Elaine Goes to the Dogs!

We have an animal case this time!  Try and guess the remedy….

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Mom, it’s time for the quiz again!  But first, we have a lot to talk about!

We do?  What is it this time? 

Only two days left till the Eagles concert at the Wells Fargo Center!

Don’t remind me!  We have the worst seats in the house and I have no idea where we’re going to park!

But just think, Mom, The Eagles!!!

The only reason I’m going is to hear Timothy B. Schmidt do “I Can’t Tell You Why”, and then we’re leaving!

We are not!  Don’t you want to hear “Outlaw”?

OK, maybe “Outlaw”.

And don’t you want to hear “Tequila Sunrise”?

Well, maybe “Tequila Sunrise”.

And don’t you want to hear….

Alright, Shana! 

We’ll give a full report to our readers in next month’s ezine!

I’m sure they can hardly wait.

Did anybody die this month?

Well, Shana, since you ask…..we did lose Frankie Lymon’s brother, Louie Lymon. 

Louie Lymon died????

He wasn’t as big as Frankie, but he did do one of my favorite doo-wop songs! 

What, “I’m So Happy”?

You know, Shana, no one has ever heard of that song but you!  But no, actually, my favorite song by Louie Lymon is “Honey Honey”. I love the beginning! (“You don’t know, honey honey!”)  Here he is now, Louie Lymon and the Teenchords, with “Honey Honey”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2FBWm8rHpM

That is a great song!  Did anybody else die?

Sadly, a really great blues singer, Shana; Bobby “Blue” Bland!

I’ll play my favorite song by him; you know, there aren’t too many songs where you can say you liked it right from the start, but, this is one of them!  This has “HIT” written all over it! 

“I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog The Way You Treated Me”, my man, Bobby Bland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9YLdiOOFQo

 

And you know what?  This is very appropriate because our patient this month is a dog!  His name is Eddie. Shana… start the tape!

Rolling…..

And….Action!

 

Hi Elaine,

I am wondering if you take acute cases for dogs?

Well, that settles it, I’ve finally gone to the dogs!

My little dog Eddie is not acting like himself.

Who is he acting like?

He is quite lethargic, and normally he is very happy and energetic. It has gotten worse throughout the day. I thought maybe he was just tired from gallavanting with my little girl dog (who was just in heat and not yet fixed). They have spent the past few days very much “in love” and not getting much rest.

I see……………..

I am hoping that tomorrow Eddie will wake up bright eyed and full of energy. I thought I would check into whether or not you take animal cases though, as I have three dogs, and it would be good for reference. If Eddie is still lethargic in the morning, I will need to seek treatment, and I’d much rather use homeopathy than conventional treatment.

Makes sense to me…

Last night he slept well, whereas the two nights before he and the little girl were restless. He was tired this morning, but still got around just fine. He was digging under a tree this afternoon and he spun around a few times like something had bit him. He ran to me, and I checked him and he seemed fine. We then went back to the house, but I noticed he was walking slowly- I thought he was actually minding me and not running ahead! Then on our walk this evening, he walked very slowly and was at the back of the pack (he’s usually at the front and dragging me along).

He is eating okay, breathing is fine, just very lethargic. Maybe I should go ahead and have you take the case, although I am not even sure if I’ll have the right remedy. I have a little collection but not a full kit.

Questionnaire For Pets

Your name:  Kathryn Schmo (not her real name)

Pet’s name: Eddie Schmo (not his real name)

kind of animal:  Mini Dachshund

Pet’s gender: Male

Pet’s age. 1-3 years (says the vet- he was a stray)

Your email address:

Date: 7-8-13

1. What is your pet’s complaint/s?

Lethargy

2. When did this problem start if not already mentioned?

Earlier today, it has gotten worse as the day has progressed

3. What was going on the pet’s life around the time this complaint started that might explain it, if not already mentioned.

Humbling, recently given heartworm preventative, digging under tree

4. Describe your pet’s thirst.

Does not drink much- this does not seemed to have changed today

5. Is your pet on medications or supplements?

Heartworm preventative (taken 4 days ago); Garlic & Brewer’s Yeast tablets for flea prevention; Dog digestive enzymes

6. Describe your pet’s diet.

He eats ground turkey, veggies from my garden, brown rice, cheese, some deli meat for snacks; he ate spaghetti today

7. Are drugs he’s taking causing a problem?

Not sure- maybe side effect from heartworm preventative

8. What aggravates your pet’s complaint or what aggravates your pet in general? Think about food, weather, exercise/movement, rest, sleep, eating, noise, heat or cold, company, sympathy, touching, pressure, presence of strangers, being approached, or anything else you can think of.

