Syringomyelia/Chiari Malformation

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Thanks Kelly! I picked up my Passport yesterday, had my car serviced today as the airport from which I'm flying is 2 hours away (Detroit) and I was overdue for service. I've been running around this week like crazy, which has been good as I've left the dogs at all sorts of different times, for different durations and they seem to have adjusted nicely in a week.

They will only be alone from 8:00 to 3:00 for 3 days at the beginning of my holiday and then 5 days at the end. Elliot will be here the rest of the time as it is his March break. He prefers to stay home, without his Mother which is fine with me. I am feeling far more confident about all of my boys now than I was a week ago.

I popped into the Vet's office to make sure Oliver has enough medication while I'm gone and had a chat with them. If there is an emergency, heaven forbid, or if the boys run out of something, my Vets will take care of it and bill me later so I don't need to worry about that.

Everything seems to be falling into place. *Touch wood, fingers crossed*

[virgilsmama]

Deb, have a great vacation!

[Georgia's Mommy]

Deb,

I hope your vacation is fantastic! Georgia is featured on TMZ again. The St. Patty's day contest. It's an old photo but still cute. It was taken before she got sick

Georgia is doing fairly well. Some small issues at times but overall, she is happy and healthy. Love my Irish Lass

I hope all SM puppies are doing well. Happy Health to all!

Kelly

[casbes]

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to stop by with a Jacob update. Jacob had surgery at LIVS a year ago November. At the time, he also had glue ear and surgery for that glue ear as well. Since then, we have been back to LIVS twice for follow up MRIs. Jake needed another round of ear surgery each time, so basically his glue ear recurs and needs to be cleaned out every 6 months. The great news is that Jake's spinal canal is almost back to normal. He only has one small, and shrinking, area of fluid build up at this point. If you are thinking about surgery, I think LIVS is the way to go. The follow up care has been amazing and overall, very affordable. We even elected to have jake's knee operated on at LIVS because of their fabulous level of care. Jake continues on gabapentin and tramadol but I think his face rubbing is more associated with his ear problem than his syringomyelia. Hope everyone is well! Cathy

[manitwo]

What a brave little boy you are Jacob .such a lot surgery to go through.
Continue to improve ,my thoughts and prayers go out to you.and also to all the other little ones with this serious illness.
Manitwo,Mimi and Badge.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Continued good health to Jacob!! So glad to hear he is doing well and receiving excellent care!

Gotta love these CKCS....they are brave and loving dogs.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Cathy.....thanks so much for the update on Jacob and all the good news! I wish him continued good health, and it's good hear that LIVS is giving you excellent care. I am sending along my very best wishes, and am so grateful that you didn't forget about us.

I'm actually still on vacation, but had to pop in and check on my "peeps"! Kelly, I just love that photo of Georgia. I don't think she takes a bad picture. What a darling! ♥

I am missing my furry boys SO MUCH!!!! I will be home on Sunday, in the evening, and back to a normal routine shortly thereafter. I have not missed the snow and the cold. Liz, thanks for your best wishes.

I just wanted to pop by and check in to see if everyone is well. Kelly, once I go on vacation it's as if everything I knew just as I left is a lifetime ago. I'm sure once I return a great deal will come back to me, but doesn't Georgia have a neurology appointment soon? Please forgive me if I'm confusing you with one of our other members.

With the sounds of the waves ever present, and the beautiful beach and lovely warm weather, I have indulged myself in a much needed break. As I said, normal service will resume on Monday.

Stay well everyone! I'm always thinking of you.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Deb,

I hope your holiday was phenomenal, relaxing and all that you deserve. I'm sure your furry and human boys did just fine without you but can't wait to see you soon!

I had to cancel Georgia's neuro appointment. I've had significant health issues again with my autoimmune diseases I've taken so much time off of work (and it's a new job) that I couldn't take a day for Georgia's appointment. I would have if she was in crisis BUT she sees two vets regularly and they felt it was fine to wait. The neurologist only sees regular patients on Fridays between 8-12 in the morning. Only Fridays! I have all of next week off for spring break but am going to be out of town on Good Friday so I couldn't take that day. If you google St. Paddy's Day photo contest TMZ you can see her online.

