is called "Animal Wellness Center and Rehab".
I was really REALLY nervous. Sammy too (probably picking it up from me) They didn't show up for the time, the clinic was supposed to open at 8:30 but they didn't show up til 9:15am, the weather really was horrible, they slid down the hill and almost hit my car as they were pulling in.
The doctor had to find out exactly where Sammy hurt, so he made him hurt to find out for sure which spot it was (C-3 vertabrae), Sammy wasn't a fan at that point, he even raised his lips to him like "okay buddy, keep it up and I'll show you pain".
I was thinking I really messed up, then out came the needles. The Doctor was super gentle, but it took about 15 minutes for Sammy to relax. Then he was in lala land, baggy eyes, snoozing on the floor. It has been awhile since I have seen him so relaxed. After about 1/2 hour of the acupuncture treatment, he adjusted his neck, Sammy let him do it all, with an occasional opinion on it. He seemed to sigh a big sigh when he did the last adjustment, like, Whew. Thank you.
All in all I am pleased with it, it is very different than I picture medicine being, but Sammy doesn't lie, he was glad it happened, so we have two more appointments this week, (I will have to sell my blood or something to pay for it) but the Doctor thinks he will be able to help Sammy have a great life. He was really impressed with Sammy being 16 months cancer free, and was kind and sweet to our most precious boy. In the meantime, no falling, no jarring, just relaxing and healing. I think the day I see him running again will be one of the sweetest days yet. I will let you know more as the week wears on, the next appointment is Wednesday.
Elizabeth and Sammy the Sleepy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Glad the appointment had a good ending, even if it started a bit rocky!
Hope we hear soon that Sammy is running around again.
Hugs and smooches to Sammy,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
excellent!!! we know gayle will keep watch over him as sammy rests. glad everything went so well, and sammy feels so good.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Glad to hear that Sammy's feeling more relaxed... And I'm glad you posted on how your appointment went.
Micki and Rio
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Super duper woo hoo! That is wonderful.
Hey do you think the doc would be interested in being on Tripawd Talk Radio ? If so, PM me his info and I'll contact him (and if you could put in a good word for us, that would be GREAT!). Thanks.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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