Changing Approach to Dealing with Deteriorating Mobility Condition

After a total of 18 physical rehab sessions between Scout's House and VSA in San Mateo, I have determined that the benefits are only marginal. At $95 a pop, this has been a very expensive venture. Samba's condition has been a roller coaster. At best, she can get up on her own to get a drink of water or dog food as well as go to the side area of the house to do her business on her own. She may even be able to walk around the block if she is inspired. At her worst, she cannot even get up at all which means I may find her in the same position that I left her in the morning with either poop or urine for me to clean up.

I feel that I gave physical rehab a really good try as at one point, I was taking her weekly. I have convinced my husband to build her a wheel chair (modeled after the Walkin Wheels), so stay tuned.

Most recently, I discovered a 'hole' on her underside which neither her vet or I can explain. I spent another $500+ to get her stitched back up. The vet thought it might have been from the rubbing from her harness, so I haven't taken her out for a walk for a few days until her stitches heal. Life in general has not been pleasant for Samba as she's not able to get up, she falls easily after I get her up and I cannot help her move around during the daytime when I am at work.

Her condition is deteriorating, and I have decided to take an Eastern approach with acupuncture. I feel that this is Samba's last chance to improve her quality of life as she doesn't have too many good days now.

Update (7/12/10) - Samba has had 2 acupuncture appoinments and I do not see much improvement in her mobility, although she did have one good day where I managed to walk her around the block. In fact, she has begun having difficulty going to sleep by heavily panting for hours as we all try to go to sleep. That has meant sleepness nights for my husband and me. The acupuncturist prescribed herbs to relax her muscles, thinking that it may be muscle spasms. She has just began taking the herbs, and I hope it will work fast. I will give it 2 more appointments to see if this will work. If not, I will just try to give her regular exercise (by using a home-built wheel chair) so that she keeps limber.