Hello from Kelly & Georgia

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi Everyone,

I'm the proud Mommy of a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Georgia Grace, and 8 year-old cat, Lola and a 7 year-old cat, Isabella (I can't leave them out). I started noticing that something was wrong with Georgia this past summer (2011). I had her to the vet a zillion times and she was being treated for allergies. My gut feeling was that something was really wrong. A google search brought up syringomyelia. Luckily, I live very close to the University of Penn, in Philadelphia. She was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and SM on August 5, 2011. Almost 3 months later, I started noticing her back leg giving out and she was obviously in pain. She had multiple ear/eye infection (most likely from all the head/face rubbing from the CM/SM) but I feared that the SM was progressing. I took her back to U. of Penn and she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. This poor, sweet girl doesn't have much luck with genetics. She is now on 11 pills a day (gabapentin, prilosec, rimadyl, and glucosamine chondroitin). It's a cocktail that seems to be working in a positive way for the most part.

Georgia has good and bad days. Lately, things have been pretty good. She is happy and that is what matters most. I wanted to join a forum to help me understand her needs a little better. Coincidentally, I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases that cause me chronic pain. Knowing that my poor dog is in pain has been heart breaking. I'm determined to give her the best and most comfortable life that I can. She is worth it.

I'm happy to be here and look forward to getting to know more Cavalier owners (other breeds, too!)

Sincerely,
Kelly & Georgia

[kian]

Welcome to DP! Be sure to visit the CM/SM thread started by one of our Moderators who is dealing with this now. She has been gone offline a few days but should be back sometime on Tuesday. I'm sure she would love to hear from you.

I'm Kian, the owner of two Australian Shepherds and a few farm critters.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Here are some recent photos of Georgia. She is a little heavy from being so inactive the past 6 months. We are working hard to get her figure back.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thank you Kian! I am going to post the same entry in that forum. It is the main reason that I joined. Looking forward to meeting people going through similar issues. It's a horrible disease.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, I had totally missed your Introductory thread as I was without internet at the time you joined! I have a much better understanding now of where you are in the "process" of SM/CM as well as Georgia's age.

I'm so glad you joined, and I apologize for being so late to your thread. I love the pictures of Georgia with Santa.

As we've discussed in the SM/CM thread, and judging by the timing of her diagnosis (which is SO similar to Oliver's, except for the age), I am sure your Neurologist will be able to try a different medication with success.

This is my official WELCOME TO THE DAILY PUPPY, from Oliver & Henry, and of course, their Mum, Deborah

[Georgia's Mommy]

Thank you Deborah. I was told you were off line when I originally posted. To answer the question. Yes, Georgia is on 40 mg of Prilosec. They assured me this was fine. I'm hoping acupuncture and/or Reiki might help. Someone on a Facebook forum posted that this helped tremendously. Luckily, I live near a major city and have some options. I did change Georgia's medication schedule. She typically gets three doses of gabapentin but I'm splitting the third dose up and saving the bigger doses for morning and bedtime. I'm hoping this will help while I am at work and during the night so I can sleep. I added 3 doses of tramadol, too. She had about 10 episodes today and that is far less than yesterday. We are home again...I think that is helping, too. One day at a time, right? I must take 50 deep breaths a day. I knew it would be hard but it's overwhelming.

Thank you again for your support. I wish your babies all good health (and their owners, too!)

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, hang in there darling! These are "early days" and a lot will change in the next six months.

I'm sure acupuncture and/or Reiki can't hurt...literally and figuratively, so go for it. Familiar surroundings will also help. I know the worry and the feeling of helplessness, but it does get better as we learn what works for our individual dogs.

I do hope Georgia finds comfort soon, as then you will also. Oliver still has "episodes" but none as bad as the first six months. Stay hopeful and positive as you are doing and know you are not alone. There are many of us here who have broad shoulders to lend support whenever it's required.

[Deerie me]

Hi Kelly, I've been keeping up with you and Georgia on the SM/CM thread but it's nice to meet you officially. I'm Tracy and I have deerhounds Loki and Idun, and CKCS Libby Lou ( actually my mum's dog but they both live with me). We are in North Devon, UK.