Atlantoaxial luxation
 

Hi everyone!

I wanted to post an article about my sweet boy Georgie's successful spine surgery:) I also wanted to make everyone aware of the condition. Not to scare anyone, but to help inform people that it's a condition most common in smaller breeds and it can be fatal if not managed or repaired. Georgie's symptoms were difficulty walking, falling over and he became very lethargic. My husband and I are so grateful to the specialist that performed the surgery and soooo thrilled that Georgie is back to 100%.

Dog Orthopedic: The Spine Center at VOSM

Thank you!

Georgies Mommy

So glad that Georgie got the care he needed, I had no idea that this condition existed. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, btw Georgie is a gorgeous little boy.

Thank you:) I didn't know about the condition either. I immediately went home and googled it to get more information. I am so glad he is back to his feisty self LOL

So glad Georgie had a successful surgery and recovery! :D

Wow! I am glad to hear Georgie is better! :D

Thank you if you are ever in need a specialist ( I noticed you live in Baltimore) VOSM is amazing! They were awesome with the care we received. They have a 24 hour recovery line so I was able to check on him throughout the day and at night for the 2 days he was there. I can't say enough:)

Oh...what wonderful news for your George! I was thrilled to see your surgeon completed his residency at NCSU.

My Zhoie also had AAI surgery on December 1, 2011 at NSCU and has fully recovered. We can never say enough about the surgeon and the care she received at the vet school!

Bless you for sharing this info so others will become aware there is a successful alternative that we can provide for our babies!

That's so great:) We were extremely sad to hear what was wrong at first but the fact that he could have surgery and be fully recovered made it so worth it. I couldn't believe after a day he was standing on his own in the recovery ward. Prior to the surgery he couldn't stand up at all!!

I am so happy both Georgie and Zhoie have made full recoveries:)

Standing you the 2nd day...that is amazing and I know the joy you felt:thumbup:

I just took a took a peek at your albums....both your boys are just darling:) CoCo looks like a real sweetheart too.

It was truly amazing especially since we had been taking him to the vet and they had no clue. We took him on a Wednesday to a specialist and by the following Friday he was standing on his own!

Thank you I accepted your friend request. I am so glad to know someone whose furbaby had successful AAL surgery too! Even our Vet said they hadn't known a dog that had the surgery.

My vet said he had referred other parents to Leesburg, VA to neuro consult but had never known one to actually have the surgery. He felt since they never returned for vet care, most opted to put them down and some wouldn't even consider the consult referral. That is just so very sad when there is such a success rate with a good surgeon that has experience in this particular surgery.

We took Zhoie to the Leesburg neuro consult, had an MRI at our demand because she showed no other clinical symptoms he didn't feel it was needed :eek:. Well, he was wrong. I was not impressed.

That consult was on Thursday and after much research from LadyJane and Barney107 here on YT for guideance, we opted to take her to NSCU and we were off to NC on Monday evening. I went to my vet on Friday and said "I need a referral to NCSU and no questions ask, he called it in right away" On Monday her breathing changed, when my DH got home, we left that evening and headed out to NCSU, we were admitted through the ER. She had surgery on Thursday, Dec. 1st and we were released to come back home on Sunday. We did get to go visit Zhoie every afternoon for 15-20 minutes.

I hope our stories help others to make the decision to give back a good quality of life to their pets....in most cases it's likely fixable and we knew we at least had to try and give our girl a chance. By the grace of God all went well and she is back to being herself...no, actually better than the first 3 yrs of her life.

The specialist told us the same thing that people opt to put the dog down because of the cost. Once we were told he could be cured and as good if not better than before we knew it had to be done. He is only 6 and we wanted him to be able to walk again and have the best quality of life possible.I thank God for my husband who loves him soooo much too! We always say we will never regret the cost because the rewards are amazing!

I hope our stories help as well. I knew I had to post it because I had never heard of such a condition and I know there are people out there that have a vet that hasn't either. The specialist was truly that a specialist he knew exactly what it was. I take Georgie there to visit since all the people just love him:)

Aww...he's a sweetheart and I know they love it when it's a successful story like his:thumbup:

We went back to NC for a follow up 4 week check and we will go back for onen on April 1st. But, I ask our neuro if we can use the dental specialist there for her cleanings and Dr. Crook totally understands I'm not comfortable with my vet being at her neck now, hehe. Because we had surgery there, we can use their other services...I'm thrilled about that too. It's a 7 hrs one way drive for us...we will be scheduling dental for week of July 1st, that way we can hit the beach the rest of the week;)

Funny you mentioned using the dental specialist. Georgie needs his teeth cleaned but I am nervous about taking him to the vet to get his teeth cleaned. Especialliy since they didn't seem very informed about the AAL. I will call the specialist about his dental cleaning. Keep me posted on Zhoie. I am so excited that her and Georgie are doing so well:)

I sure will. We are going back in July for the dental because surgeon wanted us to wait to 6 mos before dental. Which is fine, I feel much more comfortable with that.

Have a good Sunday!