FCE-Spinal stroke

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

A myelgram would not show an FCE, they diagnosed Cobi after ruling out the possibilty of compression and disc rupture which would clearly show up once the dye is injected for myelogram. FCE's are still being studied and from my understanding its diagnosed by symptoms and ruling out others. Its possible that an MRI may not even show the problem for sure but its the only other test left. But we do want the MRI done, we just dont know where to have it done.

Somehow I missed this. So...they are not sure about FCE ? yikes...I would not be wanting to wait very long....
Neuro stuff is scary.
What choices are you looking at for the MRI? I would definitely get it done sooner rather than later.
There is a whole myriad of things that this could be and letting it wait may not be a good thing.

[ladyjane]

Maybe you could put the kennel on the bed up between your pillows if he has a hard time sleeping. I did that with one of my pups that needed to be kenneled after surgery. He was used to sleeping in the bed and had a total fit. Once I put the kennel up on the bed, he settled right down.
I will keep your Cobi in my prayers.

[Cobi-G]

I wasnt able to actually speak to the vet this morning ,i had to go back to work but his daddy went with him. We both post on this site under the same name..so some of our posts may repeat themselves! For some reason the doc keeps telling us the MRI is not necessary. We just dont understand. It being a holiday weekend the South Paws clinic in La is closed but im going to attempt to call his regular vet here in Biloxi tomorrow and pray they are open to get a referral for an MRI at the closest facility possible. His diagnosis is not settling right with us. We research constantly! South Paws wants to see him next week for a followup but i want the MRI before we go!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

I wasnt able to actually speak to the vet this morning ,i had to go back to work but his daddy went with him. We both post on this site under the same name..so some of our posts may repeat themselves! For some reason the doc keeps telling us the MRI is not necessary. We just dont understand. It being a holiday weekend the South Paws clinic in La is closed but im going to attempt to call his regular vet here in Biloxi tomorrow and pray they are open to get a referral for an MRI at the closest facility possible. His diagnosis is not settling right with us. We research constantly! South Paws wants to see him next week for a followup but i want the MRI before we go!

Is this a board certified specialist who is saying the MRI is not necessary? Is it the one who did the myelogram?
I agree, if you are uncomfortable with the diagnosis, you need to get another opinion!

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

I wasnt able to actually speak to the vet this morning ,i had to go back to work but his daddy went with him. We both post on this site under the same name..so some of our posts may repeat themselves! For some reason the doc keeps telling us the MRI is not necessary. We just dont understand. It being a holiday weekend the South Paws clinic in La is closed but im going to attempt to call his regular vet here in Biloxi tomorrow and pray they are open to get a referral for an MRI at the closest facility possible. His diagnosis is not settling right with us. We research constantly! South Paws wants to see him next week for a followup but i want the MRI before we go!

I think that you are on the right track with going to get the MRI. Follow your instincts. Research is very valuable, but please do not diagnose your dog and assume the worst. I went absolutely nuts when I was waiting for MRI results for my Max. I expected the worst because of my research but it wasn't as bad as it could have been

I highly recommend LSU although it's a distance from you. They will start with all the testing from scratch and give you a complete diagnosis. It's doctors, specialists and students all working together to help Cobi.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I think that you are on the right track with going to get the MRI. Follow your instincts. Research is very valuable, but please do not diagnose your dog and assume the worst. I went absolutely nuts when I was waiting for MRI results for my Max. I expected the worst because of my research but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Excellent advice!!! There are people on the internet who routinely see these posts and message people and scare the daylights out of them....needlessly! For the life of me I don't understand it. Yes, many times the diagnosis are pretty rough, but more times than not it is something not quite as bad and people have worried themselves sick for no reason.

Even IF it is the worst, sitting worrying yourself sick is just not good. It is good to research, but NOT diagnose. Only a skilled veterinarian can do that....he/she must use all subjective and objective information at hand to make a diagnosis. Symptoms alone are not a way to diagnose!

You are on the right track....you are reading and are going to ask for further testing...and will consult with your vet. I hope all goes well for little Cobi and that it is not the worst thing you can find.

[Cobi-G]

I actually just pulled up the clinics website and saw where his vet graduated only 2 years ago and is a surgical resident. The other doc who reviewed the mylegram is board certified and he also consulted a radiologist....but Cobi doesnt feel well.. So...WE WANT AN MRI ASAP!!!!!

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

I actually just pulled up the clinics website and saw where his vet graduated only 2 years ago and is a surgical resident. The other doc who reviewed the mylegram is board certified and he also consulted a radiologist....but Cobi doesnt feel well.. So...WE WANT AN MRI ASAP!!!!!

I would definitely go with your gut and get the MRI done as soon as possible. Please also have them check forAAI ~ better to rule out all possibilities rather than misdiagnose.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Is this a board certified specialist who is saying the MRI is not necessary? Is it the one who did the myelogram?
I agree, if you are uncomfortable with the diagnosis, you need to get another opinion!

