Update on Bailey

We took Bailey to Glasgow vet school today and unfortunately the neurologist agrees that it is fairly likely Bailey has SM

We have to take her tomorrow morning to get her MRI. We have to drop her off at 8.45 and then pick her up later in the day.

To be honest I was hoping the neurologist would tell me I was being paranoid but after listening to the symptoms and giving her a look over (she found her neck to be tender) she said the likelyhood is that she does have SM.

However it hasn't been confirmed yet and I'm hoping and praying the scan will be clear :xfngr: My family aren't being too supportive at the moment and think I'm putting Bailey through unnecessary trauma. On the one hand I hope they are right and that she doesn't have SM but I am really just trying to do what is best for her... they think I read up on things on the internet too much :neutral:.
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I just wanted to say that i am thinking of you and Bailey and hoping your fears are not confirmed tomorrow.

Hang in there

Jo

RubyMae 12 weeks

Hi,

Leo showed various signs earlier this year and when we saw the neurologist he said he thought Leo has SM. He was MRI'd and to everyones surprise had no syrinx:jmp2:

He does have the Chiari malformation and who knows what the future holds but just be reassured that sometimes we dont get the results we were dreading.

I'll be thinking of you and have everything crossed:xfngr::xfngr::xfngr:

`Mel

I had a similar situation with my family in particular my mother and also some of my friends. The trouble is severe sm symptoms sounds too horrific for most people to comprehend as they will only think and see headlines . People don't understand that a number of sm cases can be treated and the dog can be given quality of life. You have obviously read about this and you are doing the right thing. Just take one step and one day at a time. You will fing plenty of support and understanding here. Bailey is very lucky to have you. A big kiss to Bailey and we will be keeping our fingers crossed.

Tania is right - and sadly often families don't understnad the depth of feeling we have for our beloved companions. We can only do what we feel is right...

It is better to know what you are dealing with, and then you can make the best of every day, reassured taht you are doing your best.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow

Yes just hang in there and see what comes up on the MRI -- it is hard not to worry but try to wait and see what comes back first.

It is important to understand though that the malformation IS a diagnosis of a related problem, if it is connected to similar symptoms as SM (while a syrinx is not what any of us want to see, unfortunately, neither is the malformation but it is very widespread and does on its own, cause problems for some dogs). In humans, Chiari Malformation is actually a greater cause of SM-like symptoms than SM. Most people with either condition speak of having Chiari (because those with SM tend to have Chiari first, as with cavaliers). So for any dog showing symptoms with the malformation, I'd definitely not leave it untreated and the medication protocol is very similar to what you'd do for SM, as is noted on Clare Rusbridge's website. Fortunately the malformation alone in cavaliers doesn't seem to cause pain with the frequency it does in humans.

http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part2.htm#21

Generally the treatment approach is something like frusemide and if that doesn't help, adding other painkillers.

PSOM can also cause some similar symptoms too.

Best of luck on the MRI and let us know the results when you hear. :flwr:

Thanks everyone for your support. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow

I just got a call from the neurologist and it has been confirmed that Bailey has SM

From what she told me on the phone it is moderate and she has syrinx on her spine. I am really upset at the moment but I am trying to keep calm until I go back to pick Bailey up and until I am able to get the full story from the neurologist.

I was hoping that if she did have it it would be a mild form as her symptoms are not too bad but to hear it is already moderate has really given me a shock!

The neurologist wants to discuss medication. The options are either not to medicate at the moment as her symptoms are not that bad or to try the medication and see if it helps.

What do you think?

I am really sorry about your news. When I was first given the news about Molly (who has a syrinx and considered severe) I felt as though I had been kicked in the face and it was the end of the world, I couldn't stop crying. She is now on medication and doing really well . Try and stay positive you will get a lot of support and information from here and we will all help you get through this.

Oh I'm so sorry.

I personally think I would start the medication now. If it does progress, you don't want your sweetie in any discomfort. Plus, if you can slow it down, or at least control it I should say, then who knows, maybe the progression won't be fast or very severe.

I'm certainly thinking about you today. Try to stay positive, there's a lot you can do to keep her comfortable.

~Dawn

kimy27 said:

I just got a call from the neurologist and it has been confirmed that Bailey has SM . . . . The neurologist wants to discuss medication. The options are either not to medicate at the moment as her symptoms are not that bad or to try the medication and see if it helps.

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Lots of hugs to Bailey and to you. While it is such a sad phrase to hear, "your dog has SM", for me having some answers was something of a relief. At least you know what you are dealing with to some extent, although SM can be such a "vague" disease that it is frustrating to work out a treatment protocol. My recommendation is to first have a frank and detailed conversation with the neurologist. Make sure you described as accurately as you can Bailey's symptoms and their frequency and then make the decision together. If the neurologist is not that experienced with SM you may want to get a consultation with someone who is or ask your neurologist to review her case with others who know the disease better.

Best of luck to Bailey and to you and keep us posted.

