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Waiting on a MRI

I'm so sorry to hear about that result–it is indeed an awful lot to take in on a number of fronts. It's hard to know what to say or recommend–I think Pat has made some good points. I would agree that he is definitely severely affected if he is having the kind of pain sessions you describe, Entirely separate from whatever showed on his MRI, those are really severe signs of pain. I also think that the neurologist is right in suggesting that if you want any chance of a reasonable lifespan for him, with less pain, surgery is the option you want to choose. That does not mean it is the option you must choose, because people make decisions for many different kinds of reasons and not all are comfortable with the idea of surgery. But I would agree that if he is this severely affected on his MRI, and also has been having these quite serious sessions of pain and they are worsening, you really do need to make the decision fairly quickly and it is true that he could just suddenly reach a point where he is too compromised to benefit. Yhat could happen tomorrow or that could happen a year from now–it is impossible to know with this condition.

I have no idea how the heartworm would affect his having surgery and that is something to work out with the two specialists. The CVD, as Pat says, would not overly concern me either as it is only a mild murmur at this time. the major threat to him having more than what could be weeks to months to live, as the neurologist is saying, is the SM. If he can manage the surgery and then go into the heartworm care, I would be getting him into surgery as fast as possible. If it is felt it is better to deal with the heart worms and that that can be done within a fairly brief space of time, then maybe you want to do that first and then do the surgery, if you have decided that he should have the surgery.
 
Shannon, so sorry to hear that the results on Blitz were not so good. Nothing to add to what has already been said, but make sure you take time for everything to sink in, see how he goes on his meds and then once you have had some breathing space you will feel more ready to make a decision.:hug:
 
Reptigirl said:
Just wanted to share... So happy Blitz has no idea of his diagnosis. This was this morning when I got up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHE9bVEHkR8

Its TERRIBLE quality cause it's from my phone and they were all moving. But near the end you can see he is still happy and enjoying his favorite toy :razz:
Click to expand...

Life just does not seem fair sometimes, but this shows what happiness you have given these little dogs.

Thank you for caring so much.
 
Wow im sitting at the local bar writing this from
My phone.. Just read your post and just wanted to wish u strength. I understand how u feel i too was put into a similar Position last august i decided to wait with surgery. You are a great mommy and we will all support whatever decision you make..
 
I wanted to thank everyone for there kind words and advise! Sorry I have responded much but I have been reading. Just lost in thought about this whole situation. I'm not sure if his medication has had a chance to make any difference. He didn't have episodes all the time so it is hard to say. I have seen him scratching a few times but it would be equal to his normal "good days". The neurologist wants me to call him in 2 weeks to let him know how he is doing.

I'm hoping to do the surgery in April/May. Right now the 2nd biggest issue is saving up.

I do have several questions not sure if anyone can help! The copy of the medical records are quiet confusing and hard to understand. Hope it's okay I post these. Just trying to understand more of what I felt like I missed!

Cardiovascular/Respiratory:
Irregularly irregular heart rhythm that is synchronous with the femoral pulses and appears to be respiratory driven (respiratory sinus arrhythmia). There is a grade I/VI systolic heart murmer located at the left apex.

Thoracic radiographs:
Thorax: The cardiac silhouette is increased in size in the craniocaudal dimension being nearly 5 intercostal spaces in length. There is increased sternal contact. The right side of the heart is enlarged. Caudal right pulmonary artery is enlarged. Remaining pulmonary vessels are unremarkable. A mild bronchointerstitial pattern is also present. No other abnormalities are identified.

1.) Is "respiratory sinus arrhythmia" something to worry about? I'm not sure if I understand it.


2.)"Thorax: The cardiac silhouette is increased in size in the craniocaudal dimension being nearly 5 intercostal spaces in length. There is increased sternal contact. The right side of the heart is enlarged. Caudal right pulmonary artery is enlarged. Remaining pulmonary vessels are unremarkable. A mild bronchointerstitial pattern is also present. No other abnormalities are identified"... Is this just saying his heart is enlarged? and what is bronchointerstitial pattern?

Maybe I shouldn't be reading the full report because it is really hard to understand.

Any input would be great?
 
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Just have about two minutes so this is short -

The arrhythmia is normal and nothing to worry about. It is just a slightly different variation of a normal sinus arrhythmia.

