A couple of months ago, I noticed Kimo is limping. Often I see when dogs limp they seem to heal themselves are are back to normal in a day or two. But this time the limping continued.
I'm not sure how he injured his leg. One guess was that he was really excited about Jojo and started running around and making energetic play motions. Something he rarely does with Jojo. Or maybe it was when he ran from the front yard to the backyard in anticipation of getting fed.
Or maybe it was the time the boxer jumped him.
Or the time Jojo jumped him after he growled at June trying to pet him.
Anyway, I decided to take him to Dr. Asato. She moved his leg back and forth. Pulled out something from his paw. But was still limping.
I wasn't sure what the diagnosis was, but she decided to give him acupuncture treatments. He kind of yelped when they stuck the needles in him, but seemed ok during the 30 minute treatment.
She was saying that acupuncture releases endorphins. I think that one of its functions is as a natural pain killer that the body produces. I'm not exactly sure how that would heal the sore leg.
She also mentioned to limit his movement.
The second time I took him, she mentioned she thought it was the bicep tendon. He behaved better this time. I also mentioned to her about taking an MRI since that was they did to my mom when she hurt her shoulder. But she took an x-ray instead. The x-ray seemed OK but had a light coloration in the shoulder area.
She decided to do a consult with a specialist and said it may have been a previous injury.
She also gave me some medicine which they use on horses to help build up the cartilage or some such.
She again mentioned not to have him strain himself. I've been leaving him in the back, but sometimes he would jump up on to the hothouse slab on the way to the grassy area. The problem was when he came back, he would have to jump down a couple of high steps which might jar his injury. So I blocked off the entrance with some stone blocks.
I also put some small bricks on the step down from the slab in the back, so he would have only a small step down when walking off the slab.
The third time, I mentioned the MRI again. But she said they would have to anesthetize him. So we proceeded with the acupunction.
Before the fourth time, Kimo and Jojo interacted and I heard Kimo squeal. I think Kimo was sniffing Jojo's underneath area and Jojo didn't like it and went after him. Didn't see what happened as it was over before I ran to the backyard.
I mentioned that Kimo wasn't putting weight on his leg. The doctor maneuvered his leg again and noticed a sound as she moved his leg. She said she might have re-injured it again. This time Kimo was squealing when they put in the needles.
The day before the fifth time, I had Kimo tied with a long cord as he was lying down outside the back gate. I tried to tug him back in but he would come in. And when I came him he started to growl and was showing teeth. I think he was either in pain or just didn't want to move.
So I skipped the fifth session.
In the meantime, I had scheduled a session with Wendy Simmons who Dr. Asato had recommended. I put on the muzzle that she brought (which I had recommended to her for safety reasons). He was reacting and was stiff as she tried to get him used to her hands around his face area. But after a while he calmed down and was able to massage him.
However he was still not putting pressure on his leg. And would offer no resistance if you tried to lift up his leg.
I mentioned that to Wendy when she came for her second session. First she started with UltraSound which he got used to after a while. Then she lifted his leg and he squealed. That made her think that it was more than bicep tendinitis and there might be something wrong with his shoulder.
She completed the massage and I told her I think I was going to take her to another of my vets for another opinion and she concurred.
I was debating whether to take him to Dr. Chang or Dr. Kamiya. I had about decided on Dr. Chang. But then I check my voice mail.
Wendy had called that she talked with Dr. Asato. And that she recommended a consult with Dr. Yoshioka who's an orthopedic specialist. He doesn't have his own office and apparently works out of other offices. So I could call Makai Animal Clinic to coordinate an appointment.
Anyway I called today and Cookie said the Dr. Asato would have to recommend it, but she wasn't in today, so she'll talk to her tomorrow. And also that Dr. Yoshioka's fee is $180. I'm looking at it that he must be good to able to charge that price.
The other thing I've noticed is that there's some scabs scales on his right leg. Dr. Asato thinks it's scabies so she had given me some shampoo to wash it with. But I notice some similar scabs on his ears. I combed it off with the flea comb. Hopefully it's just dirt or sap or something.
Anyway, stay tuned. Poor Kimo.
