Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi:

I'm new to this forum. Thanks for having me. I have a 19 yr. old mixed Scottie who has spinal problems. My regular vet has never really made an accurate diagnosis. Scottie, my dog, is having more and more trouble getting around and can't get from a lying position most of the time without assistance. He's is totally incontinent due to his ailment. I don't think he can feel the sensation to urinate. Other than this he is in perfect health. All his blood work is normal, with just a slight increase in liver enzymes. He eats really well and still wants to play tug of war with my big dog. I don't want to euthanize him because he has so much life left in him and is enjoying his life. I know there is an accupunturist for animals in my city as I pass the office on my way home from the groomer. I was wondering if someone could give me information as to what I should be asking when I go to see this doctor. I've never been to one and don't know the reputation of this one. Any information about your experience you have with an accupunturist for animals would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to put Scottie through worthless treatment. He gets very tired and worn out when I have to take him to the vet. Thanks so much.

I don't know a lot about this myself but I have a friend in PA that is having acupuncture on her Shiba Inu and believes it may be helping.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Acupuncture can do some wonderful things, but there are no guarantees with it. Each dog/condition responds differently to it. There are also some different acupuncture techniques and soem work better than others depending on the case. I say try it, but realize the effects of it are not always immediate. Multiple sessions are needed typically. If you are willing to try- go for it. It's amazing when it does work.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

I have a 9-year old Lab/Great Dane mix who just completed his 2nd session of accupuncture today. He was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with degenerative spinal myelopathy, which cannot be cured. In short, the sheath around his lower spine is deteriorating, which the neurosurgeon described as similar to Multiple Sclerosis in humans. He will eventually be paralyzed. Until then, my goal is to keep him comfortable and retain as much function/movement for him as possible. My dog's personal vet and the neurosurgeon both recommended accupuncture. I will tell you that he spends the first days immediately after the treatment fairly sleepy (which the vet who performs his treatments says is normal). I did notice his reflexes on his back legs were somewhat improved after his first treatment.

The accupuncturist/vet also recommended a change in his diet in order to provide food without chemical additives so he is now on EMBARK, made by Honest Kitchen, which is a dehydrated food that you rehydrate with water before serving. I mix it with ground turkey, which I brown, and also with brown rice. He loves it! You can see if any stores in your area sell it by going to their website (thehonestkitchen.com). She also suggested adding Omega 3, which he gets in the form of a salmon oil pill (I found these in the natural foods section of my local grocery store).

I hope this info is helpful to you. As was mentioned in an earlier reply to your question, each creature reacts to accupuncture differently. At this point, I am willing to try anything to extend my Hudson's life. Good Luck!

Thanks so much. He started the accupuncture last week and it seemed to help for about 4 days. Then I brought him back today and again it appears to be helping. When he is really bad off he can't raise himself from a lying position and that results in him urinating on himself. However, after his treatments he's able to get up on his own and go outside. He urinates on the floor if I'm not here to make him go out every 2-3 hours. It's like he forgot that he's housebroken. I also think it's because he's in so much pain, walking down that one tiny step into the yard and then walking about 20 feet to get to the grass, is too much for him. When I make him go out he goes in the grass and does his business. So he knows what going out means still.

You didn't mention if your dog is on any meds. In addition to the accupuncture, Hudson also gets Rimadyl, 100mg twice per day, Tramadol, 100mg, twice a day, plus 1500mg of Glucosamine with MSM 500mg once a day. He had serious hip dyplasia, which resulted in orthopedic surgery on one hip when he was 16 weeks old and the other hip had surgery when he was 7 months old. He also had dysplasia in both elbows, and those were surgically corrected when he was 18 months old. Due to all these ortho problems, he never walked normally, although he was pain-free, and the unusual gait did the damage, over the years, to his spine. As a result, he's been on Rimadyl for the last 8 years.

Scottie is on Rimadyl, once a day. He never had any orthopedic problems growing up. It wasn't until he reached 17 that the stiffness set in and unfortunately he was misdiagnosed time after time. This delayed him receiving the proper treatment.

Check out our Chat Week schedule posted at the top of this forum and also above the message boards. There will be a chat discussion regarding accupuncture that you may not want to miss.
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Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
PHMax

Thanks so much, I sure will try to be available for this.