Apollo Update..

Oh, awesome!!  Good boy, Apollo!  Keep on getting better! 

Congrats, glad to hear it! Looking forward to more positive updates! 

After reading about Bubblegum this is GREAT news!  I'm so glad that Apollo is doing better.  Give him some skritches from me.

I am so glad you updated everyone!  Keep getting better, Apollo!!!

Im so happy for your pup!!, see sometimes a good chiropractor can make the difference :), Hashibufu had 2 herniated discs so we had to take him for an emergency surgery, and yes it was about 5 months ago and then again we are still recovering financially from it :(

But then again its our babies so we would do anything for them

Hello Everyone..I just wanted to bring you up to date on our dear Apollo. I started my morning cleaning up his room, he is such a messy tenant...ha ha..I gave him a dry shampoo bath and washed his feet real good...I gave him his meds with a small snack and refilled his big water bowl...Replaced his bedding with all fresh pieces and washed his old bedding for the next bed change. Then it was time for something new....After lots and lots of research I purchased some DMSO gel. This afternoon After he ate and drank and relieved himself, and everything was cleaned up again, I got him all comfy on his big bed and started massaging the DMSO gel along and down both sides of his spine...This went on for about 20-30 minutes. He was SO RELAXED he almost fell over..!!! My hand was at first warm, and then started turning a little cold, like with Icy-Hot...About the time my hand started tingling Apollo's back must have also started doing the same thing, he kind of wooed at me for a moment and then went back to his deep, deep relaxed state. The chiropractor told me that we would both have a strong taste of Garlic in our mouths and we may even begin to smell like Garlic, which we did on both counts..BUT...At 4:00 today we loaded Apollo into the truck, he did not cry, he did not whine, he even started using his back feet more to pull himself along...When we got to the chiropractors office, Dr. Lamb came out to the truck and because Apollo was turned the other way, Dr, Lamb got inside the truck and was petting him on his back, Apollo growled again one time lowly...then Dr. Lamb started clicking along his spine, about 6 times on each side...Apollo did not howl or cry until the last click...Dr. Lamb said Apollo's spine was improving greatly, the swelling has gone way down and his spine is starting to hold the adjustments, it is staying in place after each adjustment...He believes by next week, we should see real improvement. Apollo has started to turn his head around to look behind him with no apparent pain..and when I clean his feet and his toes now, he looks down, right at where my hands are..I believe he is starting to regain some feeling in his feet and hind legs. He is starting to use his left foot and leg, but is still not standing on all fours. He scoots....Dr. Lamb advised me to use the DMSO once a day for the next week or so...He believes by THIS Monday we should REALLY see some major improvement...Apollo's vet and I have been discussing starting him on Adequan Injections..Starting on Monday. But Dr. Lamb is questioning if he will even need that by Monday..So that truly is reassuring. The man we got Apollo from has been VERY KIND. Once he heard the news about Apollo's condition and injury he immediately offered to help with his medical expenses. I don't know how much he is offering at this time, but what a wonderful person he is to make such an offer. We are thankful to him for his kindness. We still are not out of the woods yet as Apollo has not attempted to stand, or walk...But the inflammation is reducing, the swelling is going down..he is starting to move with more ease and he is not crying like he was before. He is eating good and all bathroom activities remain normal. We have Apollo on a world-wide Prayer Line...and everyone has sent him best wishes and have been very supportive, loving and kind. I cannot THANK everyone enough..God Bless All Of You...and for those of you who are suffering through these rough times with your beloved pet..Please be strong..DON'T Give up hope...Be strong and be patient...Be aggressive with the pain management..meds..and don't be afraid to try alternative medicines and treatments...You are all in my prayers as well...

I will update you again soon..I know tomorrow may be a tough day for Apollo..he is always a bit sore after his adjustments, but then he is frisky, bright eyed and HUNGRY..ha ha..

Thank You Again

Sincerely,

Lisa & Apollo
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Use the WoodLock also -- it won't 'fight' with the DMSO -- just don't use it at the same time.  It too will help reduce the inflammation.

 This is great news -- and far far better than surgery that likely wouldn't have done a thing.

 I have some wonderful news...I just couldn't wait to share with everyone...This is certainly proof that Prayers do come true..

and love can really work miracles...Today...Apollo was slow to get moving...he was really relaxed and just didn't want to get up.

So I gave him some time, but then I went in and while he was laying down, I started massaging his back...I kept telling him to just

relax and stay laying down...He took it for a bit, but then he had to get up. He jumped up into a sitting position as usual..

I continued to massage on him and then we started our regular routine of "clean up"..He got the usual, everything washed up,

cleaned real good, dried real good, and his room all cleaned and disinfected. Then I combed and brushed him all over...He

just loved every minute of it...Then I feed him, and boy did he ever eat...we did the bathroom thing, followed by more clean

up...fresh water, and lots of conversation, one sided of course, but I think he understands..smile. Then I started parting his fur

all along his backbone. He knew what was coming next...I started massaging the DMSO all along his back deep into his hips,

and even along his hind legs...paying special attention to his lower back and tail area...and then the most amazing thing happened.

He started curling his tail, twitching it and then it whipped right around in a perfect curl up onto his back, he kept turning all the way

around to look at it...then his left leg started twitching, sort of jerking and even almost knocking against the floor..he just kept turning

around and starring at it..then all of a sudden he pulled it right up into place...then he stretched the right leg all the way out and spread

his toes open...then he pulled it up into place...before long he was sitting straighter than he has since this all happened. He just kept

looking at his feet, legs back and tail...like he was amazed himself. He even started cleaning those areas for the first time in weeks.

