Jean in Newcastle Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 So, it has been 1 1/2 months since Libby was hit by a car, suffering a spinal cord injury. I've been depressed because after 2 weeks of very rapid progress (she went from not being able to eat, drink, eliminate on her own or even move herself from side to side to being a "normal" 3 legged dog with a paralyzed 4th leg), she just stopped progressing. Her 4th leg is now skeletal with atrophy. The vet was talking about how long we could put off amputation, and nothing about how to respond to the fact that we did see glimmers of a movement now and then. So in desperation I called my dh's chiropractor who I knew worked on dogs. I had to pay a rather unfortunate fee to see the naturopathic vet that he works under before I was allowed to be referred to the chiropractor that I actually wanted to see, but I accept that as the hoop that I had to jump through. The naturopathic vet was depressing too as he spent his time berating me for not having come to him sooner and telling me that Libby was probably permanently paralyzed. But the chiropractor himself was wonderful. He saw Libby for 1/3 of the price of the vet and did a doggie adjustment and laser acupuncture on her. The exciting thing is that the very next day - Libby started to move her "paralyzed" paw! Now we are exercising her leg every day by playing with her with a stuffed puppy that she loves to wrestle with. She will get so caught up in the play and will start to paw the air for her puppy with her bad leg. She's got a long way to go - she still doesn't seem to be able to move her paw to get away from me tickling it (a thing she hates) and can't bear any weight at all on that leg. But for the first time in over a month I am starting to have hope again. She will be going to the doggie chiropracter weekly for a while. I figure it will be a bit hard on the pocketbook but not as hard as surgery and recovery, with all the prescription meds would be if she had to have her leg amputated. And the outcome is so much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :party: That's wonderful news!! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Wishing for continued success! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 That is wonderful, Jean! I am so happy for Libby and your family. Is it ok with you if I share your post with my sister whose dog may be facing leg amputation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Absolutely amazing! I hope she regains the use of her leg. What a pup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in AL Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 What fabulous news!! :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 That is wonderful, Jean! I am so happy for Libby and your family. Is it ok with you if I share your post with my sister whose dog may be facing leg amputation? Of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avila Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 So glad to hear the good news! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :grouphug: on the cost, but YAY! That is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 That's wonderful news! I hope she continues to improve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yay for Libby! This is a great story. I didn't even know there was such a thing as chiro for pets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Rejoicing with you for Libby!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Awesome!! Happy for you! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Wonderful news. Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work, Libby!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Doggie Chiropractic Care, yeah! Hurray for Libby. Will pray that all that love and care you provide will help restore her leg! I am so amazed by the improvement she made. I remember your posting about having to roll her over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Now we are exercising her leg every day by playing with her with a stuffed puppy that she loves to wrestle with. But for the first time in over a month I am starting to have hope again. She will be going to the doggie chiropracter weekly for a while. I am so glad that there is hope for Libby. I will keep you all and Libby in my prayers. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I was just thinking about Libby and your family yesterday. Thank you for sharing the update. I'm sure this will be a long journey, but she's so lucky to have you loving and caring for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :hurray::hurray::hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Jean, that is great news! Good to hear such a positive update on your furkid!:hurray: Go, Libby, go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 That's awesome news, Jean! (this is the first post I've read this morning, and it made me all teary!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :grouphug: wow hadn't heard of that type of therapy for animals.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 WOW! This is WONDERFUL news, Jean! I'm SO happy to hear this!!! I honestly didn't think that leg could be saved! :hurray: :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 WOW! This is WONDERFUL news, Jean! I'm SO happy to hear this!!! I honestly didn't think that leg could be saved! :hurray: :hurray: Me neither. It has been a tough month as every time I did therapy with her or took her outside and saw her flopping around, I got so depressed. It's not like voila, she's cured or anything. But we're seeing definite improvement where before there were only these flickers that we were starting to wonder were hallucinations on our part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Good for you for seeking out alternative advice! Yay for Libby the Wonder Dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I missed this, that's incredible! We have a three legged cat. His leg was shattered, couldn't save it. He has no idea he's supposed to be disabled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartosunshine Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 That's awesome! When I was in college, I worked at an emergency animal hospital, usually alone except for emergencies, in the evenings & at night. We had a cat that was injured in the fan of a car & looked to be paralyzed from the "waist" down. Her family didn't want her anymore because of this, so she was on the 2 week hold before being euthanized. I felt so bad for her & she was so sweet, that I started taking her out of the cage & playing with her on the carpeted floor in one of the offices. Turns out, one of my coworkers was doing the same thing on alternate days. The kitty "rehabbed" and made a complete recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 This is good to hear :001_smile: Please keep us updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 :party:The fact that she can feel it when you tickle her foot is a very good sign. The tickling might be too distracting for her to be able to concentrate on moving. Our dog started wagging his tail again(injured 4+ years ago) within the past six months and he still has to concentrate to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yah!! Little steps but such joyous news. I've been wondering about her. Plus, you never know how watching her strength through this will affect the way your dcs will see adversity in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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