Where to start?
Sampson had surgery to repair a full ACL tear just over 3 months (almost 14 weeks ago).
I heard from a lot of people whose dog(s) had ACL surgery and was told it was nothing to worry about, their dog was back to running, chasing squirrels etc in no time.
That hasn’t been Sampson’s experience at all.
Western Medicine
The surgery itself went very well. Sampson’s meniscus was intact, so the surgeon repaired the ACL and made a slight incision in the meniscus to keep it from tearing. One week after surgery Sampson developed a seroma on his knee, which is basically an accumulation of fluid. This was treated with hot compresses and it reduced the seroma within a couple of days.
His six week check up and x-ray showed the leg was healing well.
And yet, he was still not putting the weight he should have been on that foot. When the surgeon examined him he diagnosed him with a strained or sore Iliopsoas muscle. This muscle runs from the hip to the chest and is a very deep muscle. It’s also very hard to treat. The surgeon put him on Gabapentin and he seemed to be doing much better. When he checked him three weeks later he said, “I think we just have a slow healer.”
Then ten days ago I noticed he was not putting weight on his foot in the house, in fact there were times when he was actually holding it up! I mentioned this to his physical therapist who said, to speak to the surgeon, maybe it was time for him to go back in there and see what was going on. Her gut was telling her that something just wasn’t right.
I was very upset. Besides the fact that I don’t want to put him through another surgery so soon after the first one, as well as the expense of another surgery, I just don’t roll that way. As luck (fate) would have it, I had a call into my own vet about Delilah and after we discussed that issue I asked her to spend a few minutes discussing Sampson.
There’s a reason I love my vet. Besides the fact she leans towards the holistic side, she always makes me feel better. Bottom line, she agreed with not going back in for surgery, she suggested I keep an eye on him over the weekend and if I didn’t see an improvement, she wanted to see him.
She saw him last Monday, she checked his knee extensively and said it seemed fine, she pressed into his Iliopsoas muscle and he whipped around like he’d been pinched. Yup, the poor punkin, his Iliopsoas muscle is hurting him. And because of this he doesn’t place his weight properly and because he doesn’t place his weight properly, his Iliopsoas muscle is sore. Dr. Soutter said a dog with a “Psoas” muscle issue can be very frustrating.
So what to do?
Well to start with I’m stretching his hip out twice per day. Holding his leg at the top of his thigh and supporting the bottom, I extend the leg and then gently guide it back.
One stretch, then some rubbies.
Eastern Medicine
Sometimes I was told, sometimes Acupuncture can release the muscle, and as luck would have the owner of the practice could perform Acupuncture AND he had a spot available on Thursday! So Thursday Sampson and I headed over to our vet’s office. Dr. Atz examined Sampson’s knee, he asked a lot of questions and then he began Sampson’s acupuncture treatment.
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- I won’t lie, it broke my heart to see his little tail tucked between his legs. That has never happened before.
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- There were a number along his spine.
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- Some needles were in the leg.
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- It took some time and lots of treats, but eventually he relaxed a little.
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- Once all the needles were in place, he felt good enough to walk around.
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- Look at that face, he seems okay with it.
It was hard to see him anxious about the treatment, but I knew it was our best chance at helping him, so I did the best I could to remain calm, and keep him calm and focused. I gave him lots of treats and lots of rubbies.
Since he hurt himself, Sampson has been hard at work on some lick granulomas, so while we waited for the acupuncture treatment to be completed, Dr. Atz gave Sampson some cold laser treatment on his Granulomas. Dr. Atz also had a pill form of Body Sore, a Chinese herb that I’ve been trying to get him to take in powder form and I haven’t been having much luck. These pills are smaller than a Tic Tac and all fit into a slab of liverwurst and down the hatch with no problem.
Has the acupuncture helped?
Well it’s hard to say (and I’m afraid to jinx my dog) but we went from acupuncture straight to the physical therapist and for the first time in six months, Sampson went into the vet’s office and stood on his back legs with his front paws on the counter and announced himself, not once, not twice but three times. THREE TIMES.
Then when we got home….
He did this. Yes, he climbed up on his couch. BUT I notice he’s still, at times holding that leg up.
It’s like we’re on a hamster wheel, the Iliosoas muscle is strained so he’s not putting the proper weight on his foot, BUT by not putting the proper weight on his foot, the Iliosoas is not getting better.
I’m not really sure what we are going to do, but he sees the surgeon again on Wednesday, so stay tuned.