[6/18/15]
had the consult with Dr. Yoshioka
move his leg around and said that his shoulder is popping out
two possible treatments:
immobilization and rest
or surgery (followed by immobilization, rest, therapy)
it would be major surgery
20% chance of complications which is twice normal due to his age, etc.
the prognosis is not as good since it's been several months since the injury and the muscle has atrophied
will have Dr. Asato write up an estimate
[6/20/15]
decided to make an appointment with Dr. Chang at Aloha Animal Hospital
want to get a second opinion
and possibly build him up in preparation for possible surgery
since last time he was built up in preparation for his teeth extraction surgery
[6/20/15]
Dr. Asato calls back saying that Dr. Yoshioka is not really encouraging surgery
due to Kimo's age and predisposition
surgery estimated to cost $3000
alternatively could try put him in a sling to limit movement
but if that's not successful, surgery will become even less likely of success
[6/23/15]
See to Dr. Chang at Aloha Animal Hospital. Takes x-rays and blood test. X-ray look OK. Blood test shows high bilirubin. Will schedule an ultrasound to investigate further
[6/30/15]
took ultrasound. showed sediment in his gall bladder. will try to see if they can flush it out with medication
[7/13/15]
Duane suggested I take him to Dr. Yoza, who does resonant healing. So today was his first session. Warned him about Kimo's bite history and he says they don't do dogs that bite. But I told him it would probably be OK, if I held him (which I did gently). Kind of waved his hands. Mentioned maybe it was a nerve problem (which Dr. Chang suggested) and he said maybe it's a pinched nerve
[7/17/15]
Kimo was crying in the red ginger. Take him to Dr. Yoza. Sign up for the seven session plan.
[7/20/15]
pick up Kimo's prescription, which is a liquid which was refrigerated. I probably should have headed straing home, but I stopped off at Petco to get a comfy dog bed
[7/21/15]
Dr. Yoza
[7/24/15]
Dr. Yoza says Kimo's leg looks better which might be his immune system is improving. (I think it's because I combed out the flakes)
[7/28/15]
Dr. Yoza. Lady with the 14 year dog comments that Kimo is limping less. (I dunno)
[8/3/15]
comb off Kimo's right leg. notice nails on that side are dark vs. the left side
[8/4/15]
Dr. Yoza
[8/8/15]
Dr. Yoza (last visit)
[8/17/15] snout looking a little raw, wipe legs with cotton, back leg looking scaley now
[8/31/15] see flea on Kimo's snout
[9/10/15] left rear leg looks pretty raw, full of knots on inside
[9/13/15] give Kimo a bath, notice his legs look dark
[9/14/15] one of the nails on right foot is sticking up, slightly clip a couple of nails. left eye has mucous, wash with water, I'll take him to vet
[9/15/15] eye has mucous again, rinse it off
[9/17/15] take him to Dr. Chang. Mange is back. Prescribes Nexgard. Administer another blood test. Gets a pedicure
[9/19/15] blood test results, protein is low
[9/30/15] try lemon water for his mange
[10/4/15] more lemon water, right paw not looking so great
[10/9/15] right rear leg looks stiff, having trouble lying down
[10/10/15] give Kimo a bath, must be in pain because tries to shake off water then stops
[10/13/15] let Kimo in the house, goes around to sniff every room, hard time lying down
[10/14/15] having trouble lying down, periodically moans while lying down
[10/15/15] Kimo lying down by the couch on his side and moaning all morning through the afternoon. Doesn't look good. Tell Donna his time may be up. Try to get him by slipping a towel under but he reacts negatively. But then suddenly pops up by himself. Take him out to pee and poop. Then to the garage to to go the vet.
Dr. Kamiya notices loss of muscle all around (whereas before it was just his left shoulder area). Thinks it may be severe arthritis. Prescribes steroids, painkiller to see if condition improves. Otherwise not so good.
[10/16/15] Is more lively and is walking better. Still having trouble lying down, but at least he's sitting which was also having trouble doing. Later lies down by the pillow on the hallway with his left (bad) side up. That's a good sign. Previously he would go by the couch and struggle down to the floor and lie down with the left side down. Then have a hard time getting up.
[10/18/15] Notice his rear right leg is stiff which gives him difficulty going down steps. But overall much improved from a few days ago.
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