silverfish Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 (edited) We took Jack to his first acupuncture appointment today. He's got arthritis, and he's been on Previcox for that, but because he also has gastritis, we have to be very careful to keep the dose low and give him a few days off, a few days on, so he can deal with it. It's always a balancing act with the very old ones. *Sigh* And I know some of you are wondering whether acupuncture will help your dogs, so I thought it might be useful to have a report. Jack recently did the splits and hurt himself and I was truly afraid he would never recover. He was falling down on his bottom when he tried to walk, very wobbly when he tried to stand, he sagged when he had to stand still, and for the first day he wouldn't poop - then he peed on the floor overnight. Jack has a cast-iron bladder. It was the first time he'd done such a thing that we could remember! After a few days on Vetergesic and Previcox he had improved quite a lot, but we thought we'd get him some acupuncture to make him more comfortable, and try to help with getting some strength back - he wasn't walking much, presumably due to to pain. I warned Sarah, the acupuncture vet, that he was a very nervous little dog who hated having strange people touch him pretty much anywhere behind the shoulders, and that we might bring him only to have him freak out and have to give up and go home, and we loaded Jack into the van and off we went. So here he is. Jack and his acupuncture in pictures! She asked for his harness to be taken off so he's just wearing his breakaway tag collar (lead through both D rings) and DH is holding him firmly for the first needles to go in. 'Hey, watcha doing back there?' 'Help! I'm sagging!!!' (At this point I was afraid that he was going to be terrified, and stay really tense ...) 'Oh .. ! This isn't so bad!' (She's feeling for the right spot to put the next needle in) 'Hmm. Don't know what you're doing, but it feels kinda nice!' (Notice how DH has let the lead go loose, and Jack is completely relaxed about being stuck with needles) Close up of the needles along his spine 'So, what? I guess I just sit here for a while?' And then it was time to start taking them out. Jack had behaved impeccably! He didn't bounce out of the vets as Jim had done after his first acupuncture appointment, but he slept peacefully all the way home, and came down the ramp a little easier when we got here. And then he asked to go out and he trotted up the garden! A real, normal, steady trot! He's been sleeping pretty much all the evening, quite deeply and comfortably. It's too soon to know how much effect it's had, but I'm encouraged. We'll be going back again next week, and then we'll see how he does and how many treatments he'll need. Sadly, because he was a senior when we took him on, it wasn't possible to insure him, so the £50-odd pound each session costs will come straight out of the family coffers. Yeah, that's quite expensive ... but if it helps his wibbly back end, it will be worth every penny. Edited January 27, 2009 by silverfish Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meandmy Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Isn't wonderful how well they can do with acupuncture? I, also, have a nervous dog. So much so that he starts to shake as soon as we pull up to the regular vet's office. And once he's in there his nails clack on the floor from him trembling so much! But he's happy as can be to go to the acupuncture vet It costs us quite a bit, too ($54 per round) but it's worth every penny as it helps his hind end weakness and general stiffness so much. We started out at 1/week and are now at 1/month. I couldn't be happier. Quote Jenn, missing Shadow (Wickford Big Tom), Pretty Girl (C's Pretty) and Tori (Santoria) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Good news and I love good news!!!! Acupunture has been wonderful for Beau & Teddy. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 It really helped my boy Tanner who would stand the whole time. Tanner would never lay down anywhere other than at home or in the car. After about 10 min. I remember the needles were falling out which made me think we were going to have to start over, but the vet said they fall out because they're ready to fall out. I will never understand the whole concept and the flow of energy and all that, but it works!! Hoping you see continued improvement for your boy Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Wonderful news about Jack! Hope the improvement continues! Just to help it along, we're sending prayers. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Good boy, Jack! Boss always slept peacefully after a treatment. We used to joke that he was stoned Acupuncture did wonders for Bossy, I hope Jack does just as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Greyt pictures! I hope he does well with the acupuncture. Alan has improved with it. Last year at the first acupuncturist, the fee was $123.00 a session. Did that 6 times and then tried another vet. Now, I have someone who comes to the house for a lot less every 4-6 weeks or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Acupuncture has been a life-saver for Spencer! Unfortunately though, he hates it and isn't a good patient. But I persevere. My vet connects the needles to mild electrical stimuli machine which helps as well. I think though that's what Spencer hates, not so much just the needles. My vet also puts needles between his toes which he doesn't like. Sounds like a lot of things Spencer doesn't like but I can see such a difference in him that he will continue to go at $100 a visit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KyGrey Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Thanks for posting the pics and telling us about it. I am thinking of trying to get Lee to see an acupuncturist when I get some money. Money is really tight right now on unemployment but I have to keep my hopes up and my eyes open. Jack did really good to be a nervous dog. I have heard that it helps but didn't know exactly what was done. Bravo Jack, you did great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 What an excellent idea to take pictures! I hope Jack does well with the treatment. Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Great news Judy!! Glad to hear Jack is doing better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 The acupunture buzz Hope it continues to help him! Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 That's greyt news (& a very handsome boy ). My Faolin is the sort that won't lay down either. Doesn't help that the vet puts some needles in his knees, hocks & under his tail. But it definitely helps him feel better. Hope the same is true for Jack. Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbullwinkel Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Missy has improved with accupuncture as well! I also have someone come to the house...so much more relaxing for Missy as she lays on her bed! Easier for me too as getting her in the car is a chore! and she got so nervous at the vet. Hope Jack continues to improve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozgirl2 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Glad he was so good! Hope it helps him a lot. Quote Jeannine with Merlin, the crazed tabby cat and his sister, Jasmine, the brat-cat With Angel Cody(Roving Gemini), and Weenie the tortie waiting at the Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 sounds like it went well for him, that's so great!! I don't know if your vet does this or not, but when Bailey had acupuncture the vet took this fat smoke stick looking thing and slighted heated up the needles (after they were already in) and that seemed to help even more... Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyandHollyluv Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Love the photos. What a handsome boy old Jack is! Hope the treatment proves beneficial. My Indy, 11, is going for his third acupuncture treatment this weekend. He's a bit jumpy as well, so I wasn't sure if he would tolerate the treatment. Indy stands the entire time, but so far, so good. I'm in Michigan and was fortunate to find a vet who offers the service (there are only a few who offer acupuncture around here). FYI - the initial visit was $80; subsequent treatments are $40. Seems very reasonable, comparatively speaking. I've been very pleased with the results so far. I definitely vote "yes" on acupuncture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I'm so glad Jack's doing well on the accupuncture.......it's marvelous the results! I think animals instinctively know when they need a certain type of treatment. Found that with the bach flower remedies too they knew which one they wanted by licking the bottle. And noticed when my horse needed to detox she found herself some dandelions, thistles and young nettle shoot tips to eat. Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Oh Jack! You are such a brave and very handsome little man! Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Judy, that's wonderful news! I am so pleased it seems to be working for Jack. I have always been very skeptical of these kinds of procedures, so reading your posts was definitely refreshing I hope your sweetie continues to improve! PS I LOVE his messy mouth Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 He looks so sweet! I am glad the acupuncture helped, I am a big fan of acupuncture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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