Our dear girl is facing major surgery
 

Two weeks ago we noticed our 9 month old Yorkie, Gidget, walking as if she had too much to drink. Previously we noticed some clumsy behavior but we thought it was part of being a puppy. I searched Google for clumsy dog behavior and found the Yorkie Talk forum where I read about AAI. We contacted our vet right away and he x-rayed Gidget’s spine. Our vet immediately set us up with an appointment at Michigan State University’s Small Animal Clinic’s neurology department. At MSU Gidget was diagnosed with a luxation between her C1 and C2 vertebrae. She was born without the dens between her C1 and C2 and the webbing that supports this area of her spine.

In May, Gidget had a collision with our other dog, a Maltese Poodle mix. The collision knocked Gidget down and she stayed down for a while but she recovered to her normal active self. We believe this is the trauma combined with the birth defects that caused the luxation.

The neurologist at MSU Dr. Probst, placed Gidget in a body cast and recommended surgery. Dr. Probst likes to have his patients wear the body cast at least two weeks before surgery to get them used to wearing the cast because they have to endure the body cast for several weeks after the surgery. We are working with MSU to have the surgery scheduled for August 14th. We are looking at this date with the knowledge the surgery has a 25% chance of being fatal.

During the exam Dr. Probst said he detected an abnormal heart beat. This scared us to death because an abnormal heart would likely rule out the necessary surgery. I think Dr. Probst saw our anguish and immediately took Gidget for an EKG. Thankfully the EKG came back normal. But, that wasn’t all. Dr. Probst discovered during the exam, Gidget’s rear kneecaps are dislocated. I think this is something we can deal with after Gidget is long past recovering from her spine surgery. We are looking at scheduling Gidget’s surgery for August 14th.

I’m looking for some hope and maybe reality in dealing with this dear furkid’s problems; and, any information that keeps us going in the right direction. I sincerely appreciate this forum for those of us struggling with these problems.

Welcome to YT! So glad you found us. I'm so sorry that Gidget is facing surgery. The good news is that there are a few AAI babies here who are doing very well now:D

I'd definitely contact your breeder, as this is a genetic condition (and so are the loose knees, or Luxating Patella),and Gidget's parents should NOT be bred again. Your health guarantee should also still be in effect for up to one year of age. Also, depending on what state you're in, the Puppy Lemon Law definitely applies here and between that and the health guarantee, you should receive some kind of compensation from the breeder which would help with the expense of both surgeries she'll need.

BIG hugs to you and your baby girl!!!!:love:

Hi I am so glad you found YT and our AAI group (I replied to you on there as well). Georgie had surgery to repair his AAI last September and is fully recovered and doing amazing. There is hope and we are all here to help you through it. Prayers for you, your family and sweet Gidget. I am going to send you a private message with my contact info. please email me if you need anything.

I'm so sorry. I will keep Gidget in my prayers.

Hi and welcome to YT. I so very sorry to read that Gidget has AAI, but there is hope of a full recovery.

My girl Zhoie was almost 3 when hers was discovered, she has surgery at North Carolina State University on Dec 1st and is fully recovered.

I know how terrifying and what a whirlwind the all can be. Just know there is success stories.

Zhoie didn't have to wear a cast and for that I am grateful, but I have heard some facilities do require that.

I'm sending you a PM with my ph#, please feel free to call me. I will be happy to talk with you anytime...it is all so overwhelming. Sending prayers for your sweet baby. Hugs )))

Hi and welcome to YT. I am so sorry to hear about poor Gidget! Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way!

This board is full of wonderful, supportive people. I'm so glad you found this site. Please keep us posted on her condition!

Welcome to YT and you will find....I already see numerous hands out to you for support!.....there are others that have had this issue, and their babies are doing just fine! Some of us have had no experience in this area, but we are certainly here for support! Keep us updated on her post op progress!

Wishing Gidget a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

I'll keep Gidget in my prayers. I hope she does well.

Prayers for Gidget and for you and your family. I so happy that already some folks with experience has offered you support.

Let us know how she does.

Gidget Update
 

Hello Everyone,


We were able to get Gidget in to see Dr. Probst at the Michigan State Small Animal Clinic Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Probst put a fresh cast on her, complete with Michigan State colors. I’ve attached a photo.

Dr. Probst examined her and said she is walking better and she hasn’t lost weight. I’m surprised she is maintaining her weight because she refuses to eat solid food. We are now spoon feeding her baby food. Last night however she did gobble down some silky balls. Maybe that’s a sign this new cast is less restrictive around her mouth.

