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[Nanklm76]

5 months ago, Macy was a healthy 7 or 8 year old black lab. On April 2nd, the day after a physical exam with the vet, she went lame...back left leg.

The first vets pigeonholed her as osteo-arthritic....then they said ACL damage...no, oops, we made a mistake...after every bone in her body has been xrayed...every blood test performed, and finally, MRI - these geniuses are stumped.

Macy CAN walk like a regular dog when we're on the leash. But at home she struggles to rise...walking gingerly...it hurts her to stand, to sit by the car window, something she lived for, to lean on her rear quarters is so painful...It has always been the rear, but after Monday's MRI, she started hobbling with her RIGHT left leg up.(????)..walking on the other three....she will lie for hours, not respond to my voice...nothing....

I tried Rimadyl and Deramax...hate to give her meds..now she's on Cosequin forever...but the neurologist decided that Antirobe, by process of elimination, might be the answer...
I know what it does...Macy's white blood cells carry the antirobe to the infection...if there is one....5 days on this...2 to go...now she's hardly eating...and the vet wants to put her on...you guessed it,...STEROIDS...

I have just read your horror story ---its side affects are not worth it...I was thinking this was my last hope...but I would rather have her as she is...at least she is healthy otherwise...but what is causing this lamesness...if anyone has ever experienced a mystery like this....

Maybe it's a virus that noone has ever had...we tested for Lyme...Myesthenia Gravis....took spinal fluid...thyroid test....please understand, that I have pushed for any and every test....but the MRI was it...
I am desperate...any ideas out there...please help

[Angie]

Before I start, please know, that I'm not experienced for
orthopedic matters. My field is Dermatology.
However, I will tell you my thoughts with the hope to help
Macy.

My questions:

What confuses me is, that all this happens after a vet visit.
Does it mean, Macy was really fine before?

-Did the vet anything wrong (overstretching etc)???

-Are there parts of her legs, spine, or knees which she des not
want to get touched?

-Is the condition worse in cold, wet weather, or in cold rooms?

-Does Macy sleep restless, like continuously trying to find the right
position? Or does she rest very quiet, never changing her position?

My tips

Lameness usually gets better during trotting movement. Therefore, she is fine on leash.
Since lameness has many causes, I would advice you to consult a
doctor for homeopathy. He will see what is wrong. (Choose an old, experienced one, not a very young doctor)
There are very good homeopathic medicines, which can help Macy.
I can not make a diagnose here.
I just can give you some combinations which we used successful, but for
different cases of lameness:

1. Harpagophytum C6 + Kalium carbonate C12 + Phosphorus C12

2. Arnica Montana C12 + Harpagophytum C6 + Sulfur C12

3. Pitchy pitchy C6 + Harpagophytum C6 + Kalima latifolia C12

4. Gelsemium sempervirens C12 + Harpagophytum C6 + Magnesium phosphoricum C12

There are preparations from a German Homeopathic Company, special for
animals!
The company name is Supra-Cell, the originator is a homeopathic vet.

Possible causes:

Arthrosis is an hyperacidity of muscles caused by wear out. Walk Maxie 4-5 times a day for 10-20 minutes. No more long walks. Give Rhus-toxica. Keep her sick areas warm with a warm, dry towel.

Arthritis is an inflammation. No heat please! Keep the painful areas cool!

Neurological disorders are inflammation of nerves, caused by
cold air, or toxins in the body. They appear suddenly, from one moment to the other! No exercise for this case!

If possible, try to let Macy swim! Start with a few minutes and increase gradually. She will tell you if she likes it.

Give her Bachflowers. Hornbeam for the depression, and Rescue remedy for a good mood.
_________________
Angie
Doggies Paradise

[Nanklm76]

I have made an appointment with a homeopathic vet.
She was a regular vet before changing to homeopathy 10 years ago. Her mother and father are vets too..'

I am going to bring your advice with me. I am sure she will agree with many of your suggestions. Thank you again so very much!

[Angie]

Great! Please keep me informed
_________________
Angie
Doggies Paradise

[Nanklm76]

The homeopathic vet believes Macy was infected when she got the lyme shot. I must tell you that I suggested this to the orth.vet at the time, the fact that she got the lyme shot, rabies and distemper in one visit. They said no way. I should have pursued. If the new vet is right, this infection has had 6 months to do its damage.
The homeopath applied arborvitae to her gums. She remains "lame", still struggles to rise and walks slowly around the yard, her legs shake when she stands in one spot.... but still trotting on the leash. Here are the improvements...at least for the first few weeks...met me at the door, barked, stretched that beautiful doggie stretch, she does the body shake sometimes...but the biggest benefit? her diet...I haven't changed it completely but here is the diet, which she window. Oats, - Animal Essentials Herbal Multivitamin powder( makes a natural gravy) 2 teaspoons, Vitamin E..I tried the banana as you suggested but no go...still have to try the coconut....I stopped the Cosequin, which the doc says is masking the problem....stopped all "pain and anti-inflammatories"...we're going back for our one-month followup visit...hoping for more arborvitae.
I went on line and know that you have to be careful in giving this. But I would window to give it to her everyday! One day she actually sat down next to me at my chair to be petted. All the good things I used to take for granted...she's starting to slow down around the house again. But I close her out of the bedroom while I'm at work so she won't just go in there and hide, sadly. I wish I had gone to this vet first...spent so much money on xrays and such- and all the medicines....do you know what is contained in the lyme shot? The vet told me they have stopped giving it to humans but still give it to animals...outrageous. If you don't know, I'm going to ask the vet on Saturday. I should have asked before..I appreciate your time, advice and follow up.

I wish someone would tell me if this is the way it's always going to be. I will confront the original vets, who misdiagnosed her with arthritis and ACL damage...they were ready to cut open her knees! I want the world to know how negligent they are. I suppose they thought they were doing the right thing...but they need to be told.

I hope all is well with you and your wonderful practice