Buddy's Acupuncture/holistic Appointment

[rascalsmom]

Buddy is exhausted. He had his appointment today with the holistic vet who does acupuncture. The vet was very nice, examined Buddy pretty thoroughly, and talked with me about the questionairre I had filled out, what Buddy's been going through, etc....

 

I asked him about the physical exam for LS (the Suzanne Stack method) and he said he'd never heard of it...so I whipped out the article which I had printed. He read it, and then he did the "test" for LS, and Buddy's back end promptly sank. So, in my mind, that is definitive. The neurologist was "pretty sure" that's what we were dealing with, and now with this, I guess we can safely say that's what he's got.

 

He did the acupuncture; put in twelve needles. Buddy lay on the floor, I was next to him (so he didn't get up) and only two of the needles ended up coming out before the vet came back in: the two behind his ears. No big deal, I suppose.

 

The vet said he likes people to commit to six weekly treatments, and then evaluate how well it is working. (NOTE: IS THIS TYPICAL?) So I made the appointments for the next five sessions.

 

He also suggested Grizzly Salmon Oil, as well as "Nutrigest" which contains probiotics...since his appetite isn't great and he's lost weight. Just a note here, if I continue with the Grizzly Salmon Oil, I won't be buying it from them!! They charged me $24.50 for 16 oz....I know GT's fritofeet sells it so I checked her website: $16.99!!

 

Also, I asked them to trim his nails, since he hasn't been able to go to his monthly nail trimming (it's in the groomer's basement, and he's not allowed to do stairs). I about threw up when I saw how much I was charged for that. $19.00. Oh my heavens....I pay our groomer $20 to do all three dogs, and that is with a $5 tip!!

 

Get this part: this vet actually ADVOCATES raw feeding. From what I've read on GT, most vets do not, for whatever reason. But he said that is what he feels is the best.

 

The best part, for Buddy, was when we came out of the exam room. There was a GREYHOUND in the waiting room, so that made him happy; finally, a friendly face! She was an older-looking fawn girl, Suzie.

 

So that is it. Now I wait for the neurologist to call me about his medications....I think we are at the maximum dosage (I asked the holistic vet and he said he thought those dosages were about maxed out)...so I really hope the acupuncture helps my old guy.

Edited February 26, 2009 by rascalsmom

[Guest PiagetsMom]

I have no experience with acupuncture, either with people or animals, but it sounds as though Buddy's appointment went well. I would imagine any time you deal with a specialist, you're probably going to spend more money for services......works that way in our world, anyways. Sending good thoughts that Buddy will see some relief and improvement!

[Guest ss556]

The original holistic vet/acupuncturist wanted the six weekly treatments as well. All in all (minus the extra $$) it sounds like the visit went well. I hope the acupuncture helps Buddy, these sweet guys deserve it. If not this treatment, maybe the next one as happened with Alan. Hugs and Scritches to Buddy!

[Guest Scouts_mom]

My Tia took 2 accupunture treatments before I saw improvement in her weakened hind leg. I think we did 4-5 in total, so 6 is not out of line. THe first one was the most expensive as they examined her before they started sticking pins in.

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

We continue to keep Buddy in our thoughts and prayers. I've heard good things about acupuncture so hopefully it works!

 

Sent you a pm

[sweetdogs]

It sounds like it was a good visit. I've usually done weekly appointments at first followed by on an as-needed basis. I think the first time we started we did 2 visits a week.

 

I forget if you've mentioned it, but have you tried the depo-medrol shot for Buddy? I haven't done that yet for Faolin but he's not as bad as Buddy.

 

Any reason you can't use a dremel on his nails?

[Burpdog]

The vet said he likes people to commit to six weekly treatments, and then evaluate how well it is working. (NOTE: IS THIS TYPICAL?) So I made the appointments for the next five sessions.

 

Yes, at least 5 or 6 treatments, then evaluate.

 

Nail trimming: I think my vet charges $15.....unless they are doing something else.

 

Sounds like a decent vet! Here's hoping.

[rascalsmom]

It sounds like it was a good visit. I've usually done weekly appointments at first followed by on an as-needed basis. I think the first time we started we did 2 visits a week.

 

I forget if you've mentioned it, but have you tried the depo-medrol shot for Buddy? I haven't done that yet for Faolin but he's not as bad as Buddy.

