Client Name: Mandy and Dave
Patient Name: Gizmo

“Gizmo is the most stylish Shih Tzu on the planet! She first came to us for help with her mobility issues in her pelvic limbs. Over the last three year we’ve been able to keep Gizmo moving independently and at nearly 17 years old she is still wowing us with her mobility and her custom outfits!”

Dr. Amber Ihrke

A dog wearing red sunglasses is displayed inside a glass case

Brief History of Pet

Gizmo joined our family in October of 2008 when our other dog cookie was not doing well being home alone after our mom passed away. Gizmo has had a tough life medically, she was born with an abdominal hernia, had another surgery for bladder stones around age 5, got more stones a year later, and ended up at Purdue for a less invasive treatment. Two years after that she spent a year getting tested looking for the cause of her bladder issues and was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s and 2 Kidney Stones. After a handful of years in treatments she lost a ton of weight (25lbs. at her peak) and has now been in remission for 5 years. Now she is 16.5 years old and has typical senior pet issues like high blood pressure, and eye issues and is out aging her teeth.

She started at VSMRHG a few years ago because she tore her cruciate ligament, and her local vets wanted to operate. Given her age and the bad reaction she had to anesthesia at her last dental procedure, we started looking for alternative options. Through some Google searches, we found VSMRHG, and Dr. Amber evaluated her and said she was a good candidate for outpatient treatment. She did an underwater treadmill, acupuncture, laser, massage, some injections in her knee, and Assisi Loop at home. Within a few months, she was doing great, walking well, and has been on a maintenance plan since to keep her other pain issues from arthritis under control and to make sure if she starts losing any strength to get back in the treadmill therapy. Gizmo absolutely loves her visits to VSMRHG and loves her care team.

Why VSMR?

We go to VSMR because they use noninvasive treatments, they are honest, beyond friendly, and most importantly Gizmo loves going! VSMRHG makes it fun and not scary for our pets, which is great because her vet anxiety is so extreme we have had to start scaling back her visits to those that are absolutely necessary and minimize follow ups. She started coming to VSMR a few years ago because she tore her cruciate ligament, and her local vets wanted to operate. Given her age and the bad reaction she had to anesthesia at her last dental procedure, we started looking for alternative options. Through some Google searches, we found VSMRHG, and Dr. Amber evaluated her and said she was a good candidate for outpatient treatment. She did an underwater treadmill, acupuncture, laser, massage, some injections in her knee, and Assisi Loop at home. Within a few months, she was doing great, walking well, and has been on a maintenance plan since to keep her other pain issues from arthritis under control and to make sure if she starts losing any strength to get back in the treadmill therapy. Gizmo absolutely loves her visits to VSMRHG and loves her care team.

Favorite Motivator

How VSMR has helped

Gizmo is still very active at home at 16.5 years old, most people we know are shocked she’s still walking. She can’t see very well so doesn’t enjoy walking outside as much unless it’s a new place like vacation, but she does walk laps around the house all day and plays with Oreo. She can’t quite put him in his place anymore, but she does still hold her own. Without VSMRHG’s pain management plan, we don’t think Gizmo would be doing as well as she is. Since she has kidney issues and historical Cushing’s her options for managing pain medically are very limited. We had to take her off Librela because she was getting bad side effects and had to stop her Galliprant because it was stressing her Kidneys.

“Gizmo always comes to her appointments looking fabulous! Her parents do everything to keep her happy, pain-free, and cruising. We are so lucky to be a part of that. Keep on keeping on, Gizmo!”

Dr. Brittany Ludwig

“Gizmo is one of the calmest, sweetest dogs around. When she is not traveling the country or cruising on her motorcycle Gizmo is busy cuddling and laying in the sunshine ”

Kat Holich

Addition Information:

Gizmo is a very loved and spoiled dog; she and her brother travel extensively and go everywhere with us. They have been to just about every state we can drive to as well as British Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. We go on 1 small trip and 2 big trips every year, both Gizmo and Oreo get birthday vacations. Gizmo used to love wandering around and sniffing anything she could so her trips are usually to the mountains and places where we can do a lot of walking and hiking. Now she likes to chill out in her stroller and be pushed around like the little princess she is, but on her good days, she will walk until she can’t anymore, rest, and walk some more!