My new puppy's neck 'pops'..and ideas? I'm worried. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

shynewyorkie · 05-13-2008, 12:50 PM

So I adopted Iris about two weeks ago as a companion for Theo; she is almost four months old. I first noticed a popping sound when I would pick her up, or roll her onto her back to rub her tummy--it sounded like it was coming from her neck, and my husband noticed it too. At first, we were relieved to find that the leash ring on the little collar she was wearing could hit against itself and make a similar noise. I removed the collar, to make sure, but--sadly--the popping is in fact coming from Iris. I know that there are a few threads about puppies with popping knees, but this is definitely her neck...oh god.

I've included a picture of her, below.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

TLC · 05-13-2008, 01:00 PM

I do not want to scare you, but this may be serious. There are a few people here on YT that have babies that were born with a congenital defect called AAI/AAS - These babies are at risk of paralyzation if their necks break. I am concerned that you hearing popping from her neck.

I am going to find some more info for you, but 2 YTers that have pups with this are Val with Babybear and Vikki with Bleu Boy

I hope this isn't the case, but I would have it check out by your Vet and honestly on to a specialist, b/c this gets misdiagnosed very easy.

Ellie May · 05-13-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC

I do not want to scare you, but this may be serious. There are a few people here on YT that have babies that were born with a congenital defect called AAI/AAS - These babies are at risk of paralyzation if their necks break. I am concerned that you hearing popping from her neck.

I am going to find some more info for you, but 2 YTers that have pups with this are Val with Babybear and Vikki with Bleu Boy

I hope this isn't the case, but I would have it check out by your Vet and honestly on to a specialist, b/c this gets misdiagnosed very easy.

Sadly this could be the case.

When you walk her on a leash do you use the collar or a harness?
Please get her to the vet quickly.

She is a dolly.

TLC · 05-13-2008, 01:09 PM

Val is Mybabe4me and she knows so much about AAI/AAS b/c her boy had it and he jumped from her lap and broke his neck, her husband had to give him mouth to mouth and saved his life, but he became paralyzed. I believe this went misdiagnosed until finally, it was seen on the x-ray and a Vet with the experienced confirmed it. Babybear has since had the surgery to stabilize his neck, but he remained paralyzed. Val has worked day in and day out for at least 1 or 2 years to get him to walk again. He has made such progress, but still requires the use of a special cart.

I am going to PM Val and give her this link to this tread, so she can talk with you. In the meantime, Vals advice is treat her like a China Doll, very fragile, no jumping, running or playing, etc...

TLC · 05-13-2008, 01:13 PM

I just sent Mybabe4me (Val) and Bleu Boy Barber (Vikki) and PM with a link to this thread.

shynewyorkie · 05-13-2008, 01:31 PM

Okay, so you guys are really scaring me. I've looked up Atlantoaxial Instability (this disorder that you are discussing) and Iris doesn't show any of the symptoms--though they do say that there may be no symptoms (which, of course, is horrifying). Has no one else ever heard a little joint pop from their puppies? I mean Iris holds her head up, walks well, runs, plays--she's full of energy and life. I can't imagine that she was born without a ligament in her neck..I mean, she certainly doesn't act like it, and none of the AAI sites I've visited list joint popping as a symptom.
Is it a symptom? I got her from a lovely breeder, met her mother and father, and her siblings, and everything seemed to be on the up and up. All were healthy.
After finding out that my first yorkie, Theo, came from an Amish puppy mill, I did some serious homework before getting Iris...
I have no idea what to say. And my vet closes after 4pm. So I have no idea what to do.

TLC · 05-13-2008, 01:48 PM

I am sorry to have scared you, I didn't mean to, but I was involved with helping a little paralyzed yorkie that may have had AAI/AAS - he turns out he had a stroke, but I got to be very close to a handful of people with AAI/AAS babies and from what they say, it is critical to get the neck stabilized.

I don't know what popping in the neck means, but I don't think it is normal.

If you go and read Blue Boy Barber story, they had no idea either and she went to a few Vets that told her no it isn't AAI/AAS, but thankfully she finally went to a specialist who confirmed that yes he does have it and they had surgery to stabilize it.

