Acupuncture for my Dog

[dangerousdon]

So I have a Chocolate Dapple Dachshund male about eight years old named Chauncey (after Chauncey Billups for any of you Detroit Pistons fans out there). Chauncey hurt his back a couple of weeks ago and my wife and I were concerned we might have to put him down. He was unable to walk using his two hind legs. You have to understand that Chauncey is my wife's baby. If something happens to him she is a wreck...and therefore I am a wreck. Surgery was an option but man that is REALLY expensive. Our Vet recommended that we try acupuncture. To which I was like...What? So we tried it. After just three sessions in two weeks I would like to say that I am a believer in this stuff. Chauncey is up and walking around. He isn't walking how he used to yet and he has a long way to go to full recovery, but he is walking when I was sure we were going to have to put him down. So When I say he is walking around, what I really mean is that he is walking when we let him out of his crate to pee and poo...doctor's orders. Anyway, I thought I would share a couple of photos from his last two sessions.

 

[skijor]

I love happy dog endings. Thanks for sharing

 

[Teppanyaki]

I love happy dog endings. Thanks for sharing

Agreed. I love dogs and hate to see any dog in pain.

 

[DaniSei]

Hello, my dog is alnost eight years now and I do understand what it means when something bad happens to them. Hope he will recover fast and will make you smile as often as before.

 

[lishijia]

We've had two dachshunds that have had their backs go -- one we did the surgery and he spent five more wonderful years in a wheelchair, but the second one was this past February and was very sudden and difficult as he was only 8 years old. (Surgery would have been $10K with less than 20% chance of any recovery of motion in the back legs -- we chose, instead, to put him down peacefully with a mobile vet who came to our home to do the euthanasia.) All that is to say, I'm thrilled for you that Chauncey is recovering -- I hope he gives you and your wife many more years of companionship and joy!

 

[dangerousdon]

We've had two dachshunds that have had their backs go -- one we did the surgery and he spent five more wonderful years in a wheelchair, but the second one was this past February and was very sudden and difficult as he was only 8 years old. (Surgery would have been $10K with less than 20% chance of any recovery of motion in the back legs -- we chose, instead, to put him down peacefully with a mobile vet who came to our home to do the euthanasia.) All that is to say, I'm thrilled for you that Chauncey is recovering -- I hope he gives you and your wife many more years of companionship and joy!

[MENTION=105321]lishijia[/MENTION] I am so sorry for your loss. I wouldn't have been able to have the surgery done either and I am glad the option of acupuncture was presented. I know it's holistic medicine and mostly associated with quacks and crack pot doctors but the fact is when prescribed with proper medical care it does work. My little friend really wants to run around and while he still can't he is able to walk on his own. Something he couldn't do two weeks ago. I will let you all know how this progresses.

 

[lishijia]

Please do keep us posted! Dogs are the best!

 

[DC_MPA]

That's fantastic! We have a animal clinic in town that is a special is of acupuncture on animals, hydrotherapy, they even fly in a masseuse from Dallas who is an animal specialist of massage therapy.

 

[Guestabc]

Don, That is good progress, we did the same to one of our shepherds and it gave her a good quality of like and we were able to keep her with us for a few more years.

 

[dangerousdon]

Don, That is good progress, we did the same to one of our shepherds and it gave her a good quality of like and we were able to keep her with us for a few more years.

I never would have thought that I would be talking about acupuncture on a dog but it really does work. Glad to here that you tried it on your Shepherd. Even happier that it worked.

 

[wurglehound]

It doesn't work for every patient, but it's definitely worth a try. I'm glad Chauncey's getting his wheels back.

 

[dangerousdon]

It doesn't work for every patient, but it's definitely worth a try. I'm glad Chauncey's getting his wheels back.

You are right...it doesn't work on every animal. There are so many variables in all of this that it is hard to tell who it will work on. But if a vet says there might be a chance for recovery for...whatever ailment...then I say give it a try.

 

[dangerousdon]

I know this thread has been buried but I wanted to update for anyone who was following. Chauncey had his 6th acupuncture session the other day. He is doing fantastic! He isn't in any pain and he is about 85% of where he was before he was injured. He is allowed to run around and exercise in limited amounts. Obviously, no jumping though. Vet says that he should make a full recovery. I will get pics when I can. Thank you all for your interest.

 

[AvariCe]

Awesome news! Glad he's okay.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I know this thread has been buried but I wanted to update for anyone who was following. Chauncey had his 6th acupuncture session the other day. He is doing fantastic! He isn't in any pain and he is about 85% of where he was before he was injured. He is allowed to run around and exercise in limited amounts. Obviously, no jumping though. Vet says that he should make a full recovery. I will get pics when I can. Thank you all for your interest.

Good news. I know a few people who have tried it for pain relief. It works on some, but not on others. Either way, it is worth a shot. I am thinking about trying it for my lower back pain.

 

[GMJager]

That's awesome! I haven't seen acupuncture on animals before!
If someone stumbles upon this in the future, another option... if you can find one, is Chiropractic for animals (not nearly the same "snap crackle pop" it is for humans).

I think both of these are great options before any surgery (unless obviously it is absolutely necessary)

Glad your pup is making a good recovery!!! Always hate to see a family member in pain/distress!

 

[dangerousdon]

Probably one of my last updates...Chauncey went back to the vet for another session of acupuncture yesterday. The Vet said she VERY impressed with his progress. Chauncey can return back to limited exercise for short sessions and he can run if he would like. Absolutely no jumping though...that's going to be hard because the little man just wants to play all the time. Anyway, the wife and I are very happy to have our little guy back to almost normal. Chauncey has to go back in six weeks for another session but probably only one or two more after that.

 

[GMJager]

That's great news!! Glad to hear things are working out!