We're waiting with you...Team Cali...

The first neuro/ortho vet said he could do a myelogram but was extremely skeptical as he felt her presentation was atypical and wanted all work-up to be done under the same umbrella. He suggested MSU and Dr. Shores specifically. What's great is that we only saw him this one time (last week) and he called us today to check on her. When we got to MSU, they immediately thought (after 1 hour exam): 1. Tetany 2. Cushings (which her Ca was low) 3. Other toxins They never thought ortho issues. I would still like it checked if nothing else is found but the listserv is getting responses of some type of muscle disease. It's great b/c Dr. Beasley actually posted a video of her (not just pics with a written patho report).

UPDATE: I missed Katelyn's call.....UGH!!!! My ringer was off b/c I had a meeting this afternoon and forgot to turn it back on. My mind is all over the place. Anyway, I called the ICU and they said I missed her even though she left me a message that Cali was fine with no changes. The best part was the girl in ICU said, "We are holding her right now, brushing her hair. She is such a sweet girl". I felt so relieved. She's getting great attention and they all love her! Till tomorrow...

Yeah, well unless you just want to toss at least $1,000 or more away........

I think I would listen to the vets! If they all are saying the same thing, I think I would go with them.

I am all about asking questions, but also about respecting the knowledge of specialists...and when that many are saying it....well, I for one would not be looking to throw my money away. Just me. Not to mention the added risk of anesthesia on a pup with CT for a test that probably is not going to show anything.

Praying for you, Im just seeing it tonight

She needs back surgery, its a pinched nerve or slipped vertebrae. My late Skeeter had this problem a few years back. My vet said to put him down but I couldn't. I took him to a specialist in Dallas who did the surgery. 3500 later and few months recovery, he was back to his old self just a lil crooked sometimes...poor babies they are so fragile. Hope this helps.

i posted a quick reply before reading all, anyway, i'll be praying for your baby

Hoping your baby is doing better everyday! Hang in there!!! :hug:

IMO, 9+ days has been plenty of time to make a diagnosis & from what I see here, they are no closer now then they were when this whole thing started. I do not consider Any diagnostics to be a waste of money if it will get the dog 1 step closer to a diagnosis or to rule out 1 & recovery. JMO

Well, sometimes things are not as simple as we would like them to be. She has been there since the 29th and that is 6 days, not 9+. They are waiting on lab results. I am quite sure that the vets wish they had a diagnosis as well; but to order any test just on a whim without a reason would not be prudent on their part. Veterinary medicine is not a stab in the dark science...they follow the clues. Clearly the clues are not pointing them in your direction. At least that is what I am getting from what the OP is saying.

This is Not about me, it is about the pup. Please feel free not to quote or respond to my posts if you cannot do it without sarcasm.

I am so sorry to hear about your baby!! I hope and pray you get the answers soon. It is so hard seeing your little one in pain. Stay strong!!!

JMHO: Were Xrays ever done on this pup? Seems 1st vet guessed and treated for patellas, then pup went to a specialist. Usually basic diagnostics are done prior to seeing a specialist, many specialists expect this.

And I get the part about a 'neuro dept', but LSU has neuros on call, and they do see dogs on an emergency basis(ADB/Max). Don't know why the vet said 'but he advised against it b/c it would take longer to see specialist and they would put her in a cage.' This sounds very lame to me. Both have ER and referrals to be seen asap.

One point of going to a university is that most have labs onsite... don't get why these results are taking so long. Even my vet can put blood through STAT and get results quickly. Another point is so that a diagnosis can be made quickly, with all the resources being at hand.

Clues are great, if you recognize them and interpret them correctly. Sounds like they're looking for zebras...

At this point, I'd get a 2nd opinion at LSU. It's closer to the OP where at least they could visit their baby more often.

My understanding is that these were specialized muscle tests. As I am sure you are aware different labs do different types of these specialized tests.

Not sure where they sent them, but according to this they can take 7 - 10 days:

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/home.html

I was not being sarcastic and this is an open forum. You stated your humble opinion and I stated mine. No need to argue here...this IS about Cali. :) And, about the OP who is stressed enough.

UPDATE: I spoke with Katelyn this morning and she said they are doing another complete neuro assessment on Cali today just to see if anything has changed. Cali is in a good mood and she is getting attention from the staff when they can give it (they are busy at times). She is moving around in her cage as best she can. She has control over her bladder but they are now using Desitin to prevent skin breakdown from urine when she releases her bladder. She is eating/drinking and chews her bone at times. I so miss her. When Katelyn tried to do passive ROM on her she could only move hips, paws but the muscles were so rigid that she can't bend her knees without Cali having spasms so she doesn't force it. She says Cali is a sweetheart.

