Rescued is Our Favorite Breed

According to the Humane Society of the United States, around three million animals are euthanized each year.

WHAT?! That is a sickening amount. It's not that we think pets from breeders are bad. Discussions about the unfair treatment of animals in puppy mills and those used as breeding factories is another story for another day. However, we can discuss why we feel so strongly about rescuing before buying. We also understand that many don't know what goes on with shelter pets, or their tough fate, or the slim chances of rescue that they face. 

***DISCLAIMER: We are in love with all dogs, wherever they come from***

Louie and his pitbull sister Zoey are both rescued. When so many animals are killed each year just for being alive, we won't personally fund breeding when there are so many beautiful pets that we can save (another reason why it is important to spay or neuter your pet!).

Louie came to us during a cold and snowy December day in 2009. The Michigan Anti-Cruelty Animal Society of Detroit, MI, had found a box of puppies left in a box. This box was inside of a dumpster. Inside were four abandoned puppies; only three that would survive. I happened to be looking for my next best friend at the time and couldn't say no to the precious face that looked up at me, and then chewed on my ear lobes. Here is the first picture I ever saw of Louie:

It was love at first site. From dumpster dog to family pet. I couldn't be more grateful for his love and all of the lessons he has taught me about life, and I am not sure if I rescued him, or if he rescued me.

Zoey came to us in February 2013, just before Louie's first disc rupture. She was pulled from a fighting ring in Pontiac, MI, where they believe she was used as a bait dog. She was covered in cuts and scars, and she was emaciated. When her black and blue eyes met ours, it was love at first sight. Because of her breed and a lot of the misunderstandings that come along with the them, she was not going to be adopted out, but rather put down. Her Dad happens to be a police officer in the city of the pound she is from, so they let us adopt her (PS, she is much more well behaved than Louie, in spite of breed discrimination). 

Louie and Zoey have brought us so much joy, and it is beyond me to understand that they may have been put down if we didn't step in and pluck them from their shelters. It is never too late to save an old, abused, neglected, or sick pet. They have been so grateful to us for giving them a home, and our home wouldn't be complete without them. I think there is something to be said about the "unwanted" animals of our shelter system. They provide a love that is unmatched.

Next time you decide to bring a pet into your life, please think to adopt, and not shop. Rescued is our favorite breed. For each dog that is bred, many more are put to sleep much before their time in a shelter near you.

I'd like to end today's post with a poem about rescue. I have always asked myself, "Who saved who?"

I went out to rescue a dog that day

 I went out to rescue a dog that day

 To give him a really good life

 To take him away from the life that he led

 And free him from trouble and strife

 I thought I would do him a favour

 And be a good person to him

 And go do my bit for the country

 I didn't go out on a whim

 But what do you think really did happen?

 The day that I did my good deed,

 I discovered a love that I'd dreamed of

 And fulfilled in myself a strong need.

 I now have a dog that I care for,

 I see things that I needed to see.

 That lovely dog that I rescued

 Really ended up rescuing me.

 Fionna D via pawfirst.com

Acupuncture for IVDD Treatment in Veterinary Medicine

Acupuncture? Sounds Whacky.

If you're anything like me, you may have thought that acupuncture fell under the hocus-pocus category for treating diseases as severe as IVDD. The mental image I had of acupuncture fell somewhere along the lines of palm reading and astrology. I was completely wrong.

Many doctors told me that surgery was the only option for treating IVDD, and that Louie would never heal unless he had another expensive surgery by a specialized neurosurgeon. I fell for that trick the first time he was injured. Yes, it made him recover; yes, it was successful. But most importantly, it was successful in putting us into debt. The things we do for our fur-children! I was lucky enough that following his bulging disc in January 2014, he was able to recover with a cocktail of pain killers, anti-inflammatory medications, and crate rest.

The Big Cervical Rupture

In March of 2014 we weren't so lucky. This rupture was a BIG one. It was cervical (neck), so it's primary evil is excruciating pain. We took him to see two neurologists, and they both told us he needed surgery. We told them that we didn't think it was fair to put his little body through that traumatic of a surgery again, nor could our pocketbooks afford it. After trying to treat it conservatively as we had treated the bulging disc back in January, we realized he was only getting worse. His pain wasn't allowing him to move, eat, drink, sleep, or anything really. He was not just crying, but letting out a heart-wrenching scream that was constantly waking us. One Saturday, we came to the conclusion that if surgery was the only option (and it wasn't an option for us), then it was his time. His eyes told us he was done fighting. He lost the spark he once had.

I sat and cried. I couldn't hold him - it hurt him. I couldn't kiss him - it made him cry. I was devastated. I thought we had tried everything. Finally, a forum online suggested a shot of dexamethasone. It is a steroid shot 10x's stronger than the prednisone he had been taking. I went through 5 vets and nobody would give him the shot, despite my cries for help and pleading that this was my last ditch effort to save his life. I wanted to give up.

