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Ruby to be MRI'd on tuesday

Thanks. I imagine your vets will be a bit shocked -- they really sounded supportive and on top of things.

I wouldn't say you necessarily need an MRI unless you are considering surgery -- but certainly having the MRI to consider surgery sooner rather than later would be the norm. You would generally want to know if you are looking at discomfort from say a small syrinx, or lots of syrninxes that could cause serious pain sessions, or what... :neutral:

I'd mainly want to talk to someone who would take seriously the idea of pain management. Adding metacam would be the start, but I'm surprised he was stating that the condition doesn't progress (goodness! He must not believe any of the published scientific papers or the experience of neurologists who have seen hundreds of dogs now with the condition!) -- especially in a dog so symtpomatic he could make a diagnosis on clinical appearance alone without an MRI! :eek: -- and also that he doesn't seem to think any of those symptoms indicate pain. :(
 
Karlin

I suggested if needed Mr Skerritt at Cranmore /Chestergates ,what would you think
Brian
 
yes the same vet we saw. our dog had staticus epilpeticus ( one fit after another) he said we could just leave him having fits for hours & he'd be fine.

He was the first person who ever mentioned sm to us

Wear refferals in bishop auckland have an mri scanner, perhaps you'd have more luck there
 
Oh tupup I am so deeply sorry. You know this disease is bad enough but it sucks big time that the list of neurologists is so small. Not alot of them if you know what I mean. I know you're getting messages of other good neurologists to see and of course Karlin knows. I am so sorry again. I would have blown my top so you did better than I would have.
 
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I'd mainly want to talk to someone who would take seriously the idea of pain management. Adding metacam would be the start, but I'm surprised he was stating that the condition doesn't progress (goodness! He must not believe any of the published scientific papers or the experience of neurologists who have seen hundreds of dogs now with the condition!) -- especially in a dog so symtpomatic he could make a diagnosis on clinical appearance alone without an MRI! :eek: -- and also that he doesn't seem to think any of those symptoms indicate pain. :(


I am so sorry you did not get more help and support from the neurologist you saw. It is extremely worrying that there are specialists around that still know so little about the condition, and about how to manage the pain & discomfort these little dogs endure.

Thank goodness you had done your homework, so you at least got some pain relief for her.

I know it is difficult when you need to rely on other people to transport you, but Chestergate are extremely experienced when it comes to diagnosing & treating SM.

Thinking of you,

Margaret C
 
What an excruciating experience to go through! Even though he diagnosed her with SM, he showed no empathy whatsoever. AS karlin said, his behavior is simply beyond belief. There are good neurologists out there, but it does take time to research them and I know you are limited to where you can go because of transportation issues. I feel very fortunate that I live 5 minutes from Riley's neurologist. He calls me back the same day I call him with any concerns. When he couldn't get me one day (he called really late and I was already in a plane on my way to my parents house), he called the next day without me having to make a return call. Because he's so close, I have been taking Riley in probably every other month as she has lingering problems with her vestibular system and we're adjusting and trying new meds.

This is a disease that in order to cope better you need an empathetic doctor. One who knows that she is your baby and won't mind your 17 questions or if you cry in front of him. One who is responsive to your needs and is concerned for the welfare of your dog and making sure she is living pain-free, as well as monitoring the relief of or progression of symptoms. It almost sounded like he thought you were trying to turn your dog into a drug addict!! Keep trying - you will find a good doctor. We're here for you.
 
It turns out this person is not actually a neurologist; he has a different qualification. That is not necessarily a problem -- for example Dr Marino at LIVS is a surgeon, not a neurologist. But your experience reveals a shocking level of ignorance about SM.
 
Oh Tupup,

Im so sorry. Im sitting here enraged at what you've been through.:mad:
Thank goodness your little one has you to fight for her, at least you got her pain meds.
I hope she improves with these.

Mel:lotsaluv:
 
Now that you have an SM diagnosis, I'd go talk to your new vets with the info on treatment from Clare Rusbridge as they may be happy to work with that.

My vets do this.
 
Thank you all for your support & valid opinions, i find it somewhat shocking that he isnt even a neurologist despite my vet saying you need to see a neuro & get an mriicon_nwunsure
i spoke to the vet today, he had already had a letter from this man. i asked if i could see the vet from now on regards her meds & used the distance as the reason for not wanting to go there again. he said to go see him in a few weeks but yes he could see to any pain meds etc, and for me to go ahead with the duiretics b.cos if the man thought that was best etc, him being so good at his job!!
she has had 3days on metacam now& today only on fusamide, so we'll see. i wont wait too long if i dont think these are having an effect
on a better note her treatment for her dry eye is working wonderfully, ive never seen her with such shiny beautiful eyes. we go back to ripon to see the fab eye consultant may 13th:D
 
There are people in other specialities, familiar with doing MRIs, who are very good at diagnosing and working with clients with SM dogs. So the problem isn't really that he isn't a neurologist.

It is more that he seemed very underinformed on the condition and quite insensitive to the client.
 
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