Bianco's Update from Home - August 10

Finally some pic/videos to upload!!!

Here's just to few to show you guys some improvements made by Bianco.... its been errmmm... 2 wks since the last pic/video update...

The video shows bianco trying to use his right hind to move. At least he has managed to get his motor skills back on his right hind. Despite this, his right hind is still fairly weak and his lower half of his body will be dragged down by the weight of left hind, which till now, still can't really move much.

He can hop awhile... at most 4 hops before setting back down on the floor

As you can see from the video, there is a green mat next to his mattress. It is actually a yoga mat. It helps to give him the firm grip on his paws when he moves away from his mattress. It will also assist him with his balance when he takes his first step out from his mattress. Till now, he still has problems walking on marble flooring especially so on his hind legs. Which is why most of the times, he'll drag himself.

Bianco is still pretty comfortable drinking the green bean soup, so there is no need for any force feed. So from yesterday, we will monitor him for a week to see how the consumption of the green bean soup would help him with his skin condition.

Bianco's Update - August 9

Bianco's appointment for his accupuncture on National Day was at 4pm. Despite it being a public holiday, Dr Oh was still available for appointments.

We told him about Bianco's skin condition and he told us a secret. That is to boil green bean soup. The very first boil we can use to cook his food and also feed him with it like water. It is supposedly to cool his body down and also help with his skin condition. Dr Oh think that its becoz of internal heatiness that is causing all these flaking. He told us to try for about 2 wks to see how it goes.

In fact, the flaking of the skin caused a slight odour on his body and caused his pigmentation to get worse.

After his session, we went to the chinese medical centre to get some green beans to start his course of green bean soup.

We brought Tequila with us thinking that hes so poor thing staying alone at home. But it was a mistake as he kept whining and that caused Bianco to be nervous and Bianco was just trembling throughout his accupuncture session.

Through this experience, we have decided not to bring Tequila with us to Bianco's accupuncture sessions ... guess Tequila jus dun learn.... Hmmmm

Bianco's Update from Home - August 7 till 8

I notice that Bianco has a lot of blister like dots on his body. It has actually been around for some time and we were getting a little concern.

It doesn't cause him to itch as he hasn't been scratching it at all, but its pretty unsightly as these blisters look those caused by chicken pox. It starts with a red dot, gets inflamed, becomes a little tiny blister, turns dry and becomes a dry scalp on his skin which flakes off in a few days.

From the last picture taken that I have uploaded, about 3 wks back, it has gotten worse and its all over his body especially the sides and top of his body.

As his fur has grown quite a fair bit since he was discharged from the hospital, I decided to shave all his fur off again to just let his skin 'breathe'. Shaved him and run him under the shower and his skin was really in a mess. Lotsa dry scalp can be seen and when dry, all flakes off like dandruff.

We didn't know what was wrong, but tot that we''ll wait for another day and during Bianco's accupuncture session, will ask Dr Oh what is wrong and how can we manage it.

Bianco's Update - August 6

It's my mum's turn to take leave today, and together with my Dad, they brought Bianco for his accupuncture.

My mum told me that whenever she brings Bianco for his accupuncture, he does not want to sit still in the car and always climbs on her, wanting her to carry him. It has become a habit even at home. So looks like he knows who he can bully and who he can't. Usually with us, it has never been this case as he would sit quietly on his towel till he hears the car's reverse signal.

Even at the animal hospital, while getting his accupuncture done, he wasn't able to sit still and was still trying to climb on my mum to get her to carry him. But eventually he gave up as he knew that he has to sit on the table for his accupuncture to be done.

We are still trying to get him to stand on his hind legs but Bianco is still lazy at times. He has gained some strength on his right hind, but we were hoping to see some strength on his left hind. He is still on the chinese medicine given by Dr Oh and also on the liver tonic pills.

The transfer factor for both tequila and bianco had run out and am now contemplating if I should buy for them to continue taking it. But it is rather expensive....however, if they do help these two furry darlings of mine.. I may just let them take it temporary to see its effectiveness....

Bianco's Update - August 2

Its the 7th session with Dr Oh and after each session, there seems to be some improvements to Bianco's movements, motor skills and strength.

Bianco can stand longer on his four legs tho he still can't move his hind legs to balance himself... but he is trying.

Dr Oh also told us to give him more time..... and try not to push him too much.. but Bianco can be really lazy.... each time when we want him to crawl, he'll whine wanting us to carry him.

