(no subject)

[smg01]

I'm sure you've all been waiting with bated breath for another Sheba update, so here it is.

She had her first acupuncture appointment yesterday afternoon. I think it went well. I really like the vet and the clinic where it was performed. They're obviously very caring there. Sheba was a very good patient. She always is when she's in the hands of professionals. (In my hands, it's a little tougher. I think because she knows that I'm not as confident so she's squirmier.)

Her next appointment is next Tuesday. In the meantime our homework assignment is to use a hairbrush to brush up her back legs and her lower back to get/keep the chi moving in the right direction. Also to do some gentle tail walks(?)--gently pulling per tail a few times a day. I think this is to sort of stretch out the spine a little bit. There was a lot of information, I'm not sure I remember if I got all of the reasons connected correctly.

Her spinal issues are in her mid back section and right above her tail and that's where the treatment was concentrated. Dr E also noted though that her upper spine around her neck and shoulders is really stiff. She thought Sheba's probably been compensating for the weakness in her lower spine and that it's translating into stiffness at the upper end of the spine. Poor baby. I'm kicking myself for not dealing with this sooner. She must have been in pain for a quite a while and I just didn't realize it until it progressed this far.

Dr E said that Sheba would probably seem pretty weak last night after the treatment. She did wag her tail and eat a treat at the clinic immediately after the session. As the evening wore on, she did seem a little wobblier. But. It may well be my imagination or wishful thinking, but I think she seemed a little steadier this morning. So I'm choosing to be hopeful. We'll see how she progresses with further treatment.

Also, I really, really like my regular vet. When I stopped by the clinic to pick her x-rays for the acu consult, the senior vet came out to talk for a minute. He's not the one who saw Sheba on her last visit, so he just came out for an update. He was appropriately, professionally sympathetic. Said he had seen acupuncture have good results and hoped that it would for this situation. And he reinforced my hesitation about surgical options.

Comments

[lostvoice.livejournal.com]

*pets* for you and the doggie.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[meeby.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad you're going this way and happy to hear the first visit went well! Give Sheba a pat from me and my boys.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I will do that.

Love your icon!

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

Hope puppy gets better! :-)

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[raithen.livejournal.com]

that's GREAT! and do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT beat yourself up. EVER. You are getting her the best possible care in the timeliest manner possible. You are an AMAZING dog-mom and don't EVER tell yourself otherwise. Capiche?

I also think that python lifts on her back legs would help with the chi and balance and gait -- it will complement the acupuncture and other work :

here, from the old ttouch website is a brief description -- this is a link if you want to scroll down for the line drawing (http://www.ttouch.com/examplesttouch.shtml):

The Python Lift
The Python Lift is named after Joyce, a gentle 11 foot-long Burmese Python suffering from a recurring respiratory problem, upon whom I worked at the San Diego Zoo. (Note! Click image to see larger view.)

The Python Lift is used to relieve and release tension and spasm. It is effective on the shoulder, legs, neck and back of animals, and also feels great on human backs, arms, legs and shoulders. The Python Lift relaxes nervous animals and improves balance and gait. It also helps to bring your animal into a state of mental and emotional stability.

How to: The whole hand is placed on the body or around the leg with just enough pressure to gently lift the skin and muscle. Lift, pause for several seconds, and then slowly return the skin to the starting point. Remember to breathe with the movement. If you lift too much it causes the animal to tense or move away.

One thing they don't say here, but that is important, is to release the lift twice as slowly as you held it -- so if you held the lift for a count of four, release it over a count of 8.

and you are absolutely right about the rational for the tail work.

you can get info on how tteam approaches tailwork here (http://www.tellingtonttouch.com/tailwork.shtml) the article talks about horses, but at the end explains how it all applies to companion animals like dogs, too.

And if you like, and if you remind me! I can scan the pages related to tail work and python lifts from Linda's book on Ttouch for Dogs -- it's got great pictures and explanations.

{{hugs}} for you and {{pets and treats and ttouches}} for Sheba

[kimexclaimation.livejournal.com]

It's so hard with pets. It's not like they can say, "Hey mommy, my back hurts." So, we don't know. My next door neighbor dog is really old and had started nipping at people because he's ouchy. He's visibly stiff and has problems sitting down. His parents never thought to give him anything for the pain until I mentioned it. They started giving him "asprin" and he's SO much better.

Also, it sounds like you have an awesome vet's office. My cats hate, hate, hate vets. So, we never really establish a good rapport. It's hard for the office when my cat is trying to kill them!

[gttygrl.livejournal.com]

Aww, {{{hugs}}} for you and Sheba. I'm glad the acupuncture seems to be helping.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

And if you like, and if you remind me! I can scan the pages related to tail work and python lifts from Linda's book on Ttouch for Dogs -- it's got great pictures and explanations.

Oooo. Really? If you have the time to do that, that would be cool. :)

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

If only they could talk. It's so hard when you have to guess what's bothering them. Or if something's bothering them at all. Someone needs to invent animal to human translation machines or something.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[peacegood.livejournal.com]

I've always said if I could pick my super power it would be to speak cat. I have a cat who is always talking to me, and I'm dying to know what he's saying. Ideally I'd be able to speak dog too, I'm sure my dogs have a thing or two to tell me.

[kimexclaimation.livejournal.com]

Well, actually someone did invent one. Now someone needs to invent one that works!

Kitty always makes the most horrible sounds. I can't tell if she's complaining, grumbling, or trying to sound fierce. *shrug* I ask her, but she doesn't answer.

[rainbow.livejournal.com]

i am so glad the appt went good and you like the ppl and it seems to be helping! i know cyndi raved adn raved about the acupuncture medea had and how much it helped her. it gave her several years more of good quality life than she could have had without it (she had kidney failure and the acupuncture turned that around for a LONG time, i think). lovelvoelove from boo

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't that be cool?

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

I ask her, but she doesn't answer.

Cats. They can be so uncooperative sometimes.

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

Thanks Boo! When I went home at lunch, she seemed more energetic than she was yesterday, so I'm feeling quite hopeful today.

[kimexclaimation.livejournal.com]

I know! I keep telling Kitty that I'm going to get a dog. She's not bothered.

[sachieljgm.livejournal.com]

***many vibes***
Don't blame yourself. Sheba was probably hiding the pain from you. Some animals do that.
You don't have x-ray vision, so no blame.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

Poor Sheba. :-( Woof.