:thumbup::thumbup:
Yes, they are our kids and they cannot drive themselves to a doctor like we can; so we do need to be attentive to their care.

You know the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" .. I totally believe in regular exams.

:thumbup::thumbup: I agree. After a dog has been examined by a vet and has a diagnosis, hearing about other members' experiences can be very helpful. For instance, I learned a lot from the canine diabetes forum I belonged to after Lady was diagnosed with diabetes.

It terrifies me when newbies join just to ask a question about a medical condition and say upfront they can't afford to go to the vet.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: So many thumbs going on :D!

Exactly! I had *so* much learning to do after Wylie's diagnosis - and I don't know what I would've done w/out the internet -and- without all the support everyone gave me here during Wylie's very looooong diagnosis period.

But yes, the internet cannot take the place of a competent Vet.

Although I have been keeping up with this thread, I haven't posted till now, it has been too upsetting with all the ups and downs and disagreements.

My heart breaks for Randi, and I pray for her health problems.
My prayers go out to little Roriee, I hope the specialists can help her.
I sent a little donation.

Thanks to all who have made this happen.

yeah sadly many do not think of vet care before getting a pet nor do they know how expensive it can be if they get a serious illness. It is a living breathing thing and imagine if we did not have medical insurance what it would cost us to get care so people need to think about this before getting a pet but most don't - I can say i honestly did not think about it until it happened then went HOLY MOLY this is EXPENSIVE. I doubt i am the only one out there that has experienced this and I like you have joined yahoogroups.com to learn alot - I don't mess around when it is serious I go to the best specialists but sadly i know that is not the case for many others.

I have learned not to judge people here just give them the information they seek try to get them to the best place and let them know what i would do if it were my dog that is all we can do because if we do not help them then they will not be back then what have we accomplished?

I know it may sound funny but some people sadly do not even know what a rescue is I didn't when i got my first dog - it was at my 3rd one i got her from petfinder.com so those that have owned dogs their whole life and do works like this need to understand people come here as they did a search and may not know all you know and are new dog owners and i always try to think back to when i became a new dog owner and try to put myself in their shoes and know they are trying to learn just like i did -not everyone coming here to get help is trying to cut vet costs there are also people coming to learn and educate themselves to be a better pet owner which i commend. This is also part of the prevention process. We should always make them feel comfortable in asking questions here in my opinion

Are you suggesting that if they don't want to go to a vet we should give veterinary advice?

Do you think that is a help? Are we supposed to diagnose them over the internet out of a fear they will not return to YT? I am confused...because in my mind that is enabling people to neglect their pets.

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying?

Today me and lynn too Ellie to her scheduled vet appt for her rabies shot. Throughout this entire case with Roriee we have relived many emotions personally. The yelping and screaming are the most dark of all memories although short lived because Ellie was diagnosed and treated early. I just stared at Ellie walking around in the vets office, giving all of her dr and techs kisses. Hearing all of the amazement at her progress - the miracle pup etc. All i could do was think about Roriee - what Ellie would be like today if untreated, if even alive. It was bitter sweet to rejoice with Ellie today while agonizing over Roriee's fate. And what if Ellie's fusion breaks down, and we start over? Is Ellie in the right home? It became overwhelming to think about AAI fears again- which i am sure Randi in her own way felt. As we walked out the vet and she walked on a harness and leash for the first time there - i rejoiced with her again - that she simply walked. Then i remembered me ellie roriee you -with any of our baby's issues - we take each day at a time - and spoil them each day at a time - as keepers and protectors of God's furry childten. So roriee and crew - one day at a time. Thanks for listening.

so do we have a diagnosis on Rorie or still running tests?

Nope I am saying we should direct them to the right place if we know based on our experiences and knowledge like was done with Rorie - she came here told us symptoms and we told her to go to a neurologist and we told her about rescues- check original thread

So beautifully said.

Both of which she didn't do. But, that's water under the bridge.

Let's keep focused here.....this is Roriee's thread.....

Again, Linda will fill us in when she obtains information.

I agree. I've been sending virtual love and kisses and healing to Roriee all day long. I'm sending her another ginormous bolus of it right now :).

nope sadly and hopefully not too late :( so hoping to have results soon as to a firm diagnosis from the neurologist. How long does it take for the test results?

I second that. :) or is this the third. :rolleyes:

Hind sight is 20/20 the old saying goes. But, we have to focus on what is now and in front of us. Looking back will drive you crazy!
We have all learned a lesson here and future YTers who find this thread will do the same.

