Syringomyelia/Chiari Malformation

[Phyrie]

Happy, much belated, Birthday to Sweet Georgia! I love the pic of dopey, relaxed Georgia at her treatment!

About the eye infections: my daughter's Shih Tzu had very yeasty, smelly, yucky eyes and I suggested adding the contents of an acidopholous capsule to his feed. It cleared right up! I think even some plain yoghurt would do the trick, if she's not allergic. Worth a shot, and won't hurt! Good luck!

Oh, and let me add my opinion: No! We are NOT tired of pics of Sweet Georgia! And now you know...

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Phyrie, that's great advice! Also congrats on hitting page 100 in this thread.

Georgia, keep us posted angel.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi Everyone!

Phyrie, I did post a response but apparently, it didn't make it to the board. I will try your advice. This infection doesn't have any yeast. The holistic vet is looking into some herbs, too. Overall, Georgia has been great but she is on another hunger strike. I feel like it always coincides with when she gets her paws on people food. She stole a sandwich off the table on Saturday and hasn't eaten her food since. I do wonder if it is related to discomfort from SM....but she seems to eat any treat I offer. Tough love right now!! She just stares at me when I fill her bowl. The thing is I know she feels so much better after she eats...but she is a stubborn girl!!

I hope everyone is doing well!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, don't worry if Georgia won't eat. Phyrie only feeds Kiba every other day. No dog will starve itself to death, and being overweight is common with SM/CM dogs. Perhaps it's nature's way of telling her she's had enough.

Oliver is doing well, and has even become more "puppyish" of late. It's all good news at our end.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thanks Deb!

Today I came home and Georgia had diarrhea on our walk. When I returned to the house to see what she got into.....bran cookies (no chocolate thank goodness!) I guess I forgot to put them away yesterday. Bad girl! She just wants people food. I always joke that I'm going to have her start watching those Sarah McLaughlin animal rescue commercials....so she knows how good she has it! hahaha

[RayC]

Naughty Georgia. Kelly, sounds like you need to install CCTV and fit alarms to the human food cupboards! So glad to hear that she's making progress.

Debbie, I'm happy to hear of Oliver's 'puppy' behaviour and of the 'all good' news from your neck of the woods. Hopefully, now we're into Spring, we'll all start to feel a bit more lively.

Best wishes to you all, Ray and Charlie

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, you do make me laugh! Of all things for Georgia to get into, it was BRAN cookies! No wonder the poor dear had an upset tummy, to say the least. It could have been worse as you said. I also chuckled at the Sarah McLaughlin video comment. As a Canadian, I am quite proud of her efforts as well as her musical talent. Those videos though make me cry, as well as my sons. They are so heartbreaking.

I'm not sure Georgia would actually grasp the message, but the thought of showing her is amusing. She must be feeling cheeky if she's into things, so that's good.

Ray, it's always lovely to hear from you! ♥ How is our sweet Charlie girl? I'm sure she is as lovely as ever, and still the apple of your eye. I must admit that I am enjoying cheeky Oliver. He is as bossy as ever, and makes his wants clearly known.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi All!

Georgia has been having constant eye/ear infections since the weather became hot and humid. Any suggestions? I'm going to have the hair on her inner ear shaved down a bit. That helped a lot last year. I use an eye was a few times a week to clean out her eyes. I've also been giving her weekly baths to rinse off pollen, etc. Just feel bad for her. The humidity is hitting her hard. My poor girl.

I hope everyone else is doing well! Off to celebrate the holiday here in the US.

Kelly

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, Henry has suddenly had ear troubles, so I purchased some cleaning solution from the Vet, and one quick clean, and he's already better. Oliver has never had eye or ear issues...go figure, he's had enough other things I suppose.

As was predicted from the extremely mild winter, allergies and allergens are going to be a lot greater this year than ever before. The ears are relatively easy to maintain, and your suggestion of clipping inside Georgia's ears is a good one! I would be careful with the eyes, as it could be anything from irritation to conjunctivitis, which you can contract. (I caught it from one of our horses years ago. I should buy more Lottery tickets! )

Today we had a humidex reading of 38C, and as I type this now, at 10:22 p.m. it is still 81F outside. This is not good for Oliver. We kept him in all day, except of course for the necessary trips outdoors. He is doing well, but I hope the entire summer isn't going to be THIS hot.

I am going away, all by myself, from June 10th to the 24th to visit my dear friend Phyrie in British Columbia. I don't know how much I'll be around during my vacation, although I do intend on purchasing a laptop and hopefully staying somewhat connected.

I mention this for two reasons...1. I am going to miss Oliver and Henry like stink! I can call my "humans" and say hello, but it doesn't quite translate with the dogs. 2. Oliver is glued to me all evening, all day and all night. Henry "spreads the wealth" a bit more than Oliver, but he too wants Mummy if there is a Thunderstorm, or people yell, or just because.

