Kari - any news on Penny? Has the hospital called?

papbouv · January 08, 2007, 10:24:30 PM

Very sorry to hear of Penny's back slide hope now they know what the problem is the new medications will work and she will be doing better in no time.Know you are wore out with worry but if some one on the forum has time can they explain Fenestrate tried to look it up but did not have much luck understanding what they said.Will be thinking of you all sending rays from Gizmo,Patches & Buddy too.
Papbouv

Kari · January 08, 2007, 10:33:31 PM

Quote from: papbouv on January 08, 2007, 10:24:30 PM
Very sorry to hear of Penny's back slide hope now they know what the problem is the new medications will work and she will be doing better in no time.Know you are wore out with worry but if some one on the forum has time can they explain Fenestrate tried to look it up but did not have much luck understanding what they said.Will be thinking of you all sending rays from Gizmo,Patches & Buddy too.
Papbouv

The way that they explained it to us in regular terms was that they create (cut) windows in vertebrae so that when/if the disc were to swell it would do so sideways instead of up into the spinal column.

Hope that helps!

Kari

Teresa · January 09, 2007, 05:03:43 AM

I know it is very very early PST, but I hope everyone in Penny's household is able to have a restful day. Hopefully this post will find Penny resting and feeling much better! I'll check in on her when I get off this evening.

Jen · January 09, 2007, 05:54:15 AM

Kari,

I am so sorry to hear Penny has had a detour in her recovery :(

Poor girl - I will talk to Maryanne later today and see if she knows any other dachshunds who have had this problem. Did you join dodgerslist?

Lots of prayers coming your way!

Jen

TerriL · January 09, 2007, 07:03:40 AM

Mega Rays coming from all of us in Clearwater. I can't begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you. Thank you so much Kari for sharing all of this information with us.... not to mention the web-cam. I think all of us who have spent any time at this board learn to love and appreciate all of the furkids that we come to know. Helping each other through these horrible problems that our babies are prone to is really what we are all about. Please know that we are here for you. Your doing and have been doing what it takes to get Penny healthy. God Bless you for that. I shared with DeeDee (when Hallie had her back problem) some words that Roberta gave to me when my Toby was so sick. Baby steps are all that is required. Hang in there.

Barb · January 09, 2007, 07:23:35 AM

Very well said Terri - baby steps - we all need to remember that......... Sending Tuesday rays to our Penny !

Jeri · January 09, 2007, 07:41:49 AM

I had never heard of this condition, but I do know that Dachsies are precious and delicate things. We are sending rays and prayers that this is only a brief setback and that penny will soon recover.

PattyInAK · January 09, 2007, 08:39:35 AM

Oh geez!!! Kari, please keep us posted. Hang in there, and all that. I do know how upsetting it is when our dogs are at the vet, staying overnight and we're hanging in limbo wondering what's going on. We're all here to support you, and its okay to cry and pour your heart out here.

Kari · January 09, 2007, 09:31:07 AM

Good Tuesday Morning to Everyone! Penny is up on her webcam :) We had a rough start to the night. Penny had been sleeping soundly when we got her up to potty and move her crate upstairs with us. When we put her back to bed she just whimpered and cried. Drew pet her head, then held her to comfort her. Finally after about an hour she settled down.

It was hard on Drew giving her injection. It was about 75 units of the drug. I held her still and he gave it - he was shaking like a leaf (which isn't normal for him considering he is a diabetic and gives injections to himself all the time). Just afraid to hurt her since she has been through enough. But we all got through it. My mom is coming to pick me up at 9:45 and we are going to take her to our regular vet that is 10 minutes away for them to give her the third injection - I'm a baby and can't do it. Then tonight Drew will give her the fourth one.

I did join Dodger's List but haven't had a chance to post this update on there yet. Hopefully today. My work is being super nice considering I have already taken a lot of time off the last 2 1/2 weeks to be with her. They gave me a laptop so I can process our companies payroll from home. So I can stay home today and tomorrow and maybe Thur but I have a ton to get done! Drew will be home Friday and next Monday.