Yep. I don't always listen to my own discomfort, even though it's usually my gut instinct telling me something is not right. I agree with LJ's advice.

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I think that you are on the right track with going to get the MRI. Follow your instincts. Research is very valuable, but please do not diagnose your dog and assume the worst. I went absolutely nuts when I was waiting for MRI results for my Max. I expected the worst because of my research but it wasn't as bad as it could have been

I highly recommend LSU although it's a distance from you. They will start with all the testing from scratch and give you a complete diagnosis. It's doctors, specialists and students all working together to help Cobi.

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

I actually just pulled up the clinics website and saw where his vet graduated only 2 years ago and is a surgical resident. The other doc who reviewed the mylegram is board certified and he also consulted a radiologist....but Cobi doesnt feel well.. So...WE WANT AN MRI ASAP!!!!!

Good for you for going with what your gut is telling you is right. I've never regretted it when I did, even if I was proven wrong.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Cobi-G

I actually just pulled up the clinics website and saw where his vet graduated only 2 years ago and is a surgical resident. The other doc who reviewed the mylegram is board certified and he also consulted a radiologist....but Cobi doesnt feel well.. So...WE WANT AN MRI ASAP!!!!!

Again, I suggest that you call the EC and ask them how you can get a referral to LSU if you are not comfortable with South Paws. If you are talking about the facility in Mandeville, a friend of mine told me they do have a good reputation.
Why not just put a call into LSU and ask them how to go about getting Cobi in for an MRI? I am sure that if you explain the story, they could give you some suggestions. It is just bad timing with it being New Years Eve, but there is always a way!

[Cobi-G]

Due to the holiday everyone is closed. We tried Southpaws,LSU and his vet to figure out a referral for the MRI and now we are wanting to take him to a chiropractor. So on Monday we will make a phone call to figure out our next step. I would like to let him see him primary vet on Monday just to put his eyes on him. When we took him there after the emergency clinic his primary doc wasnt in and saw one who isnt too familiar with him. We have been taking turns laying in his pin with him so he is comfy. When we are both away from it he crys and trys to move around alot. All the spoiling we have done for 2 years is showing off big time now.

[ladyjane]

I'm sorry, but there is NO way I would go to a chiropractor for this! I hope you give this more thought and definitely speak with a neurologist prior to going.

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

I would definitely go with your gut and get the MRI done as soon as possible. Please also have them check forAAI ~ better to rule out all possibilities rather than misdiagnose.

Original poster, just want to send good wishes for you and little Cobi, and that you get answers and a definitive diagnosis from the specialists. It is always good to go with your gut, and do your own research also to guide you and help you with questions to ask them that you may not have thought of beforehand. 2nd and third opinions are valuable, imo.

[Ybba]

From one Kobi to another Cobi
I just read your posts. My Kobi's diagnosis is not the same as your Cobi's, but the neuro issues have a similar feeling.
The first thing that helped us was coming to a correct diagnosis. I was jumping to all kinds of conclusions, the Yorkie talk members helped me to not jump but wait till I spoke to a vet that I felt comfortable with. I saw an orthopedic surgeon and neurologist at two different medical facilities to be comfortable with the diagnosis.
An MRI was done, Kobi had disc disease so surgery was done. His neck and lower back were affected but surgery was only done on the lower back. It has been one year since the surgery with continued neuro deficits. What has helped us is:
1. I put a mattress on the floor next to the couch so that I can lay close to him. Immediately after surgery, I enclosed the mattress with an exercise pen so that he would be safe. This allowed him freedom to move without the dangers of injuring himself. You can not have any people visit you during this time because they will think you are CRAZY. I called the pen the TIGER cage!!!
2. I tried rehab...underwater treadmill...but Kobi was unable to use his back legs so this was not effective.
3. I do range of motion daily, massaging his legs and back.
4. I have him on low dose Medicam and Cosequin daily.
5. I swim him in the bathtub using a life vest for 3 minutes 3 x per week.
6. I put dog boots from All dog boots on his back feet for protection due to the dragging of his back feet.
7. This is the tricky intervention. I bought a dog wheelchair (K 9 carts) which helps him move about better but the neurologist warned..."Once he becomes dependent upon the cart, he will NEVER walk again." So I am very cautious using the cart.
8. I try to stay positive (sometimes the hardest part) because he is still my Kobi...alert with a true Yorkie personality. I spoil him with toys and adding the best foods for his meals. But I do really watch his weight. Becoming overweight would be devistating for him. He still seems happy without pain so that makes me happy also. He means so much to me.
Here are the suggestions that helped my Kobi...But you MUST first have a correct diagnosis. We may not being talking about the same medical problem. Kobi will be 13 years old on Feb 11th. Hope this information helps.
Kobi and Abby