 

Any reason you can't use a dremel on his nails?

I haven't been able to find anyone who does the depo-medrol shot. This guy was the first one who was willing to read the article and do the physical manipulation to see if it truly is LS...the neurologist claimed the "only" way to be sure was an MRI. Sorry, not going to spring for an MRI when I'm pretty sure that's what it is....he didn't push it though, to be fair to him.

 

I do have a dremel, and I have used it. I am just lax. I know I need to just commit to doing a little bit a few times a week to keep them in check. You'd think if I can discipline myself to brush their teeth DAILY, I could dremel, wouldn't you?

[Meandmy]

Glad to hear that Buddy's appointment went well. As others have said, my acupuncture vet wanted 4-6 weekly visits initially, then we spread it out to every other week and now to once a month. It took a few visits to see improvement, but it's well worth it. Shadow just went for his monthly appointment last night and he definitely had an easier time going up and down the stairs after that.

[rascalsmom]

I just talked to the tech from the neurologist's office. Buddy is indeed at the max for the tramadol. I can give him as many as four of the gabapentin each day (each dose is 1/4 tablet, so I guess four would equal one whole tablet).

 

So other than that, we are hoping and praying that the acupuncture helps.

 

Oh, and get this. I got his tramadol filled at Walgreen's yesterday: 12 pills for $11.99 (just to tide us over till I talked to the neurologist). So I ask the vet tech about filling it, how much would it be? For a month's supply (which is 6 per day/180 tablets) it would be $41.00 through them! $.17 per pill, versus Walgreen's $1 a pill! Talk about a no-brainer!!

[CaliforniaGreys]

Tanner's vet wanted 6 weeks too. Each session, quite a few of the needles came out before it was time and the vet said that when that happens, it was time for them to come out.

We're always thinking of Buddy!

[sweetdogs]

[i do have a dremel, and I have used it. I am just lax.

Sorry - didn't mean to guilt you out!

 

No vet I've spoken to has ever given the shot either, but I've haven't pushed it because I don't think we're there yet. They always seem a little frightened of it yet all the reading I've done says it's not a big deal. Anyway, I hope the acupuncture helps Buddy a lot.

[rascalsmom]

[i do have a dremel, and I have used it. I am just lax.

Sorry - didn't mean to guilt you out!

 

No vet I've spoken to has ever given the shot either, but I've haven't pushed it because I don't think we're there yet. They always seem a little frightened of it yet all the reading I've done says it's not a big deal. Anyway, I hope the acupuncture helps Buddy a lot.

Don't worry, you didn't make me feel guilty. I know I should do it more often (dremel), it's just tough to get into the habit.

[Guest 4baddogs]

I'm glad Buddy saw a friendly face in the waiting room!

 

We LOVE Dr. Doug - he has so much empathy and genuine concern for his patients and their owners. When Jesse died, he cancelled his vacation by a day so that he could be the one to be there for her and us.

 

As for the nail trim - my FIL almost had the big one when he saw the charge after he had his dogs' nails done! LOL So now I do it for him and it's all good.

 

I keep thinking about Buddy and hope he has continued success with this!

[RobinM]

With either acupunturist I went to, neither of them asked for a commitment of any kind.

 

Was it a commintment and pay up front or just letting you know that the more sessions you can commit to, the better chances of results?

 

Glad it all went OK today. Keep in mind he could get worse temporarily, don't panic - it will turn itself around.

[rascalsmom]

Robin, they didn't ask me to pay up front or anything; he just wanted me to know that it wasn't going to necessarily produce "instant" results. I was OK with that, and I scheduled the other five appointments. He says we'll know for sure by then if it's helping. If not, we can discontinue; if it helps we can maybe go to every two weeks....

 

What amazes me through this whole thing is my DH's willingness to do all this. He's always one to keep an eye on the funds, but he hasn't said too much about all the recent expenses with Buddy. Just one more reason he's a keeper, if I needed another reason (which I didn't ).

 

Paula, yes, Dr. Doug is very nice. Before he did the acupuncture he spent a few minutes just petting Buddy (or maybe he was checking for spots to put the needles??--I prefer to think he was just petting him. ). He seems very kind, and genuinely concerned.

Edited February 27, 2009 by rascalsmom

[patricia]

I sure hope the treatments help sweet Buddy.

