Re-Aggravation Of Back Sprain

[AstasMinion]

Just sitting here with my cutie-pie Asta, who had to go to the e-vet in the wee hours this morning. This was her third trip for the same sprain since November. She'd made such great strides since her last visit just after the New Year. In the past 2 or 3 weeks especially, she's been clearly feeling stronger and spunkier. But something happened while I was out on errands and my husband was mowing the yard yesterday (no doubt because she felt so good!). It's impossible to know what triggered things, but we saw that she was hurting late in the afternoon and it got steadily worse through the night. I got up with her at 4:00, and she could barely move, so off to the vet's we went.

 

She's back on a course of pain, anti-inflammatory, and muscle-relaxant meds --- and we'll do at least 30 days of restricted activity. She was SO brave at the vet's as they poked and prodded and twisted to figure out exactly where the pain is. Her legs were stable (though I reported that the back ones gave out on her right before I called to say we were coming), her neck was just fine, and the pain seems to all be in her spine, from about midway to her bottom.

 

Anyway, I'll be calling a couple of local vets who do alternative therapies to see about acupuncture, massage (hoping for something I could do), etc., to help relieve pain and speed recovery . . . one that's more complete, we hope. Our vet doesn't think Asta is "down for the count," as far permanently restricting activity level goes. At almost 9, though, I'm guessing we won't get her back to quite where she was before the first sprain, though. Willing to try anything for the furbaby!!

 

I'd love to hear any experiences with acupuncture, PT, or chiropractic care to treat a sprain.

[RobinM]

We have done acupuncture on 3 of our dogs. 2 of them went consistantly and there was a definite improvement. I do not do chiro for the dogs as I am too afraid of manipulation. The dogs can't say when it hurts and it just scares me too much. Not much can go terribly wrong with acupunture. It usually takes between 3-5 weeks before there is any improvement and sometimes it can get worse before it gets better.

 

Hope your baby feels better soon.

[AstasMinion]

Thanks for the thoughts, Robin! I'm not so sure I'd go for chiro either. The on-call vet mentioned that she'd seen some good results with it, but she and I mostly talked about acupuncture and massage as the most likely avenues to pursue. Good to know you saw improvement with acu!

[Guest boondog]

Acupuncture has been absolutely amazing for Dillon's spinal arthritis. As I've said many times before in H&M, I was a total skeptic but figured it couldn't hurt to try. I've been able to keep her off of all pain meds with treatments every 1.5-2 months. I strongly recommend trying acupuncture for Asta. Just make sure you have a certified acupuncturist. Good luck!

[AstasMinion]

Thanks, boondog. Sounds like acupuncture has been wonderful for your pup! I've actually used it myself (and loved it), so I'm looking forward to seeing how it works for Asta. I like the sound of keeping her off meds as much as possible and also that you're having success with not TOO frequent treatments.

[Guest boondog]

I should say that we did go a little more frequently (about every four weeks) for the first few months. I really hope it helps Asta.

[ozgirl2]

I was an acu skeptic too, until I took Cody for her bad back. It helped immediately and she had it every month until she died, 18 months later! I am now a believer and IF my insurance covered it, I'd be having it too!!

[Batmom]

FWIW, when someone has a neck/back issue here, this is what we do:

 

-1- continue meds until there are no symptoms while on meds, plus 3-10 days (depending on how bad it was)

-2- be very strict about restricting activity for 3 weeks AFTER symptoms disappear and meds are finished. No stairs, no jumping in and out of cars, no jumping up and down from furniture, no craziness with toys, no offleash turnouts.

 

-2- is a pain in the butt, but it works.

 

Hugs and best luck.