She seems more alert this morning probably since the pain shot she got right before we picked her up yesterday has worn off. You can tell she is still uncomfortable when you pick her up she grunts - at least it isn't the yelp she was doing.

Thanks again for all the support...yes...I have to remember baby steps.

hildiesmom · January 09, 2007, 10:04:13 AM

Hi Kari,

I don't post here often, but have "been there done that" with a couple of my dogs and back surgery, so my friend Jen asked me to come over here and take a look at what you are going through... it certainly isn't a "normal" case, is it. First of all, sending many hugs to you guys...I know what it feels like, especially when you are dealing with something the docs can't quite put their finger on. In my mind, you have done everything right so far, given what you are going through, but there are just some things that are questions in my mind.

So, here goes...

Focal myelitis is a very vague diagnosis...basically it says there is a "spot" on the spinal cord that is inflamed, and causing this "over reaction" of the immune system--including, possibly, the original swelling or as a reaction to the surgery. The biggest question here, as I'm sure you and your vets are debating, is what really caused this in the first place? Since there was clearly some inflammation on the original mylogram, but it hasn't clearly been identified as IVDD (in spite of the surgery), what the heck is it?? They call it "focal myelitis", but that's really the "result" or the "symptoms" and not the "what is it". I hope that makes sense. So, my next question is, what have the vets done to try to answer that question? Have they done bloodwork? Other types of diagnosis--including analyzing the spinal fluid? You said they didn't see disk material--but did they take a good look at everything under a microscope? The reason I'm asking is that there are many, many things that could have caused this... none of them very good, unfortunately, but if they are properly diagnosed, a more effective treatment might be achieved.

Some of the things that immediately spring to mind, when I'm thinking about these "mystery" back problems, are things like tick diseases (which OFTEN mimic back problems; I do wonder if some sort of antibiotics would also be indicated, in addition to the other drugs they have prescribed..might want to ask your vet), some sorts of meningitis (which can be caused by viruses), and possibly GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis). That last one I bring up because it seems to be more and more common nowadays...seems to be more common in dachshunds, and is very difficult to treat...but if you know what's actually going *on*, then you can target the treatment more effectively. I suspect that your vets feel it is one of these things--given the drugs that they have prescribed...the imuran and chemo drugs that they are using are not ordinary.

I know you've been referred to Dodgerslist--and I know there are some folks over there who will suggest these things to you as well...but I'd also like to refer you to my friend Karen Henry, who formed the Abledogs list, and who went through something similar to this with one of her dogs. KLHenry@ix.netcom.com Tell her I sent you, and tell her your story...or direct her to this board and your posts... I bet she'll have some suggestions too, since she is now more the 'expert' on GME than I am. I'm not saying I'm sure this is what's happening here, but in my gut, I think it's worth asking about...that's why I'm mentioning it. I am not a vet, by the way, but have been looking closely at dachsie back problems for nearly 20 years now...so I guess that I have more experience than lots of folks with asking these questions...

I am so, so sorry this is happening to you and Penny... I remember how scary it was when I went through it with my first Dachs, Hildie...and it was equally scary with one of my other dogs... it is never, ever easy. But, rest assured, there are lots of folks out there pulling for you guys...and lots of folks who can help you over the rough parts... If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to email me, I will try to remember to check the Board over the next few days (but I'm in the middle of a move, so haven't been sitting at the computer much, so email is best if you need a quicker answer), and I'm sure Jen will keep me posted on what's going on with you guys.

{{{h}}}

MaryAnne Teal
a.k.a. Hildiesmom
http://www.tealdachs.com

Kari · January 09, 2007, 12:12:35 PM

Thanks for the information Mary Anne. The why is still the question - the have done blood work as well as a work up on her spinal fluid in which both of them indicated nothing. I'll check out the other information that you gave - I really appreciate your input.