Duncan's neuro report
We took Duncan to the UW Vet school of medicine on Monday. What a place! It's enormous!
At first we saw a 4th yr resident who did a thorough exam (about 45 mins) and asked us a million detailed questions. Then she took him off to see the teaching neurologist (30 mins).
They bring Duncan back and he sits with us and explains everything in detail. (He's from Cypress, I had to listen carefully to understand). Thank goodness I had read up on Syringomyelia and Chiari malformation and I have a medical background!
We unfortunately cannot afford an MRI at this time ($2800), so he gave his best opinion without. He started of by saying that Duncan DOES HAVE a neurological problem. He has diminished feeling in his back legs. If you fold his feet down, he doesn't recognize it and won't right them right away. We did notice this summer that he doesn't pick up his right foot all the way and drags his toes.
The vet said that it will be progressive and debilitating to the point where he can't move. Needless to say I was shocked and devastated. At this time Duncan is running and playing like a banshee! The problem is in his lumbar region. It may be the malformation or a disc issue. At this point he recommends a wait and see approach. He has no pain, so no meds.
He said that he also has a Cavalier the same larger size as Duncan and she has the same problem. He's taking the same approach with her. She's 11.
If God allows us the privilege to keep Duncan until he's 11, we'll cherish him every moment.
I just am in shock. If you could see him you wouldn't believe it. I expected him to say it was all in MY head.
UW, for being such a large busy facility is very caring. We were warmly welcomed from the receptionist to the students and doctors. They took a lot of time with us and we got a written report of the findings and a copy was sent to our vet as well. Just a first rate experience. They saw people from Iowa and Ohio while we were there!
At first we saw a 4th yr resident who did a thorough exam (about 45 mins) and asked us a million detailed questions. Then she took him off to see the teaching neurologist (30 mins).
They bring Duncan back and he sits with us and explains everything in detail. (He's from Cypress, I had to listen carefully to understand). Thank goodness I had read up on Syringomyelia and Chiari malformation and I have a medical background!
We unfortunately cannot afford an MRI at this time ($2800), so he gave his best opinion without. He started of by saying that Duncan DOES HAVE a neurological problem. He has diminished feeling in his back legs. If you fold his feet down, he doesn't recognize it and won't right them right away. We did notice this summer that he doesn't pick up his right foot all the way and drags his toes.
The vet said that it will be progressive and debilitating to the point where he can't move. Needless to say I was shocked and devastated. At this time Duncan is running and playing like a banshee! The problem is in his lumbar region. It may be the malformation or a disc issue. At this point he recommends a wait and see approach. He has no pain, so no meds.
He said that he also has a Cavalier the same larger size as Duncan and she has the same problem. He's taking the same approach with her. She's 11.
If God allows us the privilege to keep Duncan until he's 11, we'll cherish him every moment.
I just am in shock. If you could see him you wouldn't believe it. I expected him to say it was all in MY head.
UW, for being such a large busy facility is very caring. We were warmly welcomed from the receptionist to the students and doctors. They took a lot of time with us and we got a written report of the findings and a copy was sent to our vet as well. Just a first rate experience. They saw people from Iowa and Ohio while we were there!
