Prayers for Sammy?

[StarfishSaving]

Sammy is coming home today. He continues to improve and is at about 70% full function. The vet feels it may be some kind of inflammation (I agree, I was already feeling that was the problem) and that this can heal without surgical intervention with stringent supportive care and continued medical therapy. After consulting with the head doctor at the hospital- who has experience with these cases non-surgically as well as having had to refer many dogs to the neurologist, the consensus is that Sammy's showing every sign of being able to handle this and that he is not in Stage IV or V disc disease, there're no signs of clotting or stroke, cancer, infection, tick borne diseases, or other common issues. Every test other than the MRI or myelogram has been run on Sammy but all signs point to something like inflammation. So we're going to continue. Honestly- I think this is our best option. It might not be "THE" best option but financially and realistically, it's where we stand.

It's not my vet I have to worry about money-wise, wanda. The specialist's hospital has an up front payment policy- you pay FIRST, then you can get your special treatment. The phone call basically made me think of "nobody gets to see the wizard, not no way, not no how- unless you've got credit."

[Traci]

What did the CBC look like? Anything revealing?

I completely understand about up-front policies, but again, your vet can do a phone consult on your behalf, this would be less expensive and the two could discuss diagnostics done or which to persue, but the problem lies in the fact the speciliast would still need to examine the patient in order to make an educated and informed diagnosis.

[StarfishSaving]

What did the CBC look like? Anything revealing?

CBC normal- the only things out of place were elevated globulin and low albumin, resulting in a normal "total protein" readout since they cancelled each other out.

[Traci]

Do you know if all the liver and kidney enzymes in normal range? Did you also have a urinalysis done and was it normal? You said he was urinating on his own now, did they have to catheterize him in the clinic, or did they manually express his bladder?

Do you know if he had any blunt-forced trauma directly before this incident? (like playing too rough with another dog, falling down stairs, running too hard, etc)

[StarfishSaving]

All his bloodwork had been normal, Traci, and there was no trauma that we could recall, and I'm here all day so it's unlikely anything really noticeable would have happened to cause it without me noticing.

Sammy has made a full recovery and aside from a little more wiggle in his back half when he wags his tail, and a prancy, clumsy high-stepping gait when he's excited that wasn't there before, there are no residual effects from his paralysis. Thanks to everyone for your support when he went down. I made friends with the AbleDogs Yahoo list after this because many of the folks there have had the same thing happen. Some opted for MRI/myleogram/surgery and some went the "conservative" route as we did, each with the same broad range of results.

Sammy is now back to normal life with some permanent changes to help avoid any future problems- he only gets walked with a harness that won't put pressure on his neck, he isn't allowed to jump like he used to do, we are trying to keep impact to his cervical region to a minimum on walks and in daily life.

[Traci]

Have new bloodwork and urinalysis and xrays been re-evaluated since this incident?

[Sue and Kids]

Hurray for Sammy!! Starfish, it is such good news that your Sammy doggy is feeling well again.

Usually, posts here under this category are so very sad. Thank you for letting us know that he has recovered.

Best wishes that Sammy will be healthy for many years to come. Also, best wishes on your work to help animals!

Sue (and Kids!)