This is my first vacation ALONE without anyone else in 20 years. The longest I've ever left Oliver is 10 days, and he was with his "Grandma" and I've never left Henry! I'm not the least bit concerned about my sons, and they are quite happy to help me pack. Other changes are occurring at the same time in our household and we are downsizing by one adult, which is for the best.

Kelly, I hope you find what works for Georgia over the next several months, especially with her eyes. Please do keep us posted angel.

Two more weeks, actually less than by one day, and I'm on my first real vacation since 2009! It is time!

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi All! I hope everyone and their Cavalier pals are doing well! Georgia has been doing fairly well. We are currently in a heat warning (meaning the temperatures and humidity are very high). She is indoor most of the day with brief outings. When the heat wave first started, Georgia slept almost non-stop. She seems to have acclimated well. She is continuing with acupuncture but I did stop the herbs due to cost. If I thought it was working I would have continued it but I really didn't see a big change in her with the herbs.

Lately, Georgia's biggest challenge as been her luxating patellas and her hip dysplasia. I took her for a physical therapy exam and I will be doing her therapy at home (in her new luxurious doggie pool). I'm hoping that I am up for the challenge b/c if not, I'll be paying someone to do it for us. Wish us luck!

Here is a picture of Georgia practicing her Ninja skills. We visited my dad for Father's Day and she hid behind a table waiting for him to drop crumbs from cheese and crackers. She is a funny girl!!

[RayC]

Ninjas Rule OK!! Lovely picture of dear Georgia. I'm so glad to hear of her good progress. Hot weather is the last thing we need to worry about here in the UK. We had two glorious days this week with temperatures rising to the heady heights of 18C, two days later and it's down to 11C and pouring with rain. Ah well, that's a British Summer for you!

Good luck with her physical therapy - I'd love to see a photo of her in her doggie pool!

Every good wish to all friends, furry and otherwise, on DP from Ray and Charlie in sunny, windy, wet, hot, cold North Wales.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Georgia is the cutest Ninja I've ever seen! That photo really made me smile, as I have two of those in my house...they are very, very stealthy. I'll be looking forward to seeing her in her special pool.

I missed the big heat wave as I was away in British Columbia visiting Phyrie for two weeks. We had very similar temperatures to our friends in the UK, which I loved! No air conditioning required, and I don't mind the rain.

I was "covered in Cavalier" last night and loved every single second of it! I needed a holiday and a break, but it's wonderful to be back at home. I am still playing "catch up" with the DP so bear with me.

Ray, as always, it is wonderful to hear from you. Wimbledon has started!!!! I can't wait to watch it all...and even though you are in Wales, you are still closer to the action than I! I wish I were on your side of the Pond. How is sweet Charlie?

Oliver and Henry gave me all the loving in the world when I returned! The ear schnizzles have not yet ended and oh I missed those. Kiba is a lovely fellow, but he knows to whom he belongs and was gracious enough to give me my "Cavalier" fix while I was away. ♥

I hope Georgia continues to do well. Our temps have dropped to a pleasant 20-something C....about 66F right now. It's lovely.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Well....Georgia hated PT.....I practically have to drag her between my legs to get her to move. Let's hope it works out. Poor girl. She gave me the evil eye the rest of the night.

We are headed in to another heat wave. She'll be an indoor dog with a few trips outside. I hope everyone is doing well!
Kelly

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Oh my....what a face!!!! Georgia looks so pathetic, as only a Cavalier can, in that photo! Bless her sweet heart. ♥

She is such a darling! We're in another heat wave here too Kelly. Both of mine are happily inside the air conditioning, and managing quite well. Henry is snoring away as I type this. He is so funny as he has always been a huge "snorer" while Oliver rarely snores. He's a "grunter".

I still feel as though I just arrived back from my holiday. Waiting 3 years to get away is just far too long, for so many reasons. Monday is a complete blur to me, like Saturday until Tuesday was one LONG DAY. I was happy to come home and find my "babies" well and happy, and Oliver had been tended to beautifully by his human brothers. They clipped his nails, cut out any mats they found, and he actually looked better when I came home than when I left. That's proof I should leave more often.

I do hope Georgia starts to enjoy her PT, or at least her own personal pool. That face of hers is SO SWEET!!!! It melts me every single time.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Deb,

She seriously laid the guilt on all evening! My poor baby. I didn't push it today. I'll stick to 3 days a week until she gets stronger. That face kills me! Good thing I couldn't see her face while I was standing over her. My 5 year old neighbor kept saying, "She doesn't look like she likes this..."

I will be taking Georgia on vacation with me this year. We'll go to the New Jersey Shore. I found a B&B where she is welcome. I couldn't stand the thought of leaving her for that amount of time. She will stay with my parents when I go to Chicago for a long weekend. I'm okay leaving her with her "grandparents" but anyone else makes me nervous. The medication schedule can be overwhelming. I'm going to my parents for a week so they can get the hang of it.

I'm also hearing the sounds of snoring. I think Georgia was a lumber jack in a past life!! She snores louder than anyone I have ever known!!

Glad you had a great holiday!

Kelly