Koyotekyle Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Sam is 8 years old. He was adopted only a few months ago. We have had an x-ray and MRI. The diagnosis is a nerve that is squeezed in his hind end.that causing pain in his leg. He used to love walking, but now can't make it around the block. At first he would limp, now he won't put his leg down and hops. We are giving him pain meds, but they don't seem to be working now. Surgery is an option, but from what I have read that is very risky. Even my own orthopedic surgeon recommended against it. I have had many tell me that their dogs died after the surgery. I am at a loss. I don't want to hurt Sam, but I worry about his quality of life. The vet says it is at the very end of his back, and not as risky as if it was in the spine. I don't believe in Chiropractic care, (never had it for me) But that was one suggestion. I don't see how that would help but lots of people swear by it. ANY IDEAS or SUGGESTIONS would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2four Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Please reconsider chiropractric treatments for Sam. They have helped me personally and have also helped our old Labrador with hind end problems and our tripod Greyhound. It is the first thing I would try. Good luck with Sam. Quote Tin and Michael and Lucas, Picasso, Hero, Oasis, Galina, Neizan, Enzo, Salvo and Noor the Galgos. Remembering Bridge Angel Greyhounds: Tosca, Jamey, Master, Diego, and Ambi; plus Angel Galgos Jules, Marco and Baltasar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatricksMom Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Welcome to GT--sorry you and Sam are struggling. Gabapentine can help with nerve related pain--it's at least something to ask your vet about. Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Acupuncture and/or chiropractic. they work Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Did they mention lumbrosacral stenosis? There are injections that can help. I second the suggestion to start gabapentin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I don't mean to sound blunt, but you may not believe in chiro care for you, but its the dog who is in pain and chiro care may only be the lasting treatment. My Lou gets chiro treatment for a pinched nerve and it works. I do have steroid on hand at first onset of symptoms, that does help with immediate pain. Then off to chiro for treatment. Hope your pupper finds relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 It it is some kind of degenerative stenosis then you must try anything that can get resulting inflammation down. Whether it be Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Steroids or just getting the weight stress off by swimming exercizes then it's going to give your dog an opportuinty to hold back the progress of the condition. You can even do electro-acupuncture yourself with a TENS pen, but while a human can easily tell themselves where the 'hot' area is, a dog cannot, so if you ask a practitioner there won't be so much trial and error. See: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acusell-Piezo-Electronic-Acupuncture-Acu-Pen-Acupoint-Massager-Relief-Portable-/110967353593?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d62b70f9 When I have had a chiropractor working on me it usually feels better for about a day afterwards and that is long enough to help the muscles and everything start to relax and stop making the condition worse.After a few weekly sessions the problem is no longer a problem. Biology doesn't really mind whether you beleive in it or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Acupuncture and/or chiropractic. they work Both my dogs and I have benefitted greatly from acupuncture and chiropractic. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyotekyle Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Thank You for you replies. I am certainly not going to rule out anything that makes Sam feel better Does anyone know Dog Chiropractors, or acupuncturists? We live about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. The pills that Sam is taking are: Tramadol 50MG Carprofen 75 MG Gabapentin 300 MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 My greyhound has something similar, but I haven't gotten an MRI on him yet because I also feel that surgery is too risky & invasive. Right now we are trying chiropractic & acupuncture. As soon as they started last time, he fell asleep. I'm willing to try if there's a chance it could help & it's obv not hurting him in any way so I don't see a negative other than $. There must be tons of options for great practitioners in LA. Unfortunately my vet is not really on board with pain meds. We tried a low dose of gabapentin with no noticeable results. I think I'm going to have to push her on that. Have you noticed a big difference since starting the meds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 http://www.greythealth.com/lumbosacral.html Does this sound like your hound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) Certified veterinary chiropractors list: http://www.avcadocto...nitedstates.htm It would be good if you find one who is also certified in veterinary acupuncture. Here's the certified acupuncturist list: http://www.aava.org/...aava-directory/ We have been treating our lumbosacral stenosis dog in this manner for four years, with great success. He's almost 12 now and has just recently (since he also developed problems in three disks) started on gabapentin and tramadol. Good luck! Edited October 28, 2012 by greyhead Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicocat Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I had never believed in chiropractic care either - for me or for dogs. Well, about a year ago Survey started having episodes where she would lose the use of her legs on her left side and had pain when raising her head when she had been laying down. The vet prescribed prednisone and it worked only until the dosage was reduced. A friend (who is a vet) recommended chiropractic care from a Chiropractic Doctor who is certified for animal care. Quite simply - it works! Survey has been symptom and pain free since July and her back continues to improve with every adjustment. At the beginning she was seen at 2 or 3 week intervals and now we have increased the time between adjustments to 5-6 weeks. There are many greyhounds with LS who are helped by this treatment. I wish I had known that 3 years ago when my boy Alpo was diagnosed with LS. Quote Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Definitely do chiropractic and acupuncture. I'd start with acupuncture to reduce the inflammation first before doing chiropractic adjustments. Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trihounds Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 We waited about six months before giving acupuncture a shot - for the same reasons you've mentioned and that was six months too long. We have a new dog thanks to (now) monthly treatments. Good luck - give it a try. Quote Doe's Bruciebaby Doe's Bumper Derek Follow my Ironman journeys and life with dogs, cats and busy kids: A long road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 The pills that Sam is taking are:Tramadol 50MG Carprofen 75 MG Gabapentin 300 MG That combo of meds should go a long way to helping Sam feel more comfortable. And I also would encourage you to seek out & try a good chiro &/or acupuncture practitioner. Am not in your are so cannot recommend anyone. Also, supplements of varying types, especially MSM, Vit C, devil's claw & even B-complex, can help alleviate some of the pain possibly allowing you to reduce the dosage of the other meds. Do some research & choose carefully but do give it consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 How is Sam doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Acupuncture and/or chiropractic. they work Yes they really do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyotekyle Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 Thanks to all of you. Chiropractic is the choice. One more question. On the list of certified practitioners they list both DC and DVM. Any Preference. I found a few fairly close to home, Some are DVM and some are DC . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Ours is a DVM, and I'm very comfortable with that. She switched from traditional veterinary medicine, which she is still licensed to practice, to rehab vet work involving Chinese strategies and meds (herbs). She does both chiropractic and acupuncture, and I find that important. As someone else pointed out, I think, acupuncture can relieve pain and prepare the dog to receive the chiropractic adjustment with greater ease. We haven't run into any vets who are exclusively DC's, so... Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyotekyle Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 Ours is a DVM, and I'm very comfortable with that. She switched from traditional veterinary medicine, which she is still licensed to practice, to rehab vet work involving Chinese strategies and meds (herbs). She does both chiropractic and acupuncture, and I find that important. As someone else pointed out, I think, acupuncture can relieve pain and prepare the dog to receive the chiropractic adjustment with greater ease. We haven't run into any vets who are exclusively DC's, so... No acupuncturists listed for California at all. I've narrowed it down to two now. One is a DC (30 miles away) and One is a DVM. (45 miles away) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I found this doc, though I don't know if he's convenient to you. He has the certification, as I read it, just not the "advanced" certification. (I just checked on it because I couldn't believe there wasn't a single certified vet acupuncturist in the entire state of CA! As it is, it's totally odd that there's only one! I'll see if there's a different certifying body also and report back if there is.) Kevin May, DVM El Cajon Valley Veterinary Hospital 560 N Johnson Ave El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 444-9491 (Work Ph) Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koyotekyle Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 I found this doc, though I don't know if he's convenient to you. He has the certification, as I read it, just not the "advanced" certification. (I just checked on it because I couldn't believe there wasn't a single certified vet acupuncturist in the entire state of CA! As it is, it's totally odd that there's only one! I'll see if there's a different certifying body also and report back if there is.) Kevin May, DVM El Cajon Valley Veterinary Hospital 560 N Johnson Ave El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 444-9491 (Work Ph) Thank you but El Cajon is closer to San DIego than Los Angeles. That would be about 200 miles from here. I am willing to try anything, and if we can't get the relief from Chiropractors. I would consider the trip but it is a little far for a maybe.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 My dog has LS, and he takes a lot less medication that your guy is getting, and they make a world of difference. It's hard to believe in a HUGE city like LA there isn't a doggy chiropractor, what with all those Hollywood types willing to do ANYTHING for their purse pooches! Good luck with Sam. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) Try this site -- there are a ton of acupuncture vets in CA http://search.tcvm.c...asp?qtype=state certified chiropractors: http://www.avcadoctors.com/certified_member_doctors/unitedstates.htm and this site http://ahvma.org/Widgets/FindVet.html Edited October 31, 2012 by Burpdog Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.