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Julz · 10-31-2005, 03:34 AM

I am so very sorry to hear this. How old is Skeeter? I never heard of this but got online to find some info. for you. It can be genetic or caused by an accident....just like luxating patella. I know Skeeter is your baby and you will do what is best for him. If you have the surgery and all goes well, he will need cage rest for 4-6 weeks...no play time at all. He will also need constant care and numerous trips to the vet. Whatever you decide, my heart goes out to you tremendously. The site did mention that this is a common occurrence in toy breeds. Here is a little info I copied from one site...

Surgery is usually recommended for this problem due to the high recurrence rate with conservative management. The goal of surgery is to stabilize the joint using internal devices. These can include wires, pins combined with an epoxy-like cement, or heavy-duty suture material. The joint can also be fused, using screws and bone grafts collected from the dog's shoulder.

Surgery is very difficult due to the small size of the patient and delicate nature of the bones. After surgery, cage rest, neck braces, and steroids are often used as you would for conservative management.

There is less of a recurrence rate when surgery is performed, but recurrences can still happen due to failure of the implants placed in the bones or failure to follow post-operative instructions. The type of surgery depends on the surgeon's preference and the specific injury.

The prognosis depends on the severity of the neurological signs present before surgery. The more severe the signs, the more guarded the prognosis. The spinal cord is an unpredictable organ. Accurate predictions are difficult to make as to how much function will recover as well as how long it will take to recover.

Follow-up

Atlantoaxial instability is a serious problem that requires dedicated and observant owners. Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your pet does not rapidly improve.

Administer all prescribed medications as directed. Alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet.

Follow your veterinarian's instructions for exercise restriction. The tissues must heal strongly to allow the joint to become stable. Excessive activity can lead to tearing of healing tissues and cause a major setback.

10-31-2005, 03:34 AM	#16
Julz Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4,347	I am so very sorry to hear this. How old is Skeeter? I never heard of this but got online to find some info. for you. It can be genetic or caused by an accident....just like luxating patella. I know Skeeter is your baby and you will do what is best for him. If you have the surgery and all goes well, he will need cage rest for 4-6 weeks...no play time at all. He will also need constant care and numerous trips to the vet. Whatever you decide, my heart goes out to you tremendously. The site did mention that this is a common occurrence in toy breeds. Here is a little info I copied from one site... Surgery is usually recommended for this problem due to the high recurrence rate with conservative management. The goal of surgery is to stabilize the joint using internal devices. These can include wires, pins combined with an epoxy-like cement, or heavy-duty suture material. The joint can also be fused, using screws and bone grafts collected from the dog's shoulder. Surgery is very difficult due to the small size of the patient and delicate nature of the bones. After surgery, cage rest, neck braces, and steroids are often used as you would for conservative management. There is less of a recurrence rate when surgery is performed, but recurrences can still happen due to failure of the implants placed in the bones or failure to follow post-operative instructions. The type of surgery depends on the surgeon's preference and the specific injury. The prognosis depends on the severity of the neurological signs present before surgery. The more severe the signs, the more guarded the prognosis. The spinal cord is an unpredictable organ. Accurate predictions are difficult to make as to how much function will recover as well as how long it will take to recover. Follow-up Atlantoaxial instability is a serious problem that requires dedicated and observant owners. Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your pet does not rapidly improve. Administer all prescribed medications as directed. Alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for exercise restriction. The tissues must heal strongly to allow the joint to become stable. Excessive activity can lead to tearing of healing tissues and cause a major setback.