I hope that Val or Vikki come on soon and they can tell you about their babies.

Mybabe4me · 05-13-2008, 02:20 PM

Nicole,
thank you for PMing me.. You know I would come right off.. I just got online and saw your pm and clicked right over to here.
I am here to help with the pup.. I sure hope it is not AAI/AAS(when talking to the doctor ask him about Atlantoaxial Instability). But I have a lot of information on AAI.. Like Nicole said treat your baby like a little china doll.. Because if her neck is popping now that is not a good sign.. Crate her or carry her everywhere.. Do not let her jump,run or play rough.. I have delt with this and still deal with it daily do to Babybear being injured so badly by his AAI.. He went misdiagnosed for more than 6 months and then he broke his neck that one day and when I rushed him to the vets office they did all kinds of tests ,xrays ect. and still came back with a the wrong diagnoses. I was told he had Livershunts..We were expecting him to die over the weekend because this happened on a Saturday.. On Monday I took him for a second opinion and when the doc saw baby he said right off this dog does not have livershunts he has a broken neck.. I proceeded to tell him that it never showed up on xray with his vet.. He asked to take a digital(make sure you ask for this)xray I said sure he came back in less then 5 to 10 minutes and said that Babybear had a very badly broke neck and that he was actually internally decapiated.. And asked how I kept him alive all weekend long.. I told him with plenty of TLC.. He gave me a 85 to 90 percent chance Babybear would walk again with surgery so after fighting to get the money together We had the surgery done..
Right now just listening to what you wrote this pup has congenital AAI/AAS. It can be aquired also.. Please read Babybear webpage on Dogster.Click here: Dog profile for Babybear, a male Yorkshire Terrier. Read his diary I believe it is the second Entry also read his story on the right hand side of his page this will give you some understanding of AAI..I can send you information also.. But please read Babybear's webpage and Then either Pm me or write to me.. I will pm you my email addy..
I do not mean to scare you but after what I have been through with Babybear I do not want to see another mom or dad go through this.. It is very hard to deal with and time consuming if the neck brakes and there is all paralyzes..
I will be on waiting to here from you if you need help..

Mybabe4me · 05-13-2008, 02:29 PM

Shynewyorkie,
Babybear also did not show any signs that I knew of.. He did complain of neck soreness when he was like 8 months old after he had jumped off the couch and broke his leg,and after that he would complain, but he walked fine,ran,jumped,played, played fetch every night for over an hour(heck he woudl wear me out)but all it took was not being diagnose that caused everything we have gone through..
No we do not mean to scare you but this is very serious.. I am sure the breeder you got your pup from is great,but there can be a problem with the best of breeders.. Just like us having children we can always have a baby that is not perfect.. If you find that this is AAI/AAS you will want to let the breeder know so she can stop breeding the mom and dad of this pup's so not to have more pups with this condition.. Your best bet is to get the pup diagnosed first but treat her/him like a china doll until you get her/him diagnosed just to be safe.. IT is better to be safe then sorry in my eyes.. ANd yes I did hear popping in Babybears neck I thought it was coming from his jaw but after everything happened I thought and said oh yes that must have been his neck not his jaw.. He held his head like any normal pup would like I said everything seemed normal to me.. I know of some pups that would fall over when walking.. I and would stand funny when pooping.. Every pup is different. I have helped many AAI/AAS parents through diagnosing and through surgery and every pup(parent) I have come in contact with their pups are all different.. Just be aware of everything that is going on with your baby.. Take notice in weird things.. We are all here for you..Just let us know what we can do for you..

Patti · 05-13-2008, 04:06 PM

I am praying that the popping noise is not serious. Have you talked to the breeder to see if she has any experience with the popping noise in her other puppies?

Mybabe4me · 05-14-2008, 04:04 PM

I am just going to bump this so it does not get lost..
Please Give Iris some belly rubs from Babybear and I.. We have had her in our thoughts all day..
Please update when you have the chance..

xoxo Brooklyn · 05-14-2008, 07:44 PM

omg i dont know anything about all this - but i pray that he'll get better <3

mscat · 05-14-2008, 10:51 PM

Gosh, I hope your little one is okay... I do not know much about this condition , however, please take her to the vet as soon as you can and mention this. .

