Suzanne's Bandit 5/28 conservative

Back from Bandit's 1st acu-therapy session, went wonderfully! Their soooo sweet and made sure to make him love them so he loves going back, and I would say he does considering he went for her rather then me when it was time to leave, 1st for everything! He is soooooo relaxed and a happy baby, 2nd is set for next week! I pray they work! GOD BLESS ALL!!!!

Thank you greatly! Actually it was all pretty cool, she had me dip a tounge depressor in a jar of beer with beef gravy baby food and he looooved it! When we were done and she took it away, he got mad! It was soooo funny! He rolled over at one point and managed to knock all the needles out, so we had to start all over! I had brought treats to have her feed him and a toy for her to give him when we left so he would refer her to them and remember it as being a good thing to go see her! He ever chose her at the end of the session to go to over me! It was a wonderful thing! And she is the greatest! We're going to put him on natural herbal suppliments to stimulate his spine and help magnify the Acu. therapy!

Thank you sooooo much, I am soooo greatful that it was such a good experience!!

No problem Linda, all we know is he does have IVDD and we believe it hit so early because he was born sprin loaded and loved to jump all the time and couldn't be stopped, he would do it even when no one was around! Thats what we all believe caused this to happen so early on! Anything you are confussed on that I might be able to help answer?

Also, I still am having a semi hard time navigating, I am ready when I can find things! Just dont exactly know how to find everything!

Hi Suzanne, one tip my holistic vet gave me is to give one sardine per day (packed in water only) for lunch. Sardines are high in omega acids which reduce inflammation in the body. You can get a tin of sardines on sale for $1. Even giving a sardine a couple times a week could help. Also, ask your vet about a methylcobalamin supplement (they can also inject it during acupuncture). Methylcobalamin is the form of B12 that targets the nerves. Here is an article on supplements: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Supplements.htm

The most important part of conservative treatment is the 8 weeks of strict crate rest - minimizing movement of the spine is what heals the disc while the meds mask the pain. Acupuncture and laser light therapy are wonderful complementary treatments for IVDD, and you are getting that already. You're doing a great job! Best wishes, ~Lisa

My accupunctureist did the B12 too after accupuncture and laser. Tucker is getting better! I am determined!! Sorry to hear about your baby?

Sorry to hear about your baby too! Glad to here hes getting better! Thanks for the tip about fish oil! Our determination is all our babies have for hope to walk again, without that, they have nothing! I am very determined too!

Suzanne, the focus during conservative treatment is 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out of the recovery suite to go potty or to visit the vet. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.


The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc. Immediate neuro improvement may or may not come during the 8 weeks of crate rest… as nerves may take more than 8 weeks to heal.

So doing water therapy puts Bandit's disc at great risk for the early healing and still weak scar tissue to tear.

After crate rest is over and he has graduated on Aug 23, there will be plenty of time for muscles to strengthen. IF the spinal cord becomes permanently damaged from the bad disc, Bandit could potentially be paralyzed for the rest of this life.

This video clip will help you to visualize what too much movement does to the disc and the spinal cord:


This page has the information us owners need in order to be committed to strict rest by understanding just what disc disease is so we can avoid suggestions of treatments that can harm our dogs.:
www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

OK, now you know….the only way we can protect our little ones from those who do not know this disease is to become the head of our dog's health care team. This becomes possible when we arm ourselves with knowledge about the disease, the treatments, the meds. That puts us in a position to say "no thank you" to treatments we know would be harmful. It puts us in a position to advocate for the right treatments.

Do order some brochures from LInda, they are free. July is IVDD awareness month. It would be good for veterinary professionals to bone up on this disease so they do not harm another client. Please go to our main web page at Dodgerslist.com to order our free literature…print out our intro letter on the right to let them know we are recognized by many neuros across the country in the work we do to educate about disc disease.

Here is the link: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htm

I'm sorry we missed whoever recommended water therapy to you on this forum.  We do try to read each and every posts made.  Water therapy is ok for a post op dog but never for a dog on conservative treatment until after all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed…maybe that was where the information came from??

Acupuncture is highly recommended as it can aid in helping to reduce pain and to also stimulate nerve cells to regenerate… during a session it is relaxing and many dogs just fall asleep….no movement of the back and pressuring of the healing disc. All you need do is during transport, is to pad the crate so when you take turns or brake he will not shift in his crate.

Thank you for helping us to educate during:
 
more on IVDD Awareness month over at our facebook page. www.facebook.com/Dodgerslist

Just reading your postings to update on how "your" Bandit is doing and noticed on the June 28th post about the Advantix. This probably had something to do with "my" Bandit who I thought was having a cervical neck IVDD episode when it turned out to be related to the flea medication, Advantix that I had put on him. Sorry, there was a mix up with the Bandit's.   I tried to remove the whole posting, but could not and asked if the moderators could.  My fault, sorry about the confusion, should of just left it alone.  I hope your Bandit continues to do better, Bandit will be in my prayers. Keep up the good work and hang in there, it will get better. (I have a dachshund that had two surgeries this year and she is healing slowly.)

Suzanne, so great to hear he loves his acu sessions. Our Sadie goes in tomorrow for her first and I'm so nervous. I have to work so the hubby is taking her alone and I really wish I could be there. Like you, I've received misinformation. I heard from a doxie owner who went down twice that chiro adjustments was her saving grace. Her dog literally went from unable to walk to functioning normal just from having chiro the day after she went down - and I was so hopeful and excited. The more research I do, the more I realize that this may have been the exception and not the rule, so we're not going to risk it with Sadie and just do the acupuncture and crate rest. I may have to try that sardine trick though!

I will continue to follow your updates and hope that Bandit continues recovery!

Hey Jen, I will keep you and Sadie in our prayers, the 100% strict crate rest has been a saving grace for my Bandit! He only comes out to go to the bathroom, but when he does, he is now somewhat walking, kinda like baby bambie! He has gotten better with only 2 Acu therapy sessions so far! But he has only been on crate rest for around 4 weeks or so, so he has around 4 more! So I'm still keeping him completely restricted! I hope Sadie does just as good! Please keep posting updates for me!

Stevie, yes they do! She's just like his grandmother, she spoils him! But I'm soooo glad for it, glad he loves her and not hates her and his sessions! That would be the worst!