Alternative Medicine

I remember when I was growing up, our dog(s) and cat(s) if we could find them, would go to the rabies clinic held at the fire station once a year. That was their vet care. Today, we have many options to consider when choosing care for our pets. One choice I’ve made for my dogs is acupuncture.

According to Wikipedia, Acupuncture is an alternative medicine methodology originating in ancient China that treats patients by manipulating thin, solid needles that have been inserted into acupuncture points in the skin.

Humans have been practicing its use for thousands of years. But research has shown that our pets can benefit from acupuncture as well. Acupuncture can help with many canine health issues such as allergies, cancer therapy, recurring urinary infections, arthritis and hip dysplasia and many other canine problems.

My dog Onyx has been receiving acupuncture treatments for arthritis in her spine for several months now.  The first session was both scary and intriguing. I had no idea how she would react to someone putting tiny needles in her.  She did amazing! 

Here are a few pictures of my baby girl during a treatment. The needles are black, so they are a little hard to see. The wires attached send tiny electrodes to certain points to add stimulation.

 

The day following her first treatment, Onyx was visibly sore and very reluctant to do much at all. Day two was better, and on the 3^rd morning after her treatment, she was the first dog off the porch and led the way on our morning walk!  What a wonderful sight to see!

Onyx now waits by the door every morning, hoping it is “her” day. When she does have an appointment for acupuncture, she cannot wait to get in the office. After a very happy greeting to the girls at the front desk and then to Dr. Toolan, she settles herself on the blanket that had already been set out for her and awaits her treatment.

Onyx will be 12 years old next month. She had always been a very active and athletic dog. Over the past few years, we noticed her become less and less active and more reluctant to go up and down stairs. Before she started acupuncture, most of my walks were spent trying to coax her to come along. Now, she has once again claimed her position in the front of the pack and will even give chase to a  squirrel! I don’t expect her to hike for hours like we used to, but it sure is great to see her enjoying our daily walks again!

Shooby has also started to receive acupuncture treatments. I will have more details on him soon!

A great day!

Yesterday was a great day at The Yellow Dog's Barn Open House and Holiday Pet Portraits! The weather was perfect and we had a nice turn-out. Budd Perry of Memories Studio took so many wonderful pictures. Everyone who had portraits taken left with such a big smile. Thats how Budd rolls :)  
The NHSPCA folks were very happy with the turn out as well. Two very cute little kittens went to new homes yesterday! We had the pleasure of spending the day with many animals from the SPCA: Two dogs, 3 kittens, 4 bunnies, a guinea pig and two rats.  This is Monte and Fergie:

 

They are a bonded pair and hope to find a home together. I spent a lot of time yesterday holding these two. They are wonderful bunnies!

I was quite proud of myself to have not taken any animals home with me. I think I've got a full enough plate right now :)

 

1st SNOW!!!!

I'm always a kid on the first snow of the season (ok... the second, third and all the way to the last snow storm). This morning, I couldnt wait to get the dogs out and set our foot prints in the fresh snow! And to see what else may have left its tracks during the night. I found a fresh set of tracks behind my chicken coop...fox perhaps?

I'm supposed to keep this post dog oriented... so here is a picture of my beloved dogwood tree still sporting its fall and now winter colors and since my dogs were not being very photogenic, I thought this bench really captured the snowy morning.

 

Boo Hoo

When Shooby came in the house two weeks ago, holding his left hind leg up, I was pretty sure what the problem was. A trip to the vets the next morning confirmed that Shooby had a ruptured Anterior (Cranial) Cruciate Ligament. Yes, the dreaded "Torn ACL".
So, then the million dollar question was asked... surgery or not? Well, not really a million, but a several thousand anyway.  My immediate answer was Yes, we would do the surgery.

Shooby had ACL surgery on Halloween. Here is a picture of him, taken just seconds before the little orange guy with him got destroyed.

Shooby will have his bandage removed today. In a few days, I can start my own in-home physical therapy on him. In two weeks, the staples will be removed. Then he will begin swim therapy! He's gonna love it. I also hope to start acupuncture treatment for him in the next few weeks as well. Not so sure how he will do with acupuncture.  I'll let you know!