[krissn333]

You'll find that vets that take a more holistic approach will be more likely to be down with raw feeding. Seems to me most vets I know only get their nutritional training from what the Hill's sales rep fills their heads with. Can't say I know much about raw feeding but I'm going to look into some things. I have a friend that has a great source for the kind of stuff I'd need. She has 9 dogs and told me that she's saving roughly 50% by feeding raw instead of a higher end kibble.

 

If your acupuncture vet recommended feeding raw, I'm sure he can point you in the right direction, and of course there's a ton of info here on GT.

 

I hope the acupuncture helps Buddy. I'm going to look into an acupuncturist for myself!

[queenwinniesmom]

Hey Melissa, thanks for the updates on Buddy. I've been thinking about you. I've heard good things about Dr. Doug too---good but expensive! At least I think he's expensive. But if he helps him, that's what's important.

[rascalsmom]

Hey Melissa, thanks for the updates on Buddy. I've been thinking about you. I've heard good things about Dr. Doug too---good but expensive! At least I think he's expensive. But if he helps him, that's what's important.

Based on the price of the nail trim, I would say a *bit* expensive. I don't know that I would switch for our routine care, but for this, I will spring for the added expense. Our regular vet is very reasonable in her prices.

[Guest 4baddogs]

Hey Melissa, thanks for the updates on Buddy. I've been thinking about you. I've heard good things about Dr. Doug too---good but expensive! At least I think he's expensive. But if he helps him, that's what's important.

Based on the price of the nail trim, I would say a *bit* expensive. I don't know that I would switch for our routine care, but for this, I will spring for the added expense. Our regular vet is very reasonable in her prices.

 

This isn't intended to be a hijack, but I wanted to chime in on this because Dr. Doug is our regular vet.

 

Zoe's latest hospital expedition in November was around $3000 with $200 of that being Dr. Doug's part. We're going to see him for a 15 minute consult tomorrow so I'll let y'all know how much that is afterwards. He's going to let us know how to proceed with her kidney failure issues. We saw specialists at Northview on Tuesday night and that bill was $550. Dr. Doug ran the exact same tests one month ago and it was $247 - the only difference Tuesday was a $47 antibiotic prescription for Zoe's elbow which is giving her trouble again.

 

I think once you're a long time established patient with some vets, they give you discounts. For instance, we get "good dog" discounts all the time with all of our vets. A few visits back, Northview didn't even charge us - LOVED that one!

 

OK - hijack over. Sorry about that!

 

[rascalsmom]

Hey Melissa, thanks for the updates on Buddy. I've been thinking about you. I've heard good things about Dr. Doug too---good but expensive! At least I think he's expensive. But if he helps him, that's what's important.

Based on the price of the nail trim, I would say a *bit* expensive. I don't know that I would switch for our routine care, but for this, I will spring for the added expense. Our regular vet is very reasonable in her prices.

 

This isn't intended to be a hijack, but I wanted to chime in on this because Dr. Doug is our regular vet.

 

Zoe's latest hospital expedition in November was around $3000 with $200 of that being Dr. Doug's part. We're going to see him for a 15 minute consult tomorrow so I'll let y'all know how much that is afterwards. He's going to let us know how to proceed with her kidney failure issues. We saw specialists at Northview on Tuesday night and that bill was $550. Dr. Doug ran the exact same tests one month ago and it was $247 - the only difference Tuesday was a $47 antibiotic prescription for Zoe's elbow which is giving her trouble again.

 

I think once you're a long time established patient with some vets, they give you discounts. For instance, we get "good dog" discounts all the time with all of our vets. A few visits back, Northview didn't even charge us - LOVED that one!

 

OK - hijack over. Sorry about that!

 

Buddy got a "good dog discount" yesterday. He was such a good boy!!!

 

[Guest vahoundlover]

I don't remember our holistic vet saying anything more than lets take it week to week in the beginning. Boss had amazing results from his first treatment and I think we did 4/5 weekly treatments then started spreading them out. Hard to believe that was over 2 yrs ago. Our's doesn't believe in raw but cooked diets. We also used quite a few herbs to boost his backend and for pain. Boss loved the Moxie sp? stick.

 

Sounds like your first appt went well. Hope Buddy is feeling better very soon