Guest guest Posted July 6, 2001 Report Share Posted July 6, 2001 A few weeks ago my dog Bear was shot in the hip by a " drive by " shooter. A low velocity .22 caliber bullet chipped the pelvis and is lodged in his femur. My vet is not interested in dealing with the possibility of recovery, and recommends euthanasia, or at least amputation (which he is reluctant to do because he says Bear has arthritis in his hips and that using 3 legs will aggravate it). He does not particularly want to operate to remove the bullet - says if he is going to operate he might as well amputate. I nevertheless would like to see if this dog can recover use of the leg somewhat, although I realize that he will never be " normal " again. Bear is an Anatolian Shepherd, livestock guardian dog, and quite large - he's about 120 lb right now and underweight because he's hopping around on 3 legs. The first 10 days after his injury Bear was on antibiotics and Phenylbutazone for inflammation and pain. After the antibiotic I started him on 14 gram of blue-green algae and started working him up (increasing by one/week) - the usual way to get people and critters going on the stuff. He seemed to be doing well, but on Monday July 2 he appeared to have a fever, so I immediately upped his algae to 6 tablets/day (1 1/2 grams) which is the amount research has shown to have immediate immune system benefits. The fever issue seems to be past, and now I have him eating 1 1/2 grams twice a day. Gotta keep those bad bugs down! Bear doesn't put any weight on the leg at all and it kind of hangs on him rather floppily, rather than being just simply held up. He can move it - if he's laying down he can lift it sideways, I have seen him stretch it out as well. He is doing well emotionally and doesn't seem to be in (much) pain. I am beginning to reduce the bute gradually at this time - he was getting .1/2 gram/day and I have now worked him down to 1/4 one day. I have occasionally skipped days and he doesn't seem to be any different - I may just cut him off the bute entirely. I have a lot of faith in the blue-green algae, but is it just wishful thinking on my part that the algae could help Bear to at least be able to put a little weight on that leg eventually (the more weight the leg can take, the easier on the opposite hip)? Is there anything else I could be doing? I have received some suggestions from a holistic vet (Osteoheel, Bone, Traumeel, Zeel, Arthri-soothe, and/or Glycoflex)- I don't actually know what these things are. Anyone think I can find them in Springerville??? Last question: Is there any hope that this leg will be useful eventually and that Bear could live some sort of decent life, or do I have to accept my vet's prognosis that Bear is a short timer and I might as well just put him down now? Lif Strand Quemado NM USA ____ STRAND ENTERPRISES www.fasterhorses.com HERITAGE ENDURANCE RIDE June 8, 2002 * Distance Riding group/individual mentoring programs * Web Page Design * Computer Graphics * Internet Research * Fine Art * Blue-Green Algae & other complementary health options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2001 Report Share Posted July 6, 2001 Hi Lif, That is always one of the most difficult decisions one has to eventually make when we have pets. I know that is an understatement. I take it that the bullet was not taken out. I will ask a friend whose speciality is in the dog communinity. Killing the animal is always her LAST resort. As you probably would agree with, we are caretakers not owners of animals. Just as God knows it is the right time to take us we have to take on the responsibility of knowing when it is the right time to take an animals life. As our lives are in God's hands, He has given us that responsibily over the animals life. Oh, such a burden. :-0 We still have not gotten over putting our sweet Archie down. Well, it is getting better and we still do not regret the actual decision. By the way, I am not intimating that you should do that at this point in time. Just be aware you may have to start thinking about it and I hope Bear can get over most of the problem. I will not be able to get with the Doc (the vet not our doc here <g>) I mentioned earlier until this afternoon. All my best, Terry --- FROM: Lif Strand <fasterhorses SUBJECT: [herbal remedies] Bone injury in my dog Bear DATE: Fri, 06 Jul 2001 09:22:44 -0600 A few weeks ago my dog Bear was shot in the hip by a " drive by " shooter. A low velocity .22 caliber bullet chipped the pelvis and is lodged in his femur. My vet is not interested in dealing with the possibility of recovery, and recommends euthanasia, or at least amputation (which he is reluctant to do because he says Bear has arthritis in his hips and that using 3 legs will aggravate it). He does not particularly want to operate to remove the bullet - says if he is going to operate he might as well amputate. I nevertheless would like to see if this dog can recover use of the leg somewhat, although I realize that he will never be " normal " again. Bear is an Anatolian Shepherd, livestock guardian dog, and quite large - he's about 120 lb right now and underweight because he's hopping around on 3 legs. The first 10 days after his injury Bear was on antibiotics and Phenylbutazone for inflammation and pain. After the antibiotic I started him on 14 gram of blue-green algae and started working him up (increasing by one/week) - the usual way to get people and critters going on the stuff. He seemed to be doing well, but on Monday July 2 he appeared to have a fever, so I immediately upped his algae to 6 tablets/day (1 1/2 grams) which is the