cHAIRI MALFUNCTION VS IVDD - YorkieTalk.com Forums

COQUI · 03-20-2010, 10:52 AM

Hi Everyone
On late mid February 2010 Coqui started to act strange, sleeping a lot, not going up and down the stairs and lethargic. We immediately took him to the Vet and he treated him for disc issues with a steroid injection. He got better but then got worse with the disorientation. We took him back and subsequent to his advise took him to a Neurologic Vet and give him Prednisone pills until will take it to the Neo-Vet. Well we took him immediately and the Neo Vet suspected Chari Malfunction. We were devastated, the bill for testament, MRI without med was $10,000.00. We decide to do the MRI $2,000.00 a week after our visit to the Neo Vet. To our surprise Coqui started doing a lot better with the steroid pills, she stop been lethargic, she is walking better (Still drags the right back leg). Could the Neo Vet be wrong? Could this be just IVDD instead? Does anyone know if Chairi Malfunction doggie gets better with just a 2MG of steroids every other day?

Coqui is 6 ponds. We stopped the MRI but still concerned about his well being. Just wanted to know if someone else have a Yokie with Chari Malfunction or IVDD, what can I do? I am having a professional doggie massager come in tomorrow (Saturday March 19) to give him a massage.

lil fu fu girl · 03-21-2010, 04:43 PM

First let me say how sorry I am that your pup and you are going through this. I know it must be very hard on the both of you. But have faith in her and you, and both of you will get through this.

I have a bunch of questions for you, sorry!
First, how old is Coqui?

Secondly, you made mention of an MRI. Now as you probably already know an MRI obtains very useful information for both IVDD and for Chiari syndrome. When it was taken, did the radiologist/surgeon see any disc malformation or rupture? In IVDD the ruptured disc invades the spinal space so some type of malformations are usually visable; represented by herniation or rupture.

Thirdly, did he tell you anything about the formation of the skull, in particular, any kind of malformation dealing with the cerebellum? As that is the key factor behind Chiari.

I believe understanding exactly what is going on with Coqui, lies within the MRI that your pup had.

COQUI · 03-22-2010, 04:32 AM

Thank soooo much for your reply.
Coqui is a 3 1/2 year old male weighing 5 1/2 pounds

he has not hadan mri the cost was to high $2,000.00 we are looking into a different place for the mri. The neo-vet was going to look for chairi malfuction and we were afraid he will only concentrate on that.

The neo-vet did not complete the neo exam i was expecting. He just saw coqui walk and ask questions and came to the conclution that it could be chairi malfuntion.

We have not giving coqui any medicine (steroid) for two days today been the third and he is not showing any sings of pain or deorientation the only symtoms he has right now is the limping of the leg and he can't go up the stairs altought he does try but we do not let him.

Again thanks

lil fu fu girl · 03-22-2010, 09:33 AM

I see that you are in MD. I have a family vet that I find very informative and trust implicitly. I will contact her and find out about what options are available for you in finding an affordable MRI. I feel that an MRI would definitely give you valuable information as to what is happening with the spine and skull, and enable you to formulate some options for little Coqui.

I will contact her today so I can get some information back to you asap. Between the both of us, maybe we can find her an MRI facility that is not as expensive as the $2000 one your were quoted.

Will post back later with info

lil fu fu girl · 03-22-2010, 11:23 AM

Well, from what my vet says, it appears that $1500 - $3000 is the going rate in MD!

She gave me the name of her son who I believe is a neurologist and is a doctor here in MD. I will pm his name and number to you. I will keep looking for other facilities who might have financing plans or cheaper facilities.

COQUI · 03-22-2010, 11:44 AM

You are so kind and we really appreciated your help. The Neo-Vet you refer me on your message is the Vet we when and spend $695.00 for blood, urinals and NEO-Exam (which he barely touch my baby).

Well, I found another NEO-VET and we just came from seam him. He completed a real Neurological Exam. He watched Coqui walk and put him to walk on each leg while holding the others, checked his eyes function as well other test. That gives me some comfort.

