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kantzb · 07-20-2012, 11:22 AM

Two weeks ago we noticed our 9 month old Yorkie, Gidget, walking as if she had too much to drink. Previously we noticed some clumsy behavior but we thought it was part of being a puppy. I searched Google for clumsy dog behavior and found the Yorkie Talk forum where I read about AAI. We contacted our vet right away and he x-rayed Gidget’s spine. Our vet immediately set us up with an appointment at Michigan State University’s Small Animal Clinic’s neurology department. At MSU Gidget was diagnosed with a luxation between her C1 and C2 vertebrae. She was born without the dens between her C1 and C2 and the webbing that supports this area of her spine.

In May, Gidget had a collision with our other dog, a Maltese Poodle mix. The collision knocked Gidget down and she stayed down for a while but she recovered to her normal active self. We believe this is the trauma combined with the birth defects that caused the luxation.

The neurologist at MSU Dr. Probst, placed Gidget in a body cast and recommended surgery. Dr. Probst likes to have his patients wear the body cast at least two weeks before surgery to get them used to wearing the cast because they have to endure the body cast for several weeks after the surgery. We are working with MSU to have the surgery scheduled for August 14th. We are looking at this date with the knowledge the surgery has a 25% chance of being fatal.

During the exam Dr. Probst said he detected an abnormal heart beat. This scared us to death because an abnormal heart would likely rule out the necessary surgery. I think Dr. Probst saw our anguish and immediately took Gidget for an EKG. Thankfully the EKG came back normal. But, that wasn’t all. Dr. Probst discovered during the exam, Gidget’s rear kneecaps are dislocated. I think this is something we can deal with after Gidget is long past recovering from her spine surgery. We are looking at scheduling Gidget’s surgery for August 14th.

I’m looking for some hope and maybe reality in dealing with this dear furkid’s problems; and, any information that keeps us going in the right direction. I sincerely appreciate this forum for those of us struggling with these problems.

07-20-2012, 11:22 AM	#1
kantzb YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Coopersville Posts: 4	Our dear girl is facing major surgery Two weeks ago we noticed our 9 month old Yorkie, Gidget, walking as if she had too much to drink. Previously we noticed some clumsy behavior but we thought it was part of being a puppy. I searched Google for clumsy dog behavior and found the Yorkie Talk forum where I read about AAI. We contacted our vet right away and he x-rayed Gidget’s spine. Our vet immediately set us up with an appointment at Michigan State University’s Small Animal Clinic’s neurology department. At MSU Gidget was diagnosed with a luxation between her C1 and C2 vertebrae. She was born without the dens between her C1 and C2 and the webbing that supports this area of her spine. In May, Gidget had a collision with our other dog, a Maltese Poodle mix. The collision knocked Gidget down and she stayed down for a while but she recovered to her normal active self. We believe this is the trauma combined with the birth defects that caused the luxation. The neurologist at MSU Dr. Probst, placed Gidget in a body cast and recommended surgery. Dr. Probst likes to have his patients wear the body cast at least two weeks before surgery to get them used to wearing the cast because they have to endure the body cast for several weeks after the surgery. We are working with MSU to have the surgery scheduled for August 14th. We are looking at this date with the knowledge the surgery has a 25% chance of being fatal. During the exam Dr. Probst said he detected an abnormal heart beat. This scared us to death because an abnormal heart would likely rule out the necessary surgery. I think Dr. Probst saw our anguish and immediately took Gidget for an EKG. Thankfully the EKG came back normal. But, that wasn’t all. Dr. Probst discovered during the exam, Gidget’s rear kneecaps are dislocated. I think this is something we can deal with after Gidget is long past recovering from her spine surgery. We are looking at scheduling Gidget’s surgery for August 14th. I’m looking for some hope and maybe reality in dealing with this dear furkid’s problems; and, any information that keeps us going in the right direction. I sincerely appreciate this forum for those of us struggling with these problems.