New Supplement: Excelerite

I just heard about another supplement that an IVDD dog has been taking, called Excelerite. I looked up the ingredients, and since we have Claire on several supplements I don't think she needs this right now, but I wanted to bookmark it as another alternative in case I change my mind. Again, I have no personal experience with this to recommend it, but here are the links if you want to do your own research:

Info on the powder form:

http://www.originalearthsoils.com/products-page/5lb-excelerite-dog-and-cat

Buy capsules here:

http://www.biomultimin.com/?page_id=4&category=5&product_id=3

New Source for Traumeel

One of Claire's supplements that we've yet to streamline is a holistic liquid anti-inflammatory called Traumeel. I know that what the vet charges for prescriptions and supplements are about double what I could find elsewhere.

Today I spent a solid hour or more calling pharmacies and pet stores to find a better/cheaper source for this, and I think I've found one.

I'll be stopping by Capitol Drugs in Sherman Oaks to check out their prices and sizes.

Valley Drugs on Ventura in Encino near Balboa 818-788-0635 also carries a tablet that dissolves under the tongue--I'm wondering if I can crush this and add it to Claire's food. Each tablet is 300mg.

Of course, I'll consult the vet to make sure I get the proper dosage for Claire's tiny weight. I'm just trying to use our financial resources efficiently so Claire can get the most and best care possible.

Claire's Seven Supplements

I've written before about a few supplements Claire's been on, but the physical therapist has prescribed four more, so I thought I'd recap what she's been on for the last two and a half weeks (and will continue indefiinitely).

When she was initially diagnosed in June, Claire was prescribed Prednisone to reduce inflammation and Tramadol for pain relief by the neurologist, with Gabapentin specifically for nerve pain, if needed. I started that several weeks into the process when I noticed Claire licking her side quite a bit, and refilled it once, so she was on it three-four weeks before I discontinued. The Gabapentin has to be made at a special compounding pharmacy as Claire's weight is so small, so it runs about $40 every two weeks.

The holistic vet put her on Traumeel, a homeopathic anti-inflammatory, and Dismuzyme, which contains enzymes to promote healing. She takes three tablets daily. The Traumeel comes from the vet as it's a concentrate that they mix. The Dismuzyme I found for half the vet price on Amazon.com.


The physical therapist has added Denamarin, which contains Sam-E, a half tablet daily, as well as Super B Complex and Vitamin E. She recommended the Nature Made brand of human-grade supplements because they are somewhat more regulated than other herbs. I added CoQ10 myself as I've heard other IVDD dogs taking it, and the vet said it can't hurt. I bought the Denamarin direct from the vet for the first time but will research to see if there's a better option. The company does have a rebate for a few dollars available here. The other supplements ran me about $80 at Walgreens but I've since found them at Costco as well. The PT vet also suggested we resume the Gabapentin as I mentioned Claire was still doing a fair amount of licking at her side.

So, Claire now starts her day with 1/2 tablet of Denamarin, taken on an empty stomach. I take a shower and give her a few minutes to digest that, then pass by with a Dismuzyme tablet. The Traumeel is also to be given on an empty stomach, so I go brush my hair and teeth, then give her a dropper of that. A few minutes later, I give her 1 ml of Gabapentin liquid. That finishes her morning meds. Sometime in the afternoon she takes another Dismuzyme tablet, and perhaps another dropper of Traumeel. With her meal in the evening, I add another Dismuzyme tablet and 1/2 of a B Complex tablet, which must be crushed or she'll leave it in her bowl. Every other day, I add 1 Vit E gelcap, 1CoQ10 gelcap. She's also getting a tablespoon of canned pumpkin with her dinner to help prevent constipation, and I cover her kibble with water to get some extra liquid into her. Quite the diet! It's really not as bad as it seems when it's written out, but she's getting used to eating something every time I approach her.

If your pet has IVDD, what changes did you make to their diet post-diagnosis? Please leave a comment on the blog.

Buttons, Supplements, & Recycling

Today I made buttons for Claire's blog, so you can link to her site if you have your own page. There's two to choose from, and of course I think they're both darling, because they have Claire's picture! Just add the icon with a link to the page at http://sponsorclaire.blogspot.com to show you're one of Claire's readers! Hopefully sharing the information in Claire's story will save another pet.

Claire had a laser therapy appointment today, so I asked about a supplement that has been recommended to me, NZymes. Claire's already on a similar pill called Dismuzyme, so I'm not sure that another additive is necessary, but I sent the link to the holistic vet so she can give us her opinion on the next visit.

