Day 10 – Acupuncture, Yippee!

Porter’s first visit to his acupuncturist since his surgery, and he was sooooo happy!  Not only did he get to see his favorite people (the “people” acupuncturist and the secretary and the pet acupuncturist), but he got a treatment.  He has always loved his treatments, but today seemed especially good for him.  Once all the needles were in, he just laid out on his side and fell asleep!  Dr. Asterino and I talked through all his medications and treatment course.  She discussed several herbal supplements that she likes to have her cancer dogs on.  We decided to take it slow and just start him on one – Five Mushroom Formula by People’s Herbs.  She’s got two more planned for him, but wants to wait until he’s started his chemo.  She even called a colleague that specializes in treatments for cancer dogs to confirm that the supplements she wanted to use wouldn’t cause any problems with the chemo.  We also put together a start at a new food plan.  Instead of jumping head first into a complete homemade diet, she is recommending we start with a product called “Honest Kitchen” – which apparently is a dehydrated all-natural product with supplements added.  We are going to use the vegetable version, combined with fresh meat.  That way, we won’t have to worry about him getting all the nutrition he needs.  Then, we’ll have more time to figure out the best homemade diet for him.

I think this was a really great visit for him – such great energy from the people in that office.  After Porter finished his session (and Dad picked him up), I got my treatment too (from the people acupuncturist) – which was extremely good.  I remembered all the advice from other Tripawd moms that said – don’t forget to take care of yourself too!

Porter slept a lot today, which was good because he’s seemed a little tired.  Getting up and off the couch regularly on his own.  He’s also jumping in and out of the car on his own too!  After we “panic-yelled” the last time he scratched his stitches (and tore two out), I think he’s a little worried to scratch.  Both times today that he wanted to scratch, he twitched his back leg first – kind of a warning – “I really want to scratch, is that alright?”  Each time, I held his back paw & did a little itching around his stitches for him.  He liked that!