The orthopedic vet couldn't find anything on Lily's x-rays. So we found a holistic vet in the next town. She found calcified discs in her mid-spine. It is pretty severe, both back legs are not functioning and they cross when we lift her which I guess is a real indication of nerve damage. If Lily wasn't so healthy or vibrant as she is she would not recommend treatment, as it is she is giving her a 50/50 chance of possibly regaining ANY type of function.
Here she is getting her first electo-acupuncture treatment that day. She was great through it all. We have physical therapy exercises and massage therapy to do several times a day. She also is on a Chinese herb mixture twice a day. She has also recommended a diet of turkey and or ocean whitefish along with Omega-3's for her diet.
She has told us not to get our hopes up too much, due to her arthritis and age, and it may be a few sessions before we see any improvement, if any. Not what we want to hear but this is our only option, we are willing to give it a few sessions to see if it helps.
It has been about 3 days since her session. We are trying not to be too optimistic or see improvement where there isn't any.......but we have noticed a small improvement. She is trying to use her back legs to get up when we lift her, trying to feebly push up a little, which she wasn't doing. When we practice setting her feet and putting weight on them she is improving, a little bit more each day. Mind you she still can not stand on her own or move her back legs in a walking motion but we take any little glimmer of improvement.
We are not expecting a miracle, that she will wake up one day and be able to walk again. But we are hopeful that she regain some use of her hind legs to assist us in walking her. Little steps.....we are keeping our fingers crossed!
I want to thank everyone who stopped by to offer their best wishes and ideas. We are very grateful.
Crossed paws and prayers headed your way!
ReplyDeleteOur paws are crossed too.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Keeping paws crossed - let us all know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteSam
Lily, we are here with paws crossed. Hugs to you sweetie pie. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteLily is a fighter and and she's also got the best support crew around:) You guys can do it together! Hugs to you all xx
ReplyDeleteLily, you sweet, brave girl... It took me 3 or 4 regular acupuncture treatments ( I didn't get those cool wire thingys) before we saw improvement in my neck. Once it started, tho, it kept going. We continue to have our paws crossed for you.
ReplyDelete-Bart (and Ruby)
We are pulling for you. Lily is very lucky to have you who loves her so very much. I'm glad that you saw a glimmer of change. I understand your realism but my fingers are crossed for another glimmer.
ReplyDeleteOur K just had acupuncture yesterday. Her leg that formerly was riddled with bone tumors has swollen up and is very sore. We have her on about 4 kinds of pain meds plus the acupuncture. We just want to make her comfortable (we're in a different place than you are since her lungs are so bad). We are seeing a big improvement but we don't which of the many things is causing it.
Here's to sweet Lily and to you. Treasure these days and keep that glimmer.