chihuaha injury

Question
QUESTION: my 9yr old chihuaha's knee "popped out" after a truama with his best friend on the steps I took him to the emergency vet who gave an xray and showed a piece of bone had broken off, and suggested surgery to prevent early arthritis. I took chico home with some rimadyl and the next day his knee had recovered. chico is 3lbs over weight and I have him on a diet and have added sea kelp to his food (I make my own) should I put him through surgery?.
thank you.

ANSWER: That is a challenging question to answer as I have not seen the X-ray. If there is actually a chip of bone there are several reactions over time.
1. The chip is reabsorbed by the body. With holistic treatment this is a likely possibility.
2. The chip sits quietly for days, then moves to a spot that causes pain, and you see recurrences of pain. This can come and go.
3. Over time, the movement of the chip can generate arthritis in the joint. The surgery could also cause some arthritis in the joint.

There is no rush since your dog is not in pain. I would suggest consulting with a great integrative veterinarian and there are lots of them in Washington. Jackie Obando, Doug Yearout for a few. Acupuncture and homeopathy would be the best. An integrative veterinarian is  trained in many different approaches, including using conventional drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance that your cherished companion can live a long and healthy life after recovering from this current problem. There are good ones and great ones, and a few homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email. Read my comments at the end on working with and selecting a holistic veterinarian.
You can go to the web sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral list to find one near to you:
1. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine: www.IVAS.org & www.TCVM.com
2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): www.theAVH.org and www.DrPitcairn.com.
3.  Wide range of other treatments: www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association


You can help now and over time by learning Reiki. From the book, Healthy Animal's Journal - "Reiki: Personally, I think every person who lives with or works with animals must know at least Level I Reiki. The practitioner places her hands upon the animal (or it can be done from a distance, even around the world) with the intent for healing to occur. The energy flows through the healer into the animal. This is based on directly applying Chi (energy) to rebalance the energy field so it no longer needs to produce the physical symptoms. It is a very good adjunct to any healing modality, especially to relieve pain and inflammation. I have seen cats who begin to eat again when their food has Reiki done on the food. It also "takes the bad out of" things. By doing Reiki on smelly water in restaurants I have been able to drink sweet tasting and smelling water. Use Reiki anytime that you must give injections, vaccines, drugs, flea or heartworm drugs, or other substances with potential toxicity. Do you work in a grooming salon, or kennel, or veterinary clinic, or barn or anywhere animals are being seen? Use your Reiki on any treatments to be given and to calm the animals. People have reported getting animals to eat by doing Reiki on their food.  http://www.reiki.org  . http://www.ReikiTails.com  is a great practitioner in Maryland who knows a lot about cats. Get a free treatment at www.interdimensionalhealing.com. Great information on Reiki - http://www.reikicourse.org. Kathleen Prasad is a wonderful teacher and works with my favorite sanctuary and holistic education center, BrightHaven www.brighthaven.org. She just had an article on Reiki in Feline Wellness. Kathleen leads a free monthly telechat for anyone trained in Reiki and using it with animals. http://www.animalreikisource.com/. If you cannot find a Reiki Class near you (same class for people and animals as it connects you through an "attunement" to the healing energy of the universe, making you a channel of healing), three groups offer long distance, free, attunements.
1. http://theholisticcare.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13,
2. http://freereikiattunement.com/
3. www.ReikiBlessings.com offers free Reiki attunements, classes and training on-line    and animal classes, too
Long distance healing and training is at www.animalhealers.homestead.com/  
A client of mine is using Christine, Her name is Christine at cbearse@earthlink.net, www.awakeningrainbows.com. To receive free distance Reiki send her your first name only, city and state, and whether or not you have had any Reiki training.  She invites you to include your pets as well.  She uses a teddy bear and does a full body Reiki distance treatment for one hour each Sunday evening from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. EST.

Another wonderful healer, Deena Spears works long distance with Sound Tuning. www.Singingwoods.com. I have seen many animals and the people in a home be healed by her work.

The kelp is good, but for the joints you really want glucosamine and chondrointin sulfate. One of the best products is Glycoflex - local veterinarians may carry it or you can order it on my site.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Will exercise or play make chico's condition worse, he loves to go for walks and I live in a basement apartment so that means stairs also he loves to play fetch. I have 2 major concerns the bone chip and causing the knee to pop out again.

Answer
Most importantly you need to be working with an integrative veterinarian. their exam and intensive questioning about his life time history, as well as feeling the pulses and looking at the tongue (if acupuncture is chosen) will help determine if exercise is better or worse. Remember that the chip can move or the knee can pop out, but you can massage it, and do Reiki.

I would avoid the steps and sharp turns for a few weeks and do as long a walk as he wants. AND be working with a professional and doing Reiki. keeping his muscles strong is a good thing.