Bentley has an appt: UPDATED w/PSOM info 3/22

[Alison_Leighfield]

If the dog is determined to have PSOM, they do the procedure to remove the mucus plug; slit open the eardrum and flush out the plug..

...and sometimes this surgery needs to be done more than the once...and even after this the build up can return (relapse), a bit like glue ear in children. It doesn't always have 100% results first time.
If it's only the deafness thats showing with PSOM (Primary secetory otitis media) and nothing else is bothering them then I don't think myself that I would interfere.

Thinking of you both Barb, hugs for Bentley (((X)))

Alison.

[BarbMazz]

If the dog is determined to have PSOM, they do the procedure to remove the mucus plug; slit open the eardrum and flush out the plug..

...and sometimes this surgery needs to be done more than the once...and even after this the build up can return (relapse), a bit like glue ear in children. It doesn't always have 100% results first time.
If it's only the deafness thats showing with PSOM (Primary secetory otitis media) and nothing else is bothering them then I don't think myself that I would interfere.

Thinking of you both Barb, hugs for Bentley (((X)))

Alison.

Thank you, Alison. Dr Cole explained the reason they do the second CT scan is to determine that the plug is completely removed. She seemed to feel that makes a difference in whether the plug returns or not.

I think I would rather this be PSOM than SM. He is obviously feeling something that's causing the scratching and headshaking. I hope he's not in too much discomfort.

[Shay]

Thanks Barb I will, and likewise to Mr. Bentley.

[Karlin]

None of those tests will tell if there is SM I'm afraid. Only an MRI can reveal syrinxes. The neurological exam could verify that there are neurological problems though that lean toward an SM diagnosis, if there's no PSOM.

It is standard for them to need to repeat the procedure at least once on many dogs -- just so you know this is very common. I hadn't heard that a CT scan for the absence of the plug improves the success rate -- but this may be the case or may be something they are trying to verify. I always understood the plug rcan reform for reasons not understood.

That is interesting that they include air scratching as I had understood from other folks that this usually is not seen with PSOM but Dr Cole is definitely the expert on this odd condition, so I will change what I have told people in the past.

I would def. go ahead with this study. OSU is def. doing SM work still as well but I don;t know what phase they are at and oif they are taking new cavaliers into thr study. I think the study went on hold when their neuros all went elsewhere over time and they only just got a new person in recently. The Cavalier Health Trust funds some of the OSU research but hasn;t been very clear in what is going on, who is participating, or what any of the results have been over the past few years.

[BarbMazz]

None of those tests will tell if there is SM I'm afraid. Only an MRI can reveal syrinxes. The neurological exam could verify that there are neurological problems though that lean toward an SM diagnosis, if there's no PSOM.

It is standard for them to need to repeat the procedure at least once on many dogs -- just so you know this is very common. I hadn't heard that a CT scan for the absence of the plug improves the success rate -- but this may be the case or may be something they are trying to verify. I always understood the plug rcan reform for reasons not understood.

That is interesting that they include air scratching as I had understood from other folks that this usually is not seen with PSOM but Dr Cole is definitely the expert on this odd condition, so I will change what I have told people in the past.

I would def. go ahead with this study. OSU is def. doing SM work still as well but I don;t know what phase they are at and oif they are taking new cavaliers into thr study. I think the study went on hold when their neuros all went elsewhere over time and they only just got a new person in recently. The Cavalier Health Trust funds some of the OSU research but hasn;t been very clear in what is going on, who is participating, or what any of the results have been over the past few years.

Here's my email and the reply I received from Dr Cole this morning re; PSOM/SM correlation:
On 3/22/07 8:46 AM, "BarbyM@aol.com" <BarbyM@aol.com> wrote:

>
> Hi, Dr Cole
> We spoke yesterday about my CKCS, Bentley, entering the PSOM study. Thank you
> for the detailed information. It really helps me to know exactly what will be
> happening to my little guy while he's there. I am anxious to determine just
> what's going on with him.
>
> Since SM and PSOM can mimic one another, and can also co-exist, I have a
> question; are you able to determine if SM is also present when you do the PSOM
> study? And, if not, are there any SM studies ongoing at OSU? I'm wondering if
> I need to explore both possibilities? I'd appreciate your opinion.
> Thanks again! Barb

Hi Barb,

If we determine that Bentley does not have PSOM, or if he does have PSOM but
the clinical signs do not improve with the middle ear flush, then we would
consider SM as a cause of the clinical signs. When we do the CT scan, if
there are signs of SM, then the dog does have it....if there are NO signs
noted, that does not mean the dog does not have SM, and an MRI would need to
be done to determine if he had it or not. Right now, we do not have any SM
studies going on here at OSU.....

Hope this helps

Dr. Cole

I am definitely going to do the initial day of the study with Bentley. If he is eligible to continue to the second day then I will definitely do that, too.

Research is certainly tricky, isn't it?!? I can see the researchers must be very, very careful not to jump to any conclusions, and the results can be so foggy! My respect level is definitely rising for the doctors and researchers who struggle to maintain scientific method cleanliness!