This week we had our first appointment to explore what started out as acupuncture with Elizabeth Boswell, DVM.
Dr Boswell told me during our initial call that she practices a variety of additional treatments including laser, ultrasound and several more, along with natural remedies. I am all for anything natural, especially if it reduces Rocko’s reliance on pain medicine.
I have to digress for a minute. Many of you reading this already know Rocko. Some people might be landing here for the first time on their own journey through life with a senior dog.
The decision on how far to take treatment of the aches and pains of an old dog is one that only you can make. I had a friend who laughed when I told her what we were doing. Another wondered if she could have taken this step and gotten just a little more time.
I don’t know how I got so lucky with Rocko. At one month before he turns 17, he is alert and still active but I have watched him age before my eyes. The last year has been especially hard (and of course, the next one will be even harder). If I can do this for him and make him more comfortable then I want to give it a try.
With that in mind, back to our adventure.
Rocko, October 12, 2011
The day before our appointment (rescheduled from Monday to Wednesday) I started telling Rocko that we were going to a new doctor to try to feel better so he could get used to the idea. Dr Boswell was going to see him at his weakest stage. For the past two days I had been outside doing yard work all day and he stayed out with me so he was worn out. Of course, once we get out in the car his adrenaline kicked in, hiding some of his symptoms. We got to our appointment about 15 minutes early and he refused to sit down in the waiting area. You can see from the picture that he wasn’t stressed, he just didn’t want to sit down.
Once we entered the office the doctor and I went over his history, diet and current medications and supplements. The three of us then sat on a mat on the floor and Dr Boswell began her examination.
She felt around his body, first commenting on his liver function. Liver problems are a common side effect of long term use of Rimadyl and Rocko has been taking it for five years or more now, so that’s something we keep an eye on. I wasn’t surprised to hear that it wasn’t quite up to par. Dr Boswell then checked him for a variety of nutritional deficiencies, finding three areas he was lacking. She ordered a general neurological supplement that should be here tomorrow, she mixed up another one and also said that he needed some extra vitamin C. I had read about the use of esther-C in dogs but Rocko kept spitting it out so I gave up. I still had it so we are going to work on getting him up to his maximum tolerance level.
Dr Boswell then performed a treatment on Rocko similar to using a tens unit for pain control. I know a little bit about how irritated nerves give off signals and if you can interrupt or redirect those signals the pain will calm down. Again, Rocko was quite calm during the treatment. Most of the time he was smiling, occasionally he would look back over his shoulder at her (but in a nice way). We completed the treatment and left with written instructions for the supplements.
After we got home, Rocko was exactly as I expected – worn out. He could barely stand up. Every time he tried to turn a corner his butt dropped to the ground. He had just pushed himself to his limit.
I started him on the first supplement. I have to note that this comes in an alcohol base but the dosage is only three drops twice a day. Dr Boswell said that patients typically start to show improvement starting three days after treatment, but the next day I already noticed a difference.
Rocko already seems calmer. Over the past few months he had started walking aimlessly around the house. I would get up to see if he needed to go out, if he needed water, anything, but he would just wander around. He seems more content and focused. I also have to admit that I have been making jokes about the alcohol in his supplement. It could be that he has a little bit of a buzz and all is happy in his world. I’m not ruling that out. I also don’t have a problem with it because it seems to be helping.
As far as getting around easier, we’re still not to the third day and sometimes I see what I want to see. I do think he seems a bit more limber as he is moving but that could be wishful thinking. By next week we’ll know more.
Rocko has another appointment Tuesday. I have to get his old x-rays from Dr Habbig – this will help Dr Boswell see what areas she need to focus on. I also need to order a laser pointer so she can teach me some therapy to do at home.
This is going to be an interesting path and I’m curious to see what happens. We’ll keep you updated right here on Rocko’s blog – the life of a senior dog.