Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My beautiful boy is having a lot of trouble getting around the last couple weeks. I have him on Glucosamine and it is not helping. I made an appt with my vet but then called a holistic vet who suggested accupuncture and some other possibilities. If anyone has experience with this, please help me make a decision. I can not afford to go both places with him, that would be very expensive. I have never used a holistic vet before. I appreciate any suggestions.
Lynn Jewell
Cole's mom
I use an integrative vet and have had excellent results w/combined therapies: acupuncture, massage, chiro, underwater treadmill & sometimes cold laser. They all contribute significantly to Isabelle's overall function & comfort, but generally are not a one time fix. The financial and time investment is substantial. I would have a difficult time picking some over others.
Isabelle is also on a COX-2 NSAID, which, despite all her therapy, is still necessary. These drugs are also fairly costly, but less than alternative therapies
I think if my dog's mobility was impaired by severe pain and I had to choose for financial reasons, I would probably opt for the medication (If NSAID's are an option for Cole).
If you can manage acupuncture, you might ask that it be done with electrical stimulation, so the effects last a little longer.
Good luck & I hope Cole is feeling better soon.
Cynthia
Do you know why Cole is having mobility difficulties? If not, you might want your vet to see him first. If you don't have an established relationship with an alternative practitioner, the initial consult will be expensive. If the alternative vet doesn't have an integrative practice, you may end up back at the traditional vet anyway.
Lynn, we're sorry to hear about Cole's difficulties.
I think that the advice so far is spot on. First, you need to know why he is having trouble getting around, then determine the approach after learning the diagnosis. If you have a vet you can trust, I would stick with that vet for the initial diagnosis, then ask what the recommended treatment is.
Acupuncture can do wonders, but it is not a quick fix, it's something that like Cynthia said, needs to be done in combination with other treatments like rehabilitation therapy. On the other hand, while pain relievers will help with pain right away, they will not treat the underlying issue as holistic therapies will.
Also, before committing time and money to a new vet, I would ask around in your community to see who people recommend for a holistic vet. If you don't know anyone to ask, call a few reputable boarding facilities or breeders and ask them. You should also check out our Resources Page and look up "Holistic, Alternative Medicine and Prescription Drugs and Your Dog" where you will find lots of good info about holistic vet medicine.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
we have a 'regular' vet, who recommended our 'acupuncture vet'. gayle really enjoys the acupuncture, and it seems to help her a great deal with mobility, spinal twist, etc. it's not inexpensive, and it takes a few sessions to really see improvement, but we feel it is very important to her continued health, and the health of her 15 year old sister jane. jane had disc problems in her lower back, and she is much more mobile and in less discomfort with the acupuncture. hope this helps.
charon & 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
Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond. Cole will go in on Thursday with our regular vet and I also have an appt on Monday with a holistic vet. I may keep that one too based on what I am hearing. I do hope the accupuncture will help him. He is the light in my life (along with my son & 2 other furbabies) and i want to do all I can to help him recover.
Lynn
Best wishes! Please keep us posted on Cole's progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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