Charlie was MRI'd - here we go again :(

donna, what excellent news that charlie doesn't have the malformation or syrinxes. but hydrocephalus is a frightening diagnosis. poor little guy. i know what it's like to so desperately want them to be well and happy and enjoying life, it's so hard when they suffer, it's a such a sad and helpless feeling. charlie is getting the best of care, i hope soon there will be some clarification of what's going on and some effective treatment.

i've had two MRIs, years ago, and there was no one there to read or interpret them when i had them done. I had to wait for the report to be sent to my referring doctor in order to find out the results. that sucked. i was trying to get some info out of the technician because they know something about what they're seeing, and they did take some mercy on me and gave me some reassurance in general terms.

me and zack are hoping for some helpful news for Charlie

PS why is he called Mr Skeritt. Isn't he a doctor?

Donna -
that's great that he doesn't have SM! i hope the hydrocephalous is treatable and perhaps with treatment he can receive more comfort.

Hope he's feeling better soon!
-kendall

So happy Charlie doesn't have SM. I don't know that much about hydrocephalus, but I hope that is a better diagnosis than SM. Hoping all goes well for Charlie and you! :xfngr: :lotsaluv:

What a pity that the clinic staff had less than great "bedside manner". Did you meet any other cavaliers there? Seems were an awful lot of MRI's to have scheduled for one day. Pansy had a full scan and if recall correctly, it took an hour and a half, though she was groggy later, so we didn't go right home. The vets, radiologists and office staff were very supportive. We went to Tacoma WA for a special bre-breeding clinic for CKCS.

We were charged just over 1200 GBP for ours - when I questioned that it was coming up as cheaper on the Cavalier Club website I was told by Clare that this was only for breeders - they did the scan and then wrote and told them the results - they didn't see or check the dogs...have you written to complain yet Donna.

Hi Donna,
I'll be thinking of Charlie tomorrow and hoping (and praying) that everything goes well. Hope he gets his nails clipped as well.
So glad to hear that you have something exciting to do as it will take your mind off Charlie. Even a little distraction can be helpful...

Best of luck :lotsaluv: :hug: :hug:

:flwr:

best wishes for charlie. i hope he comes through ok and the procedure leads to some helpful information, which will make it all worth it.

Donna -

Just sitting here and thinking of your crew.. Hopefully everything is going well today.. *HUGZ* from me and Kos :flwr: :flwr:

Donna - can you let us know how Charlie got on please. I hope everything is OK . Do you have to wait for James to get results back??


:flwr: :hug:

Claire, :flwr:

the results for Charlie should be back by Christmas....

and as for the MRI scan costs.... it seems with Insurance cover like Donna and I and many others have they have a free reign with the bill at the end....not one of my scan costs were ever the same, but I did manage to get a low cost scan at Chestergates....I just rang and asked and they did it with no questions...

Shop around or make sure you have good cover when you bring your pup home.

Alison, Wilts, U.K.

Thanks Alison :flwr:

James was going to chase the results up this week for me. We had a few problems last time - it would appear that when they say the scans have been sent to a specialist it's a bit like the old 'cheque is in the post' excuse.....

Hoping to get Charlie's biopsies results by Thursday. will post when i know more

Thanks all for caring and for your lovely posts :flwr: . I haven't been able to get on here as much as I'd like to, lately. I've been really busy and won't give up any of the time I get to spend with my babies for anything - as it should be, of course

Sorry you are having to go through all these delays; it is really frustrating when you are waiting to find out something so important to you. Hope you get all the results asap. :xfngr:

Just rereading this thread and thinking you might want a second opinion on the 'no malformation' as this is quite rare, and I know from talking to Clare Rusbridge that some neurologists see no malformation when those looking at a lot of SM MRIs definitely see a malformation. Also many dogs still have considerable hind brain crowding without a clear malformation and this may well have a similar affect for some dogs as the malformation. While a severe malformation usually is linked to more severe symptoms this is not always the case. Hydrocephalus can also be a related aspect of the malformation and SM and is sometimes found in conjunction with these. A neurologist familiar with SM will be able to tell you if there are connections or this is stand alone hydrocephalus. By 'highly variable" I think James probably means it can be severe to mild, worsen and then improve, and have some some typical features but not other typical features, not that it is on one side or the other. However it is often on one side or the other as that is how the bubble of fluid forms, and dogs will be more affected by symtpoms on one side of the body (the side opposite where the bubble is). Hydrocephalus is, like SM and CM, also related to and affected by CSF flow so any obstruction in the brain/skull could affect the severity and symptoms.

hydrocephalus in dogs:

http://www.upei.ca/cidd/Diseases/nervous system disorders/hydrocephalus.htm

Hoping you get your report back asap.