I also turned in another load of can & bottle recycling from my friend's 4th of July party that she'd agreed to donate to Claire's surgery fund, so I have another $20 to deposit tomorrow. Small chunks are adding up! Thank you, thank you, THANK you to all who have donated to the ChipIn!

This blog has become a fun way to share memories of Claire's funniest moments. Last Christmas, when we went to my folks' to celebrate the holidays, I lost Claire within the first 24 hours. I searched high and low, calling out for her. Finally, I came back to where I'd started looking, in the center of the main floor. As I turned around, there she was, looking right at me ~ from the huge Longaberger basket that held nicely folded PEOPLE throw blankets, perfect for cozying up on a cold winter day in front of the television! Claire had found her spot and was too comfortable to respond. Her other favorite spot to visit was in front of the heat register, just below the kitchen sink.

Claire Update # ?*&

(watching the doorway for the vet to come into my exam room on Friday 7/29)

(having trouble staying awake but mom's got my back)

(here she comes--hello, doc!)

(aren't I your favorite patient?)

(relaxing at home--phew! that was taxing! gotta love the shaft of sunlight coming in the bedroom window that just falls on my crate too. yum-my.)

I can't believe it's August already. I had a job that took up the last two and a half weeks, so we've been out of pattern. I think it's been a bit stressful for Claire. She had a bit of a setback where she was yelping once on Friday and once on Saturday. She seemed generally tense again. I've not been able to take her to the vet for acupuncture or laser therapy while I was working, so that didn't help. But we went for both on Friday morning, and it did seem to relax her quite a bit--just not sure how long that effect lasts. She'll go back again tomorrow and we'll re-evaluate once more. The pictures above are from her vet visit Friday.

Claire's had a bumpy two weeks as I had a freelance job, so was gone for the majority of the day. While she's on crate rest, Claire requires close supervision, so the majority of the days she was dropped off at our favorite trainer's house, whom she knows well, and picked up on my way home from work. It's only about ten or fifteen minutes drive each way, and the crate rest was continued there. When we first went to the neurologist, even potholes made Claire shriek with pain. She's not doing that now, but as Claire has a spinal injury, I hate moving her at all. I travel her in a hard-sided crate, but she's so afraid to be left behind she really gets worked up into a state at the mere sight of the carrier. The new environment was exciting, and of course our return home was a big deal too, so it was hard to keep her as calm and quiet as the crate rest necessitates. Thinking practically, I can't stay home from work until Claire is better (I'm single with no other means of support and work in an industry with no vacation time on just a freelance basis), so we're learning to manage.

We also found another resource in our community. There's a dog walking/sitting service staffed entirely by vet techs, which is great for medical cases like ours. They're familiar with a wide variety of issues, and understand the need to follow schedules and instructions to a "T". L.A. Pet Tech is Kathleen Ashe. She gave me updates for each visit, came to my home several times a day, was a calming influence, available short notice ~ I really can't say enough about her.

I did a ton of research over the past few weeks and have added all kinds of links to the sidebar of the blog. Since my lunch period is short, when I found an article that looked relevant or promising from the intro, I bookmarked it by posting the link here, and am able to "read up" now that I have more time. I learned more about the type of laser used at Claire's holistic vet, where she's been getting laser therapy, found a lot of contacts on Facebook over the last few weeks, and have been researching supplements and meds.

Yesterday someone recommended a supplement to me called NZymes. If you use this or have experience with others, please leave a comment on this post!

We've doubled the number of "likes" on Claire's Facebook page in the past few weeks! We welcome the new friends and appreciate the support.

I approached Three Dog Bakery about placing a donation jar for Claire, and was denied, since they're a chain with a national foundation. Unfortunately, the Three Dog Foundation does not give to individuals. I also spoke today to the Zoom Room Hollywood location, and the manager is going to talk to the owner about us.

Some co-workers from my last job are working to set up a comedy fundraiser to benefit Claire's vet costs! The event may even be held at the House of Blues. Their target goal is to raise at least $1,000 which of course will help immensely. I couldn't be more grateful and am just heartened by the support whatever the outcome.

I had a visit from an old friend who lives in Texas but happens to be from Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State University is at the forefront of treatment for IVDD, and I've been talking to my friend about setting me up as a guest with one of her relatives, if it proves to be best for Claire to fly there for treatment. Since it's a teaching hospital, it may be cheaper even with the cost of a flight, and there's no doubt that they're knowledgable. I still have more research to be done on this plan but it's a real possibility.

I'm sure there's more to report that I'm leaving out. I'll get back to daily updates now that I'm home and will be more thorough.