Laurie's Blogs.

Sometimes I am a little behind on watching videos and reading blogs.  I just read the blog about the weak ataxic dogs.  I do agree with you.   

My own Rottweiler was a case in point.  When she was probably around 6-7 yrs I noticed that she was getting weak in the hind end.  I always felt it was her neck or back, but could never get a pain response from her.  I had our neurologist look at her as well as the surgeon.  The only thing they came up with was that she had some minor instability in her stifles.  Had a TPLO done on one knee.  Recovered well, but still weak in the hind end.  Was about to start rehab with her and she decided to be painful, her neck.  Had an MRI done, our neurologist missed the disc.  She progressed over the next year.  Had her evaluated by another neurologist, and a 2nd MRI.  Diagnosed with disc herniation and Wobbler’s.  Had a ventral slot done.  At the time, I had not taken any classes in rehab, and had I know then, what I know now, I may have skipped the surgery and focused on rehab.  

Thanks for all you do on your website.

LW

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Hey Laurie

Just finished watching your video on the weak/ataxic old dog, which is so appropriate right now as my soon to be 14 year old Yellow Lab, with the history of IVDD at C6-7 is now becoming rather weak on her back legs.  I think that you are absolutely right in your message on this video and that Amy's weak back end is totally her C6-7 issues.    So....you recommend hitting the C6-7 with 10 joules and 4-6 rep = total of 40-60 joules.   I am using my SuperPulse (50 mW - 4 diodes).  So to reach 10 Joules, I need to be going at 200 seconds and with having the 4 diodes I am already at 40 Joules in that area.  Do you recommend that I change my angle a bit and go for another 100 seconds to get the final 20 Joules to equal 60 Joules?  

Thanks

JS

PS.    Also as per your video - I'll head for T1-2 for treatment. 

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I think that treating the cervico-thoracic junction is likely a game changer for most of these older dogs.  Now, as for the Superpulsed question:  Superpulsed laser is a different laser than the other kinds.  It's a super-high burst of power and then long periods of nothing.  The thought is that each burst of light bleaches the superficial layer of cells, thus enabling each subsequent burst of light to penetrate a bit deeper.  As such, it seems from the literature that lower doses are used in order to achieve the same results as 'regular' laser in different conditions.  So 2 - 3 joules/cm2 seems to be the magic "super pulsed' numbers that I see in most research.  As such, I would laser each side of the neck 2 - 4 times (depending upon the size of your head and number of diodes) at 2 or 3 J/cm2… whatever time it takes to deliver that based on your manufacturers information.  And throw a few spots in overtop of T1-2 as well.

Cheers,

Laurie