Finding a Vet to Help

I consulted with a friend who recommended their vet, Gasow Veterinarian, located in Birmingham, MI, and so I called them. They said they dealt with walk-in's that were "hard to treat." They said they would administer him the shot. If it worked, we would see results within 12 hours. While there, they suggested acupuncture. I again considered it, feeling at a point of desperation.

Within four hours, we noticed an astronomical decrease in his pain. He wasn't crying as much and I was in awe that so many vets turned me down for what seemed to be the cure. It wasn't the ticket out of the woods, but it at least got us on the train. We started administering the shot 2-3 times per week, and then mixed in acupuncture.


The Acupuncture

The acupuncture consists of placing small needles into the cervical area of a dog. Surprisingly, it relaxed my wormy, wiggly pup. He sat for the doctor (who smelled like treats), and let her apply the needles and electro-acupuncture. The electro-acupuncture looked like a car battery that they hooked up to the needles in his skin. After we left the first appointment he slept soundly for the rest of the day. We began to notice improvements that we couldn't credit to anything besides the combination of acupuncture and dexamethasone injections.

There is something to be said about the effectiveness of alternative medicine - to be used in humans and pets. Alternative medicine isn't a joke, as long as you have the right doctors and the right treatment plans in place. Dr. Mark at Gasow Veterinarian is phenomenal. She trained in China on acupuncture and uses it on her own pets who have also suffered from the evil IVDD. 

Four weeks ago, we thought we were going to put Louie to sleep because the pain was just unfair. Four weeks ago we found Dr. Mark and Gasow Vet, and they saved his life. This past weekend, Louie took a road trip with us to Traverse City, MI. He was happy as a lark and made lots of new friends. We stopped in Birch Run along the way for some shopping. Louie did some shopping of his own for bones at the pet store.

We did not think he would ever make it back into his wheels, and we didn't think that he would be shaking his head and have recovered from this latest disc rupture. Unfortunately, the nature of the beast is that another disc problem will be inevitable. Now, we are armed with the tools to fight it and overcome it should the next rupture bring him down. 

Louie's Lesson for the Week

Louie's message is to not give up. Keep pushing for what you know is right. Even if that is after nixing five veterinarians, until you find the right one. 

And always, keep on rolling. 

What the heck is IVDD?

IVDD is Intervertebral Disc Disease, which causes the premature aging of the discs in the spine and neck. IVDD is present from birth, but presents itself most often between the ages of 3-7. When IVDD flares up, it can be anywhere from a bulging disc, which causes pressure to the spinal cord and mild pain; paralysis isn't always the problem. Most often, these incidents can be fixed with cage rest and steroids. The type of IVDD episode that hit Louie in 2013 was severe. The disc ruptured and shot disc material into his spinal cord. Slowly, he lost coordination, then he went down, then his tail stopped wagging, and then he stopped being able to go potty on his own. See the chart below for a diagram of what each different disc episode can look like.

So you're probably wondering, what the heck do you do when this happens?! Well, the answer can range from crate rest and medication to surgery. Some dogs respond to a conservative treatment, and some need surgery. During Louie's first episode, when we knew nothing about IVDD, we panicked. We weren't educated and took the first $10,000 suggestion our doctor gave us - surgery. Louie never quite walked the same again, but he regained potty control. He got fitted for a cart in the summer of 2013 and began zooming around like normal.

In March of this year, when Louie begin screaming in pain again, we didn't take the expensive route. Instead, we have been treating him with acupuncture (see below picture) and medicine. Guess what? It has worked wonders! We thought we would have to put him down this go-around, until we saw the miracle of alternative medicine at work. Just remember - you have options!

The first lesson to take from this is: What are the signs of a disc injury?
     -Arching of the back
     -Reluctance to move
     -Pain when touching the abdomen
     -Feet knuckling over or crossing when walking
     -Loss of appetite
     -Crying

What do I do?
     -IMMEDIATELY CRATE YOUR PET! This is not cruel, it is for their own good, and can save the injury from progressing further.

What caused this? I don't remember seeing anything happen.
     -Sometimes you'll never know. It can be as small as turning funny, jumping, or chasing a squirrel in the backyard. Prevention can help, but most of it is predestined.

What is the prognosis if my pet never walks again?
     -Whether they walk again after the first incident, or they don't, there is always the chance of recurrence. One in four dogs will see another disc episode once they have one. Life can be GREAT for a downed pet. Louie runs faster in his wheels than he ever did on all fours. IVDD IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE!

I'll end today's entry by sharing a poem that his neurologist gave to me during his injury:


I’m Still Your Dog

Because I’m “just a dog” you see, I don’t sigh and say, “why me?” I just face it- go on livin’ and play the hand that I've been given.

I need you more now, that is true, for there are things I just can’t do. The ball you throw I can’t catch- I can’t even lift my leg to scratch.

It’s embarrassing a little- that I may need your help to piddle. But if our roles they were reverse, I’d be proud to be your nurse.

But hey, I love you more than ever. Me, give up? Well yeah, like never. I don’t regret what cannot be- with you my friend, I’ll just me me!

I’m still me within my soul where it counts, I still am whole. My back is bent and I’m quite lame, but in my heart I’m still the same.

by Julia Wrigley Smith