dizzy
Active member
Hello friends,
It is a while since I posted about our beautiful Ruby so I thought you may like an update on her....
Ruby is 2 next month and was diagnosed with SM last November we are under Mr Deutschland and Mr Skerritt at Chestergates Referral Hospital. Ruby is on Furesimide 1/2 tab morning and night and that is all and she is doing really well. For those of you that don't know Ruby's history she presented last November with a few seconds 'absence' where she looked frightened and lay down looking scared - it passed as quick as it came but I just knew it wasn't right. Our emergency vet immediately suspected SM and our regular vet immediately referred Ruby to Mr Skerritt for a scan. Thank God for Pet Plan !
Ruby was diagnosed as having a syrinx which leaked CSF and a chiari malformation where her brain bulged minutely but sufficient to cause concern. Ruby has been considered for surgery but has been identified as not requiring it. Mr S and Mr D held a joint consultation with Ruby a few months ago ( blessed to have such expertise ) and decided Ruby is doing brilliantly on her furesimide. They believe Ruby is fortunate to have been caught very young and unless proved otherwise believe she may just maintain but not deteriorate.
Ruby has never whimpered/screamed although I know pain can present in many ways. Her only tell tale signs are the Air Guitar scratching which she doesn't do unless you touch a certain side of her neck ( you can literally pin point the spot - Mr D did ! ) and just sometimes she rubs her head on carpet. Ruby's episodes of air guitar scratching have reduced quite noticibly over the last few months. (Although she does have periodic peaks!)
Ruby sports a new harness that sits low on her neck and therefore no longer 'bunny hops' on walks! ( or very rarely I should say!)
We live in the present and take comfort from Mr S/Mr D prognosis but also know that they do not have a crystal ball.
Ruby is a joy - a true gift from God.
I write this to encourage others that all diagnosis of SM don't necessarily equate to panic and doom. (Although I did panic at first and sought re-assurance from many sources)
Dawn
It is a while since I posted about our beautiful Ruby so I thought you may like an update on her....
Ruby is 2 next month and was diagnosed with SM last November we are under Mr Deutschland and Mr Skerritt at Chestergates Referral Hospital. Ruby is on Furesimide 1/2 tab morning and night and that is all and she is doing really well. For those of you that don't know Ruby's history she presented last November with a few seconds 'absence' where she looked frightened and lay down looking scared - it passed as quick as it came but I just knew it wasn't right. Our emergency vet immediately suspected SM and our regular vet immediately referred Ruby to Mr Skerritt for a scan. Thank God for Pet Plan !
Ruby was diagnosed as having a syrinx which leaked CSF and a chiari malformation where her brain bulged minutely but sufficient to cause concern. Ruby has been considered for surgery but has been identified as not requiring it. Mr S and Mr D held a joint consultation with Ruby a few months ago ( blessed to have such expertise ) and decided Ruby is doing brilliantly on her furesimide. They believe Ruby is fortunate to have been caught very young and unless proved otherwise believe she may just maintain but not deteriorate.
Ruby has never whimpered/screamed although I know pain can present in many ways. Her only tell tale signs are the Air Guitar scratching which she doesn't do unless you touch a certain side of her neck ( you can literally pin point the spot - Mr D did ! ) and just sometimes she rubs her head on carpet. Ruby's episodes of air guitar scratching have reduced quite noticibly over the last few months. (Although she does have periodic peaks!)
Ruby sports a new harness that sits low on her neck and therefore no longer 'bunny hops' on walks! ( or very rarely I should say!)
We live in the present and take comfort from Mr S/Mr D prognosis but also know that they do not have a crystal ball.
Ruby is a joy - a true gift from God.
I write this to encourage others that all diagnosis of SM don't necessarily equate to panic and doom. (Although I did panic at first and sought re-assurance from many sources)
Dawn
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