Bec Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 A few months ago Micha was diagnosed with arthritis. I was devastated as he is still only quite young (he's only just turned seven). Mish has been in a fair bit of pain the last few weeks, his walk is very stilted, he won't extend his back legs out properly, he's been urinating on the back deck as he doesn't want to go downstairs and his back end has been very touchy and painful. His back end (where I was told the arthritis was) was really irritating him one night three weeks ago and I took him off to the vet who agreed he had arthritis and gave us some meds for Mish. I knew something was up so I booked him in to see a specialist vet who is also an animal chiropractic. This guy comes highly recommended so it took three weeks to get in to see him. I took Micha out to see him today and I was so worried that there was a more serious problem or that his arthritis was getting worse. Anyway, the doc examined Mish and said that arthritis is not a concern :biggthumpup: Mish has an injury that he's had for some time which has basically put his back out. His neck and front legs have evidence of stress and over use because he's been holding his head down and putting his weight on his front legs to take the weight off his back end. After some manipulation, there was an obvious difference already in the way Mish was walking around :biggthumpup: We've got a follow up in two weeks to see how he goes with the treatment. However, the vet thinks he can be completely fixed and that even in two weeks he could come back in 100%. He said he didn't do as much work as he could have because Mish was in quite a bit of pain, but that he thinks he'll need no more than two sessions if that. If he doesn't respond to the treatment, the vet will x-ray him to ensure he doesn't have these lesions in between his joints which can occur with this injury sometimes. But I'm already noticing a difference in Micha so hopefully he will be back to 100% in no time. I could have cried when he told me it wasn't actually arthritis, and that his injury can be fixed. I thought Micha was slowing down because of his arthritis and that he'd only get worse, and that there was nothing much we could do for him apart from manage it. Not one but two vets told us it was arthritis, so I am so relieved I bit the bullet and took him to see the specialist. I am so happy for my Mishy dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 so happy for you and micha fingers crossed he's running about soon and back to full health, keep us posted xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedalot Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Good news is always nice. I'm happy for you and Micha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Wow thats brilliant news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 brilliant news bec, feel sorry for the poor lad, musta been painful but at least its not long term Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 aww poor thing glad ur getting him sorted u must b so happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Oh Bec that's great news!! Wow, you must be over the moon!!! Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninooks mum Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 aww bec am so glad for you the thought of a pup suffering is awful hopefully micha will be a lot better when next vet visit is due tc husky hugs from nooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Thanks everyone I am so chuffed that it's actually something that is fixable. My poor little fella, I wish I had taken him to this vet earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 We had a similar thing many years ago with Sky, one of our first dogs. The "normal" vets didn't really have much of a clue about her back problem - they just prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatories and rest - none of which had any effect. We eventually took her to a brilliant canine osteopath, who sorted her out almost instantly. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Bec, that's brilliant news - don't beat yourself up about taking him earlier, you did what you thought was right at the time, main thing is Micha now has a good future ahead of him, keep us updated as to his progress, xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Ah, the wonders of chiropractic. That is great news. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISDW Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Brilliant news. Well done for going for the second opinion, hopefully now he'll have a long and healthy, painfree life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 That excellent .... Just goes to show when its somethin bad, get a second opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Or a third opinion, as was the case this time! Hard to believe that two respectable vets both misdiagnosed something that the chiro vet picked up instantly. Micha seems to be much perkier after his first treatment and I've noticed he's even holding his head differently, standing differently. Fingers crossed he goes well over the next two weeks, and that the problem is one that will be relatively easy to correct. The vet has given me some tablets to give him for his muscles as he said that muscle weakness is a concern considering his injury, as well as some homeopathic drops. Apparently Micha's injury is very common and the vet sees a lot of dogs in with the same problem who did it the same way Micha did (slipping on the floor boards/tiles). I think I'll take both the dogs to see this vet once a year for check ups now, he is excellent. The vet surgery is a holistic surgery that offers a range of different treatments as opposed to some vet clinics that are all about traditional