Thank You for all that information. Last time we had a pet that needed tons of expensive work, it was our senior cat. I know how heartbreaking it is and how expensive. Sheila
_____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 6:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Re: Urgent help needed Hey, I want to first thank all those who understand that putting this dog down is not a option. He is very loved and cared for. I want to clarify some things. First the donations are going directly to the hospital doing the MRI. Without the MRI there is no way of knowing what is going on with this baby. He can not walk. I am well aware of scams and this is why there is detail information about the hospital, Vet and who to contact. I respect your opinions and decisions in respect to this post. . I do want to give some information about what the Vet's think is going on with this fur baby. It is called Atlantoaxial Instability. Chihuahua's are one of the dogs affected by this. So I feel the need to get the word out on this condition. We have members that have had successful surgeries and their dogs are living good lives. Atlantoaxial <http://www.petplace.com/dogs/atlantoaxial-instability-luxation/page1.aspx> Instability (Luxation) Atlantoaxial Instability (Luxation) Atlantoaxial instability is a condition in which the first two cervical (neck) vertebrae are not firmly attached. Normally, the atlas (the first cervical vertebra) and the axis (the second cervical vertebra) are attached by a group of ligaments. They are further stabilized by a prominence on the axis called the dens that protrudes into a hole in the atlas. Dogs with congenital atlantoaxial instability are born without ligament support to their atlantoaxial joint, and may also be born without a dens. Trauma to the neck can also cause tearing of the ligaments or fracture of the dens, resulting in atlantoaxial instability. Atlantoaxial instability can lead to cervical spinal cord injury, the symptoms of which include: neck pain; a drunken, staggering gait; paralysis of all four legs; or sudden death. Causes Breeds at risk for congenital atlantoaxial instability include all toy breeds, especially Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pekingese, toy poodles, and Yorkshire terriers. These dogs usually show signs at less than one year of age, and symptoms can occur after very mild trauma, such as jumping off furniture, which would be considered normal activity. Any dog, young or old and of any breed, is at risk for atlantoaxial instability after a traumatic event, such as being hit by a car or being an unrestrained passenger in a car accident. Diagnosis * Your veterinarian will ask you many questions to develop a complete history of the progression of the problem. These questions will include: what is your pet's age, was there any traumatic event, what symptoms have you noticed, how long have they been going on, what treatments have you tried and with what results? * Your veterinarian will also examine your pet completely, including a neurological examination to determine the severity of the problem as well as localize the level of the spinal cord injury. * Radiographs (X-rays) are usually taken to identify abnormal positioning of the atlantoaxial joint. Treatment * Medical treatment. Conservative management consists of several weeks of cage rest to allow scar tissue to form, stabilizing the atlantoaxial joint. Steroids are also given for a short time to decrease inflammation of the spinal cord. A neck brace is often used to minimize movement of the neck. * Surgical treatment. There is a high rate of recurrence of symptoms with conservative management, so surgery is often recommended. Surgery is done either to stabilize the joint with pins, cement, wire, or suture, or to fuse the joint. The type of surgery performed depends on the preference of the surgeon. After surgery, the care is similar to conservative management. The prognosis depends on the severity of the neurologic signs before surgery. Home Care After surgery, the pet should be cage-rested and restricted from activity for about 4 to 6 weeks. Frequent re-check examinations by your surgeon are necessary to identify potential problems and correct them as soon as possible. Dogs with this condition should not be bred, since there may be a genetic component to this condition. Hugs and Chihuahua kisses, Melissa and Trixie Trixie -( Chihuahua -DOB 7-14-2005 ) diagnosed with hepatopathy, which is Hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD or MVD), hydrocephalus, bilateral luxating patellas, right subluxated hip and a seizure disorder Centuries from now it will not matter about the house we lived in or how much money we made in a lifetime.....but the world may be better because we helped some of God's little animals on this earth during our time here A diamond is but a piece of coal that stuck to it's job Click to join <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/congenitaldogs/join> congenitaldogs A support group for hereditary and congenital disorders _____ See what's free at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .
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