Aw, poor baby!! I feel for poor Sampson…and his Mama! I know how it is to watch your dog try to walk on 3 legs and do what looks like a hop-skip-hop on the 4th leg. Callie’s arthritis has been bothering her again, but the best thing is to just help her down the steps and then let her stretch it out on her own. Having arthritis myself, I know how painful it can be at times.
Thinking of you guys and keeping everything crossed. I wish I could offer words of advice but I have nothing – sorry. Can I tempt you to a joke? Two elephants fell off a cliff……… bum bum or shall we both just open a bottle and pretend we are drinking it together?
Poor Sampson. But what a brave boy. And what a brave, smart mama. Always a plan and then a plan B. Cupcake and I are sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers.
Oh man, that is so hard. If only us dogs could talk for a second and let you know what is going on. I’m sure you are totally frustrated, but I would think he would need a few acupuncture treatments to really improve long term. We aren’t big into holistic at my house, but we avoid surgery and unnecessary treatments at all cost. Our vet is someone we trust that isn’t one to push stuff on us that isn’t necessary and we are grateful for that. Mom says she would exhaust all possibilities before doing anymore surgery. Maybe if you and Sampson fly to a tropical island for a month, spend time lying on the beach and swimming in the warm water it will all just mend itself, meaning the leg and your nerves with it all.
Poor Sampson. What about more acupuncture? I can’t imagine one treatment would cure his issue. Let me know how your appointment with the surgeon goes.
I hope that all helps him. I think a combo of treatments is always a good idea.
Poor puppy! I really hope he starts feeling better soon. It’s so hard to see our babies in pain.
We are really interested in that Eastern medics stuff for my legs and back
Lily (& Edward)
Oh Sampson 🙁
I feel so bad for ya buddy! And for you as well mom! You are such a great pawrent, and you are definitely doing all the right steps in trying to help him heal. Hopefully the surgeon has some ideas when you go back on Wednesday. I wish I had some advice or helpful tips for you, but I have never dealt with this and know absolutely nothing about it.
Our paws are crossed for ya Sampson!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I thought acupuncture took several treatments to get results. I know how hard it is to be patient. Anyway we are sending our best thoughts for Western or Eastern approaches to work for Sampson.
Poor dear Sampson! I think very much like you and I try to balance western and eastern medicine. I am taking Norbert for acupuncture this Saturday for his arthritis Im hoping it will help him
retro rover
I’m so sorry that this has been such a rough time for Sampson, and of course for you as well. I just know how stressed out I’d be in your situation and how much you just want Sampson to be better and back to his old self.
I wonder as some others did whether more acupuncture might be in order for it to really work? I imagine there might be some ups and downs too before he’s ready to use that leg all the time.
I hope the surgeon might have some more answers for you….I think you are doing all the right things for Sampson and it has to pay off eventually.
It looks like a combination of both types may the best. Hope his muscle is all better soon!
Oh, poor Sampson! (And poor you.) I’ve never done acupuncture for a pup, but know a lot of folks how have, and they all spoke well of the experience. The hubs and I get acup. treatments for our own issues – it’s not super fun during the treatment, but VERY relaxing after. Love that pic of him after his treatment. I started to feel better after a handful of treatments.
Poor you and Sampson, great photo series of the acupuncture thank you for sharing that. He will get better soon and be back to ripping it up, sometimes it just takes a bit. Hugs
I like Emma’s idea of the tropical vacation…
That said, I am a firm believer in acupuncture and massage. I’ve had it for all of our dogs starting with sally who had two ACL surgeries and elbow dysplasia surgery too. She had regular acupuncture, PT and water therapy – I really think the combination helped her tremendously. You do have to do several treatments though for it to have a longer lasting effect. We also used acupuncture on Becca too who had pretty severe spinal problems. She could barely get around sometimes, but with regular treatments she was actually able to play fetch. I really hope Sampson improves – it’s so hard when you have one of those issues like this. Good luck.
We to combined western and eastern medicine. Sometimes it is hard to tell what’s working and what’s not. But with Jasmine, the combo of treatments we were using seemed to had been just the right one. Because every time things looked good and we decided to drop something as not needed, problems returned.
Blessy Heart!! Such a sweet face. Poor little boy, he has really been through it. I sure hope the acupuncture helps. I am interested to see what his vet says tomorrow. My experience is that most medical folks are either western or eastern medicine. Thankfully, he has a good Mama that is making sure he is getting the right treatment!
Gus’ Mom
I have heard so many good things about accupuncture, from people getting it for themselves and for their dogs, and for a variety of reasons. I really hope that will help Sampson. Poor guy – and it’s just heartbreaking to not be able to explain what’s going on to them.