medicine and don't really look outside the square. When Mish was playing up three weeks ago I took him to our local vet who gave him anti-inflammatories and that was it, he had no real idea what the problem was bar agreeing there was arthritis there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Do they not get a check up when they have their boosters? In the UK we give boosters every 12 months and when they go they get a full MOT whilst they're there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 YAY! Im so happy for you both Glad Micha hasnt got arthritis at only 7 and that he can now have a full clean bill of health again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Do they not get a check up when they have their boosters? In the UK we give boosters every 12 months and when they go they get a full MOT whilst they're there? I don't vaccinate my dogs yearly, but I do take them to have yearly check ups. Unfortunately Micha was examined by two different vets and was misdiagnosed both times As the specialist vet told me yesterday, vets often use 'arthritis' as a general diagnosis when they don't really know what the problem is. Unless a vet has sought extra training, they aren't actually trained in any holistic medicines like chiro so very few can properly diagnose injuries like the one Micha had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Just bumping this to let everyone know that Micha went back to the specialist vet for a follow up this last weekend. He has made a full recovery and boy is he showing it! He's much more energetic and happier, bouncing around the place and no more weakness in his back end Yay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasha_Bailey Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I don't vaccinate my dogs yearly, but I do take them to have yearly check ups. Unfortunately Micha was examined by two different vets and was misdiagnosed both times As the specialist vet told me yesterday, vets often use 'arthritis' as a general diagnosis when they don't really know what the problem is. Unless a vet has sought extra training, they aren't actually trained in any holistic medicines like chiro so very few can properly diagnose injuries like the one Micha had. Thats fantastic news Just wondering why do you choose not to vaccinate your dogs yearly??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Just wondering why do you choose not to vaccinate your dogs yearly??? Because it's unnecessary It is proven that annual vaccination is not only unnecessary, but a risk to your dog's health. I am all for vaccination, just not yearly. None of my dogs were vaccinated this year and next year, I will titre test them instead (a blood test that checks their immunity levels) to prove that they do not need to be vaccinated. There is lots of information available on the canine immune system and why over-vaccination is a serious issue, but to begin with you might like to have a look on the Australia Veterinary Association's website: http://avacms.eserie...66-bba966478417 If you scroll down you can read their new policy on the vaccination of dogs and cats. It was just this year that they changed their recommended vaccination protocols. If you are interested in more info, google Dr Jean Dodds (the world leader in canine immunology). We are seeing more and more vets taking on board the latest research, which has actually been around for some years now, and more are recommending three yearly vaccination. It is not a case of opinion, just scientific fact, so it's quite scary that some vets are not keeping themselves updated with the latest vaccination protocols and are still recommending yearly vaccination when it may not be necessary. Some more info: Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e. canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced. Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune‑mediated haemolytic anemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. Dr. W. Jean Dodds' website: www.hemopet.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasha_Bailey Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 hmmm interesting. Coming from one vet (could be more) I find it difficult to comprehend that years or veternary science has led him to this conclusion. I will have to quiz my vet next time I see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 whoops, double post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 hmmm interesting. Coming from one vet (could be more) I find it difficult to comprehend that years or veternary science has led him to this conclusion. What conclusion? Sorry, bit slow tonight That yearly vaccination is unnecessary is accepted and promoted by many vets, world wide, there is actually no scientific evidence to prove that yearly vaccination is necessary. I was lucky enough to go to a seminar with Dr Jean Dodds last year, when she was in Australia - it was amazing and definitely changed my views on yearly vaccination. I've since found a few vets here who are up to date on the latest protocols and recommend titre testing instead of vaccinating yearly. In fact, the specialist vet who I took Micha to doesn't recommend yearly vaccination and encourages all his clients to titre test instead. Unfortunately unless vets make the effort to keep themselves updated many are not aware of or do not accept advances in science or changes in protocol. However, that the Australian Veterinary Association now also agree that yearly vaccination is unnecessary for most dogs was a huge step in the right direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 That's really interesting, Bec, added to rep, will look further into this myself ... thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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