I did get some good news. All of my photography skills paid off. Georgia won a contest from a major website She won TMZ.com's St. Paddy's Day photo contest. Can you believe it?? Over 13,500 votes total and Georgia got almost 6,000 of them. Small cash prize and gifts (probably TMZ swag). What a lovely surprise while I've been battling my own health problems. I'm on a new medication (IV drug) and hoping my body tolerates it. After one dose my fatigue is so much less and my fingers are back to a size where I can wear my rings again. Seems like a small step but embarrassingly I've missed my rings

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, I arrived home late yesterday to a very warm welcoming committee. It was so lovely to hug ALL of my family again, and I did have the most fantastic holiday. My oldest and dearest friend lives in Florida now, and we hadn't seen each other in years. We spent so much time together and created so many wonderful memories and had such good laughs. I feel "restored" and like my old self which I haven't felt in a long time.

I was very excited and happy to read about your success with the camera and Georgia's winnings. I'm not at all surprised she won, and how exciting!!! That is just fantastic that one of "our" dogs is so famous.

Missing her Neurology appointment is fine as you know if she needs to be seen or not. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having a time of it. I do hope this new medication helps. I also don't find it at all silly that you missed wearing your rings. I'm a ring person myself so you're preaching to the choir here.

Although I am still basking in the afterglow of such a wonderful holiday, I am slowly letting real life seep back in although I will admit to not wishing to address anything right now that requires a great deal of thinking on my part. It was so lovely to take a break from worrying about the day to day minutiae.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi All!

I need some advice. I had Georgia groomed and shaved yesterday. I always warn the groomer about her condition. He's lovely with her although, I don't think he truly comprehends how anxious she get when separated from me. Each time she is groomed, she has some sort of reaction. This time there is no flare up....her head isn't hot, she isn't thumping, rubbing or biting excessively. She is sleeping. Ignoring my mother (we are visiting for the Holiday) and won't leave me. My gut is I have to figure out a better way to handle her separation anxiety but I don't want to give her any more medication than necessary. She has slept almost non-stop since yesterday except when I took her to the Pet store to shop. The only time she was more than a foot away from me was when she went into the guest room to sleep with the cat. I'm going to speak with the vet. I really don't know what I can do to improve this. She loves the groomer but I know she hates baths. She reacted a little like this when I bathe her at home. It's like the stress of the bath is too much for her. Any advice?? She can't go around stinky! She also needs that "puppy" cut at least once a year. Ugh....I feel so guilty.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, when I was first looking into Cavaliers and talked to many, many breeders, I always received the same message. They are "companion" animals and suffer terribly when separated from their humans. Oliver's Breeder wouldn't even sell a pup to a home that did not have someone there all day, every day. It is part of their make up, and personally I think even more prevalent in ours who suffer from SM/CM.

Henry's Breeder, although friends with Oliver's Breeder, was a little less concerned about Cavaliers and separation. I do think Henry deals with it better than Oliver, but it's hard to tell, as he has always had Oliver as a companion. As Oliver has aged, he is better and better with it, but I could not see myself ever boarding him in a kennel, especially before he was 5, and can only barely entertain the thought now if he is with Henry and I find a particularly loving facility.

Even though Georgia is sleepy, and didn't come home with any flares after her recent visit, I think she can manage her grooming appointments once in a while. Isn't she alone when you go to work? Of course, being in a strange place and having things done to her that she doesn't like very much, will make her more tired as she is "concerned" while there. Oliver always seems so happy after his grooming appointments, but he hasn't been in a long time...too long in fact.

I don't want you to feel guilty. It is like taking your child to the Dentist. No, they don't like it, but it's a necessary evil and they do survive it. Your Groomer sounds like a very caring person, and as long as Georgia comes out the way you wish, but a bit sleepy and clingy, then she's doing alright. You've also travelled with her which would add to her changes even though she loves your Mum and enjoys being there.

I do think they settle as they age. Each time will become easier and easier. I do know and understand how you feel, I really do.

