:Dorje
Posted: July 25, 2008 Filed under: Gompa Lhasa Apsos 6 CommentsI’m off and running, but wanted to quickly share about Dorje. He’s been paralyzed in the back end for thirteen days. Using Old School methods, I’ve been nursing him. His attitude and appetite are great. Last week I discussed his situation with my chiropractor, Jason Steinle. Last Saturday I clipped Dorje’s hair short to help with keeping him clean. It seems to me there’s at least one vertebrae out of alignment. Yesterday I mentioned this to Jason. He volunteered to take a look and see what he could do!!! Yippee!!
Kunza at FleetFire Timbers 
Debby,
Vickie told me about Dorje last night – how sad. What were the circumstances leading up to the paralysis?
What did your vet say when he/she examined him. What did the x-rays show?
Here’s the scoop on Dorje, along with the decisions that have been made along the way. And why.
Dorje appeared fine that Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day. I was home. The dogs had access to their outdoor covered runs. All doors to the house were open. All of this means I could hear everything going on in the kennel.
Later in the afternoon the dogs sounded alarm. The dogs can make various sorts of cacophony. This was different. Immediately investigating, I found Dorje on his side, right next to one of the dog beds, thrashing…almost as though he was having a seizure. I scooped him up and realized he was ‘down in the rear’.
In retrospect, I realize he’s been taking smaller and smaller steps with his rear legs. It seems to me he probably got out of the bed ‘wrong’ and completely tweaked whatever has been limiting his movement. The dog beds are molded plastic, shaped like an old-fashion wicker dog basket with a ??? 4″ lip for the dog to enter and exit.
Remember….it was Saturday, late afternoon…of course. I dusted the corners of my mind, recalling how such things were handled ‘back in the day’. Rear paralysis was treated with rest, limiting movement, and time. I set up a 2 x 3 pen inside the Gompa boys’ pen. That is, after all, home to Dorje. I monitored eating, drinking, urinating and defecating over the weekend.
Monday I phoned my veterinarian’s office. Explaining the situation, the receptionist told me such cases are referred to VRCC. “Not the answer I wanted to hear,” I replied. VRCC is a state-of-the-art facility. It’s very, very – let me repeat that – very expensive. I simply don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on the workup that would be deemed necessary. A similar workup (x-rays, MRI, etc.) cost Mary $3,000. Without surgery.
The information probably would show exactly what was going on. But then what… Surgery? Back surgery isn’t a choice I’d make for myself without trying other alternatives first. If test results aren’t going to change the approach, they’re not relevant other than the curiosity factor.
So where does one go for help after basically eliminating what very modern veterinary medicine has to offer? Friends! The Internet!
Julie recalled two situations with paralyzed animals; an old cat she had years ago and her brother’s German Shepherd. The cat died at the veterinary clinic. The German Shepherd recovered after about a month of ‘bed rest’.
Mary breeds and judges French Bulldogs. Back problems are common in the breed. She prescribed 81 aspirin, cut in half, twice a day. Along with a round of prednisone.
Researching via the Internet, I contacted a holistic veterinarian, trained in chiropractics, asking if my nursing care was adequate and what tests might provide information. He replied:
“Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to say without a full evaluation (either by me or another homeopathically trained vet).
Radiographs would indeed be useful if this is a musculoskeletal problem. MRI is often necessary to show intervertebral disc disease however.”
Not surprising, but of no help.
A week ago Thursday, I asked my chiropractor Jason for input. He informed me about the four basic spinal issues that can cause paralysis. He didn’t think musculoskeletal issues were the cause because Dorje’s paralysis is ‘equal’. Asking after Dorje this past Thursday, he asked if I wanted him to take a look. Yep!
I’ve written about yesterday’s experience in Hands. What I didn’t write was there’s been movement in both Dorje’s thigh muscles. The left leg was very noticeable yesterday. It happened twice. His tail also has some ‘life’ to it, which it didn’t a week ago.
The body has amazing abilities to heal itself, right down to continually patrolling DNA within each cell, repairing the DNA if necessary. Only time will tell if Dorje’s body will heal itself.
