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Neurologist in Glasgow?

I have had low cost scans from Geoff that were for diagnosis and he made very clear that they are VERY basic -- this is what I had done for my first two 5 years ago. He also made clear that a diagnostic 'mini' scan is not the same as a scan for actual ongoing care. It is a minimal scan giving minimal information and with a short consultation and actual treatment, especially if surgery is to be considered, would require a full scan. So if one wants a proper diagnostic scan with a full commitment to care, then a full scan is really what is needed.

I have great respect for Geoff Skerritt and the team at Chestergates have been very kind and generous with me through two different scanning sessions but I am sure he would be the first to state that a mini scan for diagnosis is not the same as scanning for care. I discussed the option of surgery last time I was there (a year ago) and it was quite clear that for more involved diagnosis ad care, we'd be talking about a full scan and workup. So t really depends on what people want for themselves and their dog. I would say for some, a mini scan and mini consult is better than nothing if a full scan is too prohibitive. I did very much value the information I received but in no way would I have considered it a full consult and there is NO aftercare or ongoing advice -- you'd need to make separate arrangements so in that sense it is not at all like a full consult/full scan where the client is given a full detailed CD of scan images that can be used by other practices and where the neurologist will work with one's local vet to adjust meds etc. Such a scan might especially be useful to continue tracking development in a dog already diagnosed, too. But someone may well find that they end up paying for a full scan anyway after a mini diagnostic scan and that they really do not get the big picture f support and engagement that one definitely gets with a full consult. I also am not sure that Chestergates offers these mini diagnostic scans as a matter of course -- this may simply have been a kind gesture for a friend of an existing client.
 
Karlin,
I think you have covered pretty well all the possible requirements of the Companion Dog Owner going for a first time consult for SM. I would not dream of contradicting you.
But, I sometimes wonder if, in the scheme of things, the owners of companion animals are not tempted to spend more money than is actually required to find the answer to a question.
What I was trying to point out was: if you or your vet have determined that there could be a problem, all you really need to know is whether a problem indeed exists.
GS always writes a very polite reply to my vet saying,that, if they are at all concerned about the dog, just give him a call.
Treatment paths are easily accessible to your vet, via Clare's website

I have had a few dogs over the years with SM. None has needed more than a daily diuretic. Nothing more.
Perhaps I have been lucky?
But I think it is fair to remind owners of companion animals, that, even if your dog is diagnosed with SM, there is every hope that, with minimal treatment, that dog can live a normal life.

Just a comment from someone who has been down the SM road more than a few times, for what it is worth.
Elspeth
 
So sorry to hear this Ruth - is he ok now?

Sadly Nicki no, it was a brain tumour and the scan tipped him over the edge and we had him pts the following day. He was only five bless him.
Thanks for your concern though.
 
What I was trying to point out was: if you or your vet have determined that there could be a problem, all you really need to know is whether a problem indeed exists.

This may definitely be a consideration for many, as are finances. (y) I think it is better to have some information from a scan rather than no scan at all. But at the same time this is like saying you only need a xray to see if there's a tumour so that you know there's a tumour -- many people want and need more than that from a specialist consultation and want a more exact diagnosis. Most people that I know who are treating SM dogs have found CSF drugs only help for a short while and unfortunately, then need gabapentin, other painkillers, a different CSF drug, steroids, or to consider surgery. At that point further consultation is needed. There are also situations where a dog on a mini scan may appear to be less serious that it is -- for example may have only a small syrinx in the brief scan area of the mini scans, but have syrinxes down its spine, in which case an earlier intervention by surgery may mean the difference between a long life and euthenising.

In my own case, Mr Skerritt will not continue to advise on the care of my dogs after the scans and will not release the scans on disk for me to take to anyone else, as that is the policy of his surgery for the mini scans. The film images are not adequate for another neurologist to work from as they are far lower resolution; most will want the actual digital images; I'd need to re-MRI.

So, many owners opting for such a choice will find themselves spending more rather than less if they go for a mini scan then need a regular scan too. And they will need further neurology consults to manage care.

the other issue from an owner's perspective is that most owners getting this diagnosis are not reading the research, following the discussions, attending the SM conferences etc which allow a very informed owner to feel more confidence in weighing up choices and taking decisions. Most rely entirely on their neurologist, and then their vet working in consultation with the neurologist, but this relationship will not be there with mini discount scans as Mr Skerritt makes it clear they are diagnostic, not the basis for care of the condition.

It is another set of variables to weigh up, but for most that expect an SM diagnosis, I would advise to see what their neurologist feels is needed for a proper diagnosis and then ongoing care and the best care decisions.
 
Sadly Nicki no, it was a brain tumour and the scan tipped him over the edge and we had him pts the following day. He was only five bless him.
Thanks for your concern though.

Oh that is so sad :(

Thinking of you
 
Nikki- thats fantastic that they claim direct for the scan so no need to pay up front- I think this would be the best option for her in that case :p
A consultation is usually between £125 and £180 so to have to pay that after paying anywhere near to £300 for a mini scan anyway probably isnt the best option.
I now on my few consults with Clare she has mentioned that we could now do mini scans to see how the syrinx is progressing but certainly wouldnt be very useful in the first instance.
And yes at the time I didnt have much info to go on and my consult in total for before an after the scan was close to 1.5 hrs.
Bless clare had to wait for me to calm down before she could even recommend what treatment we could try.
 
I took Bailey to the vet today and explained why I thought she may have SM. She was very helpful and has agreed to refer her to Glasgow.

She asked if I have insurance which I do so she said I should be ok to claim the cost of the MRI.

Do you think I should call the insurance company to make sure they will cover it? I am with Marks and Spencer and have the premium insurance. There is no way I would be able to afford to pay £1600 on my own.
 
Well I called the insurance but they're not commiting to anything :rolleyes:.

I have to get the vet to call them and confirm that there is no pre-existing conditions. This is worrying me a bit because Bailey wasn't insured untill she was five months old :oops:I think she may have been treated for dry skin round about that time so fingers crossed they don't try to say that could have been a symptom of SM.
 
I think they would find it impossible to prove that a dry skin problem over two years ago was a symptom of SM
 
Well she was scratching a lot which was diagnosed as dry skin. She was treated for it and the scratching stopped so hopefully you are right.

I just hope they don't say that the scratching was a symtom of SM and not dry skin. Sorry I didn't make that clear :lol:
 
Bailey has an appointment to go to Glasgow on Monday. My vet refered her yesterday and I got a call last night! They had a cancellation so we are taking her in. I am assuming it will just be a consultation on Monday.

The vet also called my insurance but they will not make a decision until after I put the claim in :swear:

Oh well if worst comes to worst I'll just have to take out a bank loan :).
 
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