I continued to massage him and brush on him. Folks it wasn't long after that he started getting "frisky"...Now keep in mind he

had not had any medication since the morning before...all day today and into this evening he was almost normal again..He did

not stand up but he would attempt to raise his back end with his legs...he started getting playful...he played tug of war with his rope.

He boxed with his front feet with both myself, my son and my husband..He has not done that since before the injury. It was so amazing.

You could tell he felt sooooo good...!! He continued to eat throughout the day, he was playful and really wanting to go outside.

I opened the storm door back, but I would not allow him outside...it was rainy and there was no sunshine today, but he got the

fresh air....I just cannot tell everyone how excited and how happy this all made me today. I have not seen this until now...

There were little things, a movement, or a twitch, but today he was doing it all, and he just kept looking at his tail, back and feet.

I am SO HAPPY....and to see him Up and Frisky again....WOW...What an answered prayer...!!! I don't know exactly what it is

the twice weekly chiropractor visit...the daily DMSO treatments, The Woodlock massages...or all the spoiling and TLC..

But my wonderful baby Apollo is getting better....!!! For anyone out there going through this same situation..PLEASE..Don't give up..!

Prayers are answered, wishes do come true...and miracles happen...Just be strong, and be aggressive with the treatment plan.

Watching Apollo get feeling back into his legs, back, feet and tail...watching his expressions as he feels this and that..it is like

watching a baby or small child discover the world around them for the first time...Apollo is going to make it..I just know it. Again..

I cannot THANK EVERYONE enough for their suggestion, their encouragement and all of their prayers...You are an amazing

group of angels that is for sure..God Bless All Of You....!!!  I will continue to update...Have a wonderful weekend...!!

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa & Apollo
 

Lisa--your story here made me cry. Here you are, wtih a brand-new adoption and then he hurts himself. I'm so sorry. I have two disabled dogs and I understand the stress you've been going through.

I am so happy to hear Apollo is doing better. I think he will come out of this.

He was meant to be with you.

 Hello Everyone

                                    The past two days Apollo has been depressed. He forces his way out of the entryway when no one is looking and takes off around the house, walking on his knees or scoots with both legs out in front of him. Yesterday I was away from him for less than 10 minutes and found him in my sons room standing with his face in the corner...Last night we took him to his chiropractor's appointment. The doctor adjusted him again, and we gave him good treats on the way back home. He had a fairly restful night, after eating a huge meal and taking a muscle relaxer, and of course a long, deep massage. Today he was back up...I cleaned him, feed him, again a big meal, fresh water, and his ALA. He again busted out of the entryway and came straight to my bedroom where he is sleeping quietly at the moment. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, just depressed acting and not as frisky and bright eyed as he was a couple of days ago. I am not sure what has happened. But he isn't even trying now, and really doesn't want me to mess with him as I was doing before. The chiropractor is referring him to another chiropractor that specializes in these type of dogs. We will go to see her at the end of this week. I am at my wits end. I want so much to help him but I don't know what else to do. It has not even been 4 weeks now, but everyone seems to think he should have more progress than what he has by now. So I am lost here once again. The vet says he needs to be in physical therapy and I called and emailed several different ones. The nearest one is in Louisville,KY and they charge initially $300.00 to  evaluate him and then $90.00 each session after that. It is a 2 hour drive for us one way, 4 hours round trip...My husband is starting to worry wondering if we can continue to afford everything that is needed. We are currently raising our two teenage son's, and we have our pregnant daughter and her two sons also living with us. As expected the utility bills here are very high this year due to the colder and wetter weather we have been having. Our gas bill for 2 months was over $700.00 and our electric bill was over $500.00....we are struggling financially right now and I am just about to fall apart over the worry of all of this. I talked to my brother who sells things on ebay. I ask him to list somethings for us to help raise the money we need to continue to help Apollo, but it is a process as everything I have for sale that would give us any real gain is all things that would have to be pick up only and could not be mailed..."Makes buyers not want to buy"....I have applied through IMOM, but we haven't done our taxes yet this year and we didn't have them done at all last year..and without a recent tax form, they cannot help us..."We are currently on the food stamp program here in Kentucky, thankfully..It helps with the cost of meals for everyone in our household"..My husband works as you can imagine all of the time to provide for this bunch and I am a stay at home mom because our 16 year has an emotional disability and I work with a school program to partially home school him..I need other ideas...things that I can do here at home to help Apollo...I think he needs more aggressive therapy...My husband is trying to locate a used hot tub that would be big enough to allow for Apollo to have some of the hydro-therapy he needs, but we live in an area where you just don't see them for sale that often. There has to be more that I can do to help this big guy...Do you think it is still to soon, do you think he needs more rest and still needs his activity limited..? I do pull him outside when the sun shines, and I am with him almost every waking moment...I just need some more ideas...Let me know what you think..and please know I APPRECIATE all of you SO much...

Thank You Again..

Sincerely,

Lisa & Apollo

 

 

  I couldn't find your first 3 posts to learn what your vet has said about his injury, but did your vet recommend crating Apollo? I don't have any experience with spinal injuries, but when Jessie injured a muscle in her leg a few years ago we couldn't take her for walks and had to keep her from running for a few weeks. Maybe Apollo should be kept quieter until he's healed more. I really hope someone comes along soon that knows more; I'll keep Apollo in my prayers.

We need to get hold of some Sibe people (is that what Apollo is) here.

I found this one link. You need to find somebody who can keep linking you to others who can help. I found a Labrador financial fund program that helps owners of Labs afford proper health care.

Here's the one I found--let's work on getting Sibe people to answer.

http://www.southernsiberian.com/resources_links.html#7

We definitely need to get the word out.

 How's Apollo doing; was the new chiropractor able to help?