Some of you may think I’m nuts to rely on Old School methods, nursing care, and a chiropractor that basically in his words, “doesn’t know dogs, but knows spines.” Perhaps, but I don’t think so. The ability to Heal doesn’t necessarily require a university degree. I believe it takes the body’s innate ability to heal itself, helped by Gifted Healers practicing the Art of Healing.
Thank you to those that have sent suggestions about additional support to help Dorje’s healing. I will share them at the end of this comment because others will be interested too.
Dorje seems to like his twice daily treatment, for lack of a better word. It’s more than massage, but I’m hardly qualified or experienced enough to call it ‘adjustments’. This morning he seemed excited about it. I think….I think…his tail is wagging on occasion. He has always been such a stoic little dog, very reserved with emotions. Happy and silly, he’s never been, even at four months when he arrived in Colorado.
I am so grateful for Jason. And to Jason. What a great thing it was to show me how to work on Dorje’s back. And the cool thing is…. I get it! I can feel each vertebrae. I can feel the muscles, their springiness, how to hold the upper one while I roll the next one in line, how to push deep into the muscles surrounding the vertebrae. I can feel his muscles give. I can feel them tense. I use that to tell me what to do next. I use the information his body is giving back to me just like I do when I’m teaching a dog. I find the edge. The edge of the behavioral envelope if I’m teaching. The edge of Dorje’s muscles’ envelope. Then I back it off a notch. Then I go back in, just a bit further. Then quickly back off. I continue to push that edge, like waves coming and going, until ‘that’s good’. When I’m teaching I always, always end on a positive note. No. not just a positive note. It’s a party note! The more I’ve pushed the envelope in that particular session, the bigger the party.
I’m looking forward to seeing Jason Wednesday night. I think there’s a noticeable difference in the ‘flexibility’ of his spine and surrounding muscles. I’ll be curious to learn what Jason feels. I’m able to do the movement that took two – he had me hold Dorje by the front while he gently swayed the spine from side to side – by myself. I just tuck Dorje’s front end under my arm pit and swing my partner do-se-do.
To help Dorje’s body ‘remember’ I put a towel under his belly and walk him back home. Think wheelbarrow. This morning, I swear, he trotted. Like I mentioned, he likes the treatments.
I hope Dorje recovers enough to lead a quality life. I’ve always known he’d be with me until his death. But I thought that would be at 15 or so. His situation and Jason’s willingness to teach me is a plus in the big picture because of the learning I’m experiencing. I want the price to a slight bump in Dorje’s life. The perfect scenario, I think, is for me to learn how to ‘feel’ a healthy spine, how to ‘help’ a tweaked spine, and to simply give Dorje routine ‘treatments’ throughout his life.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Vickie offered this:
Deb … you might want to try this with Dorje along with the other modalities. When Frankers had his back episode, my vet explained that it helped keep the joints more mobile/flexible. Dosage is reasonable … one tab for ten days and then 1/2 tab daily. Might even help with Ka Tu. I do think it has made a difference for Frank based on watching his activity in the yard.
Dog-Gone Pain helps provide your dog with the ultimate in joint pain relief so they can be active and mobile again. This all-natural supplement for dogs and other pets contains feverfew, celery seed, wheatgrass, boswellian, bromelain, papain, caryealis root, cayenne, tumeric, shark cartilage and a proprietary blend of native Australian herbs.
Dosage: 1 tablet per 30 pounds of body weight. For dogs and cats under 15 pounds use 1/2 tablet daily. (Contains 60 tabs)
Product Number: 42113
Price: $29.95
KV Vet Supply / KV Vet Supply has the best price and free shipping if you order over $50.
Kathy wondered if anyone has ever used any of these therapists:
http://healingtouchforanimals.com/practitionerdirectory-us.htm#c
And Gail offered this interesting piece:
http://www.lightconnection.us/Archive/may07/may07_colums.htm#gersten
Comments, feedback welcome on all of the above!
The morning is getting away from me, but I just have to share the latest with Dorje. Jason saw him again Wednesday evening for another half hour session. He immediately commented on the difference in his spine. I’ve been doing okay!
With a tad bit of experience under my belt, I observed Jason’s movements with a different perspective, asking questions. How deep are you going? How much movement do you get when rolling each vertebrae?