We asked Dr Oh how many more sessions of accupuncture does Bianco need and he said perhaps another 2 more mth.... my.. tats like $175 x 8 wks!!! Bianco... pls start to walk soon otherwise mummy will become a pauper hhahahaha...

After his accupuncture session, we went for lunch at a bak kut teh eating place opp Beauty World...... and he as some wantons and pork meat!..... lucky pooch....

In the end, we bought some muffins for poor Tequila whos left at home......

Bianco's Update from Home - July 31

The last day of the month... its been exactly 45days since Bianco's accident, June 14.

Today, Bianco has some visitors.... Alice and Neb..... I got to know Alice from Pets Channel Forum as I was reading about her input on dogs who are temporary paralyze and just need some help. She has experience with Ah Gal who has some hip problems and couldn't walk for a few mths....Neb is her ex-colleague.. both of them were just amazing..... and friendly.... I just couldn't ask for me...

When they came to see Bianco.. Bianco was a little apprehensive about them.. but after an hr.. he warmed up to Alice and even went to her, wanting her to carry him.. and Tequila ... as usual warms to everyone and had a nice massage session from Neb...

Alice and Neb were amazed by his recovery as it was only less than 6 wks since his accident and he was already crawling..they encouraged me not to give up on him and hopefully in 2-3mths time... we'll be able to see him at least able to walk on 3 legs.

When they left, I told them feel free to drop by, as it will do Bianco good to get in touch with strangers too.... but so far... hes been doing pretty well with strangers... surprisingly....

Anyway, I do hope Alice and Neb will drop by again... as they are really true inspirators.......tks Neb and Alice.....

Bianco's Update from Home - July 30

Took a day's leave to be at home and bring Bianco for his Wednesday's accupuncture.

Akoh joined me as she wanted to see how it was done. It was a really funny session as we were speaking to Dr Oh on whether he use different needles on different animals and he said yes.... I asked him how big is the needle used for an elephant during accupuncture. He told us that he has it here and he took it out... oh my gosh! It was like 30cm long and he pass it to Akoh... hahaha the look on her face.. priceless! hahahha

Bianco had like 4 needles on his head and the look on his face ... BLUR!.... however as usual, he was quite relaxed.

We left pretty late despite having a 1pm appointment with Dr Oh.

Akoh was cool enuf to get lunch for me and my dad.... had sushi, sashimi with compliments from her.... TKS AKOH!!!

In a quick passing moment, it was oredi like 4pm in the late afternoon and well... soon, the end of the day and next day back to work with a heavy heart...

Would love to stay with Bianco and Tequila at home... but too much work and trying to save my leave just in case of any emergencies......

Bianco's Update from Home - July 28

Back to another work week and I reckon Bianco and Tequila knows that its another 5 days that no one will be at home with them during the day.

Yes, we kept to our word that Tequila will be kept in the kitchen and he was, despite some displeasure from him as he was heard whining as I left for work. However, we do not want him to pee on the floor and having Bianco to rub his body on the pee as he crawls around.

When we got back from work that day, as usual, we'll get a big welcome from Bianco and each time he gets really excited seeing us back home. Sometimes, being too excited, he'll pee ..but most often, we'll try to get him to pee before he can dirty himself.

So far, he'll wait till someone is at home before he poos. Either when my dad returns home mid day to check on him or in the evening/night when we are at home. I am not too sure if he is holding his poo so that someone will be around when he expels it. But so far, we definitely have no complaint over it as his habit is keeping him clean. As long as it doesn't cause any health issues, we have no issues on it as well :)

Bianco's Update from Home - July 27

Being a Sunday and since Bianco has been home for 5 wks now, we initiated a short family outing, coupled with lunch and movie - The Dark Knight, while leaving the two rascals together.

It has been awhile since we actually went out as a family over the weekend, as we have been busy fussing over Bianco after he was discharged from the animal hospital. Now that Bianco is more mobile and the fact that Dr Tan has assured us that Bianco will be fine even if he lies on his back, makes it easier for us to introduce some outing back into our lives.

We left Tequila and Bianco from 12.30pm till about 5pm. We thought that with us gone for that 4hrs or so, everything should be alright. Boy, were we wrong and guess who is the only culprit? Tequila of course..... he pee on the legs of the dining chairs, climbed on the coffee table and started shredding some kitchen papers that we have folded for Bianco's emergencies when he poo and he played around with Bianco's towels......

