Charlifarley
Well-known member
I am going down the route of getting my dogs checked too, so add two more to the list. Where are Mri's carried out in Ireland, is it just UCD vet hospital, or does anyone know of anywhere else that does them?
To get a diagnostic MRI that is really about the typical cost. You could take the ferry over to the UK and get a minimal MRI done but these are really for breeders to assess breeding dogs, not for caring for affected dogs, and by the time you add in the costs of travel it will likely work out around the same. MRIs are expensive because the machines cost millions. It is important IMHO to go someplace that has expertise in doing MRIs for this condition.
For both of you: if I had dogs that were symptomatic and medications helped, that is a pretty clear sign that they have SM and I'd question the value of getting an MRI given the cost. Unless you feel you will be opting for or considering decompression surgery -- in which case you need an MRI -- I would work with a vet and neurologist who is willing to treat on the basis of clinical signs. For example, if a dog responds to frusemide and/or gabapentin there aren't many other things it could be than SM.