[ SHOWGSD-L ] re surgery....cauda equina
- From: Bokenkampgsd1@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 15:39:01 EST
I have had someone contact me that a dog she bred owned by someone else has
cauda equina. She is looking for information from anyone that has had the
surgery done for this problem.
Any responses please forward to me as she is not on this list but looking
for help.
Below is a message with MRI indications and suggestions from her vet as to
treatment surgery. Does anyone have some experience with an animal who has
undergone the suggested treatment??
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Hi Molly,
Here is what my pet owner says about the MRI - it was not good.
The MRI was today (instead of yesterday) and the results were not good. As
suspected, he has narrowing in the vertebra causing nerve problems and bone
growth which are the body's attempts to fuse the joint, and some degeneration
of the joint itself. All of this combined is causing the pain and lameness.
The hard part is that it's both top and bottom of the L 7/ S1 joint so very
difficult to reach and difficult to correct with one type of fusion. It
would likely require stabilization through 2 surgeries, risky to do at the
same
time but hard on him to do separately and quite expensive, like $4-5K each.
Rehab is several months confinement. And the worst part was the success rate
is 75%. The surgeon recommended to do the first fusion and then wait a few
months, see how he does, then do the second, which puts screws in the joint
from the side. He has not done the second procedure (and called Smoky his
guinea pig--horrible ass hole remark) but his office partner has twice and
they
are so far pleased with the result for some cases. The failure rate over
time of the screws can mean more surgery.
Smoky is on rest with no more than 10 minute walk per day, Pred every other
day. The MRI and anesthesia whacked him out.
I asked the vet about alternatives and he said they are ok for pain mgmt and
post surgery but that this is a surgical issue and alternatives or strength
building will not fix the problem. I was totally overwhelmed at this point
and asked him if he had any good news at all. He said it's serious and
difficult to fix so there aren't a lot of clear solutions, like an ACL tear or
a
hip.
I am kind of numb, I guess. If I felt that there was a good solution, I
would go for it. I don't like the odds or the surgeries (or the surgeon for
that matter). I asked him for referrals and if he would investigate the best
place although I think it surprised him that I wouldn't just have him do at
least the fusion. He said he would do some checking and I think he will.
He's going on vacation of course at end of this week so I have to sit on my
hands and wait for him to get back to me. He said information/referrals are
best
coming from one vet to the other.
If your people out there have opinions or info about fusion and who to send
him to I'd be grateful. This vet said WSU at Pullman has a good neurologist.
He didn't know if UC Davis was that much better. He also feels quite
comfortable doing fusions and does them often. He doesn't think I should wait
long to do the surgery due to the nerve involvement.
Becky, you know how much I love this dog. I've been crying on and off for a
few hours now. The question I need your help with, along with many others
I'm sure...do I put him through this? Is it fair to ask of him?
Thanks for listening and I welcome whatever thoughts you have.
If you have any suggestions or thoughts for her, I would really appreciate
it. I have no experience with this issue and am just sick about the
situation. Thanks so much!
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=
Molly
Trillia German Shepherds since 1972 ph 409-287-3940
Member GSDCA, GSDCC, GSDC of Beaumont (recording secretary), Life member CKC
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being
can alter his life by altering his attitude"-William James
**************Need a job? Find employment help in your area.
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