Wobblers syndrome

[K9 Obedience]

 Hello Kelly and Miah, Just called in too see how you both are. I hope Miah is still showing improvement and hopefully is back walking again. Shadow is back to normal, (whatever normal is) after taking a turn for the worse. Just had him out for a long romp through some woods. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees after the bad frosts we have recently experienced, and Shadow loves them. He finds great joy in shoving his head into piles of leaves and then throwing them into the air. I love the smells that his antics with the leaves creates. Squirrels can now be seen on the bare branches much to Shadows delight. He races from one tree to another in a vain attempt at catching them. Last year he would have been trying to climb up the trees in hot pursuit, but I am curtailing his tree climbing activities due to the Wobblers. It is funny how some days he can appear quite normal and yet others he wobbles like a bowl of jelly !!!!
Let me know how you both are.
Look forward to hearing from you. Big Hug for Miah.

Dog Lover.

[Kelley]

Hi K9

Great to hear from you, i've managed to get some pictures loaded of Miah stood up and one during her hydro too (i'm going to try and attach them below - fingers crossed) I have also got a video of her playing with Ellie and trying to get her ball, I am trying to load it but the PC doesnt seem to like it very much.

Hydro piccie



Miah in our garden playing



She is now only being carried down a large step that we have in the garden, she is pretty much walking around now but it is still assisted as her co-orination and balance still arent 100%.  I've got a physio appointment today to try and see if we can loosen the muscles up on her front legs as they are very stiff and she is still refusing to move them during hydro.  After speaking to the physio she still believes it is a confidence thing with her as she has movement with them when she is walking and she does lift her full weight up herself on our 2 steps up to our conservatory.

She is still continuing with hydrotherapy once a week on a saturday and my mum can now get her out as all we need to do is balance her when she is walking.  This is really helping me as I'm now not the only one who has to be there for her so the pressure is off of me a little but she is still looking at me for a lot of support.

I really hope Shadow is ok, and I bet he really enjoys the leaves and walks I just hope that I can get Miah out soon.

Best wishes to you both!! Keep updating us with how Shadow is doing!
Love
Kelley & Miah

[K9 Obedience]

Hi Kelley,
Great to hear from you and seeing the pictures of Miah. She does look at bit sorry for herself in the hydro pool, kinda as if she is saying, "What are these mad humans doing to me" However in the second pic she looks really happy and as if she has nothing wrong with her. Amazing, when you think of what she has gone through. I am glad the pressure has eased a bit for you and that your mum is helping. Mum's, What would we do without them??? Hope the progress continues. Bye for now....

Dog Lover.

[Big Dog]

Hi Kelley,

With your permission, I can modify your post to display your pictures in the post (as long as photobucket allows it).

I won't touch it unless you say to...

Miah just beams with the glow of a loved dog! She is lucky to have you.

Hope she continues to make progress.

Thanks for being a part of our pack!

Craig

[Kelley]

Hi Craig

Thank you!  This is fine with me, i'm just not very technical and this is the only way I know to get them on without causing problems with the sizing.

Just to give a quick update on Miah...

She's been to see the physio, who is very pleased with her back legs and has said that she has almost recovered from the operation as her strength, movement and responses are nearly back to normal.  The only problem is her front legs, however they think that this is linked to a neurological issue and not the surgery.
She is having intense physio over the next few weeks and they hydro is on hold while this happens just so we can focus 100% on her muscles around her chest and shoulders.  I've been given some excercises to do with her to try and loosen up her muscles and she is still allowed to walk in the garden on her harness to keep the movement and tone on her back legs.

Hope Shadow is doing ok, and enjoying chasing all those squirrels

Best wishes and big hugs
Kelley & Miah

[Big Dog]

Hi Kelley,

The embed feature does not allow for re-sizing, but I'm okay with them large if you are.

She has such a cute face!

Give Miah a good gentle squishing (hug in English!) from all of us.

Kind regards,

Craig

[Kelley]

hi

Just a quick update, unfortunately it isnt good news.

