Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I know several of you are aware of Trouble's recent mobility issues. I won't lie, I'm trying anything I can find in hopes of finding some improvement. This was today's adventure.
When I consulted with Dr F about the Adequan, we had a brief discussion
about acupuncture. He was not opposed to giving it a try, but wasn't
aware of anyone who practiced in our area. I had checked online and
knew I could go to Houston, but that is a 2 hour drive over and back for
an old dog with tired bones and joints. Dr F suggested I call a
holistic vet a town over and ask if he knew of anyone closer.
I called this morning and the local vet actually practices acupuncture. I
made an appointment for next Friday. I told Bob about my discovery and
he asked why I didn't take her in today. Blond moment – no answer. I
called back and asked if we could get an appointment today and they had
one opening at 10:30. I had less than an hour to get dressed, get
Trouble loaded in the vehicle and drive 40 miles.
She had an evaluation, and we talked through all her medications, supplements, and
history. The vet was pleased with everything except the Rimadyl.
He did an "injectable" acupuncture. He injected a serum (ZEEL) into each
acupuncture point – knees, hips, and lower spine. He sent us home with a
pill form of the injected serum, Moxxor – a high powered fish oil
replacement for inflammation, and Trixsyn – another type of joint
lubricant.
She is resting peacefully right now. Good thoughts for a noticeable difference. She has a followup appointment next Friday.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Isabelle has had good results with both acupuncture & several types of aquapuncture as Trouble had today. I have seen the most benefit, when she is particularly painful, with treatments 2x/week for a while. She'sgoing for an extra treatment tomorrow because the weather here is so damp & she was running around too much this week as soon as it was above freezing.
If your vet offers electrical stimulation (the stimulator is attached to the needles & stays on about 10 mins), it can make the treatments last longer. When she had her most acute problems a year ago, it did take a while to see results, but the perseverance was worth it. The maintenance is easy, but I can see a difference if she skips a week. If there's any chance of her getting a massage, the two really work well together.
I hope Trouble gets some relief too.
Cynthia
Oooooh! This is so exciting. Acupuncture can make such a huge difference in mobility. We'll anxiously await the results. She's going to be bouncing off the walls again, just wait!
We're unfamiliar with aquapuncture and would love to learn more about this. Thanks for bringing it up.
Also, if this turns out to be an ongoing thing and you like the doc, be sure to post it in our Vet Referrals Forum.
Trouble's probably going "aaaaaaaaah" about now. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My understanding of aquapressure...I think that is a made up descriptive name & not actually a treatment modality....is a fluid injection at the same trigger points where needles would be used. There seems to be some thought that, like with electrical stimulation, the benefits might be longer. Isabelle has had it with B12, saline, Traumeel & I don't even recall what else. I think there's some thought that it might simply be the needles & not the fluids rendering a positive result. She never has it in replace of acupuncture, but occasionally with an additional treatment during the week. It seems helpful, whatever the mechanism, but I probably would put my funds into traditional acupuncture if I had to choose, with electrical stim as an adjunct.
I sure hope it helps Trouble! It's so hard sometimes but you got to keep trying.
My vet said that he's not a holistic type person and doesnt believe in it BUT, and this is a big but – he does believe in acupuncture because studies have been done on it and there is improvement.
Here's to Trouble feeling better! You know, as Comet would always say – a cookie cures everything! (peanut butter especially!)
edited to add:
YAY! I remembered to copy the post first because it didn't save! YAY for me for not having to retype!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
littlemanjake said:
My understanding of aquapressure...
Excellent input, thank you! This week's Tripawd Talk interview should be a great one!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Cynthia - thank you! Your feedback helps me a lot. We are just to the very end of our rope trying desperately to get her better. I was just thrilled to find out I could get alternative treatment this close.
This vet was great with the Adequan, and even the Tramadol which pretty much surprised me, but his preference is to get them off the Rimadyl if at all possible. He was really interesting, had worked in his earlier years with Dr F, and was very conversational - ie, willing to answer all my questions. We had great conversations about food - he's a RAW advocate, supplements - he's having me try Moxxor instead of traditional fish oil.
I'll keep you guys posted as the next few days play out.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
glad to hear you found someone close. paws crossed for successful treatments!
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
Please keep us posted on Troubles treatment.
Samson is on Adequan, Trixsan and fish oil. I had a local canine massage/accupressurist work on Daisy but found she was a little bit too "new age" for my taste....she massaged the missing leg because the energy needed balanced.....mmmmm.
There is a certified Canine Massage/Accupuncturist at Daisys PT Vets office thatI thought I would take Sam to. Yesterday I took the dogs for a walk in the gully behind our house. Sams back end collapsed, his back legs shaking and he couldnt stand up. Scared the #$%@ out of me. Daisy was in her wheelchair and I did not have my cellphone. I ran over and massaged his legs until they stopped shaking and stood him up and he walked back to the house. Not sure if it was a Charliehorse, pinch nerve or ??
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Karen - his issue with Rimadyl is that it can cause stroke or heart attack
Samson007 - I'm with you, massaging the missing limb is a bit far out for me. This guy was pretty down to earth. Sorry to hear about Samson's collapse. They can literally scare the pejabbers out of you, can't they?
Trouble is a tired puppy this evening, but oh my was she alert after we got home. Head up paying attention. She's fighting as hard as we are to beat this arthritis crap.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Good luck with your procedure, I'm really curious to see how she does with it, keep us posted, Big Paws up tonight for Trouble, spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
I hope this helps Trouble out a lot! It can be so frustrating when you feel helpless to help.
As far as massaging the missing limb.. far out? Most of the dogs think it is there, Cooper licks his left front leg all the time,, oh yeah , he doesnt have a left front leg... I do know he seems to take special pleasure in me rubbing his incision site, I havent tried the missing limb..
anyway sure hoping for some major improvement for Trouble!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
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