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Post by jiffer on Oct 23, 2006 10:44:22 GMT -5
Well, today Icarus will be visiting Dr. Robertshaw in Aylmer to have his first acupuncture treatment. I have to admit, I'm skeptical. We have tried so many different methods (chiropractic and massage) and medications (metacam, deramaxx, vanectyl p, Buffered ASA, glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM) to help his limping but as of yet, nothing has helped. I can't remember if I mentioned where his trouble spots are. He has a torn/stretched ACL in his rear left knee and possible degeneration in his front left shoulder. Fortunately, my vet is confident that it isn't the dreadful "C". Icarus has been enjoying his back yard tremendously. He's even taken to running short stints with Atlas. Though he sometimes will stiffen up after about half an hour from running. We've really limited his running times, because of this reaction. I hate to refuse something he loves so much, however. Though I'm starting to wonder if this isn't the best therapy we've given him yet. He's been more active since being given the extra freedom.... though just try to get him out of bed. LOL Any positive thoughts are more than welcomed. I know acupuncture uses a lot of positive and negative energy fields so I am hoping the more positive we can be, the better, quicker and stronger he will heal. Thanks everyone!
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meganm
Junior Grey Lover
Puppy Love
Posts: 292
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Post by meganm on Oct 23, 2006 12:55:06 GMT -5
good luck and positive thoughts going out to you Icky!
Stop stressing your mom out and let this be the one that gets you back to your old self!!
<fingers (and paws)crossed for you guys>
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Post by greymouse on Oct 23, 2006 13:29:14 GMT -5
We will be in Aylmer this afternoon to get Scarlett's stitches out (about 4:30) We will be thinking of Icarus and hope that this will finally be the solution for his problem. Acupuncture was the one thing that finally rid me of a painful shoulder a few years ago. When all the other options failed, it was treated with acupuncture and the pain was gone in a few treatments(maybe six or so). I was skeptical, too, but I now know that it does work.
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Post by jiffer on Oct 23, 2006 19:00:01 GMT -5
We're back.. actually, I was back at six but had a few chores to take care of. Anyways... here's the update: Dr. Robertshaw checked him out very thoroughly. He lifted, moved, manoevered him (in some positions I never would have thought Icarus could bend). He informed me that in addition to Icarus' obvious pain, he has a very sore neck and a very sore back. I was disheartened to hear that Icarus' body is like that of a very old dog. He feels that Icarus must have been really worked hard as a young dog to cause so much stiffness all over. Icarus was adjusted (chiro) and then given acupuncture. As this is the first treatment, he didn't work on the very painful areas, just a few nearby places. One needle hasn't fallen out yet. He told me that sometimes that happens when it's "working" and that it would fall out when it was ready. Icarus is resting comfortably. We have another appointment in three weeks. Dr. Robertshaw is confident that we will see improvements with continued treatment. We have also started him on a Herbal remedy... he mentioned something about Icarus' liver. No one has said anything about his liver before. I am curious about this. The medication is called Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. If you know anything about it, please share. Thanks everyone
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Post by samrob on Oct 24, 2006 7:59:41 GMT -5
I work for a sports medicine and rehab clinic, so I just wanted to tell you what we do with the humans. You said that maybe the best thing you have done is let him run, strengthening is so important, and for injurys and chronic wear and tear like your pup's, we focus on a combination of strengthening (Phisio), massage and accupuncture. The strenth is very important as strong muscles take the stress off of the joints. Many dogs are getting benefits from swimming and the underwater treadmill. I will warn you however that the canine rehab industry is not very well regulated yet, and you can take a weekend course in canine massage, and start work the next day, so check into it. There are specific physiotherapists that have specialised in animal rehab, and some of the exercises I got for Hope have really helped her. I can ask our MD at work about the liver lines for the accupuncture. Best wishes. Sam
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Post by greymouse on Oct 24, 2006 8:01:05 GMT -5
One needle hasn't fallen out yet. He told me that sometimes that happens when it's "working" and that it would fall out when it was ready. quote] Hi Jen, How is Icarus today? I really hope that this will be the answer for him. Do you mean that the needles were left in and will come out on their own?? Are they really short needles?
