Acupuncture

People have asked why no agility videos of Whisper-what is happening. Truth is she hasn't run agility like she used to since she was spayed. The few trials I took her to after her spay she qualified sometimes although not with her usual zest and her bar knocking had greatly increased. I noticed her jumping oddly and I pulled her from all agility figuring something was wrong.
Despite repeated physical exams, chiropractor evaluations, blood tests, urinalysis, spinal and chest radiographs, ultrasounds, tick titers and a myriad of other tests all of which were normal I knew something was wrong. She was gradually fading away, sleeping more and less interactive. Obedience dropped off too not wanting to work or play any more. One day walking I noticed she was pacing during the walk, not her  normal gait.
Back for another physical exam and someone finally found something, she was very very sore in the right flank. She actually would cry on palpation of the area. Ultrasound again of her abdomen was normal as were all her back and loin muscles. Still I knew something hurt there.

I started pain medication-both tramadol and gabapentin as well as acupuncture and she quickly started becoming more interactive and happier.

Lucky for us a veterinary friend does acupuncture and we meet at her house-or mine at the end of the day

for treatment, snacks, drinks and dinner. It has become a fun social outing as well as a valued treatment for the dogs. In the picture above, several dogs are waiting their turn. Echo has/had a mild loin pain and Darby injured his neck and right shoulder.

Darby has had a nagging shoulder injury being treated with rest and anti inflammatory drugs. He improved but wasn't totally normal. Once I started acupuncture with Whisper, Lisa included Darby and he improved dramatically. In addition he receives cold laser therapy.

Whisper has markedly improved  with the treatments and medication. Based on the timeline and location I have come to believe it has something to do with the spay and removal of the ovary although I can't prove it. I can say she has no obvious cancer, very little to no arthritis and is a very healthy dog overall.

We are  back to doing low level obedience and agility with  enthusiasm. Although she still isn't normal-she paces but the side/loin pain is much less,  I don't want to push too fast and too hard and risk causing other injuries.

At least I feel like I see a light at the end of the tunnel. A month ago I wasn't sure she would ever come back.