|
|
|
||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
In the house, she could jump up onto the bed, wiggle under the covers, curl up in a chair and do all the normal things that she has always been able to do. She was even feeling a little more comfortable on the hardwood floors as time passed.
At no time was Sylvia's activity restricted. I was told to let her do the things she normally did. It was important that her muscle tone remain good. Normal activity for her is racing around a small yard, careening around shrubs and barking at the squirrels in the trees, daring them to come down.
On her own, she avoided playing with Mo, her companion in crime, as he is about 12 pounds heavier than her. As she became stronger and more sure of her ability to get out of his way, she began to initiate play again.
At no time was Syl in pain, the acupuncture was used for healing, not pain relief, although it can be extremely effective for this.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sylvia was shaved from just below her ears to the top of her shoulders in order to have the gold beads implanted. They are implanted along each side of her neck in holes in the muscles, so as not to slip or move around.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(When she saw what had been done, she insisted on shopping for a wiglet.)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
IMPLANT DAY
We were the first dog to have the implants at the seminar of holistic veterinarians. After Dr Durkes examined her and explained what he was going do, Dr C and the vet techs took her out to be shaved. We gave her a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy and I held her as they sedated her and began shaving her from just below the ears to the top of her shoulders. She was then put on a stretcher and taken in for the implants.
Six gold beads were inplanted at acupuncture points along each side of her neck. The points are actually holes in the muscle and the beads will not move or slide around. Dr Durkes explained that it is common to have bleeding when doing acupuncture as well as when doing the implants as it signals a release of energy in the affected areas.
Once implanted, she was taken back into the recovery room, covered with a quilt and given more Rescue Remedy. One of the techs stayed with us to watch her recovery. Within a very few minutes she was up and moving around as if nothing had happened. Dr Durkes came in and we discussed the neck wrap. He suggested that we make a removeable wrap and use it only during the day so that we can begin to wean her off of it.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The removable wrap was made with a heavy bath towel, measured to fit as the permanent wrap did, and folded several times to get the right thickness for support. Three strips of wide velcro were sewn on. The wrap was removed at night and then gradually during the day as well.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As I write this (May 1, 1999), it has been a month since the implants. Two weeks ago, I removed the neck wrap, but keep it on hand for long walks as the slow pace of a walk is more wearing on her at this point than careening around the yard.
Her strength and stability are increasing. I have come to watch her closely and notice the little things that she has begun to do again: lifting her leg to 'mark', standing on her hind legs to get a toy off my desk, initiating play with Mo and then not backing down, and jumping over a low bush that gets in her way as she is chasing those dreadful squirrels. Yes, she is improving, there's no question about that.
The last time we were in for a check-up, Dr C took her from me so he could walk her around and watch her movement. He walked back in the office with a big smile on his face and said, "She looks wonderful." He had taken her on 3different surfaces and she didn't slip or hesitate at all. She's on her way back.
The holistic vets in our area are watching her closely. What has worked for Sylvia may not work for every dog, but they feel that they now have another method of treatment to offer; one with which they have seen very positive results.
Where do we go from here? I don’t know. What goals do I have for her? None. I am setting no limits on what she can achieve. No limits.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
On the following pages, you will find updates of Sylvia's progress through October, 2001. Please take time to read about her full recovery and feel free to ask questions.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sylvia--May 1999
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| page created with Easy Designer |