[Georgia's Mommy]

She is still sleeping a lot. That is her pattern when in pain. I know it is her back leg (either the knee or hip). She goes for acupuncture on Wednesday so I'll ask the vet to check it. I already emailed and explained her situation and asked for laser therapy. I hate seeing pain in her eyes. She's a little better today (better spirits). Still dragging her leg after being on it for a while. I hate that she is in pain and I hate giving her extra meds. We were visiting my family over the holiday. I got home at 7:30 pm. She got in bed at 8:00 and slept until I woke her up at 6:00 am. She was awake for brief spurts (just to move or come to me to rub her belly) but otherwise slept. Makes me nervous.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Awwww Kelly! I know it breaks your heart as it does mine too. I hope Georgia rallies soon. If she needs the extra meds, then she needs the extra meds. This winter has gone on entirely too long and we're fortunate that our dogs have managed as well as they have so far.

I feel so badly for Georgia, and I too couldn't bear to see her hurting and dragging her leg. She must be so very tired and needs the sleep. I happened upon the TMZ website and saw Georgia's winning post from St. Patrick's Day. I commented on it as I felt so proud to "know" a winner. She beat out a lot of other entries which made me proud, like she is mine. I like to think that all of our dogs belong to one another, at least in our hearts. We are all walking the same road with our beloved Cavaliers.

Give sweet Georgia extra hugs and belly rubs from me, and gentle ear schnizzles from Oliver and Henry. I'm sending you some hugs too darling. ♥ Let us know how things went today please.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thanks Deb! Turned out to be a blocked anal gland, ear infection and allergies. She could barely stand acupuncture this week....which has NEVER happened. Both the vet and I were stunned. I think I had more needles in me than she did (she kept shaking them out.) I knew something was really wrong. The holistic vet sent us to our regular vet so now she is on meds and her anal glad was taken care of. She is still sleeping a lot. I think it was the combo of grooming/anxiety/ear infection/change in schedule. I've decided that I am getting her a canine sibling next summer. I need to fence in my yard so I have to take some time to plan this. The separation anxiety is getting worse. She has Lola (cat) but Lola is getting up in age , so this makes sense. I don't think she could manage without Lola. I want to rescue but I need to be cautious b/c of her medical needs. I'm also thinking about a Cavalier-hybrid. I don't know any info on SM/CM in hybrids so I need to research that, too.

That is so sweet that you looked her up on TMZ. We haven't gotten the prize money yet, but we did get some TMZ gear. Of course, Georgia had to try it on first....

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I LOVE the photos! Georgia is such a darling girl. ♥

Wow, I can't believe the poor darling had all that going on. Thankfully it's not necessarily SM/CM related, which is good and bad. I sometimes wonder about Henry's anal glands. Oh, I also know that some Groomer's take it upon themselves to empty the anal glands as part of the Grooming. If her Groomer was unsuccessful, that perhaps could have initiated the block. I would be asking my Vet about that.

One of our members on here had a dog that ultimately had to have his anal glands removed because they were so blocked about once a month. I've never encountered anal gland issues in all my years with dogs. I have many questions about it and I ask them everywhere that is appropriate.

I think you should have another dog. That will be great for Georgia and if she's anything like Oliver, she won't really "enjoy" the new sibling until he/she is neutered. Since Georgia has Lola, I'm sure she would take to a new sibling rather well. When I acquired Henry, I was acutely aware of SM/CM obviously. I was able to check his Pedigree against Oliver's, since we're in the same region, and he also came with a "lifetime" guarantee for all genetic disorders. If he were to fall ill now, she would pay for his medical expenses. Unless you plan to rescue, in my opinion, I would stay away from any "Designer Breed". There is no real way to properly track Pedigrees and that is why SM/CM is becoming more pervasive in many different toy breeds.

It's a big decision, and I'll support any one you choose.

I was so PROUD to say on the TMZ website that "I KNOW Georgia"! I think you should submit those recent photos of her wearing her swag. She might get a "shout out" as the St. Patrick's Day winner as she is just so darn cute in that hat.