Holistic Healing: Dane healthcare  August 15, 2008

Merlot had her 10th maintenance visit to Veterinary Holistic Care (VHC) for acupuncture. Her incontinence has significantly improved, only occuring every few weeks instead of every day. Today, Savannah also had her first official appointment at VHC.

Merlot exhibited improvement in another area too. She recently began tripping on flat ground because of dragging her rear feet. Two weeks ago, Dr. Pema inserted needles at new meridians to help her spinal degeneration, and the improvement was immediate.

Today we also ordered a T-6 thyoid panel. Merlot is eating only 1# raw daily, yet she has not lost weight. Today she weighed 123#, not much less than she was in May. Since weight gain, knuckling, and shedding are all symptoms of hypothyroidism, we decided to get her tested for the second time in the past two years.

Savannah had her second visit to VHC, but this time she was a patient.

After Dr. Pema completed her physical exam, she drew blood for titer tests. Savannah's DHLPP booster is due now, but after researching and experiencing vaccinosis with our Joya, Savannah will never have another vaccine.

Savannah would probably be fine having blood taken, but she is excitable. For the safety of all, she wore a basket muzzle for this procedure. She got dehydrated chicken treats for being a good girl!

At 2-1/2, Savannah is not your typical calm Dane. When I mentioned this to Dr. Pema, she began examining her neck and spine.

She felt cervical spondylosis at C4/C5 (neck), and several protruding disks At left, Dr. Pema let me and the vet tech feel what she found, then let me feel Savannah's hips. I could feel -- and see -- how much higher her right hip is than her left!

Dr. Pema said this could cause discomfort and may be the source of Savannah's restlessness. Although she has never had a fall or other other trauma, Dr. Pema said it just happens over time. Savannah will have her first chiropractic adjustment with Dr. Haverkos when he returns to VHC in November.

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