yorkie with neuro ?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by kjc

Could be AAI,Chiari, GME, NME... all respond to pred and as dose is tapered symptoms return. Call and ask the neuro if he checked for them... may need to do a Spinal Tap to verify and differential between them.

If you join the YaHoo Group NewGMEDogs they will sent you instuctions of what you will need to do before you contact Dr Sisson, as there are a number of things that need to be ruled out first.

Neurologists are human and can make mistakes, as we all can.

And it could be LS. We have no way of knowing what this is. The OP said in post #32 that an MRI was done. I would have a difficult time believing a neurologist would be that far off.

[107barney]

Prednisone is widely used in dogs and cats for many things. In dogs, it is used for many issues OTHER than brain abnormalities. Certain types of inflammtory liver abnormalities also can be treated with prednisone and again the OP's vet mentioned the liver so this could have been the reason it was used and the reason why symptoms may have returned upon a taper if a therapeutic dosage had not been found.

The chance of misdiagnosis, mistake, incompetence and the like all greatly diminish at a specialty hospital with board certified veterinarians. I therefore highly doubt the neurologist was wrong and it is more productive for the OP to get the liver issue straightened out as that has been the organ that the vets keep saying is at issue.

Why some people on this board want to play veterinarian and diagnose every dog with horrible PSS or GME or AAI or CM is beyond the pale of my comprehension. NOT EVERY YORKIE HAS THESE PROBLEMS.

[lillymae]

I do believe that Liver shunt testing Needs to be completed. I would deff have another Neuro look at the MRI though. Normally when an MRI is done they also do a spinal tap. I do not see where that was said to be done so I can only assume it was and would rule out allot. However Chiari can and is often missed upon reviewing an MRI and for this reason I would have a diff person look at the MRI. This can be done without waisting time and still continue to do what needs to be done for diagnosing/ruling out LS. Praying they find an answer soon.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I do believe that Liver shunt testing Needs to be completed. I would deff have another Neuro look at the MRI though. Normally when an MRI is done they also do a spinal tap. I do not see where that was said to be done so I can only assume it was and would rule out allot. However Chiari can and is often missed upon reviewing an MRI and for this reason I would have a diff person look at the MRI. This can be done without waisting time and still continue to do what needs to be done for diagnosing/ruling out LS. Praying they find an answer soon.

An MRI and Cerebral Spinal Fluid Analysis (spinal tap) are not always performed together. An owner can do an MRI without a spinal tap. In Boston, a CSF test tacks on additional $500 to the cost of an already very expensive MRI test so an owner might opt to do only the MRI.

[kjc]

The OP stated that the Bile Acids and amonia levels were tested and came back normal or non conclusive. The pup is taking Lactulose, orally and was given an enema with it and is/was on antibiotics, and there was no change in the pup's symptoms. This tells me it is not Liver Shunt, as these meds would have helped if it were LS.

The pup was started on Prednisone when he was diagnosed with an ear infection.

I do not diagnose, but there are situations where specific symptoms and diseases need to be looked at because they are deadly if they are not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion, and with the appropriate medications. The neuro symptoms described here need to be evaluated quickly, because if this is any one of these diseases: AAI, Chiari,
Syringomyelia, GME, or NME, this pup is in critical condition and treatment needs to happen soon.

See this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...-symptons.html

I am not trying to play vet here, but these symptoms are red flags for these diseases, and as they are relatively difficult to diagnose, and not common nor associated with this specific breed, many times an owner will have to mention them to their vet. My vet even said when they see Yorkies, they see ' Yorkies=Liver Shunt'. This is because Yorkies are genetically predisposed to developing Liver Shunt, and when nothing else is evident, they will look at the liver.

I am not saying vets are bad or incompetent. Occassionally, vets miss things, it happens. It doesn't mean that they are not still good vets, as good vets learn from their mistakes.

See this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ease-help.html

[ladyjane]

