We went for the third acupuncture session on Thursday evening. Teddy was very stressed about the car ride and being at the vet. He had been in pain again leading up to our appointment and even though it helps, he knew what was coming.
Lynton held him for the session again. He eventually settled down and started looking around. He keeps still, not aiming to run but it keeps him calm to have a hand on his head.
Needles and laser treatment. The vet uses the laser to stimulate more points all over where he wouldn't tolerate needles.
Later in the evening he very comfortably draped himself over my legs.
Dr Peters and I discussed the way forward with Teddy's treatment. She said to keep an eye on his water consumption. If we see it increasing he needs to come for an organ check blood test and urine test. Increased thirst would mean that the Medrol ( anti- inflammatories) are frying his kidneys. At this stage it keeps the spasms under control but we have to get him off of the meds. If his kidneys were compromised we could give him kidney medication but then he would have to be off of Medrol, which then becomes a quality of life problem. If the spasms can't be controlled without Medrol and his kidneys are damaged from taking it then we would have to do what's in his best interest and have him put down.
So jaaaaa. Things just got real.
Now at this stage his kidneys seem fine. He's peeing twice a day and not drinking excessively. The acupuncture is helping and we're trying to do his rehab exercises whenever we get a chance.
He's getting a magnetic pad on Monday and we'll have to see if he likes it or not. My hope is that he does take to it. Apparently they either love it or hate it. The magnetic pad helps with increasing blood circulation in the injury site by circulating the hemoglobin (iron) in his blood.
In the mean time we're trying out Happy Cat Valerian root powder as an alternative muscle relaxer. Now some things I can tell you about Valerian- It stinks to high heaven. It is stinky feet meets cheese curls.
Flash loves it. In fact the ate a most of what I had put out for Teddy which was just a pinch. But it makes him drool like you wouldn't believe! So no more Valerian for Flash.
I've put the powder in an organza bag for Teddy to smell and roll on when he's had a spasm. He's not super keen on it but he'll just have to start getting keen on it. He doesn't mind it if there's catnip mixed in.
Later today I'm going to go get him a new Seresto flea collar. They're around $60 but it lasts for 8 months. We've had a flea explosion and I'm having a hard time trying to get them under control in spite of spraying regularly. Teddy gets the worst of it because of how low he is to the ground and I believe the fleas irritate his back which leads to increased spasms. We're going to need to get a pest control company in to spray the house and the yard.
So, that's where we are at the moment.
- Get off Medrol
- Control the spasms and subsequent biting
- Mass extinction of fleas
- Valerian for muscle relaxing
- Magnetic pad
- Next acupuncture session is in a month's time.
Full disclosure: All my SBD from my account goes towards his costs and I'm so grateful to everyone who has made it possible to cover his vet bills over the past couple of months. However, all of what needs to happen now adds up to a cost of roughly 70 SBD so if you know of a way to boost his posts please do let me know.
Teddy would like to thank all his followers and fans for their support and for making his vet visits possible. You guys rock!
We hope you have a great weekend!
Lizelle, Lynton , Teddy and Flash.
If you'd like to catch up:
Happy birthday/ adoption day Teddy!
Teddy Update: Thankfully not needing surgery
Teddy today: Showing off the best in bespoke footwear
Teddy Today: Starting acupuncture and laser treatment
Teddy today: Getting used to his bandage
Teddy Today: I can feel my tail!
Teddy Today: Starting to drop his back again now.
Teddy Today: second Accupuncture session
Teddy Today: Butterfly
Teddy Today: and then Flash caught the butterfly
