Wednesday, August 27, 2014

A positive health update!

A post by the momma:

It was just a few short weeks ago that we were preparing for the worst.  Corbin’s health was rapidly declining and his ability to get around was becoming increasingly harder.  We were crushed, frustrated and feeling absolutely helpless as we struggled with a huge quality of life decision. 
 
 
We decided to take it one week at a time.  If we went by his progress, or lack thereof, day by day… we probably would have chosen to end his horrible suffering… and yes, he was suffering.  But, we chose to plow through his bad days, comfort him during his 3am screaming fits of pain and do the best we could to make him as comfortable as possible while hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel.  It was a gruesome couple of weeks as we weaned him off of the prednisone and waited to see if a new drug would help.  We were so discouraged and watching him live in pain was more than we could bare.  I even had a heart to heart with him one night when he scrambled onto our bed and plopped all 75lbs of him on my chest.  I told him he had to let me know when it was all too much for him… when he was ready to let go.  He replied with an insanely fast tail nubbin’ wag and countless licks to my face.  I knew he was still fighting and willing to wait out some new treatment plans.  So, we did.
 
Dr. Mike started Corbin on some new anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers.  We decided to schedule a consult with a chiropractor.  At this point, we were desperate.  Last Wednesday, we met with Dr. Gunderson, a local vet who specializes in rehab therapy, including chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture.  She spent so much time with us, going over his crazy medical history and trying her best to understand what we’ve come to know as Corbinitis. 
 
 
She did a full exam on Corbin, feeling every inch of his body.  She found that his Iliopsoas Muscle, the muscle that connects from his femur to his spine, in his right hind leg was extremely tight and she could feel it spasm under her touch. Oddly enough, 2.5 years ago we brought Corbin to a neurologist.  The only place Corbin expressed pain during his exam was when the neurologist felt that muscle.  During his MRI, an orthopedic did a full work up on him and said all was good with his legs, so the neurologist dismissed the thought of this muscle being an issue.  Well, looks like it is the issue.  We’re not sure yet if it is the primary source of his pain or secondary to another issue, but it’s a place to start.
 
 
Dr. Gunderson adjusted almost every joint in his body.  She joked that she usually writes down which joints she adjusts, but for Corbin, the list would be much shorter if she wrote down which joints she did not adjust.  She taught me how to do some stretches with Corbin that will help stretch out that tight muscle and she sent Dr. Mike detailed notes on our visit and her recommendations.  Together, Dr. Gunderson and Dr. Mike are working on a treatment plan that will include continued chiropractic work and cold laser therapy.  We saw Dr. Mike the Thursday after our appointment and he was shocked with the amount of progress we had made.  Not only was his deteriorating paw healing up really well, but he was actually using his feet much better and not presenting as flat footed as he has been. Even Dr. Mike admitted that he didn’t think the pads of his feet were going to recover, and by some miracle they’re almost fully healed.  Same thing with his flat footedness... we didn't think he would perch up on his feet again, but he was.
 
 
After our appointment with Dr. Mike last Thursday, we started Corbin on nerve blockers.  His 3am screaming fits have stopped and Amelia is very happy to have a playful Corbin around again.  The transformation in Corbin’s overall health, appearance and personality is just astonishing.  And, he’s starting to grow some of his fur back on his chest and belly that he had been slowly losing –most likely due to his prednisone intake. 
 
 
As tough as those few weeks were to watch him in pain, I’m glad we stuck it out and put our trust in Corbin and our wonderful vets.  Happy tears would be such an understatement. I’m so hopeful that we will be able to get his pain managed and allow Corbin to live a happy life for a bit longer!  Thanks for all the good thoughts, vibes and prayers you sent our way.  They were deeply felt and it clearly worked!  He has a great group of supporters in his corner and we’re so thankful!

29 comments:

  1. Mom Kim here - I am so glad you found something that really helps. I am so for alternative medicine which I guess is what chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture would be referred to. It seems that the combination of that with more traditional forms of treatment helps in a lot of areas and what is really great is when you find a vet in the traditional field willing to work with one in the other field.

    I am ready to change vet practices for Shiloh should his IVDD get any worse - I have already located a vet practice that has both in one location - and we have already been there a few months ago when I needed an early evening weekday appointment - something our current vet doesn't do (even tho he said we could "work something out" when I told him about it - he knows I can't do 5 pm appts during the week but that is the latest he offers and for some reason, sometimes dogs need a vet besides 8-12 on Saturdays) Ok, started rambling there - need to stop. Anyway, just so glad to hear that the "Corbinitis" is under control and that Corbin is doing better.

