So remember those school yard bullies who would not relent unless you screamed out uncle or auntie, whatever the case might require– Poor Boomer was pinched and prodded every which way during yesterday’s four week re-evaluation at CARE but for an important purpose.
As you all know, Boomer was struck with overnight paralysis on Friday, June 10th (only one month but a whole universe ago). He was diagnosed with intevertebral disc disease, which is common for Corgis. The founder of Boomer’s Miracle Dog Rescue guessed that he is half Golden and half Corgi. After his initial emergency weekend stint at Animal Medical Center where he received, among other things, steroid shots and laser treatments that likely set in motion the reversal of paralysis, Boomer was incredibly fortunate to start treatment at CARE the Monday he was discharged from the hospital. CARE veterinarian Dr. Heather Oxford took pity on our plight and squeezed Boomer in for a thorough initial 2-hour evaluation.
CARE, or as its full name can accurately describe, Comprehensive Animal Rehabilitation, is exactly what it purports to be; highly trained veterinarians who are also trained in acupuncture and physical therapy working onsite with highly talented and committed physical therapists and technicians (I LOVE the co-owner physical therapist’s license plate ” PT for K9s” sort of says it all, eh?).
Boomer had been going to CARE every weekday for the last 4 weeks, where he has been receiving acupuncture, physical therapy and most recently aqua therapy from the most dedicated and animal loving team imaginable. He has grown from barking at every living creature and driving the staff crazy, to following his favorite PTs around and allowing certain inclined staff to pet him and simultaneously design a Mohawk on his head! CARE also taught me how to do physical therapy at home and lent me a wheelcart to use for him.
At his last re-evaluation 2 weeks ago, Boomer had regained pain sensation to his knees and was feeling his tail. I learned that feeling in one’s tail within 6 weeks is the best prognostic indicator of being able to recover from paralysis and move! Boomer felt his tail after 2 weeks of daily treatment at CARE and can now move his tail all around — not quickly enough to swat flies, but you get the drift. Dr. Oxford, his treating vet, at that time gave him a 75% chance of being able to walk.
So…fast forward to today’s four week evaluation. Bottom line, it’s no longer an if but a when. Dr. Oxford give Boomer a 95% chance of being able to walk again! Today happens to be my birthday, and I thank Dr. Oxford and the CARE team for giving me the best birthday news possible at this time. Boomer has regained deep pain sensation in all parts of his body, including his hind paws. And what is with this south pawed family? My daughter Marley and husband Sam are both lefties, and apparently so is Boomer. His left side is the dominant one. He has much feeling and reaction on his left hind side.
Now that his pain sensation has returned (which was crucial), the focus now is on nerve regeneration so that Boomer regains his motor control. Dr. Oxford said that while Boomer regained deep and superficial pain sensation at an astronomical rate, the rate of nerve regeneration which will lead to motor control, is about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) per month with continued physical therapy. Throughout Boomer’s recovery, Dr. Oxford has remained optimistic but from a concrete progress point of view. This means that Boomer could walk as early as 2 months from now.
Dr. Oxford has fine tuned Boomer’s treatment for the next month to twice weekly visits to CARE. Boomer will be doing the underwater treadmill and receiving physical therapy on his CARE days. Boomer’s muscle mass in his two hind legs have actually increased half an inch. His left side has much more motor control in the upper thigh area, and the right side is slowly catching up.
Boomer will do physical therapy in the cart graciously lent to us by CARE several times a day on his non-CARE days. He’s got the will to talk for sure and is working tirelessly. He knows that so many are rooting for him including our friends at CARE! Thanks CARE!
K. Wong, July 2011