We have her surgery scheduled for August 14th. Dr. Probst is reluctant to give us a lot of encouragement. He is concerned about finding additional damage once he is able to see her C1 and C2 vertebrae. The best he can say is that we won’t know how this is going to turn out until we give it a try. We will get the complete diagnosis after surgery.

I believe Gidget’s many problems come from poor breeding practices. People who run these puppy mills are cruel and evil people. I only wish they could feel the pain they are putting these poor dogs and their owners through. we purchased Gidget from a breeder located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We should have known better but my wife Gail saw Gidget’s photo on the internet and fell in love with her. Everytime I saw Gail using her computer she was looking at Gidget’s picture. Finally, I said, “why don’t we get her.” That’s where Gidget’s story started.

Thank you all for your support. I will continue to send updates as we learn more.

Barry

Bless you both for doing what is so desperately needed for your girls well being. I do understand the mixed feelings you are having, but just know in your heart you are giving Gidget the best chance she has at living a long and normal life.

if there is anything I can do for you or if you would like to talk, feel free to call me anytime.

Gidget is in my prayers. Zhoie sends kisses and gentle hugs to Gidget.

What a precious baby!! Praying for Gidget and your family.

Prayers for you and your baby. :)


Love the MSU colors! Adorable. :thumbup:

We are keeping your little girl in our prayers for a successful surgery on the 14th. They seem to do well after recovery and I am sure your little one will do great. I know it's scarey, but you have lots of support and prayers coming your way:)

Wishing you and Gail and Gidget all the best on her upcoming Surgery in August. Many :hands: can and will help :hug: I can tell how much Gidget is truly loved and valued, no matter what her humble beginnings may have been here in Florida :(

Oh.....GO GREEN!! If she has to sport a cast....that is one way to :rockhard: it!!

DS is graduating from MSU in December

Attachment 373083

Here is our Sugar Baby sporting Spartan Pride :love:
The shirt was a gift from a very dear friend in the gift exchange ~ we love it :D

Keeping your baby in my prayers....

Keeping Gidget in my prayers. What a sweet baby, and I just love the cast (I'm a MSU fan :) ) Thank you for keeping us updated!

Prayers for Gidget and your family!

Prayers for your sweet Gidget and you and your wife. Please keep us updated!

poor baby...so sorry you are going through this. Gidget, you and your wufe are in my prayers. Please keep us updated on her pre and post surgery.

Hi Everyone,

Gidget made it through surgery without a problem. She was in the operating room for four hours ending up with six screws, four wires, two rods, a bone graft taken from her shoulder and a bunch of bone cement to hold her C1 and C2 vertebrae together.

We left Coopersville at 6:00 a.m. this morning to get her to Michigan State by 8:00 a.m. They didn't start the surgery until 11:00 a.m. and she was out of the OR at a little after 3:00 p.m. The big concern was taking her off the vent after surgery because some fur kids won't start breathing on their own. The next hurdle was the CT scan to determine if the screws were all in the right place and not protruding into the spinal canal. If they were in the spinal canal the neuro surgeon would have to start all over again.

The neuro surgeon, Dr. Probst, put on a new body cast after the CT scan and vet assistants worked to bring her body temperature back to normal. Their body temperature drops after being on a vent and general anesthesia for a long period of time. When all of that was taken care of Dr. Probst took us to the intensive care unit for a visit with Gidget. She was pretty groggy because of the pain medicine but her eyes were open and she seemed to perk up when she saw Gail and me. We didn't visit long and we are planning to go see her tomorrow. She may be able to come home Thursday or Friday.

Dr. Probst gave us a tour of Michigan State University's Animal Clinic after we finished our visit with Gidget. I am amazed by this facility, the doctors, veterinary assistants and students. The clinic has a dozen operating rooms, CT scanning equipment, MRI equipment, obviously a large radiology department; they have specialties for allergies, soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, neurology and I'm sure many others. Dr. Probst and his assistant, Liz, spent a lot of time with us before and after the surgery. We didn't get home until 8:00 p.m. and some of the long day was because of all the attention we received.

I hope some of this information serves as a reference for other ALI parents. Particularly if you are anywhere near a university that has a veterinary school. You shouldn't hesitate to look into the resources available at a university. Personally, I would take my fur kid to Michigan State for any kind of serious condition even if I lived five hundred miles away.

