[Baby Teddy]

I also posted in sick & injured but figured I may get more responses here...

It has been a while since I have been on this board and I am looking for information, support and hope. My dog Piper (she is 3) has been struggling for the better part of the last two years with what we thought was soley allergies. She will have attacks where she scratches her head, behind her ears and bites her paws. We have had testing done and have been to specialists. Piper has been living with my inlaws the past 2 months because she needs 24/7 care to monitor her attacks. And my mother in law is willing and able to provide that. We were recently referred to a neurologist because she was put on apoquel for her allergies and it wasn't 100% working. We had narrowed out a liver shunt and since she isn't completely "all there" we were referred to a neurologist. Sadly, Piper has been diagnosed with chiari malformation after the results of her MRI. To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. She is being put on a compound of pills as treatment vs. the surgery route. The vet informed us that this is a birth defect and to inform Piper's breeder. We have reached out to Piper's breeder and she has never heard of chiari malformation but said she would do some research for us. In the meantime, I am looking for stories of hope or encouraging words from everyone during this very difficult time.