The NEO-Vet did not found sings big enough for a MRI. Coqui had always had trouble with his back right leg which dislocated and he keeps putting it back. The NEO-Vet want us to see a orthopedic first before he prescribe a MRI he did not found any sings of serious pain other then that legs been constantly and easily dislocated.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks

Thanks for your referral and your help.

lil fu fu girl · 03-22-2010, 01:21 PM

You are most welcome! I know how hard it is when you have a sick pup at home and do not know what is wrong or what to do. I am just glad that this new vet thinks that an MRI is not needed right now. Maybe the orthopedist will be able to determine what exactly is going on.

Please keep me updated , and feel free to pm me anytime ...
Best wishes

COQUI · 03-25-2010, 09:23 AM

The Orthopedic, Neurologic along with our regular vet spoke and decided to fix Coqui's right back leg. He had always had trouble with that back leg and now it seam to be getting worse as it do not get in place quickly . They do not see evidence of a Neo issue to justify the MRI. However, my baby still gets wobbly and liturgic at times. This only happen right after his been active such as running, barking or any physical activity, he still do not walk up the stairs. The Neo and Orthopedic Vets ask us to record Coqui for a while that way they may see the evidence of NEO issue. Belive me when Coqui when to the Neo and Orthopedic Vets he was in his best behavior, walking straight just a few missed step but other then that he was good. well, will see after this Friday operation. We are hoping that all it is.
Thanks so much for your support

lil fu fu girl · 03-25-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COQUI

The Orthopedic, Neurologic along with our regular vet spoke and decided to fix Coqui's right back leg. He had always had trouble with that back leg and now it seam to be getting worse as it do not get in place quickly . They do not see evidence of a Neo issue to justify the MRI. However, my baby still gets wobbly and liturgic at times. This only happen right after his been active such as running, barking or any physical activity, he still do not walk up the stairs. The Neo and Orthopedic Vets ask us to record Coqui for a while that way they may see the evidence of NEO issue. Belive me when Coqui when to the Neo and Orthopedic Vets he was in his best behavior, walking straight just a few missed step but other then that he was good. well, will see after this Friday operation. We are hoping that all it is.
Thanks so much for your support

Oh I am keeping my fingers crossed for your little Coqui. Hopefully this surgery will fix what is going on with his leg and he will be able to get up and down the stairs successfully!
I think the idea of recording him for the vet is a suberb idea.

That way the Neo gets to see exactly what you have been talking about and maybe he can give you some answers and get this little guy back to perfect!
I will keep Coqui and your family in my prayers!

Please keep us posted as to when he goes in on friday.

03-20-2010, 10:52 AM	#1
COQUI Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MD Posts: 10	cHAIRI MALFUNCTION VS IVDD Hi Everyone On late mid February 2010 Coqui started to act strange, sleeping a lot, not going up and down the stairs and lethargic. We immediately took him to the Vet and he treated him for disc issues with a steroid injection. He got better but then got worse with the disorientation. We took him back and subsequent to his advise took him to a Neurologic Vet and give him Prednisone pills until will take it to the Neo-Vet. Well we took him immediately and the Neo Vet suspected Chari Malfunction. We were devastated, the bill for testament, MRI without med was $10,000.00. We decide to do the MRI $2,000.00 a week after our visit to the Neo Vet. To our surprise Coqui started doing a lot better with the steroid pills, she stop been lethargic, she is walking better (Still drags the right back leg). Could the Neo Vet be wrong? Could this be just IVDD instead? Does anyone know if Chairi Malfunction doggie gets better with just a 2MG of steroids every other day? Coqui is 6 ponds. We stopped the MRI but still concerned about his well being. Just wanted to know if someone else have a Yokie with Chari Malfunction or IVDD, what can I do? I am having a professional doggie massager come in tomorrow (Saturday March 19) to give him a massage.

