+++Thank You Lacy. We were gratefull to be able to have the resources to pay for the surgery, as well as Tufts Vet School nearby. Unfortunatly Nevi has lost function of her "vagus" nerve due to the compression of the brainstem. This nerve controls the mechanical function of her entire airway. She has certain spells of respiratory distress where she must be gently shaken upside down to revive her. There is no fix for this but we(and she) have learned certain methods of coping. I only hope that Nevi's story might help another pup in with quick diagnosis. All in all she is a happy little camper with a great zest for life! Hug your pup(s) tonight! Cynthia
- In [email protected], "Lacey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm so sorry to hear that. I applaud you for working with the > problem and having the surgery done for your baby! A lot of people > would euthanize in this case (not that I think anyone here would do > that, but I've seen people euthanize for some dumb reasons). I wish > you luck with Nevi. ~Lacey > > In [email protected], cynthia mello <cynmello@> wrote: > > > > +++++I have not posted for sometime due to the fact that I have > been caring for my wee female Chihuahua who was diagnosed with SM > (Syringomyelia). Nevi had brain surgery nearly two years ago. She is > recovering well but has some permanent nerve damage which we cope > with daily. > > Below is some information pertaining to SM for anyone > interested. SM is tough to diagnose as most vets have no > knowledge/experience with it and tend to treat for skin problems > (scratching), painfull joints, or bad knees. > > Early diagnosis and intervention is the most important step in > helping a pup with SM. Surgery is often preformed which may stop the > progression but is not a cure. > > > > Regards, Cynthia > > > > > > From IVIS.org > > Clinical signs may include cervical pain, torticollis, spinal > hyperesthesia, exercise intolerance, paresis in one or both thoracic > limbs or tetraparesis, ataxia/hypermetria in thoracic or in all four > limbs, bunny-hopping hindlimb gait, poor hopping responses, and > proprioceptive deficits. Spinal reflexes may be exaggerated. In a > recent study of affected CKCS, a variety of cranial signs were also > seen, including facial nerve deficits (9/22 dogs), seizures (7/22 > dogs), and vestibular syndrome (7/22 dogs) [300]. Paroxysmal > involuntary flank scratching, sometimes extended over several years, > has been noted in CKCS, of either gender, usually between 6 months > and 2 years of age [77,78,299]. There is no dermatologic cause and > the scratching seems to be intensified by excitement, barking, > exertion, wearing of collars, or when the shoulder, neck or ear of > the "scratched" side are touched [77,78]. Affected animals often > showed evidence of pain or hyperesthesia around the neck, > > ear or thoracic limb. This unusual scratching feature may be due > to disinhibition of hindlimb reflex activity [44] or to some form of > paresthesia secondary to the hydrosyringomyelia [78] (that was > present in all 7 dogs of this study and all of whom manifested this > peculiar scratching reaction), possibly related to interruption of > the decussating spinothalamic tracts and dorsal/ventral horn damage > due to a progressively expanding hydrosyringomyelia > > > > From The Merck Veterinary Manual > > "Syringomyelia is the development of one or more fluid- > filled cavities within the spinal cord. Hydromyelia is accumulation > of fluid within an enlarged central canal of the spinal cord. It is > often difficult to differentiate between syringomyelia and > hydromyelia, so the term syringohydromyelia is often used. > Syringohydromyelia causes progressive ataxia and paresis; scoliosis > and spinal pain is possible. Causes include trauma, neoplasia, > inflammatory conditions, and developmental malformations. The most > important is Chiari I malformation, an underdeveloped occipital bone > that induces overcrowding of the caudal fossa. This interferes with > the circulation of spinal fluid and can result in hydrocephalus > and/or syringohydromyelia of the cervical spinal segments. > Syringohydromyelia associated with Chiari I malformation is most > common in small-breed dogs, especially Cavalier King Charles > Spaniels. Any age dog can be affected. Signs consist of ataxia and > tetraparesis, neck > > pain, and persistent scratching at the base of the head or > shoulder. Radiography and myelography are usually normal. MRI can > identify the cavitation in the spinal cord and any caudal fossa > malformations. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause, if > possible. Signs may improve with corticosteroids (prednisone at 1 > mg/kg, sid). Surgery to decompress the caudal fossa can be helpful > for Chiari I malformations" > > > > > > Species Appropriate Canine Diet....RAW > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. > Great rates starting at 1¢/min. > > > " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
