For those who wonder if acupuncture really does anything, I want to share the miraculous recovery of Oscar the Dachshund. It is a true story. Oscar is a 16-year old Dachshund who has had two disc surgeries-one in his neck, and one on his back. He lived with another dachshund, who died abruptly in 2017. His partner’s death literally broke his little dog heart, and he developed a significant heart murmur one month later. This new heart condition and his advanced age put him at risk for anesthesia, should he need any operations.
One day in July of 2018, Oscar suddenly couldn’t walk. His left hind leg went limp. After looking him over, there did not seem to be any trauma or any other reason as to why this was happening. His owners took him to him to the specialist to see if he had another herniated disc and to see if he could undergo anesthesia safely for an MRI to see if he had another disc problem.
The work-up stressed him badly and overnight he had “an event”-it appeared to be a stroke. When his owners went to get him the next day, he did not recognize them and he was moaning a most horrible moan. Death was certainly around the corner. Devastated, they took him immediately to the acupuncture veterinarian, praying something would help. He was given fluids, acupuncture and herbs. In 30 minutes, he was pink again (he had been in shock), and was certainly better-but not out of the woods.
That night was a most horrible night of wailing and distress. Finally, at 4:00AM, he began to be still- and his owners thought he had passed away. They were just grateful he found some peace.
BUT, he was NOT dead! The next day they returned for more treatment and every week thereafter. Oscar made a slow recovery. His stroke left his right eye visually impaired and he still could not walk. For six weeks, he went to work with his owner (and coworkers could testify to his improvement). He had to be carried out every two hours to pee and poop and have his hind end helped up. It seemed that a doggie wheelchair was in his future. Then one day he got up and walked. By himself! Unsteady and weak-he walked! He did take two homeopathic remedies for his weakness as well (gelsemium and hypericum). It was an amazing moment.
He is now five months post-trauma and is doing well. He still weak at times, especially when the weather is cold, but he is not the dog that was so close to death. He acts just like a dachshund should. He runs, he smiles, he eats, and it’s obvious he is happy and mostly his old self again.
When Oscar was at his worse, the owners had accepted his days were numbered and had no idea how many he would get. There is contentment in knowing he has received a second chance and that he is their companion a bit longer.
Dachshund owners know how snuggly, warm, devoted and territorial these dogs are.
He has been given a second chance at 16 years old-thanks to acupuncture and homeopathy.
We all have responsibility to care for our own health and make good decisions. Isn’t it nice to know there are modalities that are safe, natural, and work with the body to heal? This is a true story of a life-threatening situation that responded to acupuncture and shows its healing power. Don’t wait for a life-threatening situation to reach out and use it.
The care, referrals, remedies, and integrative approaches we offer at The Franz Center are the same methods we use for our families (both furry or otherwise), and it works! Thank you for trusting us with the care of you and your family.
– Dr. Franz