A Midsummer Night's Tale

Oberon, a Delta therapy dog, suddenly became frightened to descend the stairs. On July 8, 2011 he refused to leave the bedroom in the morning. At first he just sat at the top of the stairs, then after a while he howled. I used all kinds of treats and promises. I needed to get ready for work and couldn't leave him there for 9 hours. So I carried my 110 lb Dobie down the stairs. Oh, Oberon is 7 years old. 

I don't remember previous trauma. He either works with me at the hospital or stays home, inside. He's never left alone. 

I took him the the Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital, his regular vet on Tuesday because I noticed his hind legs were oddly positioned ... spread apart and his posture was different. He had that German Shepherd "slouch" or maybe I should liken it to the slope of a coyote.

So the GP vet suggested a neurologist AND a cardiologist ... she detected a murmur not evidenced before. OK ....

The neurologist strongly recommended I have him evaluated by a cardiologist because "treatment" surgically or chemically would involve his heart. This neurologist suggested Wobblers or trauma.

Off to Tufts. Tufts cleared Ob. His murmor was not grave. We started 20 mg prednisone 2x a day.

I phoned my Dr. C at Kensington and we talked and talked. She suggested I pursue an approach that was the least invasive. I decided on an MRI. The MRI showed a cervical  cyst. The Dr. C and I spoke  again. In the meantime I lost my job. Position eliminated. So now my best friend is sick and I have no money.

Dr. C put Ob on 20 mg of prednisone 2x a day. She suggested again that I look for alternative treatment. Alternative to surgery. My research showed surgery was not often successful taking into account his age and most important the location of  the cyst.

So I kept hunting for alternatives on my Mac.

I found Dr. Beckett. His practice was near. His first acupuncture treatment was on August 9. He also gave Ob Chinese herbs. 


Beckett & Associated Veterinary Service

With each acupuncture Ob appeared less "wobbley" less stressed. He followed me upstairs two times and wasn't able to come back downstairs and had to be carried. The prednisone has been decreased over this time to 10 mg every other day. Dr. Beckett then suggested cold laser. He recently acquired a laser


Companion Laser Therapy

On September 27 Oberon had his first cold laser treatment. I dropped him off at 1:30 PM and he was ready to go home at 3:30 PM. It usually doesn't take this long. The laser company was teaching Dr. Beckett's staff to use the laser.

While driving home he sat in a twisted position. Looked terribly uncomfortable. Tiny back seat. 15 minutes from home he started stressing audibly. But when we got home he was fine. 

He tried to engage Izabella, 2.5 year old Dobie, in play. ate all his food, drank adequate water, and went to his couch. Ob appeared fine.

September 28, the next day was our second laser treatment. He couldn't get in the car fast enough. He seemed to enjoy the treatment that lasted just a little over 5 minutes. I was present. The laser was a tool much like an ultrasound hand held device attached to it's own computer. Everyone in the room wore goggles even Ob. His treatment consisted of gentle massage to his neck. I could barely see a light, there was no sound, and I was told that Ob would just feel warmth. 

After treatment I took him Bicentennial Park, a dog park he enjoyed 2 years ago. He totally recognized it. I kept him on a harness and leash. We walked about .5 miles. It was very humid. Ob was panting. Pred panting? Heat panting? 

Drove to another another park with a clean brook. He walked in the water. Again something we haven't done in several years. This time when he tried to get into the back seat of the Cobra he fell. Seems his hind legs just didn't have the strength. I truly blame myself. Too much, too soon. 

At home he engaged Izabella in play. Even teased her with a toy. Inhaled his supper and took to his couch.

Tomorrow we'll do a short walk with lots of rest stops and try to rebuild Oberon.  His lower lids are droopy and slightly red, but so perhaps are mine. What a day. 

I don't know how to begin to thank Beckett Vet in South Glastonbury, CT. Dr. Beckett, Dr. Webb, the staff, the sheep, et al are truly holistically  healing us both. 

Next laser appointment is Friday. September 30. Tomorrow is another day.