Miah has just come back from the vets and she is showing signs that another one of her discs could be swelling again.  She is on some more tablets for the next 14 days to see if we can see an improvement.

If not we could be looking at her staying as she is or possibly getting worse.

sorry can't type much - i'm absolutely devastated
K

[K9 Obedience]

Kelly. I can't think what to say, just that my heart goes out to you. Try to be strong for Miah's sake, for she will not understand why you are so upset. I too cannot write anymore as I am truly devastated at the news. Our thoughts are with you.

Love and hugs from Dog Lover.

[K9 Obedience]

Kelley

Just to let you know that we are all thinking of you and send our love.

Dog Lover.

[Big Dog]

Fingers and paws crossed here and best wishes out to you Kelley and Miah.

[Kelley]

Hi all

Sorry I havent been around for a few days, just been trying to come to terms with what has been happening.

Went back to the vets on Thursday for physio and the vet wanted to see how she was reacting to the steriods she was on. I have see a bit of a change, her front legs are still stiff, however she seems to be wanting to move around a bit more and at a faster pace and she is still as happy as she has always been.  The vet thinks that there is definately something wrong due to this reaction as he said if there was nothing there for the tablets to work with we wouldnt have seen a difference at all.  The physio said she has also got an improved range of movement in her neck.  And so for the bad news....

He wants to do another mylogram and then depending on the results of that, look further surgery as he said that 1 disc was totally removed and he only removed part of the other as to try and keep the range of movement in her neck, however he thinks this is what may be causing the swelling or some fibreous (excuse the spelling) tissue left behind as he didnt go near the spinal cord to limit any damage to it.

It's ironic really as out of the 5 dobermans that were operated on whilst Miah was there she was only one who was walking, as like yourself K9, we spotted it due to another injury, and so she hadnt fallen paralysed.  All the other dogs are up and walking and even running around.  We were told the odds on her getting worse were 5%, but hey I guess someones dog has to be in that 5%.

I'm in a real dilemma now as I have so many things running around my head like, can I put her through it again? what if we do and she still doesnt get any better? what if we dont and there is a chance she might? and ultimately why Miah?

I've maxed out the insurance so thats not an option anymore and financially it couldnt have come at a worse time, as i've spent all my savings on a new conservatory last year and so dont have anything to pay for it - i've already got nearly £1000 on a credit card thats built up from the additional amount from her surgery and then the £50 a time physio, and £20 a time hydro.  I dont want to put a price on her but its becoming hard to see how I can pay for this other than the credit card. I've even thought of putting her story on ebay and asking for donation but I dont think that would be allowed, but you never know - desperate measures!!

I've been told that if I dont have the op, she can only stay on these tablets for another 6-12 months due to the side affects, and now that we know that there is something there that is causing her still not to walk the vet has suggested euthinasia, which I know is going to be something I have to face up to as I cant leave her like she is, its not fair to her.

It's absoloutely killing me though, i'm crying all the time, not eating, I just dont know what to do.  I'm trying to be strong but my head is saying one thing my heart is saying another.

I really hope Shadow is doing OK and he's enjoying these cold mornings - give him a hug from me
Love
Kelley & Miah

[K9 Obedience]

Kelley.
I have just picked up your posting and I can hardly answer it for crying. Why Miah? you ask. No one can answer that Kelley. Why do some parents lose their children, why are so many innocent people being killed in awful wars and yes why your darling Miah???
Kelley, I have read your post carefully and it is almost as if I can feel what is going on inside you. Nothing can make it easier for you. It isn't about the money, as in my hard life I have found that when in desperate situations, one can always seem to find the money somehow or somewhere. I am sure here on the site, we could get a fund going. The RSPCA may be able to give some advice or assistance and then quite honestly Kelley, you could approach local businesses, supermarket giants, dog magazines, such as your dog or k9 magazine. They are always looking for a story and Miahs would tug at their readers heartstrings. Your local newspaper may well be able to help especially as it is so near Christmas. So it is NOT about the money. What I feel in my heart is that you really do not want her to have another operation but you cannot contemplate euthanasia. From your posting I also feel that it does not sound as if the vet has much confidence in a successful outcome either.!!!!