Jason was able to work deeper, differently, this time because the spine was relatively flexible. He commented that this is ‘text book’…first help the spine become more flexible, then intricate work can begin. I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea. Jason found a trigger point, further down the spine that he was able to work that first session. All kinds of stuff happened everytime he worked that point. Dorje actually shifted his rear end from one side to the other, back to center and over to the side again!
Both Carol and Jason noticed Dorje holds himself up higher. It’s difficult to explain this, but it’s as if he’s engaging core muscles, abdominal muscles, muscles in the loin area. He doesn’t just plop down, completely dead in the hind quarters. He holds himself a bit. I have been noticing small things too, but then would wonder…am I imagining this because I want it to be true. Hey! Did he just wiggle his tail?! It’s soooooo encouraging they notice some of the same things.
My homework with Dorje is continue what I’ve been doing every other day. On alternating days, work the trigger spot. Jason also enhanced a movement I’d come up with. Dogs have something people don’t. A handle. A tail. I’ve been holding the base of his tail with his rear elevated, gently pulling, trying to open up space between the vertebrae. Now, I’ll be incorporating that with the scooping motion applied to the muscles attached to the vertebrae.
My work plays havoc on my neck and shoulders. It’s just the way it is. Regular massage and yoga used to keep me tuned up for more brushing and clipping, but several years ago I realized more was needed. My spine felt ‘stuck’ and massage wasn’t moving it. Jason’s healing hands keep my spine, neck and shoulders flexible, ready for another week’s work. I am thankful for my own experiences as I work with Dorje. Otherwise, I don’t know that I’d ‘get it’…working on him.
I’m very excited and feel greatly encouraged for Dorje!
Debby;
That is wonderful news to hear abut Dorje! Another thought to consider would be a cart for his rear – if he is still enjoying life and cart would allow him to maintian his mobility and reqain some independence. I did see some advertised on E-bay for about $160-ish CDN so about the same in USD – and they are made to fit the dog – the item number is 300246417670. Just a thought.
On a side note – Sonam finished his Championship today!!! He is now officially Can. Ch. Palasa Desiderata Sonam. His handler said he was fantastic today – calm and relaxed on the table something he has never really been. The key we have figured out is to have the judge start at his shoulders then come back to his head rather than starting at his head – Trudy has been able to ask the judges to do this and they have been very accomodating. Today’s judge was different – he (Bud Haverstock) was facing him when he was put on the table and didn’t come at him from the side but rather from the front and Sonam didn’t do anything stood there rock solid and let the judge go over him with out an issue at all. So when al is figured out – Trudy had him for 4 weekends of showing, I showed him for 2 weekends – and he picked up his last 6 points (I put 2 on him last fall and so did Trudy) in the last two weekends of showing. The points have all been as BOW as there haven’t been any other class dogs entered.
See you all in a month or so…
Faye
Faye, congrats on Sonam! I’m looking forward to seeing him. Soon!
After writing the Dorje update yesterday, I did my first trigger point session on him. I got so excited I sent the following email to Jason:
“Don’t know if you’ll be checking email, but I just had to let you know. I just completed my first ‘trigger point’ session with Dorje. Jason, he stood up into the pressure. I mean he pushed himself directly up, straight up! He stood up by himself!!!! I am convinced this dog will be walking in due time. You have no idea how grateful I am for your help. Without sounding melodramatic, the fact is his continued life will be due to your work and your willingness to share with me the techniques to help him restore his body back to some semblance of normalcy.”
Last night I had to keep myself from giving a second trigger point session, since I’m only suppose to do one every other day.
Regarding a cart for Dorje…I’ve thought about it, but don’t know if it would be practical. It’s not that I’ve ruled it out. I’m hoping there won’t be such a decision. The problem with the cart in Dorje’s lifestyle is the terrain and living in a pack. He’d need mountain bike wheels on the cart to go over the gravel and rocks. That is probably doable, but what about the small squirmishes that occur within a pack?? How would that shake out with a cart in the mix?? What happens if it tips over when I’m not there?? Would the other dogs exhibit some canine behavior that we humans would find inappropriate?? These are some of the questions that go through my head.
Like I said, I’m hoping I don’t have to make such a decision.