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08-26-2017, 07:57 AM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Denver, Co
Posts: 3
| My heart is broken: COMS with Syringohydromyelia & skull defects Hi everyone, Thank you SO much for opening up this message & taking the time to read my post. I would love any & all advice, recommendations. My little 3.5 pound female yorkie is 6 years old & the little love of my life. Her name is Gretchen & she means the absolute world to me. She has been having some health problems over the last year. To make a long, long story very short: she is a little jumper & jumped in between couches last October, missed & fell on her back and immediately went into a seizure like state- completely stiff, eyes fixed. My husband & I rushed her to the ER where she gradually came out of it (after about 5 mins) & it was prounouced a "possible seizure". After that, it took her maybe 4 or 5 days until she acted like her complete normal, energetic self again. All was fine & then in May of this year, she started crying out in pain in the middle of the night & if you tried picking her up she would help out. Also, she developed a left head turn (torticolois) at this time & appeared weak in her extremities. We took her to the ER where she failed her neuro exam & they referred us to a to a neurologist. Gretchen saw the neurologist, she failed the exam (decreased reactions in her extremities. More so on the left side), we did an XR because of concerns of a spinal issue & it was clean. We took her home & again, within a few days she was her complete normal self again. But we took her back to her neurologist again on Wednesday after she suffered what looked like a seizure/collapsing episode last Sunday. She had an MRI & CT completed. Through the diagnostics, they found out that she has Caudal Occipital Malformation Syndrome with secondary spinal cord Syringohydromyelia, an open bregmatic fontanelle & two defects in her skull which is causing inflammation of her cerebellum. The two defects in her skull are basically missing bone fragments which she could have been born with or it could have been a fracture from her fall last October (the latter absolutely breaks my heart to think this could have been prevented) The neurologist thinks surgical intervention is probably the best option but she is getting some other opinions at the moment. She said she would usually use screws for the surgery but is unsure if Gretchen's skull could hold a screw since her skull is so thin. For the COMS she ordinarily would be on steroids to decrease inflammation & pain meds but due to her possible brain injury, steroids are contraindicated. For now, Gretchen is on Gabapentin for pain, twice per day. So basically, nothing is being corrected at the moment & we would need to pursue surgery. We would spend any amount on our baby- we have spent about 5 thousand in the last year to get to this diagnosis & the estimate for surgery was another 4-6k as per our vet. Not to mention, every time she goes under I am terrified of possibly losing her. It’s a lot to take in. It’s been a very tough few days. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with COMS with Syringohydromyelia? & even more so, any skull issues with their babies? I am just devastated by the news. I am thinking of possibly asking another neurologist for a second opinion at a different office but I would hate to upset my current neurologist. Any advice on ways to go about doing this? Thanks so much for your time. Mandy |
Welcome Guest! | |
08-27-2017, 04:52 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Michigan
Posts: 344
| I can't help, but I am so sorry. |
08-27-2017, 08:32 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama
Posts: 17,674
| I am not familiar with yur precious little Gretchen's condition, but I will defnitely keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. |
08-27-2017, 08:56 AM | #4 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Dont worry about asking for a second opinion from a specialist. It is very normal to do so - just be polite and you can add some explanation that given the seriousness of her condition we would like a second opinion - who can you refer me to? i too am very sorry you are going through this with your gal. Unfortunately I cant share any personal experience with this/these conditions
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
08-27-2017, 09:46 AM | #5 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| A lot of people get second opinions. I know putting her under seems very scary but if you don't she might spend her whole life suffering. I will keep her in my prayers.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
08-27-2017, 01:43 PM | #6 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hibbing Minnesota
Posts: 1,106
| I am so sorry to read this about your little baby. I am not familiar with this issue but I sure pray something can be done to help her. I know what you are going through and you are like my husband and I we would spend anything to help them. Maybe a second opinion or talking to a doctor in a university vet school may help. Do what your heart tells you. Right now we are dealing with a Polp in my seven year old yorkie's bladder , I find out this Wednesday if she has to have surgery. Anyway I will pray for your fur kid I hope everything goes well. Susan |
09-01-2017, 11:10 PM | #7 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| I would go for a second opinion & did the neuro mention anything about Prilosec (Omeprizole) it slows the production of spinal fluid & helps prevent fluid build up in the brain. Does your little angel have a Chiari Malformation ?Prayers for Gretchen. Last edited by lillymae; 09-01-2017 at 11:11 PM. |
09-02-2017, 01:12 AM | #8 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: prescott valley az usa
Posts: 1,232
| No information to offer, just prayers. This is a sad situation and I can't imagine the stress on all concerned.
__________________ Jennifer + Buddybear: |
09-02-2017, 05:25 AM | #9 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: hou,tx,usa
Posts: 238
| ......Praying for Gretchen to get well soon.....(((Hugs)))
__________________ 3yorkies mom |
09-04-2017, 10:13 AM | #10 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| I hope your Gretchen is doing ok..... I am just seeing this thread. I have not had a pup with the same condition, but did have a foster who had multiple neuro issues and I think perhaps his thread might help you a bit. He was a senior when he came to me so he had lived a very long life with neuro issues. There is a lot of information on that thread and videos of him. He was adorable. Because he had so many issues, surgery was not an option for him. In the end, Sammy passed from an unrelated medical issue...so there is hope for some with neuro issues. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ro-issues.html As for a second opinion....I am quite sure your vet will welcome it. You mentioned she is reaching out to others. That is a good thing. Please keep us posted on your girl.
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09-18-2017, 04:46 AM | #11 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| Is there an update on this pup?
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