BLEU BOY BARBER · 05-15-2008, 06:36 AM

TLC thank you for PMING me too !

My heart immediatelt before I read anything just looked at the origianl picture of Iris and began to pray for her... I do not waish one individual family or yorkie to go through what VAL and I have been through with our babies...

I want to look at this on the bright side ok

There is hope but you must get your baby looked at immediately I AM BEGGING YOU NOT TO WAIT...

Bleu Boy was fine till one day I petted him and MY LIFE HAS CHANGED FOREVER. He went everywhere with me I am in pharmaceuticals and he went to all the doctors offices with me... Since he has had surgery and in a cast for 6-8 weeks He is so hyper that he can not go with me anymore

If diagnosed this can be successfully treated. There is a 80/20 mortality rate so the rate is high. Take one step at a time and lets find out for sure.

With Val and Babybear all he did was jump from a chair and with BLEU all I did was pet him one day and he cried unlike I have ever heard in my life. IT IS HEART BREAKING!

If your baby has it I would like to know the weight I saw the age was 4 months most AAI/AAS show signs at 6 months which is the exact day BLEU BOY SHOWED SIGNS to a tee 6 months old... This can alos be aquired from injury .... Between your YT FAMILY AND Val and I we are here to support you .. Hang on tight ask any questions day or night .. We can give you our numbers if you want them and I will be monitoring this thread...

HUGS LOVE AND PRAYERS Breathe in and breathe out. One day at a time

Vicki
Bleu Boys Mommy

BLEU BOY BARBER · 05-15-2008, 06:41 AM

Also this is medical related so if you come back and the thread is not here ADMIN has a job and they will move it to the medical thread... So please we must follow this mom and let her know if this thread is moved....

Gotta help her get through this!

05-13-2008, 01:00 PM	#2
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,598	I do not want to scare you, but this may be serious. There are a few people here on YT that have babies that were born with a congenital defect called AAI/AAS - These babies are at risk of paralyzation if their necks break. I am concerned that you hearing popping from her neck. I am going to find some more info for you, but 2 YTers that have pups with this are Val with Babybear and Vikki with Bleu Boy I hope this isn't the case, but I would have it check out by your Vet and honestly on to a specialist, b/c this gets misdiagnosed very easy. __________________ Nicole *"You Won't Change the World by Saving One Animal..BUT...You Will Change the World for that One"*

05-13-2008, 01:09 PM	#4
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,598	Val is Mybabe4me and she knows so much about AAI/AAS b/c her boy had it and he jumped from her lap and broke his neck, her husband had to give him mouth to mouth and saved his life, but he became paralyzed. I believe this went misdiagnosed until finally, it was seen on the x-ray and a Vet with the experienced confirmed it. Babybear has since had the surgery to stabilize his neck, but he remained paralyzed. Val has worked day in and day out for at least 1 or 2 years to get him to walk again. He has made such progress, but still requires the use of a special cart. I am going to PM Val and give her this link to this tread, so she can talk with you. In the meantime, Vals advice is treat her like a China Doll, very fragile, no jumping, running or playing, etc... __________________ Nicole *"You Won't Change the World by Saving One Animal..BUT...You Will Change the World for that One"*

05-13-2008, 01:13 PM	#5
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,598	I just sent Mybabe4me (Val) and Bleu Boy Barber (Vikki) and PM with a link to this thread. __________________ Nicole *"You Won't Change the World by Saving One Animal..BUT...You Will Change the World for that One"*

05-13-2008, 01:48 PM	#7
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 3,598	I am sorry to have scared you, I didn't mean to, but I was involved with helping a little paralyzed yorkie that may have had AAI/AAS - he turns out he had a stroke, but I got to be very close to a handful of people with AAI/AAS babies and from what they say, it is critical to get the neck stabilized. I don't know what popping in the neck means, but I don't think it is normal. If you go and read Blue Boy Barber story, they had no idea either and she went to a few Vets that told her no it isn't AAI/AAS, but thankfully she finally went to a specialist who confirmed that yes he does have it and they had surgery to stabilize it. I hope that Val or Vikki come on soon and they can tell you about their babies. __________________ Nicole *"You Won't Change the World by Saving One Animal..BUT...You Will Change the World for that One"*

