Pain in the neck

7 May 2014

Milo's appointment today with Dr; Choi went really well. We discussed the concern over Milo's weak hind end including the fear of this being neurological. She also suggested the an MRI or CT scan might reveal disc problems. Several manual tests were performed at the start of the appointment. Turning over the toes on the hind feet was once of them. His response time to right the toes was very slow.

We also discussed his diet and Dr. Choi determined that the protein he's been on - fish - is not right for his disposition which is damp heat.; So we will add duck and turkey.

Then Milo was given acupuncture which he tolerates very well. He is always up for being touched. He had a bit of anxiety about 1/2 way when the electricity was added. Electroacupuncture provides a tiny current to the needles so they are more effective.

Following the acupuncture, Dr. Choi gave Milo some tui na massage. She determined through manipulation that Milo is having some neck problems and acupuncture may very well do the trick for him. She will also order more custom herbs for him.

 After the exam Milo rose much easier and the manual test with flipping his rear toes was again administered. His response time was immediate. It was really great to be able to help him. He looks more alert already. We have another appointment next week for more accupuncture and Dr. Choi feels that this may do the trick. We can hold off on MRI and CT for now.  Oh, and he immediately pooped when we went outside. I guess he really did feel good!

Back again

29 April 2014

On Sunday Milo, Sabrina and Leo visited our friend Kathy the canine massage therapist with Canine Massage For Movement.  Kathy has been instrumental in helping Milo and Sabrina with feeling more comfortable and able to move more freely and comfortably.

She worked on Milo first.  He was very happy to be touched and massaged.

Milo has had a pretty rough week. The relief he was receiving from the herbs prescribed by Dr. Choi at the U of MN was evident when they ran out and he was demonstrating a great deal of discomfort with standing and walking. He began having accidents in the house and found it too difficult to keep up with our strolls around the yard. He has been my little shadow since the day he arrived so this change in behavior was very startling.

After his massage therapist discovered that his sloped posture seemed to be generated from his caudal sacral area two vets suggested that an x-ray of the area would help diagnose the issue. Yesterday at the U of MN he was lightly sedated and given a pain injection for the imaging procedure. He had a really rough time with the drugs and could barely walk even into the late afternoon. Last evening he was still "drunk". I was relieved that by this morning he was back to himself.

The x-rays revealed that his pelvic skelton is normal. So... we know he is in pain but we don't yet know why. Dr. Choi wants to see him next week. In the meantime, I am giving him 81 mg baby aspirin AM and PM which seems to give him some relief. So frustrating.