How's Manja?

[Martina]

Just wanting to know how that cute boy is doing ... what's up with his hip/s? Is he going to have surgery?

martina

[Kelly+Manja]

thanks for asking martina. Manja is doing ok. As I wrote a while ago, his prognosis from the vetrinarian was not good. Hemivertebrae is known to more than often end in paralysis of the rear legs sometimes degenerating to the front legs. The vet told me that you can never know for sure but that it could be a matter of months or years.
It hasnt been reccomended that manja have surgery (Ive asked 3 vets now). They say that the surgery would be extremely complicated and risky because of the delicate nature of the spine and that improvement would not be gauranteed.
Ive been doing hours of research on the internet and talking to other owners and I decided to try acupuncture. Manja has had 3 sessions now and Im not sure if its working, but I could swear that he is walking a little bit better now.
Ive decided to stay positive and to not take everything the vets say as gospel. My friend Amy has a kelpie cross called Tuska which had a problem with one of its knees and the vet she went to said that the leg would have to be amputated. Amy decided that surgery wasnt really necessary and just made sure Tuska had lots of rest and after a few months she is fine and walking properly again.
The breeder who I got manja from has been great and been with me all the way. She has offered to let me have the pick of her next avaliable litter so that manja has a little companion (and also i think because she really feels terrible and wants me to have a healthy frenchie). I think its really nice of her to offer but it has definitely left me in a bit of inner turmoil. Im just not sure if it would be a good idea or not. I think it would probably be better to focus on manja for now. Perhaps I will consider it in a year or so. Im sure manja would be thrilled but I dont know if i can look after a disabled dog and a new puppy! Although im sure it would be worth it to find the strength.
Anyway Im starting to waffle on a bit so Ill wrap up.
I think manja is a fighter and isnt going to give up his freedom to run and play so easily. I will continue with the acupuncture and let you all know how it goes. I am also considering letting my friend who is a reiki practitioner trying some reiki healing on him (i am aware how flaky I might be sounding now but when your in this situation you are willing to try anything): reiki is a form of healing which works by channeling the energy around us. The practitioner places their hands on or over the body of the patient and feels where healing needs to take place. .. anyway Im im waffling again so bye for now, ill write again soon

[Martina]

:lol: Kelly, you seem so much less anxious now - yay!! I'm all for at least trying alternative methods ... you never know what will work. I hope that the acupuncture starts to take effect and the energy work should be interesting. I just saw a program on TV where dogs go to a health spa and have massages and do physical therapy with a trainer. They were showing an arthritic dog and it worked wonders for him - so you just never know!

All I know is it's pretty scary when all of the professionals tell you that surgery is a must but that they don't even know if it will work - and could possibly do more damage. I'm just glad that Manja seems to keep livin' life the way he wants :lol: You go big guy!!

Martina

[gilazno]

ugghhh i just looked up Hemivertebrae on the internet. I am sorry:( Olly (owner of this forum) his frenchie Athlon has gone through a series of hardships I think with disc problems in his back, you may want to send him a private message to see if he has any advice. I think it is great that you are exploring any and all avenues!! I would be doing exactly the same thing:-) keep us up to date and be sure that everyone on this board has you guys both in our thoughts. Biggie is sending as many positive vibes yourway as possible and sends an extra special smoocher for manja

[Borgan]

Hi Kelly & Manja,

We, too are sending our happy thoughts to you!
Maybe a little massage therapy would be helpful...
if it improves spinal health in people, surely
it would do the same for dogs!

Good luck from Brooke, Morgan & Luna :)

[Carolyn]

Brooke/Morgan....I enjoy your posts about Luna here. I chat on another Frenchie site and would love to welcome you there. here is a link: http://80.126.213.52/~roos/dotkom/

Roosje is also the moderator on this site. Please continue to chat here...but would love to have you join us on this other site. It's slow right now due to the holidays but there are many great Frenchie friends who have connected on this site for quite some time. We all met 2-3 year ago on another site (long ago discontinued) and thankfully we were reconnected on Roosje's forum. Hope to welcome you there.
Carolyn