05-13-2008, 02:20 PM	#8
Mybabe4me YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 595	Nicole, thank you for PMing me.. You know I would come right off.. I just got online and saw your pm and clicked right over to here. I am here to help with the pup.. I sure hope it is not AAI/AAS(when talking to the doctor ask him about Atlantoaxial Instability). But I have a lot of information on AAI.. Like Nicole said treat your baby like a little china doll.. Because if her neck is popping now that is not a good sign.. Crate her or carry her everywhere.. Do not let her jump,run or play rough.. I have delt with this and still deal with it daily do to Babybear being injured so badly by his AAI.. He went misdiagnosed for more than 6 months and then he broke his neck that one day and when I rushed him to the vets office they did all kinds of tests ,xrays ect. and still came back with a the wrong diagnoses. I was told he had Livershunts..We were expecting him to die over the weekend because this happened on a Saturday.. On Monday I took him for a second opinion and when the doc saw baby he said right off this dog does not have livershunts he has a broken neck.. I proceeded to tell him that it never showed up on xray with his vet.. He asked to take a digital(make sure you ask for this)xray I said sure he came back in less then 5 to 10 minutes and said that Babybear had a very badly broke neck and that he was actually internally decapiated.. And asked how I kept him alive all weekend long.. I told him with plenty of TLC.. He gave me a 85 to 90 percent chance Babybear would walk again with surgery so after fighting to get the money together We had the surgery done.. Right now just listening to what you wrote this pup has congenital AAI/AAS. It can be aquired also.. Please read Babybear webpage on Dogster.Click here: Dog profile for Babybear, a male Yorkshire Terrier. Read his diary I believe it is the second Entry also read his story on the right hand side of his page this will give you some understanding of AAI..I can send you information also.. But please read Babybear's webpage and Then either Pm me or write to me.. I will pm you my email addy.. I do not mean to scare you but after what I have been through with Babybear I do not want to see another mom or dad go through this.. It is very hard to deal with and time consuming if the neck brakes and there is all paralyzes.. I will be on waiting to here from you if you need help.. __________________ Val and Babybear http://www.dogster.com/dogs/136060[/url]

05-13-2008, 01:31 PM	#6
shynewyorkie Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 26	Okay, so you guys are really scaring me. I've looked up Atlantoaxial Instability (this disorder that you are discussing) and Iris doesn't show any of the symptoms--though they do say that there may be no symptoms (which, of course, is horrifying). Has no one else ever heard a little joint pop from their puppies? I mean Iris holds her head up, walks well, runs, plays--she's full of energy and life. I can't imagine that she was born without a ligament in her neck..I mean, she certainly doesn't act like it, and none of the AAI sites I've visited list joint popping as a symptom. Is it a symptom? I got her from a lovely breeder, met her mother and father, and her siblings, and everything seemed to be on the up and up. All were healthy. After finding out that my first yorkie, Theo, came from an Amish puppy mill, I did some serious homework before getting Iris... I have no idea what to say. And my vet closes after 4pm. So I have no idea what to do.

