Question about holistic vets
So my shiba Sam has this issue with her lower back/base of her tail or what we think might be her lower back/base of her tail. No traditional vet that we have been to (4 of them) has an answer. So last night we tried a holistic vet who was recommended to me by a friend. After giving her a quick exam, he thought she could use a "chiropractic adjustment." And he wants us to get 5 more adjustments spread out over a couple months. Having never been to the chiropractor before, I have no idea if this is the right way to go about it. It seems kinda general for an issue that may be very specific. I guess it can't hurt, as no other vet seems to have any ideas, we are willing to try anything. We've spent well over a thousand bucks trying to figure this out...and I don't really mind spending more...as long as it's money well spent and we can get some kind of results.
But the question I have is if anyone has any experience with holistic vets and with these "adjustments" specifically. I like the idea of going to a holistic vet who won't try and sell me a million different shots and vaccines that do more harm than good. Thanks everyone.
But the question I have is if anyone has any experience with holistic vets and with these "adjustments" specifically. I like the idea of going to a holistic vet who won't try and sell me a million different shots and vaccines that do more harm than good. Thanks everyone.
Comments
And yes, at least for horses, you usually need a minimum of 2 adjustments separated by a month. Sometimes you may even need more than that.
Pain tolerance, even mild irritation pain, varies from dog to dog. It does sound like there is some discomfort from what you describe though.
I have seen chiropractic adjustment help a young dog out that was misaligned due to bouncing around/off the walls. However, the case did not seem quite as severe or as you describe. The animal did calm down a bit after treatment. So I'd say each animal exhibits or reacts to physical problems differently.
If the x-rays have rule out dysplastic hips or spinal/disc problems then I vote "go for it". There is also the option of acupuncture or Laser LED therapy to back things up too.
Also, it can't hurt to get some core strength and stretching exercises in as well to help keep things aligned and range of motion more fluid, once other therapy is working.
Here is a link to thermal wrap that we have found helpful to go along with therapy treatment. We use wraps from http://www.backontrackstore.com/ for horses and dogs who run performance during wait times and cool offs etc. If you are located in a cooler climate or working in the cold it is really helpful as is for older dogs.
Talk with your practitioner a combined plan may help out a lot.
Good luck
Snf
Also...the issue seemed to have started after she was spayed. Is there anything that could have happened during the procedure that would cause these types of symptoms?
Spaying should not cause a problem under normal circumstances but can cause irritation that temporarily worsens a hip area or ligament if she was positioned incorrectly, if she had an structural problem to begin with.
About Lyme, "there is a great deal of controversy concerning the dog Lyme vaccine. There is a great debate about how well they actually work as well as potential side effects". http://www.drschoen.com/articles_L1_11.html
(I do not know Dr. Schoen or endorse him, but he does appear to have a decent info.)
Actually, I believe that a vaccinated dog can still come down with Lyme. There is canine erlichiosis which is also another tick borne disease.
Here is a list for you so you can look up some practitioners http://www.holisticmed.com/www/veterinary.html
http://www.acadvethom.org/
Just a basic thought though...Are you sure that the dogs are not rough housing too much? The Shikoku is bigger than your shiba at this point, so all the tumbling around if they play may cause extra strain on the hips. Also if there is a problem keeping the weight down by a pound or two will make a big difference in mobility and less strain. Snow and slipping on surfaces cause the legs to splay a bit more and if there are some weaker ligaments that will produce some aches and pains. Maybe you could start on some glucosamine with msm to ease the situation.
Snf
As a side point - Kaia would appear to have discomfort at the base of her tail too, and we always assumed it was due to the spondylosis, but since she had her second FHO the discomfort appears to have stopped. Have you looked at Sam's hips?
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Kaia had her hips checked too, and while they weren't perfect, they were not bad enough to consider surgery... until her hips came out of socket (separately)... but, Kaia is an extreme example I think.
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Jess, what kind of supplements did they suggest after the torn ACL? Bel's still recovering from that and from her LP surgery, and certainly the regular meds did her no good...