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Post by samrob on Oct 24, 2006 8:09:15 GMT -5
lol! The needles are usually pretty tiny, with some exceptions.
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Post by jiffer on Oct 24, 2006 8:56:24 GMT -5
The needle finally came out just before bed last night. It was the one he put on his sore knee, too. Don't worry, it was a short one (about 1/2 cm long) and only one. The longer ones were removed at the office.
The vets we've seen have been so up and down about continuing exercise. I finally took it upon myself to just continue to walk him albiet very short walks. He was never very happy with me when I made him go for a walk, but he'd do it. We have a few balance/strengthening stretches I practice on him. He finds them very uncomfortable. The back yard sets his own pace for his exercise with us toning it down if he starts to get worked up.
He was happy to get outside this morning. He seemed somewhat faster than usual when he did his short run, but I might be grasping at straws... who knows. René will mention it if he sees a change... he's more skeptic than I about the acupuncture/chiropractic.
I've worked out a deal with him since he has to take 12 herbal pills a day in addition to his glucosamine. If he swallows his pills, he gets a lick of peanut butter. We're on day two and this has worked (I can't hide his pills in anything, he will pick them out, spit them up and refuse to eat whatever I hid the pills in; he finds them everytime!).
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Post by rprovost on Oct 24, 2006 11:58:41 GMT -5
Feel better soon Icarus!!!!!! Acupuncture did wonders for my lower back pain... that and yoga helps, lol and since Icky can't do yoga... acupuncture is worth a trY!!! I really hope you start to see a difference. Tell him if he takes his pills I'll bring Zooks over to play or something, LOL. The funny thing is, if I tell ZOoks something like that, he listens!!!!! Good luck with everything Jen, I really hope this helps his pain!
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Post by jiffer on Oct 26, 2006 16:25:36 GMT -5
Just a smallish update. Icarus is doing very well. He's still as lazy as ever... as anyone who has met him can attest. LOL But he's getting around a bit better. He did some more running in the yard this morning, though the grass was pretty damp so I halted it (didn't want him slipping and hurting himself). He seems almost perkier... it's hard to describe but times where he would not have lifted his head have now caused him to look (car sounds, voices, etc). Just this morning, I was watching a movie that had a car engine sound on it that sounded an awful lot like "daddy's" car, he lifted his head, stuck his ears straight up and stared... trying to hear if it was indeed Daddy. So far my pill trick is still working. He seems to enjoy bargaining with me. Peanut butter is highly valued, I guess.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2006 16:43:04 GMT -5
Hey Iccie, you youngster! Try to stop acting like an old pup ok? > We send hugs. Darren and Honey
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Post by smooscrew on Oct 26, 2006 18:10:35 GMT -5
I'm glad Icarus is feeling better. My vet gives me pill pockets ( a leathery pouch thing that you put pills inside and squeeze shut but they would only hold 3 or 4 ) Hopefully peanut butter continues to work.
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Post by samrob on Oct 26, 2006 20:48:31 GMT -5
Good to hear that he is feeling a bit better. A friend of mine suggested that you look into a natural remedy called Sasha's Blend. I know a few people that have had their dogs and horses on it. It comes very highly recomended. www.sashasblend.com/
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Post by GreyPoopon on Oct 27, 2006 9:19:29 GMT -5
I'm glad he seems better. I hope he continues to improve, and that subsequent treatments help even more.
An aside: While I (try to) limit exercise when my vet recommends it, my experience with my own aches and pains is that for chronic conditions, ongoing use is the best option. For example, swimming helps my bad shoulder, walking is good for my wonky hip, and running and stairs help my knees. The keys are a) don't build too quickly, and b) be very very very patient.
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Post by kjw on Nov 2, 2006 17:30:04 GMT -5
Sounds like you're getting a bit of improvement, which is great. It's baby steps I guess; we are going through the same thing here with Lou. I'm itching to start hydrotherapy.
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