It has been very rainy here for two weeks, and I have noticed my other dog and my cat have been sneezing (maybe mold/mildew).

9. What ameliorates your pet’s complaints? What makes him feel better? Consider the examples above.

He loves affection and curling up in someone’s lap.

10. What is the worst part of your pet’s day/night? What happens at that time?

The only thing I can think of is that he gets grumpy at night and does not want to be moved. He even growls at me when I make him come to the bedroom to go to bed. Otherwise, he’s just happy-go-lucky and will go anywhere.

11. Give a time-line of medical and emotional issues mentioning his age at the time and how he coped with them.

For the year and a half that I have had him, he’s been fine. No issues. He’s sweet and submissive and will even roll over and show his belly if he is being corrected.

I have given him Arnica twice- once for after his neutering surgery and then just a few weeks ago when he was limping on his paw. He responded well both times.

12. Any digestive issues?

His poop has been runny, although I noticed this with my other dog too. I switched then from a probiotic to digestive enzymes, and I think this is the reason for the runny pooh.

13. Any skin problems in the past or present? No! Hallelujah!

14. What’s his home-life like?

He sleeps in the bed with me. He likes to take a morning and afternoon nap. He loves digging in the yard, and we go on walks daily. He also plays with May, my little girl dog. He seems happy. He is surrounded by dog lovers.

15. What’s his reaction to the following:

Consolation- loves it

Scolding- submissive but bounces back- does not seem negatively affected or overly sensitive

Noise- either ignores it or barks at it (he is in the hound category)

Surrounding Activity- ignores or just tries to get on someone’s lap if there are a lot of people

Other Dogs/Cats- friendly but cautious of big dogs, like to play with dogs his own size

16. Does he like to be around people or is he happier alone? Loves people- a true extrovert

17. What fears does he have?

I can’t think if any. He is cautious around big dogs.

18. What is his nature? Is he dominant, submissive, aggressive, shy, noisy, quiet, excitable, docile, impulsive, steady, careful, clumsy, gentle, rough, obedient, disobedient, etc.?

Gentle, happy, playful, easy; he can take a long nap or go on a long walk. He is perfect.

19. How does your pet react to a new person entering the home?

Barks at first, but then quickly warms up and tries to sit on their lap

20. How does he react to you or other family member entering the home?

Happily wags his tail, gets up to greet the family member

21. How does he react to new situations with new people or new situations with new animals?

Friendly, curious

22. Does he show anger or hurt if you’ve been away for a long time? How?

No, he could care less if I leave. He adapts so easily. He could get a new family tomorrow and be fine (I’d be a wreck though).

23. Any recent personality changes?

Just less excited and less animated.

24. Does your pet prefer to lie in the sun or the shade?  Sun

25. Where does your pet like to sleep?

In a cozy chair. He loves to be burrowed under a blanket.

26. In what position does he sleep? Curled in a little ball

27. Is there anything peculiar or striking about your animal’s behavior or symptoms?

Just the part where he is grumpy at night.

—————

Hi Elaine,

Eddie is not doing any better this morning. He is having trouble going up and down stairs. He is normally so quick and moves easily. This is really surprising.

I am going to take him to the vet this morning. Maybe they can diagnose him. I will let you know what they think- maybe it will help us find the right remedy.

***

Hi Elaine,

I just returned from the vet. She did an exam and said Eddie’s muscles by his shoulders were tight, and he squealed a bit when she pushed on them. She said she thought it was the muscle and not a disc.

She also said that his stomach was tight when she felt it.

What do you suggest I do from here?

Thanks again for your help, and I look forward to your insight.

You might want to try a dose of __________________30C.

***

Hi Elaine,

Just wanted to let you know I saw some improvement this afternoon. This morning, Eddie would only take a few steps and then sit down.

We went outside about an hour after the dose of ______________________ and that’s when I noticed improvement in his mobility.

His eyes are much brighter. He is trotting around, going up and down the steps with ease, and he even ran after the cat!

When you’ve run after the cat, the case is over!

I would say he is at 80%, at least.

His recovery has really been miraculous!!!

Three days later:

He is doing great! He is back to his old self.

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OK everybody, that was it!  Do you know the remedy?  Write to me at [email protected] and let me know!  The answer will be in next month’s ezine; see you after the Eagles concert with a full report, apparently; bye-bye!