Born 22 March 1986

Barja is already my second dog. The first one, Cara, died one week after I bought her, from distemper. Unexperienced, as I was back then, I only knew that I didn't have to have a dog with pedigree and went to a "backyard breeder". She sold me a sick puppy. After one week with infusions, many injections and a lot of medication the little dog girl died.
After this experience I decided that a dog from an official breeder would probably be healthier. And that's how I got Barja.
She grew up like every child, human or animal, should. Affectionately and competently cared for. She, together with her siblings, was permitted in the pretty garden (which wasn't pretty for a long time after that) as well as in a seperated part of the living room.
As healthy as she was when I got her, she stayed for almost her entire life. When she was 11 years old, she became weak in her hindlegs when she stood for more than a minute. She also became a little unsteady on her legs.
The vet diagnosed "Cauda Equina", or a contusion of  the spinal cord in the region of  the last lumbar vertebra. She said the dog wouldn't be in pain, but the sypmtoms would increase and in about one year we would have to put Barja to sleep because of complete paralysis. The only help would be a cortisone which we could give her later on, to help keep the inflammation in this region down and therefore reduce the pressure on the spinal cord. The vet said that in Mai '97.

Hereafter I kept my eyes open and looked for alternatives. And indeed I have found in the Newfoundland Club Newsletter an article about acupuncture for dogs. I called the author of this article immediately and asked, if she knew if a vet with acupuncture skills practised in my area. She recommended somebody in a town about 90 kilometers from here.
After "talking" to somebody very competent (thank you, Tek!) I made an appointment for the following week.
Barja was not in very good condition. Because of a metabolic disorder she had large, bald spots all over her. It seemed like the kidneys weren't functioning properly, she drank a lot. Plus the limb hind legs. The whole dog stank and looked rather bad.
The new vet examined Barja very closely and asked us very many questions about her. Then he placed several needles, even where dogs usually are rather ticklish. But Barja stood without batting an eyelid, she indeed seemed to feel comfortable.
Three or four days after the first treatment one could notice slight improvements.
Over the next nine weeks we went to get the acupucture treatments. The vet didn't place the needles at the same points, everytime. It depended upon the current problems: sometimes the liver also needed help, at other times the kidneys.
In addition to the acupuncture, Barja also received homeopathic treatment. Barja didn't get *healed*, but stabilized.
 
About six months ago the treatment was completed.

Now Barja  gets "Seniform" everyday, a geriatricum which helps blood circulation, "Arthridog", a pain reliver for those old bones, and "Wobenzym" as an general tonic. Besides that she gets "Prednisolon" every other day, to supporess any inflammation the of the lower back region.
She also recieved "Causticum Hahnemanni D6" for some time, because she couldn't control her bladder.

Barja is fine now. She still is very interested in family life, still begs for treats, eats like a horse and takes a walk every day. When it rains or is just cold, she gets to wear a little coat.

By now the "deadline" which the vet had given her, is passed by more than six months. It can be over any day now, of course. She is an old dog - but one shouldn't give up immediately. Nobody is perfect. And nobody knows everything. I am very sure my vets have forgotten more about veterinary care than I ever will learn about it. But I think it's my obligation, to learn as much as possible and maybe even get a second opinion. There are just more ideas within a team.