My Jap. chin has spinal/nerve damage will he heal

[katb]

Hi, On Sept. 4 2009, my Jap. chin was accidently slammed by one of my pugs. He right away dropped his rear, and scooted across the floor. I took him to my vet. Xrays were done. No broken bones, but showed his spin between this back legs was slightly pushed sideways in pelvic area. Vet said, bad spinal/nerve damage and advised me to take him to Columbia, Mo. to the vet university once we got him stable. He put my chin on metacam, and sent him home for complete cage rest for the next two weeks. At the end of the two weeks my chin was back on his hind feet. Wobblely, but able to stand on his own. So vet and I decided to go another 4 weeks, just doing what we were. At the end of 4 weeks, My chin is walking, limping on left hind leg, and his toes were knuckled under when he walked. Vet said to put a small boot on his foot. I did one better. I made a splint out of a piece of milk jug and taped it to his leg and foot to hold in proper position. It worked. After a month now he is walking with foot in normal position if he walks slow. He is running but hops on the back legs when he does it. He doesn't seem to have full range of motion and still limps alittle when he walks. His leg is starting to jurk and twitch. Does that mean the nerves are coming back. I have read where these injuries can heal themselves. We are also doing lazor theropy in hopes to help heal by getting circulation moving back into the leg. He has lost alot of muscle in that leg. I guess my questions are: Do you think he will continue to improve,does he need more time? And what other theropy should I look into? Do you think he will walk normal again with time? Should I look into surgery?

[rainbow]

If he was my dog I would be taking him to the specialist.

[katb]

Hi,rainbow. thanks for your response. Vet is asking to hold off on surgery. My chin is a little miracle. He has come a long way in such a short time. I trust my vet, but he himself has been very surprised had what Jimi has accomplished. LOL! Vet says, he wished we had video tape this from the start, as he's never seen such a fast recovery with it only being around 2 months. Said these injury's take a loooong time. That's why I am asking if their is something better I could be doing to help him more. You know like accupuncher/chiropractic. We are doing the lazor right now and it has helped him alot. I also put him in to tub once a day to swim to help bring back the muscles. I forgot to mention that new xray show his spin is not off to the side anymore. I just have really high hopes for this little man. He is very special. He has had high spirits through this whole thing, which I believe have helped him also. Just want others input on this so I'm not missing anything that could possibly help even more. If I am told surgery is the only way then I by all means will have it done. Did you look at my picture on the side of my name. Isn't he sweet?

[mafiaprincess]

I'd think about a consult with an animal chiropractor.