chiari malformation in biewer yorkie

[sampsongc]

Thank You!
I'm so sorry for your Sassy. These poor little things just don't deserve this.
Ollie did have the V-cut from back of skull replaced by titanium mesh. I took him back for a second MRI one year after his surgery. He has the secondary condition syringomyelia (SM).Syrinxes are present putting pressure on his spinal cord. His are large and long. He is on Gabapentin and Prednisone. Doesn't seem to be helping. His episodes are getting more frequent and are worse when he gets excited. He never cries or whines but his eyes look sad a lot of the time now and I fear his condition is becoming worse. He has very weak rear legs and front right is the one he raises above his head and shakes, licks and bites it is also weak and he doesn't put his weight on it when he stands. He has very poor balance /coordination. He has never had a seizure but that is my greatest fear. I never use a collar and he hates any type of clothing. I massage his right shoulder everyday and he seems to like that.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by sampsongc

Thank You!
I'm so sorry for your Sassy. These poor little things just don't deserve this.
Ollie did have the V-cut from back of skull replaced by titanium mesh. I took him back for a second MRI one year after his surgery. He has the secondary condition syringomyelia (SM).Syrinxes are present putting pressure on his spinal cord. His are large and long. He is on Gabapentin and Prednisone. Doesn't seem to be helping. His episodes are getting more frequent and are worse when he gets excited. He never cries or whines but his eyes look sad a lot of the time now and I fear his condition is becoming worse. He has very weak rear legs and front right is the one he raises above his head and shakes, licks and bites it is also weak and he doesn't put his weight on it when he stands. He has very poor balance /coordination. He has never had a seizure but that is my greatest fear. I never use a collar and he hates any type of clothing. I massage his right shoulder everyday and he seems to like that.

So, does he still have too much fluid in his brain ? Syringomyelia is common with Chiari. What does the neuro say about his symptoms ? Any gentle touch will help to side track the nerve.

[sampsongc]

Originally Posted by lillymae

So, does he still have too much fluid in his brain ? Syringomyelia is common with Chiari. What does the neuro say about his symptoms ? Any gentle touch will help to side track the nerve.

Dr. Marino said the symptoms he's having is caused by the SM and the permanent nerve damage to his spinal cord. He said pain management is all we can do. He said the fluid in his brain looked normal in the post surgery MRI. I have read that scar tissue can develop and cause fluid back up again. The only way to know if that's happened is to get another MRI. I'm not sure I'd put him through the surgery again. It was horriable. The pre surgery and post surgery symptoms are the same. At this point I will see a nero in my area and try different meds. Iv'e read that lyrica is used to treat nerve pain and works using smaller doses than gabapentin.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by sampsongc

Dr. Marino said the symptoms he's having is caused by the SM and the permanent nerve damage to his spinal cord. He said pain management is all we can do. He said the fluid in his brain looked normal in the post surgery MRI. I have read that scar tissue can develop and cause fluid back up again. The only way to know if that's happened is to get another MRI. I'm not sure I'd put him through the surgery again. It was horriable. The pre surgery and post surgery symptoms are the same. At this point I will see a nero in my area and try different meds. Iv'e read that lyrica is used to treat nerve pain and works using smaller doses than gabapentin.

I'm sorry he's going through this & I will be Praying there is something that can be done for him.

[sampsongc]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I'm sorry he's going through this & I will be Praying there is something that can be done for him.

Thank you so much for sharing your info.
Going to a chiropractor or tying acupuncture has never been suggested by my vet or the neuro specialist. I will surely look into it.
They have told me that SM will not kill him. Dogs with a severe case are eventually put to sleep after meds no longer control their pain. I can't imagine ever having to make that decision.

[sampsongc]

I was confused as to why sometimes my vet would refer to ollies condition as chiari and sometimes SM ( Syringomyelia).
I think this website explains it very well.
www.marvistavet.com/html/syringomyelia

[sampsongc]

sorry I left off the end
here it is again very informative
www.marvistavet.com/html/syringomyelia.html