Post #26 indicates to me that perhaps the op is looking for treatment online without doing tests. I know it was said offhandedly that an MRI was done, but I am not so sure.
We are supposed to give an opinion...but not supposed to recommend a vet.
I am not going to "guess" what this is...I do not ever do that as I am not into diagnosing as many are in spite of the fact they deny it. Seems that GME has become the soup du jour so to speak and I'm sorry but it is not THAT common. Yes, this dog could have it..along with MANY other things. I am not about to guess....the dog needs good vetting .. period. On that we can all agree.
The op has suggested in this thread and in others that she was told it was the liver...says tests were normal, but who knows. She reads things on here and then tries them?!?!?! Seriously. This to me is just so unfair to this poor dog.
Bottom line: This dog needs to be seen by a specialist. My guess is this has not been done...why else would she be on here looking for HOW to treat. She freely admits to self treating with prednisone which is dangerous imho. Not a drug you play with or give without good reason. Also...read about Prilosec and wants to try that?!?!?!?
OP: You don't want to hear it...but again I am going to tell you that your poor dog needs to be seen by a specialist. No one here needs to comment any more about the symptoms. Everyone agrees that something is wrong and your dog needs GOOD veterinary care.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Post #26 indicates to me that perhaps the op is looking for treatment online without doing tests. I know it was said offhandedly that an MRI was done, but I am not so sure.
We are supposed to give an opinion...but not supposed to recommend a vet.
I am not going to "guess" what this is...I do not ever do that as I am not into diagnosing as many are in spite of the fact they deny it. Seems that GME has become the soup du jour so to speak and I'm sorry but it is not THAT common. Yes, this dog could have it..along with MANY other things. I am not about to guess....the dog needs good vetting .. period. On that we can all agree.
The op has suggested in this thread and in others that she was told it was the liver...says tests were normal, but who knows. She reads things on here and then tries them?!?!?! Seriously. This to me is just so unfair to this poor dog.
Bottom line: This dog needs to be seen by a specialist. My guess is this has not been done...why else would she be on here looking for HOW to treat. She freely admits to self treating with prednisone which is dangerous imho. Not a drug you play with or give without good reason. Also...read about Prilosec and wants to try that?!?!?!?
OP: You don't want to hear it...but again I am going to tell you that your poor dog needs to be seen by a specialist. No one here needs to comment any more about the symptoms. Everyone agrees that something is wrong and your dog needs GOOD veterinary care.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Post #26 indicates to me that perhaps the op is looking for treatment online without doing tests. I know it was said offhandedly that an MRI was done, but I am not so sure.
We are supposed to give an opinion...but not supposed to recommend a vet.
I am not going to "guess" what this is...I do not ever do that as I am not into diagnosing as many are in spite of the fact they deny it. Seems that GME has become the soup du jour so to speak and I'm sorry but it is not THAT common. Yes, this dog could have it..along with MANY other things. I am not about to guess....the dog needs good vetting .. period. On that we can all agree.
The op has suggested in this thread and in others that she was told it was the liver...says tests were normal, but who knows. She reads things on here and then tries them?!?!?! Seriously. This to me is just so unfair to this poor dog.
Bottom line: This dog needs to be seen by a specialist. My guess is this has not been done...why else would she be on here looking for HOW to treat. She freely admits to self treating with prednisone which is dangerous imho. Not a drug you play with or give without good reason. Also...read about Prilosec and wants to try that?!?!?!?
OP: You don't want to hear it...but again I am going to tell you that your poor dog needs to be seen by a specialist. No one here needs to comment any more about the symptoms. Everyone agrees that something is wrong and your dog needs GOOD veterinary care.

I've noticed GME is a favorite on the menu as well and agree it is just not that common.

I also question whether an MRI was done.

Lastly I could not agree more that this dog needs GOOD veterinary care, and in my mind that would not include a chiro-quacker but hey that's me.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I've noticed GME is a favorite on the menu as well and agree it is just not that common.

I also question whether an MRI was done.

Lastly I could not agree more that this dog needs GOOD veterinary care, and in my mind that would not include a chiro-quacker but hey that's me.

[fus40]

mickey's symptoms returned even though he is on prednisone. he is also getting ear drops, neomycin 75 mg daily, flagyl 0.08 mg daily, lactulose 6 ml daily, and all his problems cont. going to see another neurologist in another town because we only have one here, and he has seen him. lots of medication and he continous to display symptoms. now i wonder how much he can see. he still eats with help and the head tilt is so much worse than it ever was, when he drinks the right side of his face is wet. he was walking straight before with the prednisone and now he just stumbles thats what i mean by his symptoms are back. i had thought we had solved that problem.

[fus40]

after reading that last post i will no longer be posting any up dates on here.

[ladyjane]

My thoughts and prayers will be with your pup. I do hope you find out what is wrong and he can be helped.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by fus40

after reading that last post i will no longer be posting any up dates on here.

Well, I guess that will show us, all right! What about your pup? Put your attitude in a sock and start thinking about what is important. You profess to care the world for this little dog, try to cooperate with people who are trying their best to help you with the limited and somewhat difficult communication you provide. Everyone has bent over backwards trying to help. I do not understand what you want anyone to say.

[2Morkies]

NO she is right. I don't blame her for not wanting to post anymore. Everyone is just being mean and judgemental.You're not there with her. She's worried and it's hard to know exactly how to explain anything to anyone at times like this. Easy for you to say what she "should" do.....you're not experts. She's just asking for advice and she's getting slammed. This is what I don't like about YT. I stayed away for a while because of this reason...I hoped it had changed here.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by 2Morkies

NO she is right. I don't blame her for not wanting to post anymore. Everyone is just being mean and judgemental.You're not there with her. She's worried and it's hard to know exactly how to explain anything to anyone at times like this. Easy for you to say what she "should" do.....you're not experts. She's just asking for advice and she's getting slammed. This is what I don't like about YT. I stayed away for a while because of this reason...I hoped it had changed here.

Wow -- maybe we are reading two different threads. I see people who have looked up information, addresses, referrals to neurologists that will do phone consult, specialists in her/his area, others that have given their own dog's experiences, prayers offered, some have tried to explain several potential problems that could be looked into in great detail with references given for more info. A lot of work and heart-felt compassion went out to the OP without so much as a how-do-you-do. Instead people are told not to bother with sad dog stories, not to offer prayers, not to suggest seeing any vets or specialists..... I don't get what the OP does want. Of course there is frustration in having a sick dog. But that is no reason to take it out on the people that are trying to help.