Healing from Surgery - Vida's Dental Part 2

Did you know that dogs have 42 teeth?

That's ok... I don't even know how many teeth I'm supposed to have. 

But when I tell people how many teeth Vida had taken out I'm amazed at how many people ask "does she have any left?"

Here you can see a map of what was removed. You can also see that a few teeth were already missing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they would just drop out like that? Oh well. 

Those two big premolars on the top had been collecting tartar - and when they examined them the probe went clear across!

Some of the others were bad too, some were loose (like those incisors that had been displaced by the tumor). 

I was really glad she kept her canines, they help keep the tongue resting in the mouth (didn't know that, didja?).


Preparation - let's both be calm and ready.

I reduced some supplements to avoid complications with the anesthesia and surgery. Some common things like fish oil and many herbal anti-inflammatories can make it harder for blood to clot, which is not good when you have freshly empty sockets in the mouth. I also stopped the cannabis 24hrs ahead because of the anesthesia. 

Flower Essences! I think essences are one the most important things you can do for a dog getting surgery. I brought a small spray bottle of Alaskan Essences Soul Support and misted her with it before we went into the building, and again before she went to the back. It's also very good for owners who are anxious when waiting.

Homeopathics - I used Newton Homeopathic Accident Rescue formula once before she went back to surgery. It covers different kinds of pain, stress, and injury. 

Recovery - wake up, walk out, relax.

Flower Essences - Soul Support again. I misted around her to help her both revive and relax. Coming out of anesthesia is anxiety-inducing, and whining isn't unusual. 

Homeopathics - I applied Newton's Accident rescue to her paw pads - I brought the liquid so as not to introduce pillules into the mouth, but it does have alcohol, so I didn't want to cause pain by using it orally just after surgery.

Reiki - I had been offering Reiki during her surgery, and continued as she woke up.

Acupressure - The point called Leg Three Mile (aka Stomach 36) can help strengthen the constitution (and help them get walking steadily). Sea of Tranquility (Conception Vessel 17) can calm. 

Cannabis - I squirted a small amount of liquid (an oil and glycerin formula made from industrial hemp) into her mouth as soon as she was awake enough to receive it safely. This non-irritating formula was to get started helping with pain and anxiety.

Repair and Restoration

The first evening went well, she took a little broth and slept, only waking once during the night. 

For the following week a regular schedule of pain relief, both homeopathic and herbal, kept her comfortable.

Colloidal silver was added to her drinking water, and an oral rinse was made of calendula, comfrey, yarrow, goldenseal and sage (based on a recipe I used when she had radiation treatment).

I put her right back on raw food. I made sure to use calcium powder instead of ground bones so there'd be no pieces to get caught anywhere, and added water to make it lickable. 

Within a couple of days her energetic body was so much more balanced - when I looked at her she was physically balanced. There was no longer such excessive energy being consumed up in her head with the hidden pain of her teeth.

Two weeks in we went in for a recheck, and it all looked good except for one lower socket. Then I heard Dr. Pitcairn describe using homeopathic calendula orally for wound repair, so I ordered some in and got her started on that just a few days ago.

It's three-and-a-half weeks and I'm starting to brush again. I have been wiping with gauze wrapped around my finger to help keep things clean, but I think we're both ready to get back to the brush... gently.

I continue to use flower and gem essences to help her heal, and am doing energy work as well. At her age she needs more help getting back in to full balance, and gentle healing from essences and crystals are powerful without being disruptive.

I'm waiting a bit to do extra work to help her body recover from the work of detoxifying itself from the anesthesia so I'm  not piling too many herbs in at once.

What have I learned?

Brush! Brush daily. 

Get to know your dog's mouth.

Don't discount tartar.

Don't be afraid of well-done anesthesia. Don't get me wrong, you don't want to put that stuff in their bodies willy-nilly, but to avoid taking care of known dental problems because you fear the anesthesia is doing a disservice to your dog. 

Vida is playing with her wool balls, fetching her water toy, and trying out different levels of chewable foods. She's still getting to know her new oral terrain, and is feeling much, much better!

Avoid Dental Disasters - Vida's Dental Part 1

 the

Want to strike fear in the hear of an average dog owner?

Cancer? Sure. 
Vaccines? Most likely.
Dental Care? Yep.

Surprised that dental care would be up there with cancer and vaccines? 

Many people avoid dealing with their dog's teeth. They never really look in there - it's one big mystery. Most don't train their dogs to accept brushing, and they're relieved because who wants to hassle with that every day? And people are definitely worried about putting their dog under anesthesia.

I fell for most of those traps myself. 

Vida was eagerly chewing and eating a duck neck the day before she had 17 teeth removed.  I had no idea she had some much going on in there! I knew dogs hid pain - had I been kidding myself over the last couple of years? Less toy playing, less vigorous chewing? It's not just old age! 

