Looking for Arizona vet famliar with SM

[twinklfsh]

Hi everyone. I am new here. We just got our second cavalier - Ronnie. He was abandoned by his owner and after a week of watching him and a visit to the vet, we are pretty sure he was abandoned because of SM. What a shame. He is such a beautiful, loving boy. We live part of the year in Michigan and part of the year in Arizona, can anyone recommend a vet that is familiar with treatment and surgical procedures in either of those areas? I really think we want to pursue sugery as soon as possible. Evrything I read seems to indicate that this is the best way for a good recovery? Ronnie is waking and yelping at night, scratching the air probably 20 times or more a day and cannot tolerate a leash or a sweater or being petted on the head. He also walks with his head crooked to one side when he is in pain. Any suggestions or help or thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated. - Michelle

[Shay]

So sorry to hear this. Here is a link to neurologists in Arizona. The ones hi-lited in red have treated SM dogs.
http://www.cavalierhealth.org/neurologists.htm#Arizona

Here is the home page link to the above site. It is a very informative site. http://www.cavalierhealth.org/index.html

Hope everything works out for you and Ronnie.

[Jen]

I am really sorry to hear this, but am happy that he's found you.

Karlin (moderator on this site) runs a SM site as well....where you'll find a lot of answers and support.

http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/

[Roberta]

You might also want to consider Dr. Peter Gordon, veterinary neurologist in Tucson. He has a lot of experience with SM--he did his residency at the University of Missouri where he did quite a few surgeries on SM dogs. Missouri has a human Chiari clinic and Dr. Gordon was able to observe/collaborate with the doctors in that clinic as well. I've heard very good reports about him.

Good luck!

Best, Roberta

[twinklfsh]

Thank you Roberta, this is exactly the kind of recommendation that I was looking for. I'll give him a call. -Michelle

[rory]

You might also want to consider Dr. Peter Gordon, veterinary neurologist in Tucson. He has a lot of experience with SM--he did his residency at the University of Missouri where he did quite a few surgeries on SM dogs. Missouri has a human Chiari clinic and Dr. Gordon was able to observe/collaborate with the doctors in that clinic as well. I've heard very good reports about him.

Good luck!

Best, Roberta

That's great!! I hope you can connect with this guy, Michelle.

-Kendall

[Karlin]

Dr Jarboe is also supposed to be good. I am not sure whether she is based in Phoenix or Las Vegas -- or goes between both.