Update on Laci

[Lacibaby]

A sad first for us today. Laci yelped when no one was around her. It's a holiday weekend in the US so we went out of town. I thought I was being extra careful by making her take lots of breaks from playing and either just snuggling or putting her in her crate. She had been in her crate for about an hour when she barked to get out. She came running toward me, yelped and then bit at her hips. She was fine immediately but I'm still very upset. I guess I was kind of hoping the neuro would tell me she doesn't have SM. This episode makes me think it probably is.

I checked her for bee stings, fly bites, cuts, etc. Nothing.

Lot of ups and downs with this....

[Lacibaby]

Just back from the neuro. I was encouraged. He said he is leaning more toward PSOM and possibly a disk problem. He found a tender spot on her back just above her backside. He said he doesn't see SM at this time. He recommended staying on the Deramaxx for both the disk problem and her ears and watching her closely. He said she doesn't need gabapentin yet and may not need it at all.

I know this is the SM forum but does anyone know much about PSOM? He said we could do a procedure to attempt to restore her hearing (she has significant hearing loss) but it may not work and if my goal is to make her comfortable, the meds will do that. I don't care that she is deaf. We are getting by just fine. What does everyone think?

thanks!

Christi

[Emkaybee]

By "procedure" I'm assuming he meant surgery. If you think you are fine, I'd say skip it. There are lots of deaf animals that lead very happy lives. There's always risks with general anesthesia and surgery.

Glad to hear it's not SM and that you are getting by just fine!

[Karlin]

That's great news that he thinks it is not SM for now.

I'd agree with the above -- wouldn't do that procedure just for deafness. Deafness is very common in the breed and as likely to be congenital. I did that procedure (myringotomy) for Jaspar and he didn't get any hearing back at all.

I'd advise putting a little bell on any deaf animal so you know where they are -- has made it so much easier to track where Jaspar goes and find him if he is outside snuffling about.

[Lacibaby]

Great idea! The days are getting shorter and she has slipped away from me in the dark. I have taken to carrying a flashlight with me when she goes out. A bell would be perfect.

[Joanie Davison]

Our boy Sam has been deaf for over 7 years and gets along just great. The flashlight is a great idea to always keep close at hand. I don't need a bell on him as he is always right next to me.

[Brian M]

Hi
When my Daisy had her mri which confirmed SM her neuro also said she has PSOM on one side but since her mri we also now know she has a Grade 4 murmur
so her PSOM is being left as it is .I thought originally with her being female she just had selective hearing as she seemed to be able to hear what she wants
and not what I want her to hear ,and its never seemed to affect her in anyway we leave it alone and concentrate our energies on her MVD and SM .

[Charlifarley]

Hi
I thought originally with her being female she just had selective hearing as she seemed to be able to hear what she wants
and not what I want her to hear .

I've no idea what you mean Brian!!

Hope she is keeping ok, even if she can't hear you telling her how lovely she is

[Charlifarley]

Just back from the neuro. I was encouraged. He said he is leaning more toward PSOM and possibly a disk problem. He found a tender spot on her back just above her backside. He said he doesn't see SM at this time. He recommended staying on the Deramaxx for both the disk problem and her ears and watching her closely. He said she doesn't need gabapentin yet and may not need it at all.

I know this is the SM forum but does anyone know much about PSOM? He said we could do a procedure to attempt to restore her hearing (she has significant hearing loss) but it may not work and if my goal is to make her comfortable, the meds will do that. I don't care that she is deaf. We are getting by just fine. What does everyone think?

thanks!

Christi

It's great news that your vet isn't thinking she has SM. The thing is, Laci probably doesn't realise she is deaf, and is happy as she is.

[Brian M]

Hello Shirley

I was referring to Daisy of course ,who else ?

Bestest Wishes
bri (treading carefully)