Another important reference is what Michigan State is charging us for the surgery and follow-up care. The price quoted to us today was between $2,500 and $4,500. The cost is higher if we have to leave Gidget at the clinic for more than two or three days.

On a personal level, I was a total wreck when they carried Gidget away for her surgery prep. I wanted to get away from the clinic for awhile and we made the mistake of going to Denny's for breakfast. The waitress must have thought Gail and I were getting a divorce because we sobbed through breakfast.

We still have a long way to go until Gidget is a somewhat normal dog. Thank you for all of the prayers and support. The prayers were answered.

Barry

Gidget Made It!!
 

I apologize. You may see this post twice in this thread. I did a quick reply to a post, probably the wrong spot to post this information.

Hi Everyone,

Gidget made it through surgery without a problem. She was in the operating room for four hours ending up with six screws, four wires, two rods, a bone graft taken from her shoulder and a bunch of bone cement to hold her C1 and C2 vertebrae together.

We left Coopersville at 6:00 a.m. this morning to get her to Michigan State by 8:00 a.m. They didn't start the surgery until 11:00 a.m. and she was out of the OR at a little after 3:00 p.m. The big concern was taking her off the vent after surgery because some fur kids won't start breathing on their own. The next hurdle was the CT scan to determine if the screws were all in the right place and not protruding into the spinal canal. If they were in the spinal canal the neuro surgeon would have to start all over again.

The neuro surgeon, Dr. Probst, put on a new body cast after the CT scan and vet assistants worked to bring her body temperature back to normal. Their body temperature drops after being on a vent and general anesthesia for a long period of time. When all of that was taken care of Dr. Probst took us to the intensive care unit for a visit with Gidget. She was pretty groggy because of the pain medicine but her eyes were open and she seemed to perk up when she saw Gail and me. We didn't visit long and we are planning to go see her tomorrow. She may be able to come home Thursday or Friday.

Dr. Probst gave us a tour of Michigan State University's Animal Clinic after we finished our visit with Gidget. I am amazed by this facility, the doctors, veterinary assistants and students. The clinic has a dozen operating rooms, CT scanning equipment, MRI equipment, obviously a large radiology department; they have specialties for allergies, soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, neurology and I'm sure many others. Dr. Probst and his assistant, Liz, spent a lot of time with us before and after the surgery. We didn't get home until 8:00 p.m. and some of the long day was because of all the attention we received.

I hope some of this information serves as a reference for other ALI parents. Particularly if you are anywhere near a university that has a veterinary school. You shouldn't hesitate to look into the resources available at a university. Personally, I would take my fur kid to Michigan State for any kind of serious condition even if I lived five hundred miles away.

Another important reference is what Michigan State is charging us for the surgery and follow-up care. The price quoted to us today was between $2,500 and $4,500. The cost is higher if we have to leave Gidget at the clinic for more than two or three days.

On a personal level, I was a total wreck when they carried Gidget away for her surgery prep. I wanted to get away from the clinic for awhile and we made the mistake of going to Denny's for breakfast. The waitress must have thought Gail and I were getting a divorce because we sobbed through breakfast.

We still have a long way to go until Gidget is a somewhat normal dog. Thank you for all of the prayers and support. The prayers were answered.

Barry

Oh, what wonderful news about Gidget!! Thanks for updating and yes, the information about MSU is great for others! I am a fan of the vet schools myself. I currently have a foster at Texas A&M for surgery.
I will continue to pray for Gidget...may she have a speedy recovery!

So happy to hear Gidget had an uneventful surgery. I will be Praying for a fast & full recovery.

As I'm reading this...I'm in tears of joy for you all! This is such wonderful news, sending gentle hugs & kisses from me & Zhoie.

Going through this with my girl, I've been a nervous wreck waiting to hear. I so understand the heartache when she was taken from your arms. My DH & I left and went to get something to eat at Waffle House the morning of and sat there and just bawled...I'm aure the waitress thought we were crazy :D

Keep us posted on Gidget's progress, I know she will amaze you with her recovery.

I totally with using a vet school 100%! Zhoie's surgery was done NCSU and the surgeon, staff and facility is amazing. We travel 7 hours one way and its so worth it.

I am truly happy that Gidget is on the road to recovery. I pray that she heals quickly and is soon free from pain. My heart goes out to you, Gail, and Gidget. She is so lucky to have parents who love her so dearly.

I just finished reading your story. So happy to hear Gidget made it through her surgery. She is so lucky to have such loving people caring for her. Sending healing prayers for Gidget.