Kelley, I am assuming that Miah is not in any pain and is pretty much the same as she has been lately. Please give yourself a break. You do not have to do ANYTHING right now. Just say to yourself that you are going to stop thinking about it till after Christmas and try to relax and enjoy cuddling Miah. I have had to face the situation you are in so, like many others reading this, I do feel for you. Use this time with Miah to clarify your thoughts and let her guide you into making a decision for both of you.

I know this doesn't help you but at this moment I have my seven year old Border Collie lying downstairs unable to stand up. She was diagnosed with Sponylosis, ( a build up of bone at the base of her spine due to a malformed vertibrae, much like Wobblers) she is getting progressivly worse, as is Shadow. Normally she is ok but just lately she is having more and more episodes where the bridge of bone is trapping her siatica nerve causing pain and paralaysis. I know I will have to face her being put to sleep probably very soon but as I said to you I am putting it off till after Christmas, to give myself time to say my goodbyes and to start the grieving process. As with Shadow, as long as the pain can be controlled I do not have to make a decision. The right time will come and I will know it. It will be when the quality of life has deteriorated to such an extent that my dogs cannot run around as they should.

Kelley, I don't know if you have lost friends before but I can tell you that they never really leave you. Their spirit lives on inside you forever. When you feel that you cannot bear the pain anymore, you seem to gain strength as you remember their funny ways or cute things that they did. You will make the right decision and it will be made out of unselfish love for your dog. It takes courage to face what you are going through and I am praying for you.
God Bless you both.

Love from Dog Lover.

[Kelley]

Hi all

I just thought i'd send a quick post to keep you all updated.

I've decided that i'm going to get the mylogram done to try and see what the problem is.  At least then we can use this to make the final decision based in a little more factual advice than just guess work.

I've taken your advice K9 and contacted a number of charities, unfortunately because i'm not in receipt of benefits I've been advised that I dont qualify for help, which has really annoyed me.  I feel like quitting my job so I can go get help, which I know would be pointless but I feel i'm being discriminated against because i've never been out of work since being 14.

I've found www.tailwaggersclubtrust.com and they have offered to make a donation but have advised it wouldnt be over £50, so I am going to give them a call to see what they can do to help.

Miah is having good days and bad days, today she has walked across out conservatory and in the garden on her own, but then in a few hours she could be back to where she is relying on us for balance, but the vet says that this is because we're reducing the medication she is on.

I've found out today that after my work appraisal i'm due a good bonus in March so that will help towards the cost.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help, advise and just for listening to me

Loads of best wishes
Kelley & Miah
x

[K9 Obedience]

Kelley Great to here from you. It doesn't pay to work nowdays does it. It is like you are discriminated against for working. Keep badgering newspapers, Supermarkets like Tescos, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, failing that just have the work done and worry about the bill later. A friend of mines dog was rushed to the vet with bloat and had to have spleen removed and was in hospital for three weeks. When the bill came, for thousands!! she said that she was skint but would  pay it as she could get the money together. They agreed and now she has been doing car boot sales selling off bits that she didn't want, and friends and family have helped out. Morrisons supermarket gave her £300.00 in return for her writing a small article about how they had helped her. Her local shop put up a charity tin and appealed for donations. She has raised over half the amount of the bill and then yesterday, the veterinary practise, (who had heard about all the fund raising she was doing) phoned and said she need not pay anymore as a gesture of goodwill. Nice of them but I do think they were embarressed at all the negative publicity... So dont worry about the costs Kelley. You will get the money together somehow. Just concentrate on Miah and getting her better. We all send our love and best wishes for a wonderful christmas with plenty of Good Luck for the New Year. Keep smiling Kelley. Must dash now as Guess who has not done anything yet towards christmas and must spend today battling the queues in the shops.....

Dog Lover.

[K9 Obedience]

FOR KELLEY AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE FORUM.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great  Christmas Season!