Sadie the Foster Dog UPDATE

Examination at the NC State Vet School

Hiding in the corner at the vet school

We have had our foster dog Sadie, an 11 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, since late May.  We knew she had a spinal injury (compressed T11 vertebrae) from the beginning.  She has had x-rays and has seen 3 different vets including a neurologist who recommended an MRI.  We jumped through all the referral hoops to get to the NC State Vet School so she could have her MRI.  Her appointment was today at 11:30.  We get there and she is examined by 2 staff members.  She did great on some parts of the test and not so great on others.  Not much she did surprised me as I am pretty in tune with what she can do.  (I must add that she was an absolute ANGEL throughout all the testing and everyone fell in love with her.  Also, the staff was AMAZINGLY nice and patient with my questions.)  Then the resident came in and asked if they could take her outside without me, which was fine of course.  I like to evaluate children without their parents too. They came back telling me about how she was running, playing, etc.  Then I hear, "We think her front legs may be affected too."  I had never even CONSIDERED that her front legs were affected.  Like the resident put it, if you can forget about the elephant in the room (her super-affected rear legs) and concentrate on her front legs, you can see it.  Her front legs are affected.  Period.  But why?  A compressed T11 vertebrae may not be the cause of that.  Is it another issue near her neck or something in her cerebellum or just from compensation for her rear leg issues?  We need further testing.  The testing part was expected.   Oh, and she can't have an MRI because she has too much buckshot in her.  (Why the other neurologist didn't catch this is beyond me.) She needs a Myelogram and a spinal tap which are more invasive and have potentially horrible side effects (though rare).  I know Advil does too but I still take it.  So I am sitting there having to rethink EVERYTHING from procedures to the "all important" COST.  What might need to happen after all the testing??  I just wanted them to give her an MRI and tell me she was going to be like she is now until she's old and gray.  I wasn't hearing that.  Where was my calm, level-headed husband?  Oh yeah, he was at home watching the girls and the other dogs.  I just needed a voice of reason to tell me SOMETHING...."You are insane!"  "You are doing the right thing."  Something, anything.  I didn't have that.  Then I ask "When" and they say "the sooner the better".  I hear "this Thursday" (as in 2 days from now).  I look down at Sadie's sweet face and say "OK".    Sadie will have a Myelogram and spinal tap on Thursday.  Hopefully we will have some answers.

 I must repeat how wonderful the staff in the neurology department at the NC State Vet School is.  They are amazing!  Thank you for taking care of Sadie :o)