05-13-2008, 02:29 PM	#9
Mybabe4me YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 595	Shynewyorkie, Babybear also did not show any signs that I knew of.. He did complain of neck soreness when he was like 8 months old after he had jumped off the couch and broke his leg,and after that he would complain, but he walked fine,ran,jumped,played, played fetch every night for over an hour(heck he woudl wear me out)but all it took was not being diagnose that caused everything we have gone through.. No we do not mean to scare you but this is very serious.. I am sure the breeder you got your pup from is great,but there can be a problem with the best of breeders.. Just like us having children we can always have a baby that is not perfect.. If you find that this is AAI/AAS you will want to let the breeder know so she can stop breeding the mom and dad of this pup's so not to have more pups with this condition.. Your best bet is to get the pup diagnosed first but treat her/him like a china doll until you get her/him diagnosed just to be safe.. IT is better to be safe then sorry in my eyes.. ANd yes I did hear popping in Babybears neck I thought it was coming from his jaw but after everything happened I thought and said oh yes that must have been his neck not his jaw.. He held his head like any normal pup would like I said everything seemed normal to me.. I know of some pups that would fall over when walking.. I and would stand funny when pooping.. Every pup is different. I have helped many AAI/AAS parents through diagnosing and through surgery and every pup(parent) I have come in contact with their pups are all different.. Just be aware of everything that is going on with your baby.. Take notice in weird things.. We are all here for you..Just let us know what we can do for you.. __________________ Val and Babybear http://www.dogster.com/dogs/136060[/url]

05-13-2008, 04:06 PM	#10
Patti Donating YT 10000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 17,210	I am praying that the popping noise is not serious. Have you talked to the breeder to see if she has any experience with the popping noise in her other puppies? __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : Maya's Mom RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

05-14-2008, 04:04 PM	#11
Mybabe4me YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 595	I am just going to bump this so it does not get lost.. Please Give Iris some belly rubs from Babybear and I.. We have had her in our thoughts all day.. Please update when you have the chance.. __________________ Val and Babybear http://www.dogster.com/dogs/136060[/url]

05-14-2008, 07:44 PM	#12
xoxo Brooklyn Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2008 Location: L.A. Posts: 31	omg i dont know anything about all this - but i pray that he'll get better <3 __________________ Brooklyn coming soon! ☮ ♡ L.A. xoxo, y☮bi

05-14-2008, 10:51 PM	#13
mscat Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Avenal, California Posts: 843	Gosh, I hope your little one is okay... I do not know much about this condition , however, please take her to the vet as soon as you can and mention this. .

05-15-2008, 06:36 AM	#14
BLEU BOY BARBER Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,740	TLC thank you for PMING me too ! My heart immediatelt before I read anything just looked at the origianl picture of Iris and began to pray for her... I do not waish one individual family or yorkie to go through what VAL and I have been through with our babies... I want to look at this on the bright side ok There is hope but you must get your baby looked at immediately I AM BEGGING YOU NOT TO WAIT... Bleu Boy was fine till one day I petted him and MY LIFE HAS CHANGED FOREVER. He went everywhere with me I am in pharmaceuticals and he went to all the doctors offices with me... Since he has had surgery and in a cast for 6-8 weeks He is so hyper that he can not go with me anymore If diagnosed this can be successfully treated. There is a 80/20 mortality rate so the rate is high. Take one step at a time and lets find out for sure. With Val and Babybear all he did was jump from a chair and with BLEU all I did was pet him one day and he cried unlike I have ever heard in my life. IT IS HEART BREAKING! If your baby has it I would like to know the weight I saw the age was 4 months most AAI/AAS show signs at 6 months which is the exact day BLEU BOY SHOWED SIGNS to a tee 6 months old... This can alos be aquired from injury .... Between your YT FAMILY AND Val and I we are here to support you .. Hang on tight ask any questions day or night .. We can give you our numbers if you want them and I will be monitoring this thread... HUGS LOVE AND PRAYERS Breathe in and breathe out. One day at a time Vicki Bleu Boys Mommy __________________ *Spoiled Rotten Mama's Boy* *Bleu Boy 's Sophie* We Are Wrapped Around Your Little Paws Bleu Boy Barber Dedicated Atlanto Axial Subluxation Paw Parents

05-15-2008, 06:41 AM	#15
BLEU BOY BARBER Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,740	Also this is medical related so if you come back and the thread is not here ADMIN has a job and they will move it to the medical thread... So please we must follow this mom and let her know if this thread is moved.... Gotta help her get through this! __________________ *Spoiled Rotten Mama's Boy* *Bleu Boy 's Sophie* We Are Wrapped Around Your Little Paws Bleu Boy Barber Dedicated Atlanto Axial Subluxation Paw Parents