Couldn't have said it better Phyllis. While it is distressing to get this diagnosis...at least you know what is going on. At the same time, it's so frustrating that the disease is still so vague. Would be so much nicer if it were black and white....but it isn't. A frank discussion with your neurologist along with your personal insight should help.

We are back from Glasgow vet school and poor Bailey is curled up on the couch sleeping. I just want to cry everytime I look at her .

I got to speak to the neurologist and it was a lot of information to take in. Luckily she wrote it all down for me...

Investigations- The brain shows a marked dialation of the ventricular system (hydrocephalus). The spinal chord shows in different degree but throughout dilalation of the central canal plus syringomyelia. Syringomyelia is most marked at the level of T1, in the mid thoratic region and mild syringomyelia in the mid lumbar region.

Diagnosis- The clinical signs and diagnostic tests are consistent with Chiari-like malformation/ syringomyelia affecting the brain and spinal chord.

The neurologist has said my options are either medication or surgery. I am really not sure what I am going to decide at the moment.

Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated. :flwr:

Oh dear, poor you and poor Bailey - I'm sure everyone on here will be wishing her well and sending healing thoughts.

There has been a lot of discussion of surgery versus medication on this Board already and only you can really decide that once you have taken it all in and spoken to the specialists again.

For what it's worth, my own ruby (Megan) who was 9 years old when we discovered her SM and with quite bad hydrocephalus and very worrying neurological symptoms, has nevertheless been hugely improved by her medication. We felt she was far too old to even think about surgery and it wasn't actually offered, but Meg is a good example of how dire things can seem at first, and then how much better they can get after a while, once you have got used to the shock and the dog has got used to the pills!

So "nil desperandum" and lots of luck. Do let us know how Bailey gets on. Every good wish, Marie-Anne

I'm so sorry you got your fears confirmed. It is absolutely devastating when you get that diagnosis, but in time, you will learn to live with it. It does get better and you won't always cry every time you think of what poor little Bailey is having to deal with. Given your diagnosis and the fact that they gave you the option of medication vs surgery, I would give medication a try first. When Riley was diagnosed with severe and advanced SM, two different neurologists told me that surgery was the preferred option for her - and indeed, no medication that she was on pre-operatively did any good. She was on Gabapentin and prednisone and neither had any effect on her symptoms. So I went the surgical route with her. She had decompression surgery last June (2008). She is now maintained on daily prednisone and is living a good life. She still has symptoms, but they are markedly reduced.

You'll have days in which you just want to hold Bailey all day long and never leave her alone. You'll wonder how life could be so cruel to inflict such a disorder on your sweet baby girl. And it isn't fair and it doesn't make sense that these little lovebugs can have such a hard time. However, eventually, you will realize that you are not doing her any favors by treating her with kid gloves all the time (unless her condidion warrants it periodically), and you will learn to just love her and not dwell on the what-ifs. She may have a shorter life span than if she didn't have SM, there's just no way to know. Your job now is to get her the best care you can and to love her and give her the best quality life you know how.

If you have any questions about the surgery you can PM me.

I am so sorry you got that news today.

I don't have any advice to offer; just wanted to say I am sorry. One day at a time; that adage helps a number of people through a number of issues.
Hugs

Jo
Ruby Mae 12 weeks

I am so sorry.

It is not what any of us wants to hear, but at least you can make sure Bailey has all the care she needs.

I have three SM dogs. Their ages are nine, eleven, and thirteen years old, and they have been maintained for years on painkillers. They enjoy their walks, and their food and climbing the steps on to my bed for a Good Morning snooze with Mum.

I cannot pretend that a diagnosis of SM does not take away some of the careless joy you feel in your pet, and brings an anxiety that always lurks in the back of the mind, but it also brings a special love.

I hope that you can find the right medication for Bailey, and that she continues to delight you as she always has.

Always happy to talk if you want to PM for my phone number.

kimy27 said:

I was hoping that if she did have it it would be a mild form as her symptoms are not too bad but to hear it is already moderate has really given me a shock!

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There isn't always a correlation between the size of syrinx and the symptoms. Dylan had one of the worst scans his neuro had seen, 2 huge syrinx, but he seemed only irritated by something, at that time, not in pain. Sounds like the same with Bailey. How he feels is all that counts. Now you know what the situation is, you can get him medicated. Here for you any time you want to PM me. xx :hug:

Thanks everyone for all your advice and well wishes. It's so great to have a place like this.

I am still not sure what I am going to do. I will make an appoinment with my vet so I can discuss the options with her. I will also do a lot of reading into the pros and cons of medication v surgery. I will have to wait to see if my insurance is going to pay out before I can decide if I can even afford to have the surgery done. :xfngr:

Bailey is feeling a bit better this morning. She has been feeling a bit sorry for herself and was crying a bit during the night. I think her throat is sore because of the tube. Unfortunately everyone in my house had to work today so Bailey is at her gran and grandads getting well looked after (I didn't want to leave her alone so soon after having anesthetic).