Cassie is in trouble

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by lillymae

My heart goes out to you & Cassie & honestly can't even say what I would do in your situation. I have to say though, I would have a hard time separating her from her friends. As ladyjane has said about Sammy, she chose to let him socialize & I would do the same as above all else I believe their life should be as full as it can be no matter how long or short that may be. After all, the reality is that no matter how you view her , she is a dog & should be allowed to act like one if she so chooses,IMHO. I will continue to Pray for you both.

I know lillymae,
It is so hard keeping them apart. I am not ready to have them together yet, too terrified, but I may make that decision soon. Really, this is not quality of life, for either of them. I just feel so stuck....:-(

[4Scrappy]

Originally Posted by broodizt

Hello all again,

Thank you all so much again for your positive energy and love. I've needed it badly. Today I am a little more rested, although Cassie kept barking and waking me up during the night, to hold her. She was whimpering yesterday, but seems better today. I am struggling with many issues, such as what is quality of life if I have to keep Cassie away from Muffin all the time in separate rooms. Is this realistic, or even desirable? They each know the other is in the house and know when I am with one or the other, and they are both so lonely and unhappy. I am so torn going back and forth to each room to give them the time each of them needs. Maybe it would be worth it to take the risk and give Cassie a shot at a normal life and give her the surgery. Or maybe the risk would be leaving them together and only keeping them apart when we go out of the house. We've done okay so far, and Muffin is not aggressive, although she is playful and barks at Cassie to play with her. She can probably be a little rough with Cassie, given Cassie is half her size, but they have lived together so far with no problems, so maybe THIS is the risk worth taking. I don't know, I'm so confused. But this arrangement where they are separated from each other at all times feels wrong to me. So I am contemplating either the surgery, or leaving them together as before except when we go out. What do you guys think?

Have you asked any of the vets what they would do if Cassie were their dog? My husband asks the vets this and it stops their spiel right away. Most vets are compassionate and will tell you honestly. It sounds like you are reasoning it out very well as far as deciding. My prayers are with you. I ask God to send healing Cassie's way and to give you the wisdom and strength to make the right decision. Take care and thanks for the update.

[kjc]

If and when you do put them back together, I would be sure to watch them and intervene on any rough behavior.... might be a good idea to take Muffin for a long walk to tire her out a bit first. I'm sure they'll both be a bit overexcited from being separated this long already!

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by 4Scrappy

Have you asked any of the vets what they would do if Cassie were their dog? My husband asks the vets this and it stops their spiel right away. Most vets are compassionate and will tell you honestly. It sounds like you are reasoning it out very well as far as deciding. My prayers are with you. I ask God to send healing Cassie's way and to give you the wisdom and strength to make the right decision. Take care and thanks for the update.

Yes, several vets, including the neuro, and the surgeon who first diagnosed her in the CVS hospital, and all said probably not when I asked them "if she were your dog, would you do the surgery?"

[yorkietalkjilly]

Boy, if the neuro said she probably wouldn't do the surgery, knowing what she knows & all her experiences, then I probably wouldn't do it either. I will be risky but it sound like it would be more risky to her life to have the surgery. I think I would go with the less risky choice and as I read your posts, that is not having surgery.

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by kjc

If and when you do put them back together, I would be sure to watch them and intervene on any rough behavior.... might be a good idea to take Muffin for a long walk to tire her out a bit first. I'm sure they'll both be a bit overexcited from being separated this long already!

Yes kjc,you are right, we are doing that!

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Boy, if the neuro said she probably wouldn't do the surgery, knowing what she knows & all her experiences, then I probably wouldn't do it either. I will be risky but it sound like it would be more risky to her life to have the surgery. I think I would go with the less risky choice and as I read your posts, that is not having surgery.

I am definitely leaning toward not having the surgery, and doing what ladyjane did with her fur babies.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by broodizt

I am definitely leaning toward not having the surgery, and doing what ladyjane did with her fur babies.

If she's been playing & living a Yorkie's life to date, apparently she's built up her own scar tissue & compensating well. Either way, surgery or not, we'll be praying for Cassie.

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

If she's been playing & living a Yorkie's life to date, apparently she's built up her own scar tissue & compensating well. Either way, surgery or not, we'll be praying for Cassie.

