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06-25-2012, 01:05 PM | #31 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: E. Falmouth, Mass
Posts: 2,102
| Prayers for Cassie.
__________________ Rosemarie, Levi and Lily "The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" ~ Anonymous |
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06-25-2012, 03:01 PM | #32 | |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,865
| Quote:
There are different levels of severity of AAI. If these or any other new/odd behaviors appear or get any worse, then it is very much an emergency. If the pressure in her head is not relieved, it could have a very bad outcome, very bad. Prednisone will reduce the swelling in the brain, and Omeprazole (Prilosec for humans) will slow the production of CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) in dogs. Write these down and get to an ERVet. I'm not sure if all vets are aware of using Omeprazole in dogs, it's an extra-label drug (not approved for use in dogs to reduce the production of CSF). Two more common results of increased fluid on the brain are blindness and loss of the ability to breathe. This happens when the pressure from the fluid hits on specific nerves in the brain. These will normally resolve with medication. So if she's acting like she cannot see, or is having difficulty breathing, rush her to an ERVet right away. I'd make a plan now just in case, pack a bag to take with you, so you can fly out the door to the vet. I'd go to the closest one, get her stabilized, then go on to the ER at VSH, unless VSH is the closest one. I am sorry, but I think waiting till Friday is a very risky decision, especially with her new symptoms. And to be honest with you, if this was my dog, I'd go to VSH ER now. I'll keep you and your little one in my prayers... Hugs,
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity | |
06-25-2012, 03:16 PM | #33 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,448
| OP, I am with your vet on this one. It sounds like she has had the same issues for some time and no one noticed them. I am a bit surprised because the head bobbing would be a clue for a vet to suspect a neuro issue....unless I have misread this and this is a new thing. Unless I am reading this wrong, I would definitely not rush to do anything. You have time to get her properly diagnosed and come up with a plan. Just handle her with kid gloves...sounds like you already do that.
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06-25-2012, 03:21 PM | #34 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: At Home
Posts: 8,386
| I am so very sorry that your Sweet Cassie is having these problems. I will certainly say prayers for your baby.
__________________ [SIZE="3"VICKI & ALLIE[/SIZE] |
06-25-2012, 03:25 PM | #35 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| Quote:
No, I'm very sorry if I gave you the impression that this was a new condition. She has been doing this head bobbing thing for as long as I can remember, maybe the full five years I've had her, or close to it. It's definitely not new behavior. The ER doctor discussed the use of omeprazole with me and said she recommended trying it, but wanted to t/w my vet to get her approval. I still haven't heard from her. Still waiting. I think I will call now. I definitely will monitor her eyesight and breathing. I am about 5 minutes from the CVS ER, so I would take her there first. I can be out the door in 3 seconds. VSH is more than an hour away, I would not take her there first if there were a true emergency. Too far away. CVS saved her life many times and I trust them, and they are five minutes away. But of course any risky planned ahead things, I would certainly go to VHS. Thanks so much for your concern, and well, for everything. Blessings, Shellie Shellie | |
06-25-2012, 03:37 PM | #36 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| Quote:
you got it right. This is NOT a new condition. Yes, you are right, I do handle her with kid gloves, like a china doll as someone else posted. I too am surprised that no one said anything about her head bobbing. I don't think it is very pronounced, but I do think it is noticeable. Oh, well, there is one vet who makes house visits and who came to the house and mentioned the hydrocephalus thing, and said I should go to VHS for a neuro work up. He knows the neurologist there and told me to give him a call when I wanted to go there for the neuro exam and he would talk with the doctor who was his classmate, and tell him to treat us with extra special care. I had every intention to do that, but with so many other health issues coming up- with me (I was sick for many months with bronchitis, my dad- needed a pacemaker and was hospitalized, Muffin needed 19 teeth extracted, and then Cassie getting her four teeth extracted and coming down with pneumonia-I haven't had a moment to breathe or a moments peace. All this went on for several months, and there just wasn't an opportunity to go there yet. Looks like I'll get there soon enough now, though. I'm going to call my Vet now. Will update all as soon as I talk with her. Blessings, Shellie | |
06-25-2012, 03:51 PM | #37 | |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,865
| Quote:
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity | |
06-25-2012, 03:51 PM | #38 |
Zachary's Mom Donating Member | Oh my....I can only imagine how you must feel right now. You are in my prayers to keep her safe and for you to make the right decisions. Like someone else said, she has done ok for 5 years so I am sure she will be ok a bit longer till you can make a decision as to what to do next. Louise |
06-25-2012, 04:15 PM | #39 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA
Posts: 8,040
| I'm so very sorry to read this and know first hand how terrifing AA is. Zhoie was 3 Jan. 25th, but had AA surgery at NCSU on Dec. 1st. It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. Knowing I was taking her life in my hands and making a decision, one that she may not come off the table from. But, I knew in my heart, I had to give her a chance at life. She did wonderful. Don't get me wrong, it is a major surgery, but, they are amazing little troopers and their will to live is astonishing. Everytime I look at her, my heart just swells and I know I made the right choice. Had it went the otherway, I still know in my heart...I gave her a chance at life and I couldn't live with it any other way...speaking for us. Only you, can reach down and make the decision for your girl. Sending prayers for sweet Cassie and prayers for you to find strength in your decision.