To all those in this thread...I'm so humble by your opinions and appreciate every single one of them. I appreciate your passion and would rather have your tempers flair over Cali than nothing at all. So thank each & every one of you for your opinions and suggestions. I hear them...trust me, I do!

Regarding the questions about xrays and test results, I can answer a few of them as I'm a nurse so can understand it a bit. The muscle biopsy takes a long time because they culture it and stain it. If you have taken Microbiology before then you know cultures must sit for a few days to see if they grow anything. Also, the pathologist has to sit and exam the tissue under a microscope and make a diagnostic assessment. As far as testing for other diseases...I'm not sure how that works or how long it takes. The specimen was sent to UC Davis in California and Thursday was the last day to send out and get there before the weekend (which I don't know if they work on the weekend...?). Anyway, xrays have never been done but I was told that they would not render the information needed if there truly were a spinal issue anyway. Trust me...I want this checked too!!! I just don't want to put Baby Girl at risk by having her under general anesthesia so soon after having it last Thursday.

Thanks to all of you and I'll post another update later today.

I'm new here, and have been following your post. I' m praying for Little Callie and hope they have an answer soon. I know that you miss her and are so worried about her. Sending hugs to you!!!

Hope the neuro exam today shows some improvement! Cali is so lucky to have such wonderful parents who have provided her with such phenomenal care. :)
You all remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I think that a disc problem would not make her legs stiff and rigid. Poor baby.

I'm curious if they are keeping you advised of costs for all this? Hopefully it is just the tests that are charged and some dr. fees, but not a HIGH per night cost.

Sounds a little like MS (mult scler) so the concept of a muscle problem seems likely.

Sending Prayers for Cali!
 

So sorry Cali is having leg problems. Cocoa, Gigi and I are send healing prayers!

Yes a disc problem can absolutely cause stiff legs , terribly tight muscles & muscle spasms as well. I have owned , rescued & fostered many, many dogs with spine issues .
I have had more dogs in my home then I can count with these exact symptoms & all had disc issues & made a complete recovery without surgery.

I do apologize for being skeptical... I forgot that biopsies were being done and they do take time. I think the problem with the send out days has more to do with samples sitting the weekend in a Post Office somewhere too.

IDK, I'm beginning to think that reading xrays is a lost art, with all the newer technologies available to vets nowadays. When I worked as a tech in the ER, xrays were so very important and could provide clues, or at least be used to rule out the obvious. No, one cannot see the actual disk on an xray, but a disk problem will show anywhere from a very slight to a hugh separation in the spacing between the vertebrae.

And I am feeling frustrated, I can only imagine how you're dealing with all this, and I was hesitant about even posting bc I didn't want to cause you further worry....

Sending Prayers up for Cali and you...

Ah Poor Cali I know she misses you as much as you miss her. Hang in there.

Yes, they let us know costs but we don't really care...we told them do what they need to and just give us an idea. ICU costs $80/day I believe. They told us how much the biopsy cost too. I'm not sure about the meds...

I am most fearful of a doggie version of ALS (Lou Gehrig's ds). :confused:

It's no problem...I am frustrated as well. I'm glad I'm getting tons of feedback. Ya never know what will make a difference and I read each and every post. I'm so grateful that everyone is giving me advice and sticking with us! :)

I looked that up....degenerative myelopathy. Of course, I am not a vet and really don't know that much about her symptoms; but what I did read just did not seem to fit. Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part.

An old friend of mine used to tell me to pray for faith to replace my fears...it does work. Perhaps it will work for you. :)

UPDATE: I just spoke with Katelyn and she said Cali's neuro assessment is unchanged. I asked again about spine issues and she said that she doesn't present like a dog with any spine issues and that all of her cranial nerves are intact. When they do her spine assessment, there is nothing that feels wrong or is painful to her when they push. Basically, everything is normal with the exception of her muscles in her legs being rigid. They are still stumped and will continue supportive care but are weaning her off the IV fluids and Valium drip...since she is eating & drinking. They will give the Valium as a PO med. Katelyn says she wags her little nub when she walks by her cage and she is getting plenty of attention. She completely urinates and defacates on her own. If the muscle biopsy/titers come back with no answers, I'll definitely be asking for a CT/MRI to make sure it isn't her spine but all her discs seem to be in place.

Please continue to pray that this is a temporary condition and I do appreciate all of you! Thank you so much!!!

Thinking of Cali and hoping she gets well soon, really hoping and praying.

Praying for your baby. May she have a complete recovery.