I'd found one bad tooth over the summer, one of her lower premolars. I wasn't too surprised that at the age of 15 she might finally have some problems with lower teeth because of the radiation treatment she had five years ago. Clearly I had waited too long to really do something about it.

I'd had non-anesthesia cleaning done a few times, but not in the past year - she was just so stressed about it, and it was in my mind that I really should get a dental x-ray done so see if the radiation had done damage. But like most people I kept putting it off while I started brushing a few days a week and using an oral spray to help prevent tartar. 

I brought Vida in for an appointment as soon as I got back from New Hampshire to have Dr. Bausone look at her mouth and discuss the dental procedure and what I expected from them. They had what I wanted: dental xray, the best anesthesia (propofol and sevoflourine), monitoring during anesthesia (it took 4 hours, so it's essential to have them ready for that), and allowing me to handle pain relief at home (though I discovered to late that she also got an injection of Rimadyl, grrrr). 



Who knew I was going to spend the day in the vet's waiting room? It's 30 miles away so I had planned to wait, but I really thought it would only be a half-day. I was given updates on how she was doing (including the long wait before they started), which I was grateful for. While I waited I read the perfect book for a veterinary waiting room  - a book of healing meditations. I had it on my Kindle and it was a wonderful respite to sit quietly and center myself and picture my dog whole, healthy, and happy. Sending Reiki and doing these meditations helped me remain calm throughout the day (despite seeing so many dogs and cats coming in for vaccinations throughout the day!).

Part Two: How did it go?

Cancer: Remembering to trust Mother Nature

Part Two of the Tumor Saga.

If you look back at Part One of the Tumor Saga you can sense the urgency as I confronted something for the first time. I'd never seen the inside of a tumor before. I didn't know how the injury would heal - would it act differently than a normal skin wound?

Well it turns out that in fact it has healed like a normal skin wound, and very quickly.

Cancer: sometimes it demands your attention

I just landed in New Hampshire for the summer after the usual cross-country drive from San Diego. Half-way there I had to deal with a tumor of Vida's and it wasn't pretty. If you insist that your squeamish then don't read further, but if you learn something from my experience it will be worth taking a look.

Summer Herbs

Getting ready for the summer means packing for  road trip and shifting herbs. While Vida is on some other herbs for specific conditions, she also gets a tonic and nutritive formula that changes throughout the year. During the summer I usually simplify it a lot, and focus on nutrition, immune system, and adaptogenics.

Back in 2011 I blogged about her summer herb blend, and it's not too different really, just a difference in proportion due to her age and current particulars.

Astragalus: for strengthening Qi, providing energy while preventing Summer Heat, and in Western terms strengthening the immune system.

Reishi: Adaptogenic, immune balancing, good for the kidneys and lungs.

Chlorella: Nutritive!

Billbery: Antioxidant, good for the eyes in particular (and Vida has a recent condition in one of her eyes I'm hoping to at least stop progress on). This fruit is similar to blueberries so they have the benefits of all deep purple fruits.

Nettles: Nutritive, antihistamine. Pine pollen seems to be a bit of a problem for her and we're literally sleeping among pines, but the phenols are so good for us all. Have you read about forest bathing? We all know walks in the woods are relaxing, but they can actually improve your immune system.

My photo was a little blurry because making up her formula for the summer was just part of packing for the road. She also had her hotel bedroll packed up.

Vida Approves: learning to use earth energy through crystals & stones

In my last post I wrote about Vida and her request for gentler energetic healing. What she was really saying was "stop trying so hard," something that probably happens a lot to dogs when people are trying to offer love and healing. We humans often overdo it with dogs because we have such a hard time stopping and listening. Just being present is not something most of practice much. Slowing down our frame of reference for time and effect and simply allowing change to unfold at it's own pace.

Energy Healing: "soft like a child" says Vida

I witnessed an amazing scene with Vida today that just made me wonder - how much are we missing in our day to day interactions with our dogs?

Dog wisdom: 15 for Vida's 15th

1. OM – meditate daily.

2. Sleep well – your body rejuvenates when you rest, and it just feels good.

3. Age is just a number – don't fall for the myth that sickness is part of growing old.

4. Never stop being curious – you'll be rewarded.

5. Eat your greens – plant medicine is the best medicine.

6. Take your work seriously – you can accomplish a lot by paying attention and sharing your expertise.

7. Be honest – straight talk means less confusion.

8. Get outside every day – walk, play, enjoy the scents and sights.

9. Don't get pulled into the drama – folks express aggression because of anxiety, respond calmly and compassionately and you'll both feel better.

10. Take a nap in the sun – lay down on the ground and let the planet heal you.

11. Say “hi” - the small joy of brightening someone's day will brighten yours.

12. Listen – even if you don't agree it might be important.

13. Don't be ashamed of what makes you happy – enjoy it!

14. Be patient – sometimes it takes folks awhile.

15. Be your own person – you're unique and perfect in this world.