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Lindsey · 05-27-2010, 01:15 PM

I tried to post a couple days ago but it didn't go through

So here I go again...

Layla started her laser light therapy on Tuesday, and I'm hoping it does something. They want me to bring her in every second day for a treatment, so we will be doing that next week when we have some more time. The cost is $64 per treatment, so it's still expensive but not as bad as I was expecting.

I researched it on Saturday, and they have not done studies on dogs but they have on rats. They took 20 rats and SEVERED their spinal cords. 10 of them began laser light therapy, and the others were the control group. I think one from the control group gained a little bit of movement back. All 10 from the laser group were completely back to normal within 9 weeks, not only walking as well as before, but with the same speed too. It's just completely astounding that the laser seems to be able to help nerves jump the gap in the completely severed cord. Of course, that is with treatment starting immediately, and Layla's treatment didn't start for 4 weeks after injury. But Layla's spinal cord wasn't severed either, just compressed. But we'll see and keep hoping and praying every day.

Yesterday we took her to our regular vet because she has been chewing on a front paw. While there, the vet did a whole check of her standing ability and was amazed. She told us it looks like Layla is starting to engage her core muscles and she's sure she'll be walking this summer... I know it's probably false hope but I just want to believe so badly. The specialists and surgeon will not say anything like that to us. She hasn't shown signs yet that anything is coming back except reflex muscles. I'll hear back from the rehab vet this afternoon though, so maybe she'll see some change today. She hasn't seen her since last Friday.

Every night now we do her range of motion exercises on the bed. She always used to suck on the edges of our pillows as a comfort thing, and she does that now after exercises. I just take 5 or 10 minutes to lay there with her and cuddle. I really miss snuggling with her while we sleep at night. But the safest place for her right now is her crate.

05-27-2010, 01:15 PM	#169
Lindsey Donating 4WT Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,764	I tried to post a couple days ago but it didn't go through So here I go again... Layla started her laser light therapy on Tuesday, and I'm hoping it does something. They want me to bring her in every second day for a treatment, so we will be doing that next week when we have some more time. The cost is $64 per treatment, so it's still expensive but not as bad as I was expecting. I researched it on Saturday, and they have not done studies on dogs but they have on rats. They took 20 rats and SEVERED their spinal cords. 10 of them began laser light therapy, and the others were the control group. I think one from the control group gained a little bit of movement back. All 10 from the laser group were completely back to normal within 9 weeks, not only walking as well as before, but with the same speed too. It's just completely astounding that the laser seems to be able to help nerves jump the gap in the completely severed cord. Of course, that is with treatment starting immediately, and Layla's treatment didn't start for 4 weeks after injury. But Layla's spinal cord wasn't severed either, just compressed. But we'll see and keep hoping and praying every day. Yesterday we took her to our regular vet because she has been chewing on a front paw. While there, the vet did a whole check of her standing ability and was amazed. She told us it looks like Layla is starting to engage her core muscles and she's sure she'll be walking this summer... I know it's probably false hope but I just want to believe so badly. The specialists and surgeon will not say anything like that to us. She hasn't shown signs yet that anything is coming back except reflex muscles. I'll hear back from the rehab vet this afternoon though, so maybe she'll see some change today. She hasn't seen her since last Friday. Every night now we do her range of motion exercises on the bed. She always used to suck on the edges of our pillows as a comfort thing, and she does that now after exercises. I just take 5 or 10 minutes to lay there with her and cuddle. I really miss snuggling with her while we sleep at night. But the safest place for her right now is her crate. __________________ Lindsey "I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can be a woman in it..." -Marilyn Monroe Last edited by Lindsey; 05-27-2010 at 01:19 PM.