Tigertail Foods is a wholistic pet food and treat company. We use only human-grade
ingredients that come
from trusted sources.
Your pet's health is our first
concern and everything we make is motivated by
the principle
that healthy food helps make healthy pets.
Health Matters
February 14, 2012
There are so many rewards to experiencing the phases of a dog's life. Every moment has its own needs and requirements -- the joy and humor of puppyhood when you have to be constantly aware of what's going in their mouths; the active fun of adulthood when you and your dog can head out for an all-day hike; the quieter grace of the senior years when your dog is happiest snoozing at your feet or cuddled up with you on the couch. Having been through all the phases, I don't have a favorite - they are all wonderful times to be cherished; however, the senior years seem more poignant. Probably because when you look into that lovely face that's accompanied you on so many journeys, you know that time is not infinite and you have to make the most of what you have. Part of doing that is finding ways to keep your senior dog up and moving and mobile. Mobility and the senior dog is the topic for this month's article. If you have a senior dog, we hope you find some helpful information here on how to help keep your best friend moving with ease - or at least more easily - like Ann has for our 15 year-old Bree.
*Standard disclaimer: while we will offer our opinions about how to best achieve optimum health for our animals, we do NOT profess to know what is better for your pet than you or your vet do! Always consult with your vet, then consult with another vet and get a second opinion (because we also believe in having options!).
Maintaining Mobility in An Old Dog - Bree's Story
As many of you know I have rescue Golden Retrievers. Five years ago I got a call from GRCGLA Rescue (Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles) that an old girl was in an El Cajon veterinary hospital and she needed us. No one else was going to take her. Her name was Bree and she now graces our lives, our website and our emu oil brochure. She suffered from pyoderma caused by inhalant allergies and the veterinarian told us we would probably have her for a couple of years since she was at least 10 years old at that time. We began to call her Joan Wayne because of her swagger and her never-say-die attitude. She did exactly what she wanted to do at all times ~~ and thank goodness she usually wanted to do whatever we asked of her. St. Valentine's Day is her designated “Gotcha Day” and this year we will help her celebrate her (at least) 15th birthday!
In the past year her back end has become a cause of concern. Her back legs were getting weaker and her walking was at times a stagger for balance. We had added bathroom and kitchen throw rugs over most of the tiled floors downstairs to give her added stability, but a few months ago it was time for a visit to the veterinarian. After taking x-rays to determine what, if any, skeletal problems might be present, Bree was put on a couple of prescriptions and Metacam for pain control and my dear and trusted veterinarian suggested a holistic veterinarian in San Diego who might have another approach to Bree's pain and mobility issues. Basically, her mobility problems are caused by advancing age and the wear and tear of living a full (at least)15 years. In other words, my normal veterinarian had nothing more to offer to combat the fatigue of age.
One morning Bree had a LOT of problems getting up, and I called the holistic veterinarian for the earliest appointment available. It seemed that overnight Bree's right hind leg had lost its ability to center itself and there was obvious neurologic damage as it turned in and under as she staggered into the back yard to relieve herself. Furthermore, the paw on that foot dragged and I could hear the sound of toenails dragging across the patio. Within hours of my call I received a call back from one of the health practitioners at the practice. I knew this lady as she had given Max relaxing massages occasionally in his later days. She offered to give Bree a massage right before she was to see the veterinarian for an acupuncture treatment.
The day of Bree's first treatment we loaded her into the van via a ramp and she thudded into a heap for the ride down to San Diego. When we got there, she got herself out of the van and used the designated relief-spot before seeing Ann Montalto for her first ever massage. She wasn't sure what was happening, but within a few minutes decided that whatever was being done to her was JUST FINE! She let Ann know where it hurt and told her not to stop whenever Ann raised her hands. As far as Bree was concerned the massage could have gone on for hours, but after a half hour it was time to meet a new veterinarian, Dr. Katie Kangas.
Dr. Katie, as she is known, is a fully qualified veterinarian with years of experience in western veterinary medicine (working with the SD Humane Society) before she began training in Chinese veterinary medicine, herbs, acupuncture, and other holistic practices. Dr. Katie had seen and read Bree's latest x-rays and she took a full patient profile before suggesting a course of combined massage and acupuncture along with a holistic pain medication. Bree tolerated the acupuncture treatment and I was warned that she would probably sleep heavily that night. She seemed a bit easier in her movements after we got home and I began to hope that we might not lose her. Her eyes were still not bright and she was still not engaged as she had been a few weeks before but at least she seemed more pain-free.