amount research has shown to have immediate immune system benefits. The fever issue seems to be past, and now I have him eating 1 1/2 grams twice a day. Gotta keep those bad bugs down! Bear doesn't put any weight on the leg at all and it kind of hangs on him rather floppily, rather than being just simply held up. He can move it - if he's laying down he can lift it sideways, I have seen him stretch it out as well. He is doing well emotionally and doesn't seem to be in (much) pain. I am beginning to reduce the bute gradually at this time - he was getting .1/2 gram/day and I have now worked him down to 1/4 one day. I have occasionally skipped days and he doesn't seem to be any different - I may just cut him off the bute entirely. I have a lot of faith in the blue-green algae, but is it just wishful thinking on my part that the algae could help Bear to at least be able to put a little weight on that leg eventually (the more weight the leg can take, the easier on the opposite hip)? Is there anything else I could be doing? I have received some suggestions from a holistic vet (Osteoheel, Bone, Traumeel, Zeel, Arthri-soothe, and/or Glycoflex)- I don't actually know what these things are. Anyone think I can find them in Springerville??? Last question: Is there any hope that this leg will be useful eventually and that Bear could live some sort of decent life, or do I have to accept my vet's prognosis that Bear is a short timer and I might as well just put him down now? Lif Strand Quemado NM USA ____ STRAND ENTERPRISES www.fasterhorses.com HERITAGE ENDURANCE RIDE June 8, 2002 * Distance Riding group/individual mentoring programs * Web Page Design * Computer Graphics * Internet Research * Fine Art * Blue-Green Algae & other complementary health options Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and to prescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian Shillington Doctor of Naturopathy Dr.IanShillington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2001 Report Share Posted July 7, 2001 Dear Lif, Give Valorie a call @ 772-5886. A good friend of ours who is very much a holistic vet just moved into town and may be able to help. His name is Jim Travers and he is part of the Mojave Academy School project I'm very involved with in Davenport Canyon. If he says to give it up, then call me before you do. Love, Doc Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington - Lif Strand herbal remedies Friday, July 06, 2001 9:22 AM [herbal remedies] Bone injury in my dog Bear A few weeks ago my dog Bear was shot in the hip by a "drive by" shooter. A low velocity .22 caliber bullet chipped the pelvis and is lodged in his femur. My vet is not interested in dealing with the possibility of recovery, and recommends euthanasia, or at least amputation (which he is reluctant to do because he says Bear has arthritis in his hips and that using 3 legs will aggravate it). He does not particularly want to operate to remove the bullet - says if he is going to operate he might as well amputate. I nevertheless would like to see if this dog can recover use of the leg somewhat, although I realize that he will never be "normal" again.Bear is an Anatolian Shepherd, livestock guardian dog, and quite large - he's about 120 lb right now and underweight because he's hopping around on 3 legs. The first 10 days after his injury Bear was on antibiotics and Phenylbutazone for inflammation and pain. After the antibiotic I started him on 14 gram of blue-green algae and started working him up (increasing by one/week) - the usual way to get people and critters going on the stuff.He seemed to be doing well, but on Monday July 2 he appeared to have a fever, so I immediately upped his algae to 6 tablets/day (1 1/2 grams) which is the amount research has shown to have immediate immune system benefits. The fever issue seems to be past, and now I have him eating 1 1/2 grams twice a day. Gotta keep those bad bugs down!Bear doesn't put any weight on the leg at all and it kind of hangs on him rather floppily, rather than being just simply held up. He can move it - if he's laying down he can lift it sideways, I have seen him stretch it outas well. He is doing well emotionally and doesn't seem to be in (much) pain. I am beginning to reduce the bute gradually at this time - he was getting .1/2 gram/day and I have now worked him down to 1/4 one day. I have occasionally skipped days and he doesn't seem to be any different - I may just cut him off the bute entirely.I have a lot of faith in the blue-green algae, but is it just wishful thinking on my part that the algae could help Bear to at least be able to put a little weight on that leg eventually (the more weight the leg can take, the easier on the opposite hip)? Is there anything else I could be doing? I have received some suggestions from a holistic vet (Osteoheel, Bone, Traumeel, Zeel, Arthri-soothe, and/or Glycoflex)- I don't actually know what these things are. Anyone think I can find them in Springerville???Last question: Is there any hope that this leg will be useful eventually and that Bear could live some sort of decent life, or do I have to accept my vet's prognosis that Bear is a short timer and I might as well just put him down now?Lif StrandQuemado NM USA____STRAND ENTERPRISES www.fasterhorses.comHERITAGE ENDURANCE RIDE June 8, 2002* Distance Riding group/individual mentoring programs* Web Page Design * Computer Graphics * Internet Research * Fine Art* Blue-Green Algae & other complementary health optionsFederal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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