03-21-2010, 04:43 PM	#2
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	First let me say how sorry I am that your pup and you are going through this. I know it must be very hard on the both of you. But have faith in her and you, and both of you will get through this. I have a bunch of questions for you, sorry! First, how old is Coqui? Secondly, you made mention of an MRI. Now as you probably already know an MRI obtains very useful information for both IVDD and for Chiari syndrome. When it was taken, did the radiologist/surgeon see any disc malformation or rupture? In IVDD the ruptured disc invades the spinal space so some type of malformations are usually visable; represented by herniation or rupture. Thirdly, did he tell you anything about the formation of the skull, in particular, any kind of malformation dealing with the cerebellum? As that is the key factor behind Chiari. I believe understanding exactly what is going on with Coqui, lies within the MRI that your pup had.

03-22-2010, 04:32 AM	#3
COQUI Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MD Posts: 10	Thank soooo much for your reply. Coqui is a 3 1/2 year old male weighing 5 1/2 pounds he has not hadan mri the cost was to high $2,000.00 we are looking into a different place for the mri. The neo-vet was going to look for chairi malfuction and we were afraid he will only concentrate on that. The neo-vet did not complete the neo exam i was expecting. He just saw coqui walk and ask questions and came to the conclution that it could be chairi malfuntion. We have not giving coqui any medicine (steroid) for two days today been the third and he is not showing any sings of pain or deorientation the only symtoms he has right now is the limping of the leg and he can't go up the stairs altought he does try but we do not let him. Again thanks

03-22-2010, 09:33 AM	#4
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	I see that you are in MD. I have a family vet that I find very informative and trust implicitly. I will contact her and find out about what options are available for you in finding an affordable MRI. I feel that an MRI would definitely give you valuable information as to what is happening with the spine and skull, and enable you to formulate some options for little Coqui. I will contact her today so I can get some information back to you asap. Between the both of us, maybe we can find her an MRI facility that is not as expensive as the $2000 one your were quoted. Will post back later with info

03-22-2010, 11:23 AM	#5
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	Well, from what my vet says, it appears that $1500 - $3000 is the going rate in MD! She gave me the name of her son who I believe is a neurologist and is a doctor here in MD. I will pm his name and number to you. I will keep looking for other facilities who might have financing plans or cheaper facilities.

03-22-2010, 11:44 AM	#6
COQUI Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MD Posts: 10	You are so kind and we really appreciated your help. The Neo-Vet you refer me on your message is the Vet we when and spend $695.00 for blood, urinals and NEO-Exam (which he barely touch my baby). Well, I found another NEO-VET and we just came from seam him. He completed a real Neurological Exam. He watched Coqui walk and put him to walk on each leg while holding the others, checked his eyes function as well other test. That gives me some comfort. The NEO-Vet did not found sings big enough for a MRI. Coqui had always had trouble with his back right leg which dislocated and he keeps putting it back. The NEO-Vet want us to see a orthopedic first before he prescribe a MRI he did not found any sings of serious pain other then that legs been constantly and easily dislocated. Will keep you posted. Thanks Thanks for your referral and your help.

03-22-2010, 01:21 PM	#7
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	You are most welcome! I know how hard it is when you have a sick pup at home and do not know what is wrong or what to do. I am just glad that this new vet thinks that an MRI is not needed right now. Maybe the orthopedist will be able to determine what exactly is going on. Please keep me updated , and feel free to pm me anytime ... Best wishes

03-25-2010, 09:23 AM	#8
COQUI Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MD Posts: 10	The Orthopedic, Neurologic along with our regular vet spoke and decided to fix Coqui's right back leg. He had always had trouble with that back leg and now it seam to be getting worse as it do not get in place quickly . They do not see evidence of a Neo issue to justify the MRI. However, my baby still gets wobbly and liturgic at times. This only happen right after his been active such as running, barking or any physical activity, he still do not walk up the stairs. The Neo and Orthopedic Vets ask us to record Coqui for a while that way they may see the evidence of NEO issue. Belive me when Coqui when to the Neo and Orthopedic Vets he was in his best behavior, walking straight just a few missed step but other then that he was good. well, will see after this Friday operation. We are hoping that all it is. Thanks so much for your support