Keep sending prayers, hugs, kisses, and well wishes to Roriee and Randi.

Results will be in when they are in. Some test findings may result in additional testing.

At this point all we can do is wait.

Just stopping in to see if there was any word on Roriee. Will continue to say prayers for her and Randi to get better.

Roriee's diagnosis...
 

Very sad news from the neurologist, but not without some hope.

As I said earlier, Roriee has multiple issues:

GME

AAI

Hydrocephalus

-----

Clearly GME is the major issue at this time and she is being started on a chemotherapy drug today (sorry we forgot the name of it, but will find out later). She will be hospitalized for 48 hours of treatment. Providing she responds to this treatment, the next step will be treatments every 3 weeks for a year.

Nothing else can be taken care of at this time if ever. The neurosurgeon did say that some of her other issues could be due to the GME. I am sure he did not mean the AAI. But...there is no way they can operate on her. The GME is the immediate problem that must be addressed.

I am so sad for Roriee, but also hopeful that perhaps we can get her stabilized and she can have a quality of life for whatever time she may have with all of us.

Please keep her in your prayers...she really needs them!

Damn....not at you Linda but, at the whole darn thing.

I've found a link on GME (I'm really not familiar with it, as I'm sure many others aren't). Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

Constant prayers are going to Roriee, and to her owner Randik, and many angel hugs to LadyJane and all the rescue squad and others who are helping in the care of this poor pup. :hands::hands::hands::hands:

yeah ladymom knows about this and we have a mutual friend on sm that is going through GME - i will post her info here in a minute- i think it might even be on the original thread we had on this brb

:( Oh :(. Poor sweet baby. Like you said though, Linda, there is hope for this precious one...and we will continue to believe that all things are possible for Roriee.

This just sucks. :cry: I have a hard time with my chemo I can't imagine how hard this is going to be on this sweet little one.

I have reviewed the original thread and while many people did suggest that she go to a neurologist; I saw that people were suggesting many different diagnoses...and one post even went so far as to tell Randi that they did not believe it was GME....so..please

Bless that precious girl's heart, God be with her.

Thank you Linda for the update.

-----------------I dont know what to say, I am speechless and my heart just sunk to my stomach.----------------why--why--do things like this have to happen.

I have reviewed the original thread and while many people did suggest that she go to a neurologist; I saw that people were suggesting many different diagnoses...and one post even went so far as to tell Randi that they did not believe it was GME even though a vet had suggest it......so..please don't tell me that people were not busy diagnosing.

I don't know that it would have mattered, but I really believe she should have ONLY been told to listen to the neurologist ... and get the necessary tests run. Obviously that vet knew from DAY ONE what was wrong with this pup.

I have the estimates for her from the neuro in GA and already knew yesterday before they did these tests what that neuro thought...it is on there in black and white. He had it all nailed even without the tests. But, of course, tests still need to be done.

I feel just sick for this pup....and am going to ask everyone to please keep this thread happy...and not about questioning anything we are doing. And..if we want advice on how to manage her, we will ask. She is with a competent vet and foster home. No disrespect to anyone, but this is just so unbelievably stressful and upsetting.

I think if people want to start an educational thread about ANY illness, it should be done on another thread.

and AAI was part of the diagnosis ? Fair enough the info has been posted hopefully this little one will get better and glad there is a firm diagnosis finally

AND GME was ALSO suggested on that thread and shut down by some people.

I am respectfully asking for people to allow us to simply inform on this thread.

I don't want to ask for it to be closed, but I also don't want a circus made of it. I am extremely upset over this poor baby...I can only imagine what a person who has a pup would feel like with three million different things coming at them with people wanting to be right. :(

There are many people on YT who have really been good to Roriee and I want this thread open for them to see updates on her and to send good wishes to her.

You are correct...we have a diagnosis and she is starting treament as we speak. I pray for her to have some comfort.

So sorry to hear about the additional problems facing Roriee.

My thoughts are with her and her foster family as she deals with these new hurdles.

I dont know anything about this illness but I hope the vet can find a way to release her from some of her pain in the meantime... poor little thing, I cant stop thinking about her :(

Let's leave it at that. Linda has been under stress that we have not had to endure, working behind the scenes. Let's just support her and Roriee and YHR right now.

This is not the time for debate. Let it go. :)

Thank you. I am simply heartbroken right now and crying. I cannot believe that a pup I have never laid eyes on has done this to me. :( I can only imagine how people who have seen her must feel. Poor little angel.

I do trust that they will keep her pain free. I just hope that the treatment helps her.