So, we have come to a conclusion... back to the kitchen on Monday for Tequila.

Bianco's Update from Home - July 26

Today, Bianco had an appointment with Dr Tan for his follow up as its been about 2 wks since his last review. Following that, accupuncture with Dr Oh.

Dr Tan said tat Bianco has gotten back most of his neuro system back since he has been using his right hind to scratch his ears. The only thing is to get him to work on his strength and motor skills on standing and bending his hind legs, which till now, isn't really quite up to it.

Dr Tan also said that to tune a dog's mentality vs that of a human is different. First is the level of understanding between a human and a dog. He gave an example that if a human is paralyze, you can tell that person to try to move his legs. This person will then try to use his brains to give instructions to move his legs. Whereas a dog can never understand or even comprehend such complexity of instructions.

The other thing that Dr Tan mentioned was that his concern is Bianco being too comfortable with his surroundings and also his crawling that he is contented. As such, he will not push himself to try to walk and perhaps may even forget what walking is all about and how it is being done.

It was really a wake up call for me when Dr Tan said that as I know that Bianco is pretty comfortable where he is now but to forget how walking is being done? I mean, someone like me who does not have any experience.. how should I handle Bianco and fine tune him to try using his hind legs? As it is, he is getting lazy for sure. Each time when I stand him on all fours, he'll use his front legs to push himself back and then goes into a seating position.

We have also tried standing Bianco elevated. We'll prop his top half on a stool and force him to use his hind legs to support the rest of his body weight. It is tiring, but at least it will help him to gain some muscles over time.

Dr Tan suggested putting Bianco back to hydrotherapy. He said that Bianco is not a swimmer but with most cases, dogs who go through hydrotherapy, recoveres faster. Only thing is that Bianco is known to be a lazy swimmer.

After the review with Dr Tan, Bianco went for his accupuncture. We spoke to Dr Oh about Dr Tan's suggestion to put Bianco thru hydrotherapy, but Dr Oh thinks otherwise. He feels that its too early for Bianco to try walking, as it will take about 6wks for him to get himself in place. He told us to give the little fella more time, as he is still confident that Bianco will start to walk. He is still confident that Bianco is stronger on his left hind compared to his right, but I still think otherwise. I'm still quite puzzled why he thinks that Bianco's left hind is stronger. Perhaps time will tell.

Bianco went through the accupuncture with ease and was resting throughout. Dr Oh used some low heat treatment and it caused Bianco to pant.

While waiting for payment to be made, we were chatting with this lady whos dog came for accupuncture as well. Usually when we meet other owners with dogs in the same situation, we'll exchange some info on what happened etc and how we are handling our furry ones back home.

She told us that her sis boyfriend bought her dog out for a walk. He came across a drain and jumped across it. However, not realizing that the dog has limited jumping ability, he made her dog jump across the drain too. As the drain was rather wide, her dog, a cross of maltese and shih tzu, didn't manage to jump across, fell into the drain.

The next day, she was wondering why her dog couldn't control the bladder despite being toilet trained and the 2nd day, was in total paralysis. She told us that the first sign of paralysis, as mentioned by the vet is that the animal will lose control of the bladder.

Since the incident, she also started accupuncture sessions and was hoping that it'll help her dog as well.... (haiz.. the ignorance of some ppl, to cause such unnecessary misfortune to the animal and the owner)

After everything, we went to Holland V to leave Tequila with Pet Lovers Centre for grooming. Knowing our experience, they really ensure that Tequila is well taken care of. We headed for the XO fish slice noodles and Bianco had a jolly good time eating the fish from the noodles. While waiting for Tequila, we went to Coffee Bean to have some coffee and as usual, Bianco in his pram attracted some stares.

When we went to pick Tequila up, we were introduced to get a product called 4 Life, which is good for the animals as it'll help to boost their immune system and also help their body to easily absorb all the nutrients from the food that they eat. As I haven't heard about it, I just took a trial pack, which costs me $20.50 (and can only last me a week!) Am now trying it.. so will update my review on this product a wk or so later :) .. but in the meanwhile.. will try to read up on this product and what are the benefits when consumed.

Website: www.4life.com

At the end of the day, Bianco was totally knocked out from the tiredness and was sleeping in the car all the way back home.