Each week we returned to San Diego for a massage first and then acupuncture, and each time Bree seemed better. By Christmas we deemed her well enough to leave at home alone while we had Christmas dinner with family in Orange County. We came home early to find Bree in a heap in the family room and unable to get up! The next morning I called the holistic veterinarian, frantic to get help for Bree. One of the office staff returned my call within minutes and said that she had contacted Dr. Katie and, if I could get down there, she had a prescription waiting for Bree. I was down there in an hour, so grateful that someone would pick up messages on a holiday Monday and get back to me with some help. Wow!! What an amazing practice! I was given a bottle of capsules that packed quite a punch. After 24 hours on this concoction of Chinese herbs Bree was back on her feet, eyes brighter than they had been for weeks, and moving around the back yard like a younger version of herself. She was on these “super herbs” for about 12 days and each day she improved. We were getting our old girl back! Joan Wayne was alive and moving. Unfortunately, because of their strength, you can't take them for any longer than 12 days. However, during that time Dr. Katie suggested that we add chiropractic adjustment into Bree's health regimen, alternating with acupuncture.
The following week Bree and I met her new chiropractor, Valerie Lunnon. For whatever reason, Bree was really out of alignment and with each gentle adjustment, Bree would get this brief strange look of surprise on her face. Sort of a “Wow, hmmm, what just happened?” Bree has now had three chiropractic sessions with Valerie and she is moving better and seems a bit steadier on her legs. Two things I've noticed: it is easier for her to get up, and she is able to self-correct when her right hind leg crumples. The chiropractic adjustments are helping to compensate the age-related neurologic problems.
Dr. Katie also suggested adding in another mixture of Chinese herbs called Body Sore powder. To balance these additions of Chinese medicine, we were decreasing the dosage of western anti-inflammatory and pain medicines. Bree is now almost completely off western drugs. Last week we added Bi Ji San to replace Metacam.
I have several conclusions about my adventure with Bree into holistic veterinary medicine. First, however, I want to publically thank my “western” veterinarian for her suggestion to go to this particular practice. I have been to many holistic practitioners (of many disciplines) and know the benefits of each – to me and my dogs. But this is the first time I have been to a practice that has so many different practitioners with so much to offer under one roof. I wish everyone were so lucky. Secondly, I know that western pharmacology originated in the medical use of herbs. I KNOW they're effective, but I've never seen a more dramatic example of the strength of herbs than what I've seen with Bree's treatment. The thing I particularly appreciate is the lack of side effects common with chemically created pharmaceuticals. And, unlike humans who can convince themselves that something is working or not, dogs are impervious to the placebo effect. If there is visible, marked improvement from a treatment or herbal formula, it is because it really works - not just because Bree wants it to work.
Massage therapy works! It works to loosen and relax tired muscles, soothing aches and pains everywhere in the body. Bree loves her sessions with Ann and grumbles that they are over all too soon. I've watched this dog turn and adjust her position so that Ann can reach a sore spot and work out a knot. If she thinks one side needs more time, she won't roll over until she's ready. The look of bliss on her face is priceless.
Acupuncture works! When we first started Bree was in such pain that the needles didn't bother her. As the weeks went by, she became more and more sensitive to needle placement and would twitch when one or two of the needles were placed. Her right rear leg has yet to twitch but her neurons are becoming more and more sensitive around her hips. That tells me that pathways are opening up and signals are getting through. Her feet still turn under but she corrects them faster than before. She can feel more than she felt three months ago.
Chiropractic adjustment works! The first couple of adjustments were both subtle and temporary as things slipped back into old settings. However, the third adjustment was almost dramatic in a couple of spots where there was an audible “click” and corresponding sigh from Bree. She is walking straighter and her head no longer has a slight tilt. She seems more centered, carrying less of her weight on just her front legs.
Combining chiropractic and acupuncture works! As the skeleton is put back into proper alignment, the neural pathways are opened for transmission of signals. The acupuncture stimulates those nerve ends that were previously pinched or impeded by mis-alignments in the body. Sensation that was diminished, is brought back by combining the two procedures.
Bree had no expectations when this adventure began. Indeed, I was almost sure she was getting ready to check out on us. Her eyes were dull and she was listless ~ uninterested in everything but cookies. She slept at least twenty hours a day. Today she is more bright-eyes, interested in what and who's here. She wants to go into the bakery and she loves her visits to the veterinarian's. She is moving easier and goes up and down the three stairs to the family room on her own. Weather permitting, she is spending more time outdoors with the other dogs.
Last week Bree had a bad day. She was unsure of her footing and had several “sit-splotz” events. The next day when I went to load her into the van, and before I could get the ramp in place, she climbed in all by herself with only one of my hands available to steady her! I told Dr. Katie about Bree getting into the van on her own power and then I told her about the previous bad day, adding that I had been harboring the fantasy that her Chinese herbs and holistic approaches would cure age. She gently agreed with me that it is indeed a fantasy to think we can reverse aging, but we can keep Bree happy and allow her to move easier for whatever time she has left. She told me that Bree will have good and bad days, but as long as there are more good days than bad, we are doing just fine - and, really, who could ask for more?