__________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle |
06-25-2012, 09:36 PM | #40 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| Update--sorry this is so long Hello all, I spoke to Tamera, and she spoke with the ER doc. First she says not to panic, Cassie has been like this for her whole life and she says she does not believe it is an emergency. The issue with her liver she believes to be minor, and will retest her bile acids in her office where there is much less stress. She says because they were elevated both times she believes they could be elevated due to stress. For the hydrocephalus she states she is willing to try to see if the omeprazole helps her with a trial of several weeks. The AAI, she wanted to know what I would do with the information from an MRI if I got it. Would I consider surgery? She said there are other things we can do before surgery, like PT or chiropractic medicine, or other modalities. It will not cure her, but it would strengthen her neck muscles. I told her I would definitely do the surgery if I were convinced she would survive, and there would be a good outcome, and she would gain many years of quality life. She told me she is going to consult with other vets to see what is the best course of action. She also stated that I should go to VSH, but to wait for her recommendations as to which doctors to see. I would be willing to do both, the wholistic route, with physical therapy and maybe some chiropractic if it is not too dangerous to her neck, and also explore possible surgery to see if it were possible with her, and weigh the benefits and risks to see if it were worth it. She is also going to talk with Dr. Feinberg after he sees the consultant on Wednesday and the look at the X-rays. So we are in a waiting game so far. I am doing the china doll treatment and handling Cassie with kid gloves. I remembered while talking with Tamera, that when I first got Cassie, she was so squiggly that I couldn't hold on to her, and the first week, she practically jumped out of my hands on to the laminate floor. I mean a hard wood like floor. How could she survive that with this AAI diagnosis? I am amazed at all the things and tests and surgeries and stuff that she has been through and survived with this diagnosis. I simply don't know what to make of it. But I am babying her as usual. And terrified to groom her --or even when she shakes her head. Can't wait to talk with Tamera again. I will call for an appointment with Tamera tomorrow. Keep us in your prayers. Much love, Shellie, Cassie,and Muffin |
06-25-2012, 11:07 PM | #41 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| I am so sorry you are going through this but I need to say this, You CANNOT due Chiropractic on a neck with AAI as it would basically be like trying to adjust a broken neck . Also I would Not risk PT with this either. The Omeprizole is deff needed as it slows the production of spinal fluid allowing it more time to escape the brain & reducing the pressure. I am 100% for Holistic for almost everything & I swear by Chiropractic care for my pups BUT Holistic care & Chiropractic can NOT help with AAI & infact Chiropractic can kill a dog with AAI or Chiari if the adjust the neck. I think she needs to see a Neurologist & if she were mine, No One & I mean No One but a Neuro would be touching her till I had a firm diagnoses. I will be praying for your tiny Cassie. |
06-25-2012, 11:30 PM | #42 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| Just wanted to add that I believe I gave you the name of an excellant Chiropractor not far from you but I would bet my next breath that he would not touch a dog with AAI & I would never take my pups to one that would even consider adjusting the neck of an AAI pup. |
06-25-2012, 11:49 PM | #43 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,448
| Oh, Heavens no!!! I would never go to a physical therapist or chiropractor for an AAI pup! She does need testing (most likely an MRI) done to see what is going on. Yes, AAI can be diagnosed by xray, but it is possible that other things are going on. Sammy, my little foster, is a perfect example of what can be there that you don't see. I don't mean to be rude at all, but my concern is that your holistic vets have overlooked neurological deficits in your pup all of these years and that would really bother me. If they were unable to diagnose it, how do you think they will best know how to handle it now? Maybe they would suggest surgery....but maybe not....the ONLY way to know what is going on with Cassie is to get that testing done. It is expensive, yes, but better than playing guessing games and going to someone who could end up paralyzing or worst yet killing her. One wrong move of her neck and those things could very well happen. This is a very serious condition...don't let the fact that she has lived with it for five years lull you into believing it is not serious!! Get to a neurologist and get a FIRM diagnosis. You do not even know for sure that she has hydrocephalus. I am going to try to get a video of Sammy in the next day or two to show you how he walks. People are stunned when they see the laundry list of things that are wrong with him....he still gets around but he is indeed a really messed up pup and there is no way I would allow someone to mess with his neck and try to strengthen his muscles...that wording is scary!! Here is a link about Sammy and his problems: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ro-issues.html
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06-26-2012, 01:44 AM | #44 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| Thank you both, lillymae and ladyjane for voicing your opinions. I too was surprised that she would recommend this and was fearful that chiropractic or PT could hurt or kill her. But I have been so dependent on my Vet and she has always seemed to make the right decisions for my babies, that I tend to want to do whatever she says. The truth is-thus far she has never been wrong about them and the things she has done has always helped them. But this is a very very special case, very dangerous and different, and I am very scared and I don't want to make a mistake about this. One mistake can be fatal!! I think I am going to opt out of the PT and Chiropractic stuff and go to VSH to see a neuro guy. I am still going to wait for Tamera to get back to me with her recommendations about which doctors to use. And also for Dr. Feinberg to consult the expert on Wednesday. I think an MRI is probably important, but I am truly terrified of putting her under YET AGAIN. I mean I am TERRIFIED!!!! And yes, I do wonder why these things were never addressed. It is true that no real life threatening symptoms were presenting themselves in the past, from the neuro symptoms, but still, I would have wanted to know these things were there. She said that the ER surgeon was using scare tactics, but I never felt like he was pressuring me to have surgery, only telling me the truth of what he saw. I'm a little confused about all this. I just don't get it. I adore my Vet, she is amazing, but I don't understand why she didn't say anything, as I know for sure she must have known about it. She's extremely brilliant. I don't know why she wouldn't mention it, unless she felt as she said to me tonight, she's a tiny dog and any number of things could kill her-but-that sounds so cold-and she's not like that. I don't' understand............ |
06-26-2012, 03:32 AM | #45 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,865
| I agree.. no Chiro or PT... she's always handled anesthesia well, so I don't think that will be a problem at all. I think maybe your vet is trying to protect you in a sense. I don't think the vet that did the dental is trying to scare you either, as he is not the one that would be doing the surgery, if she needs it. I have to go now, but I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers....
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
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