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  2. Wonderful, wonderful news! So glad that Corbin told you he wasn't ready to give up yet!

    :)

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  3. Hi Corbin,
    We are happy to know that you are feeling better. We just read through your previous posts and it was a struggle for you for the past weeks. Your Mom really cares a lot for you. We will always keep you in our prayers that you recover well.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Max, Wai-Pai & Forgie

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  4. Wow! This is such an enightening and hopeful post. We applaud you and Corbin and wish you many more years together!

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  5. so glad to hear the Corbin is feeling much better and glad his treatments are working well enough to stop his chronic pain and get him back to being himself again and able to enjoy his time with his parents and sister <3

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  6. So so happy for you Corbin! You had everyone worried. Your momma is a very strong momma.

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  7. that is such wonderful news and we are so happy the chiro and cold lazer is helping (Reilly loves that too - gives off all these happy grunts while having it) Reilly too in on a cocktail of medicines for his pain, arthritis and thyroid but he is such a stoic guy he never lets on when he is hurting bit Mommas know :) Way to go Corbie - we have our paws crossed for you big guy

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  8. WoooHoooo!!! Nice! This is indeed happy news Corbin, and I can see in your handsome face that you are feelin' lots better! YEA!!
    I didn't even mind the pic of you flashin' your naughty bits!! ☺
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  9. He is such a cutie! Good job, all!

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  10. We are so glad that Corbin is feeling some better!

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  11. WE are SO very VERY much happy to hear that the Corbin is BACK. THAT is fabulous news indeed.

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  12. So happy to hear you are feeling better. We are a huge believer in the acupuncture as it has helped Sagira a lot.

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  13. This is WONDERFUL news and we are so very happy to hear it!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  14. I'm so happy to read this post!

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  15. Wow, this is so good to read. It sounds like all the stars lined up perfectly for you and Corbin. We hope he continues to do well and improve even more.

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

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  16. My heart just filled with so much joy -- that you went through it all, that he had such dark moments and that you walked WITH him to this new place, of good news....AHHHHHHH! That. Is. Love! We send yays, and high fives, and Jake says he'd totally smell Corbin's butt so you KNOW the love we have for you is very deep!

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  17. Corbin and momma - we are SO happy to hear this news! It warms our hearts, and Corbin, you're looking quite handsome!
    Bart, Ruby and Otto

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  18. I'm glad he's feeling so much better! I know it's tough to see them not feeling well and we've been there, too.

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  19. SO happy for Corbin! I'm glad you didn't give up. I think that people who actually work "hands on" know so much more than people who depend on MRIs and xrays. We're cheering over here!

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  20. Casey's Momma here. I've been waiting with baited breath to hear updates about Corbin and keeping my fingers crossed for him. I'm so glad it's paying off! I hope that you've found a good combination of things to help him and that it all keeps working.

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  21. Hey Corbin!
    Wow, buddy, I'm doing the happy dance for you! So glad to hear that you are feeling better. Sounds like your dogtors are on the right track and you are looking as full of handsomeness as ever. :)
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Pol Comm

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  22. I'm so happy that Corbin seems to be doing better. I try to always keep him in my prayers, because it hurts my heart to think of Corbin being in pain. What a relief that his doctors seem to have found the right combination of things to help him. I hope that it all keeps working.

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  23. We are sending lots of GOLDEN healing vibes to our favorite boy. We are so happy to hear that progress is happening!

    Monty and Harlow

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  24. So glad to hear the Corbin is doing better - I missed all of this and has had to catch up coz I has been slacking on the bloggies. I know the chiropractor plays a big pawt in keeping me hiking in my old geezer years so I is glad to hear a chiropractor be helping Corbin, too.

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  25. Hurrah! Dat is pawzitive ness indeed Corbin my pal…is grate to find such good noos on yore blog….keep up da good werk

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  26. Such good news! I've also heard that doggie accupuncture can be amazing too! I is smiling ear to ear reading this!

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  27. Ohh Corbin Dude yoo has beened in da wars wile wee wos away cos our pooter gotted sick.
    Wee is so veri happisome dats yoo is on da mend now deer furiend, sendin lots ovs Crestie vibes fur yor continyood recoveries
    Lovs
    Da K Krew
    XxxxX

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