"Dr. Lena, I know you have treats hidden here somewhere!"

Well we had our weekly acupuncture session with "Doctor Lena" today and I am happy to report he is doing well and continues to make progress. Today's session went a little different... Buddy was more interested in exploring the treatment room in search of Lena's stash of doggie treats than he was the acupuncture itself. Last week Buddy was very serious and focused on his treatment but this week he seem just not all that interested. Those of you who really know me, know how I felt about this.... I was like "Buddy, this is costing me a fortune, now pay attention and focus darn it!" (Just kidding Dr. Lena, you are worth every penny and then some!!!)

On a more serious note, Lena says Buddy's reaction to today's treatment is a good sign that he feels better and is healing. Other good news is that he is starting to go "potty" on his own, and when he does need help, I can feel him pushing along with me to help out. He cannot control where and when he goes yet, but that's ok, he applied for and was granted special permission to break the rules until he is all better.

Starting tomorrow I will the gradual process of taking him off the steroid treatment. This is done by gradually reducing his dosage over several weeks to encourage his body to start producing the chemicals/hormones/whatever on it's own. This treatment cannot be stopped all at once.

Thank you everyone for your love, support and wonderful comments here on Buddy's Blog. When I get discouraged and tired of smelling like dog pee (Michele you know what I mean sister!); I look at what you all have written and gather the strength to grab the mop & carpet fresh! Cheers!


These were taken today January 30, 2007 - Click on the pictures & they will expand to full size - Enjoy!

Buddy is on the road to Recovery!

Thanks everyone for all your support and well wishes! Overall Buddy is doing ok, that said here is a summary of his progress and treatment thus far:

Treatment Plan:

• Oral Steroids – twice per day – manage pain, reduce inflammation and swelling of the disk, accelerate the healing process
• Antibiotics – twice per day – this is to prevent bladder infection
• Chinese Herbal Therapy – with every meal, this is to treat “blood deficiency” in Chinese medicine
• Acupuncture – once per week – Lena is treating a variety of issues including: heart, liver, back…
• Restriction – he lives in a small pet carrier for now, in a week or so I will move him back in the big kennel with Frankie

Physical Condition/Limitations: As of today Buddy continues to suffer complete paralyses of both hind legs and impaired/limited bladder control. I have had him to the vet a couple times to have them “help him go”. This is a concern as complications could develop including: bladder infection, damage to the bladder's muscle fibers or worse his bladder could rupture. They showed me two procedures to use at home to help manage this. Lucky for me Buddy has figured out how to make this process happen as well however, by no means does he have control over this function, just asked Nick! BTW, Buddy says opps sorry 'bout that Nick :)

Mental/emotional Health: Buddy is in good spirits, he has shown/told me that he has the desire and will to get through this once again. At times he seems uncomfortable but not in pain, both of his doctors checked him out and feel his pain is being properly managed. He actually has so much spirit that I have to keep a close watch on him when he is out of his cage. He crawls all over the place like nothing is wrong, he would head for the front door I he saw a dog leash in my hand!

What’s on Buddy’s Mind: For those of you who believe in the unconventional; he met with both an animal communicator and a psychic; they both had nice little chats with him. Here’s what Buddy has to say about all this….

• He is doing fine but is worried about me, he wants me to let this go and not to be sad for him
• He wants peanut butter not spray cheese with his pills
• He wants more "one on one time" with me. Frankie keeps cutting in for attention all the time
• He wants to wear the bandana Grandma made for him, it makes him look cool!

What’s Next: He has acupuncture again this Tuesday, January 30th. Soon after that I will be able to start physical therapy to get his legs moving again. A lot of people are asking about putting him in a cart, that is an option that I am holding at bay for now. As long as he shows strong progress, his rehabilitation will progress faster if I force him to use his legs.

Progress!!!!

• Last night and then again this morning he adjusted his legs so that he could sit properly while he ate
• This morning he peed on his own “like normal”… well almost, he did it on the living room carpet, but hey progress is progress!

Buddy suffers acute disk rupture

On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Buddy ruptured another disk in his back while Frankie and I were sleeping. Frankie was fussing and woke me up around 530 AM, that is when I found out that Buddy was in trouble. He could not walk and was experiencing several convulsions and had difficulty breathing. Having been through this 3 times already in the past 7 years, I immediately knew what was wrong.

I kept Buddy as calm as possible and got him into the hospital Thursday morning. There he was seen and treated by his Guardian Angle, Dr. Lena McCullough. She his is acupuncturist and is responsible for his recovery last year. When she was finished with her session, Buddy was completely relaxed and had moved his back legs to stretch them. She gave him a treat, he licked her face, we then knew he was going to pull through.....

From there we went to his Primary Care Vet and got cortisone injections, steroids and antibiotics..... And so the long process of recovery for Buddy has begun again. I will update this often so you can track his progress. Please keep Buddy in your thoughts and prayers; it really does make all the difference!

Next treatment is: Acupuncture Tuesday 1/23/2007