Guess what? I have news to share about Chesney, our paralyzed German shepherd. Today is two days shy of five weeks from the day she suddenly lost the use of her back legs and it is also the day that she was able to get herself up off the ground and take three steps! It wasn’t graceful – in fact her legs were incredibly weak and wobbly. But she did it!

I am beside myself happy with her progress – especially given the incredible dismal start to this unexpected journey. Is she getting better from the acupuncture? The cold laser treatments? The supplements? The food? Or is it just time? We will honestly never know because we never had a definitive diagnosis for her.

Regardless, I am over the moon that she is making strides towards her old self. She has a long way to go, but she is definitely going the right direction.

And I have words of advice for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation..breathe, stay positive, and research, research, research! I have spent countless hours on the computer, looking up various supplements to help improve Chesney’s immune system – as well as ones that are supposed to be good for nerves. I have watched YouTube videos showing different physical therapy ideas for paralyzed dogs. I have corresponded with people who have been through similar situations and I have implemented as many things from their experience that I can.

I read something over the weekend that I wish I had seen in the first week…80 percent of paralyzed dogs regain the use of their legs. Had I read that from the start, I would have had so much more hope for progress! The first two weeks were unbearably difficult, but things have improved – slowly to be sure, but better with each passing week.

Here is the low down of Chesney’s food and supplements:

• Homemade bone broth (my dogs LOVE this and it’s so easy to make – I’ll write an article about it soon)
• Homemade dog food (chicken, carrots, spinach, apples, banana, blueberries)
• N’zymes
• Megga Dog Camelina Oil
• Homemade calcium
• Cranberry relief (for recurrent UTIs)
• Golden paste

Whether or not these things are directly responsible for her progress, I don’t know – but I do know that she barely sheds anymore and she is very healthy.

I hope to have more good news to share soon!