Thanks Karlin. Sorry, I have only just seen your post. I've been a bit lax on here recently and when i do get on it's usually just a fleeting visit

James still hadn't had any results back from the referral centre so today after yet another bad episode with Charlie, I gave them a ring. The Vet who did his scan wasn't in and tbh I was glad as the receptionist took it onto herself to get someone else to look at his notes and plates. This other Vet said it looked like he needed to see a Neurologist - urgently :yikes

To say that I am furious with them is an understatement & I told the receptionist (who was lovely) how angry I was, but not with her! She suggested that I get my Vet to call them but I said I wasn't even going there as he'd tried several times and was still waiting. They also said that the only people they would let have the MRI plates would be a Neurologist and they wouldn't let anyone else take them......

I then spoke again to James who phoned Chestergates and explained the situation. Chestergates immediately called me and arranged for me to take Charlie in on Monday morning. whilst I was on the phone to them, I got a call from the other referral centre on my mobile - asking if my friend (obviously meaning Alison) would collect the scan plates tomorrow as they wouldn't get to Chestergates in time! They seem to make it up as they go along in case you hadn't noticed :roll:

Chestergates are going to look at his scans - they couldn't believe that the referral centre were going to just hand them over as they have apparently had fun and games with them before! However, Charlie might need to be re-scanned so he's got to be starved again, bless him.

Anyway, it's a case of here we go again and an extremely hastily arranged overdraft from my bank as it could cost another £1200 again on Monday! I am soooooooooooooooooo glad my babies are insured :flwr:

Will report back on Monday when we've seen the specialist (not sure who we're seeing yet).

Oh Donna, how upsetting the way you and Charlie have been treated, and now what they've done (or should I say failed to do!) with the unnecessary delays. :x It's infuriating!

Now we're thinking of Charlie and you, and hoping for a good outcome. I hope Charlie's next specialist will be much more caring and attentive. :hug: :flwr:

Don't worry Donna, we will get it sorted. :flwr:

I'm picking the plates up for you shortly and I will fill the car up with petrol for Monday...will leave about 6ish and miss the Monday traffic :yikes

Thank heavens for my very understanding hubby who at a seconds notice has taken Monday off from work so that I can go with Donna. (he will mind my girls for the day)

I feel the GW at Swindon certainly need to answer some questions don't they....when we went there last year with Maxx and Annie-Belle it wasn't much better with confusion aferwards regarding the results. People don't need this upset, they need to feel confident when they hand their animals over.

All at Chestergates are lovely and know their job so well, Charlie will be in the very best hands. :lotsaluv:

Alison, Wilts, U.K.

So sorry that Charlie has been poorly. Good luck on Monday. :hug:
Pepsi x

Hope everything goes well on monday Donna. :xfngr: you get some proper answers and swift treatment for Charlie.

Alison! well done to you for being such a good friend :flwr: :flwr:

Wish I was there 'cause I'd go an kick some ass too!!

:flwr: :hug:

Thanks all. I am just more than a bit upset - for Charlie, not me. Now the GW are denying that any conversations took place between me and them. My Vet just cannot believe how disorganised they are - I've known him for so long and he knows I wouldn't make stories up like that :roll:

I do know that my Vet's practice will no longer send anyone to GW as they're furious at the way this has all been handled.

Will report in when we get back on Monday :xfngr: for my little man :flwr:

:xfngr: :xfngr: :xfngr: :xfngr: Everthing is crossed for you at our house!
Have a safe trip Donna and Alison! :drivecar: :flwr: :flwr: :flwr: