Syringomyelia/Chiari Malformation

[caramel]

Thinking of you.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Mystic...thank you for the tips. I appreciate them more than you know and had already investigated several that you mentioned, ergot the harness I have discussed the size of Oliver's CM while viewing his MRI with his neurologist and it's in a very mild range. Fortunately, this is why he has had so few seizures. I appreciate your help tremendously and will visit your profile shortly.

Our appointment today was at 3:30 and we were blessed with decent weather. We spent an hour and half with Oliver's doctor and she feels he is doing extremely well. We are changing his medication to Pregabalin from Gabapentin. We are also doing a short course of prednisone. Fortunately, Oliver seems to have itching discomfort as opposed to extreme pain. When Oliver hurts, he does yelp. I asked about the progression of the disease and what to expect. Because there is so little known at this point, what they do know so far is that it either advances very rapidly or they plateau with medication and manage to live relatively long, happy lives. Right now, Oliver is at the stage of living well with proper medication. It was agreed today, in no uncertain terms, that suffering is not an option.

To see Oliver there today, one would even wonder if there anything wrong with him, except being extremely cute and goofy He stood in a position where he could monitor the comings and goings and "chatted" with all who entered. He wasn't barking, he was "lipping off" as I call it. The minute he saw his doctor, whom I might add is very attractive, he was all wiggly for her. He didn't scratch once in the the hour and a half we were there. He was flirting with the students. Oliver even had the receptionist laughing at his antics.

All in all, I'm very positive about today. Dr. Wolfe is an amazing woman with such a big heart and a love for dogs. She had all the time in the world for us, and tolerated my non stop questions and observations. I have no reason to believe that Oliver's condition is unmanageable. He is 3 full months into it and still doing very well relatively. She also gave me more information regarding seizures, of which he has fortunately not had many. The next 3 months will be very telling, but I feel very optimistic about today and Oliver made Mummy so proud

Thank you all so much for your support. I thought of each of you today on my drive and talked to Oliver about all of you. He likes it when we chat alone in the car and it makes others on the highway think I'm a crazy lady talking to myself. You were all with me today and it made the journey so much easier. Deborah

[caramel]

Oliver you are awesome, sweet talking the vet and her students as well as the receptionist. What a boy !!!
Hope all keeps going well.

[Kody's Mom]

Deborah ~

I am so happy to hear that you had a positive visit today. I know some days are going to be harder than others, but always, always remain positive for Oliver, he will pick up on your feelings. I truly believe that. They know and can feel what we feel. Please do keep us updated on how he is doing and give him lots of hugs and kisses from all of us. Hugs to you too for being so strong.

_______________________________________
RHONDA

Mommy to…
Max 3/24/92 – 4/30/01
Sammy 3/16/01 – 9/6/08
Kody 7/6/08 -

[Sandy, Cheyenne's mom2]

Dear Deborah,
I have just read your post-appointment entry, with a smile. Oliver is beautiful, and of course, will charm anyone he meets. I smiled at his antics and am very pleased for both of you that you were able to leave the appointment on a positive note. Please continue to let us know how he is getting along, and yourself as well. Rest assured no one driving will think you're crazy talking to yourself if they see you have a dog along. I'm sure all drivers know by now that anyone with a dog in the vehicle is just conversing with their friend!
Take care, both of you!
Sandy & Cheyenne

[Phyrie]

Hi Deborah,
I'm so glad you had a good visit with the doctor. Hope is a wonderful thing.
I fully concur that suffering is not an option. I wouldn't ask that of Kiba, either.
I'm very glad that someone else has joined who has a dog with the same condition. I felt rather useless through this whole thing, in that I have had no personal experience.
Give Oliver a big hug and kisses from me and Kiba, and take care.

Phyrie

[mollie1]

Thank the Lord everything turned out so well Deborah for you and Oliver. I'm so very happy that it has given you hope and that Oliver's condition is considered to be mild and can be effectively treated with medication. The new medication may very well give him an extra boost as well. I know you will always have to give him extra special care and keep an extra close eye on Oliver but I know you are strong and will keep a positive attitude during those times and hopefully they will be few and far between and that Oliver will live A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE. I also know, from experience, that our pets can easily pick up on our feelings and energy. It makes such a big difference when you have a doctor for whom you have confidence and trust as you have for Dr. Wolfe. It made me smile to read about Oliver's antics at the clinic..he must have melted the hearts of all who saw him. As always, will continue to hold good thoughts for you both in your journey and quest for quality of life for Oliver. Hugs to you both.

[jake's mom]

Oh, Deborah, I am so happy for you and Oliver. His doctor sounds amazing! Sounds like Oliver thought of it as more of a social visit which is perfect, no stress. Isn't it funny how these guys flirt with the gals Typical males! I talk to Jake in the car when I'm all by myself too. If people think I'm crazy, oh well Here's hoping for an excellent three months and many, many happy years with your vertically challenged sweetheart!

[Doggymommy]

I am so happy to hear all the good news about Oliver!! Way to go big guy

Deborah, I bet you are waking up today feeling a lot better, I am sure it was a long weekend.

Lots of hugs and kisses to Oliver and extra snuggles

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I so appreciate everyone's positive energy!!! Thank you!!! Phyrie, as I've said before, your concern is enough and I'm so glad you don't have any personal experience with this

Today was a wonderful day. Oliver was exhausted from his social outing yesterday and was relaxed and comfortable. I might also add that we are having a warm spell, only to turn very cold again by the end of the week. The cold is his enemy. Oliver has been happy, sleepy and cuddly all day today. He was even chasing bunnies in his sleep...lipping off, feet moving, entirely too cute!

DoggyMommy, it was a long weekend and even longer drive to be there. The ride home flew by

As we effect the change in Oliver's medication over the next few days, I will keep everyone posted. It helps me keep track. I'm not too concerned if these new meds aren't suitable as there are still more options. As my dear father would say "it's all good news"!

Thank you everyone for the good karma...it makes a difference

Hugs back, Deborah & Oliver

[jake's mom]

More than happy to pass along good karma for such a good cause Keep us posted and the good karma, hugs, kisses and crossing of body parts will continue

[elmer23]

Thats brilliant news, glad all is going good. Well done Oliver! Big hugs from me and Blue

[Deerie me]

Welldone Oliver and mummy. All that positive thinking has paid off. I was trying to think where I'd heard of pregabalin before. My human friend takes it for a nerve problem in her arm.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

We started the Lyrica (Pregabalin) today, and fingers crossed, so far so good! The weather today was moderate, so we'll start the Prednisone tomorrow. I did not wish to introduce 2 new drugs on the same day, an idea with which Dr. Wolfe agreed. Oliver also has to take Pepcid AC along with the prednisone so that's yet another thing.

Thanks everyone for your support. I do tell Oliver all about it. I'm very positive about his prognosis, and looking forward to planning his 5th birthday party on the 22nd

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Quick update....

Oliver seems to be responding extremely well to the Lyrica. His itching has decreased by about 90% and so far he does not seem to be anymore lethargic than he was on the Gabapentin. He is also tolerating the prednisone well, with which he'll be finished in about a week.

I have noticed a pattern developing with the introduction of any new medication. Oliver had a very small seizure yesterday that was short lived. If I had not had the benefit of over an hour's discussion with his neurologist, I may not have recognized the seizure. Since he became ill, every time we introduce a new medication, or increase the dose, within 2 days precisely he seems to have a "small event". As it was so short lived, less than 3 minutes and barely recognizable, the only course of action I was told to follow was to watch him closely for any further events or lasting effects. He did have mild weakness in his hind end for a few hours but was totally back to his old self before bedtime.

I don't want to jinx his progress as initially he responded well to the Gabapentin, but I must say he is not experiencing the negative side effects about which I was warned. If all goes well, we do not need to return to Guelph until early March. I am keeping a very close eye indeed on Oliver's every move. Oh, I've also noticed that his previous sensitivity to touch has greatly reduced and he enjoys being petted all over again. My fingers and toes are crossed, and I remain very positive and hopeful.