The heart enlargement is due to the heartworms. The enlarged pulmonary artery to me is of significant concern. Once he develops pulmonary arterial hypertension, you are looking at a decreased quality of life and treatment with viagra (not cheap and not FDA approved so not sure if insurance covers it since it's "off label" use) for the rest of his life if the damage is significant. Even if the HW disease is cured, this PAH could well be permanent because of the damage to the heart. Bronchointerstitial pattern has to do with the air spaces in the lungs - similar to COPD in an old dog - but Blitz is not old so I'm not sure if this is also related to possible effects on the lungs from the heartworm disease or if there is some other mild chronic airway disease.

I would seriously be talking to the cardiologist about treating the heartworms asap. As I mentioned, there is even a technique to remove the worms physically from the heart, although I'm sure that is quite expensive. Esp. if you are going to wait a few weeks for FMD, I'd ask what the ramifications of immediate HW treatment would be on intubation and anesthesia in 4-6 weeks. I think he is already on antibiotic therapy for the wolbachia, right?

Pat
 
Sending love and strength for both you

So many tough issues and decisions. Just know that so many of us are with you in spirit.
 
Well after many phone calls and re discussing what I have already been told it seems to be all in favor of treating the SM first.

Plans are to raise up a little more money and get him "ready" for surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. I plan to try to get him accustom to a crate and really need to crack down on keeping him confined. It has been recommended due to the very wide syrinx and his heart issues that the only outside time he gets is on a leash.

This is going to be a major challenge because on his good days he has the energy of a puppy. When he is up and about he is playing, running, jumping and tackling toys. He has been limited to a smaller yard since I found out about his heartworms so that wont bother him. But it is inside he is very playful. I know it's necessary and life threatening if he is not limited but it's sad. He came from a life of cages and confinment yet I'm going to put him BACK into a cage. :(

Can anyone recommend how small of a kennel he should be kept in after surgery? I have one that is small enough he can stand up in and barely turn around in. But after surgery it seems he may need enough room he can easily turn around without straining his neck. I was thinking of using my large one they both stayed in when they first got here yet that seems counter productive because he will have enough room to move around too much if he gets excited.

Also I was thinking of setting up the kennel next to my chair where I spend a lot of time but this is in the living room. Do you think the excitement of every day life (The other dogs, my son and me moving around) will be too much? Should he be isolated in a quiet area of the house? I'm also worried this would cause him to become upset. He is NOT happy alone and would prefer Holly at his side. If she gets out of his sight he usually goes looking for her.

Sorry for the questions. My biggest fear is the recovery. Strange I know. Most people fear the surgery but that is out of my hands so I'm not so worried. I don't want to do something to hurt him in the delicate weeks afterward.
 
Reptigirl said:
. My biggest fear is the recovery. Strange I know. Most people fear the surgery but that is out of my hands so I'm not so worried. I don't want to do something to hurt him in the delicate weeks afterward.
Click to expand...

I completely understand that fear. We haven't done surgery but if/when it needs to be done it's the months of recovery that scare me too.
I hope those who have had the surgery can answer your questions.

Sorry that your baby has to go through all this. He is lucky to have such a caring mom.
 
I just discovered this thread and wanted to add my thoughts, only from an emotional level.

I'm so amazed at your strength while going through all this with your Blitz. I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must be.

I think it was Anne that mentioned 'your story', about rescuing him, and dealing with the breeder. I'd love to be directed to this story, as I'm not recalling reading about it.

Keeping you in thought and prayer as you try to battle all these issues.

Hugs,

Cindy and Claire
 
I am so sorry to hear this news. It's an awful lot for both you and Blitz to deal with. I will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers.

As far as crates go for rest recovery periods, I got Holly two different wire crates. The one I used in the bedroom for night sleeping was smaller (she could get up and turn around comfortably, but not walk around a lot in it). I got a larger one to have in the kitchen / great room of our home. As the weeks progressed, Holly was able to have more room to move around and be stimulated with some toys. I think having this crate in a main "living" area of the house was important for her emotional well-being. She could see and hear life going on around her and feel more a part of things.

Here's a picture of the set-up she had in the larger crate. This is Holly just a few days post-surgery, so she is still a bit out of sorts.