Thank you,

Well, let's say she's been living the yorkie life that she has adapted to, somewhat protected and limited, but she appears to be a very happy girl!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by broodizt

Thank you,

Well, let's say she's been living the yorkie life that she has adapted to, somewhat protected and limited, but she appears to be a very happy girl!

Then she's probably going to do as well now as she did before. At least it sounds like that is what the neurologist was implying unless she specifically said something has further destabilized her since you got her first x-ray results. I think I would let her live her life as she has been living it. Likely there are several-to-many small dogs of several years of age around this country living with this condition and no one will ever know they had it if no neck x-rays are done for any reason or they don't get symptomatic - and it sounds like some never do.

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Then she's probably going to do as well now as she did before. At least it sounds like that is what the neurologist was implying unless she specifically said something has further destabilized her since you got her first x-ray results. I think I would let her live her life as she has been living it. Likely there are several-to-many small dogs of several years of age around this country living with this condition and no one will ever know they had it if no neck x-rays are done for any reason or they don't get symptomatic - and it sounds like some never do.

Yes, this is what the neurologist has said, barring any accident to neck or head, she said she doesn't see any reason why Cassie can't live out her life with a normal life span. She has had the same gait for five years and we never knew anything about why, as she had never had an MRI before. The doctor said, being that she made it all the way to five with no major neuro symptoms or destabilization, she doesn't' see any reason why she can't continue on as she has. If not for the incidental finding on the X-rays for the pneumonia she got after having her teeth pulled, we never would have known. Her condition is not degenerative, but would be affected by trauma only.It does seem that everything is held in place by soft tissue, per the doctor

[4Scrappy]

Originally Posted by broodizt

Yes, several vets, including the neuro, and the surgeon who first diagnosed her in the CVS hospital, and all said probably not when I asked them "if she were your dog, would you do the surgery?"

That puts it all in perspective. If the vets said they would not do the surgery if she were their dog, then, as others have said, I probably would not do it either. You are doing everything a Yorkie baby asks of us, keeping her fed, safe, and loved. They rely on us to make health decisions that allow them to keep living their lives with us and you are doing a fine job. While it is not easy, I know you will be rewarded with her unconditional love. I pray she stays strong and God allows her to enjoy her life with you for a long time. What a little angel you have. I pray for you to stay strong too. God bless you for giving her such a great life and taking such good care of her.

[broodizt]

Originally Posted by 4Scrappy

That puts it all in perspective. If the vets said they would not do the surgery if she were their dog, then, as others have said, I probably would not do it either. You are doing everything a Yorkie baby asks of us, keeping her fed, safe, and loved. They rely on us to make health decisions that allow them to keep living their lives with us and you are doing a fine job. While it is not easy, I know you will be rewarded with her unconditional love. I pray she stays strong and God allows her to enjoy her life with you for a long time. What a little angel you have. I pray for you to stay strong too. God bless you for giving her such a great life and taking such good care of her.

I am crying as I read your post, crying and crying and crying. I don't know why. Thank you for your words

[broodizt]

I have a question to anyone who might know the answer to this. I asked a veterinarian from "just answer" on the internet whether or not he would do the surgery if she were his dog. His answer was very unclear and after contacting him several times for clarification he said that if there were any changes in extensor postural thrust, placing wheelbarrowing or conscious proprioception he would do it without explaining the meaning of those terms. Does anyone know what they mean?

extensor postural thrust?
placing?
wheelbarrowing?
conscious proprioception?

I would be most grateful if someone could enlighten me
TIA
Shellie

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by broodizt

I have a question to anyone who might know the answer to this. I asked a veterinarian from "just answer" on the internet whether or not he would do the surgery if she were his dog. His answer was very unclear and after contacting him several times for clarification he said that if there were any changes in extensor postural thrust, placing wheelbarrowing or conscious proprioception he would do it without explaining the meaning of those terms. Does anyone know what they mean?

extensor postural thrust?
placing?
wheelbarrowing?
conscious proprioception?

I would be most grateful if someone could enlighten me
TIA
Shellie

Any vet who would write something like that and not put it in terms a person would likely understand is a vet I would not listen to.

It all has to do with her condition deteriorating neurologically. Proprioception is an understanding of where she is in space so to speak and their movements are not normal. The others...I am sure you could find on Google. But...honestly, that guy is offensive if you ask me.