greysmom Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 What, you may ask, does picture of a bowl of meat have to do with anything?? IMG_20171106_162421344 by Chris Harper, on Flickr I took this picture about 60 minutes ago, after fending off three dogs from eating all of it off the floor. Three dogs. THREE!! Not two! And it was that third dog that had put it on the floor in the first place! It was a miracle! Because that third dog - our Lilly - has been struggling with intestinal issues ever since she was a puppy. She's always been a picky eater and we've always had to encourage her to eat enough. Even as a 14 week old landshark she was horribly car sick every time we went anywhere. Her issues progressed until she was barely eating, vomiting all the time, having (sometimes explosive) diarrhea, and terrible loud stomach gurgles and squeaks. We tried a lot of things for the first two years of her life - different drugs, different foods, homecooking, tough love. An ultrasound finally showed that the walls of her intestines were very thick and swollen. A biopsy grabbed during her spay showed the same. We scheduled a consult with a internal specialist and readied ourselves for the cost. But our vet suggested we might want to give one more thing a try before we headed down the rabbit hole of steroids and high powered immunosuppressant drugs - acupuncture. Acupuncture, we learned, is approved for treating intestinal diseases in humans, so we decided to give it a try. We were referred to a practitioner who was both licensed as a regular vet, and certified in acupuncture and chinese herbal treatments. Within three of the six initial needle sessions Lilly was already getting better - her stomach noises had subsided, she was no longer car sick at all, and most of her nauseau had disappeared. We also cleared her diet of any trace of chicken, as we discovered she'd developed an intolerance to it through a food trial suggested by our acupucture vet. No chicken in any form is hard in today's market as it's in everything, but with diligent research, we did it. We found a food and limited treats she tolerated and that didn't upset her system. I had to spoon feed her canned food (she refused all kibble) three times a day, but she was eating and finally getting some nutrition from her food. After the initial needle poking sessions, our acupuncture vet introduced Lilly to a course of several chinese herbal treatments. We continued these for two years with adjustments as she got better, interspersed with "touch up" needle sessions. Lilly continued to improve - no more horrible stomach noises, no more vomiting, no more diarrhea, and eating her food as long as I spoon fed her. Lilly finished her course of treatment last June. She has continued to improve. Over the last couple months, she has been showing more and more interest in food, and will often come out to the kitchen and insert herself into whatever is going on there - something she never would have done before. She will even eat some food on her own now, and seeing her eating out of her bowl at her place in the kitchen feels like a huge success every time! Back to the bowl of meat. Lilly counter-surfed it. The whole bowl. She's very tall so she can grab anything off the counter no matter how far it's pushed back - she just has never done it before tonight. Never. Not once. When she went out to the kitchen while I was eating my dinner, I never considered that bowl of meat to be at risk. I was torn between needing to scold and wanting to hug her when I heard that bowl hit the floor! I'd never been so happy to lose a pound of pork shoulder in my life! This has been long, and if you read this far I'm glad you stuck with me. I just wanted to share how far we've come. There is life after a long hard road! Lilly in her acupuncturists office IMG_20150423_115249279 by Chris Harper, on Flickr Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmettobug Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 That's great! My personal acupuncturist has done wonders for my migraines. Trying to convince him to get pet-certified too. Quote Current Crew: Gino-Gene-Eugene! (Eastnor Rebel: Makeshift x Celtic Dream); Fuzzy the Goo-Goo Girl (BGR Fuzzy Navel: Boc's Blast Off x Superior Peace); Roman the Giant Galoot! (Imark Roman: Crossfire Clyde x Shana Wookie); Kitties Archie and Dixie Forever Missed: K9 Sasha (2001-2015); Johnny (John Reese--Gable Dodge x O'Jays) (2011-19); the kitties Terry and Bibbi; and all the others I've had the privilege to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 So happy to hear this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 What a rough road, but you made it! Well done! Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 What a wonderful success story! Congratulations to all involved, and especially to Lilly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 GOOD GIRL LILLY !!! Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locket Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 You did so good for her! Go KLilly!!! Quote Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el GalgoCaptain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartdogs Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 I've always loved your stories & pictures of Lilly & I'm so glad she's doing better. There are times when counter surfing are good. Hugs to you & Lilly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Awesome success! Way to go, Lilly! Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misspiggy Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Yea to KLilly and her Mom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 GREAT story! It had everything-especially LOVE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2four Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Wow, Lilly this is great news for you! 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...
Kestrel Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Woohoo Lilly! Quote Kendra, devoted walker of Henry (Tom Jones: Great Son x Lucia) Missing Badger (Vf Get R Done: Quicksand Slip x Ll Tee el See), 5/04 - 2/14, who opened our hearts and our home to greyhounds; Kenzie (Slatex Kenzie: Randy Handy x Slatex Chrisy), 4/03 - 10/14, who really knew what a good dog she was; Falcon (Atascocita Sabat: Dodgem by Design x Atascocita Barb), 9/10 - 1/20, who was grumpy and snarky but eventually a little bit cuddly, too; Grandpa Grey the Galgo Español, 2008 (?) to 2022, who made us feel lucky to be the ones to teach him about pet life; and Lucia (Larking About x Anastasia, 5/12 to 8/23), our first brood matron and the sweetest speckly girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Wonderful! Quote Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexi Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 So glad that the treatments have worked for Lilly. Quote Lexi (mom to Nok, the former feral black kitty) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banjoman Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Quote Miss "England" Carol with whippet lurcher Nutmeg & Zavvi the Chihuahua. R.I.P. Chancey (Goosetree Chance). 24.1.2009 - 14.4.2022. Bluegrass Banjoman. 25.1.2004 - 25.5.2015 and Ch. Sleepyhollow Aida. 30.9.2000 - 10.1.2014. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Wow! What an amazing success! (I wish I'd known about that option when I almost lost Minnie to IBD 15 years ago.) Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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