DSCN1277.jpg
 
I also had two crates for Riley and then as the weeks passed I also added as x-pen to the crate in the living room during the day time so she would have a bit more room, as well a choice of places to sleep. I put a bed outside the crate but within the x-pen area. I think she still chose the crate to sleep in mostly. I kept one crate right by my bed, especially for for the first few nights after she got home from the hospital. I wanted to know if she was in pain. She came home with a fentanyl patch which worked miracles in terms of pain relief.

I think one of the hardest things in terms of the recovery was not to let Riley jump off the couch. She was either in my arms or in the crate, but having three other dogs they sometimes can get rather rambunctious. There were times that I wasn't as vigilant as I should have been and Riley wanted to join into the "fun" and just jumped right out of my arms before I knew it.

I was really good about keeping her from running. She was always on a leash when outside for potty breaks.

Truthfully, I think that the recovery will be harder on you than on Blitz. They learn to adapt so easily and even though he came from living in a crated situation and you are having to put him back into a crate for quite a long period of time, the circumstances are so vastly different because now he knows your love. He will hear your tender voice each and every day. He will see you even though he will be in his crate, he will be near you, you will speak lovingly to him, you will reach into his crate thousands of times a day to touch him and reassure him, you will take him out to sit him on your lap or right next to you. Sure he won't be able to run and jump and play like the puppy he is, but you will show him the most wonderful, caring, sweet love a dog's owner can. THat is what will be different from when he was living in a crate last time. And it is a world of difference. Take heart in that - and that Blitz knows the difference too.
 
Thank You Tara & Love my cavaliers. You both made me feel a little more confident about this upcoming surgery.


I am happy to note that the medication seems to have given him some relief from his scratching episodes. It just took several days to notice.

Mommy to Claire ~ If you want to read the full story on how I ended up with this little family of Cavaliers I'm hoping to get it up on my blog. Just might take a while! SO much to type and SO little time!
 
Oh, don't you worry, I know you have enough on your plate. I just didn't know if the story was here somewhere at CT.

I just think you're handling this brilliantly! Thoughts and prayers for you all as you prepare for all this. What a great 'momma' you are.

Cindy and Claire
 
You will handle these upcoming challenges brilliantly! It's good to prepare, but also know that things come up and you'll have to do some improvising as circumstances dictate.

I second the assertion that the recovery time will be much harder on you than Blitz (emotionally / psychologically I mean). It was very difficult to be strict with Holly's crate rest, but in the long run it was crucial for her healing. I feel certain that she harbors no bad feelings toward me for the confinement, but I still remember the guilt I felt. It's just so vitally important that we follow the surgeon's recommendations and keep them quiet after surgery. Holly's doctors estimated she would be on crate rest for 12 weeks. It turns out she only had to do this for 8 weeks -- I was told this was because I was EXTREMELY vigilant with the rest orders. She had her period of healing and was ready for physical therapy.

Hang in there. Taking care of a dog after a long and complicated surgery seems like a very daunting task. But your approach is really good and I feel certain that you and Blitz will do really well. It's scary because they seem to come home so fragile. But you just get in there and start the care giving! It helped me to keep baskets of all the supplies I needed by both of Holly's containment areas. I had ointment, gauze, thermometers, e-collars, medication, a notebook with times of meds and important phone numbers, etc. Kind of like having a changing station setup when you bring home a new baby. If there are any supplies you need, I'd be more than happy to send them your way. I have crates, bedding, washable hospital pads (in case incisions leak right after surgery), a soft e-collar, dog stroller, some brain-stimulating toys, etc. Please let me know if I could help by sending supplies!!

I bet you'll find an even closer bond after your care period with Blitz. Holly and I shared some really special times when I was giving her post-srugical care. She seemed to know that I so wanted to help her and was doing everything to make her more comfortable. Once her incisions closed and I got the okay to do a sponge bath (after around 4 weeks), those were some really neat times. Holly would relax and just enjoy the warm washcloth bath. I know Blitz will feel the love you give in caring for him post-op.
 
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What a terrible thing to deal with. I hope everything goes well for Blitz and that he makes a speedy recovery. You are such a wonderful person and must have so much strength be be able to deal with all this.
 
Just got to read this thread now .... wow, what a lot you have to deal with.

Goodluck to you and Blitz and hope and pray that all goes well with all his treatment and recovery.
 
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