PETS OF THE MONTH

JULY 2011

"Bear" Johnson - Bernese Mountain Dog

As a young Bernese mountain dog, Bear was diagnosed with a lack of development of his external ear canals resulting in deafness. This did not seem to matter; he had always been the Johnson’s special dog that needed a little extra attention. In December of 2010, Bear experienced what was thought to be a seizure and was transferred to Dr. Stephen Lane for evaluation. Bear was not having seizures, but experienced problems with the balance centers of his brain. His incoordination and imbalance while trying to stand and walk looked like seizures. Neurological examination also identified a cervical spinal cord problem. Dr. Lane recommended Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Bear's brain and cervical spinal cord.

MRI revealed the presence of hydrocephalus, which is an increased amount of fluid within the normal fluid chambers of the brain. Bear also had fluid build up within his middle ear that was a result of not having developed normal external ear canals. The presence of these two things likely was the culprit that resulted in the imbalance. Bear’s gaiting difficulty was the result of excessive and inappropriate growth of the vertebrae in his neck. This condition has been termed "Wobbler's" Syndrome, as affected animals walk with a wobble in their rear quarters.

Bear underwent spinal surgery in late January 2011 to correct the narrowing onto his spinal cord from his malformed vertebrae. Despite requiring a second surgery, Bear bounced back quickly. His recovery was slow and steady. Bear remained in the hospital for 22 days. His exuberant and friendly attitude never diminished. Bear was always happy to see everyone and greeted all with a wag of his tail.

Bear's housemate also underwent knee surgery at the same time Bear was hospitalized. They both went through their recovery with rest and restrictions together. Both dogs are back to being able to go on long walks, run and play without restriction. The Johnson family delivered the support and compassion that allowed Bear to recover. Their dedication and unwaivered trust has given Bear a new lease on life.

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JUNE 2011

"Max" O'Shea - Crossbreed Bull terrier

Renee and Eliot have been the proud parents of Max, a crossbreed Bull terrier, for about 10 years.  He was rescued from the Humane Society in Boulder, Colorado.  Max was initially found as a stray in Denver and the person who found him saw how special he was and made sure to drive him to Boulder so that he might have a fair chance to be adopted.  At the Humane Society he was treated for an ear infection, and was presumed to have been in multiple dogfights.  Even though Max had a rough start in life, he immediately gave his whole heart to his new family from his first day in his forever home.  While testing the boundaries of his new home Max 'accidentally' broke through the screen door, but instead of running away, he walked himself around to the front porch to wait for his owners to come back home.  Because of the loyal demeanor Max showed, his owners made sure that he always had the best. 

Max presented to Rocky Mountain Veterinary Neurology in December of 2008.   Max had a long history of left pelvic limb gaiting change and difficulty doing upward-oriented activities.  This change was noticed when Max jumped into the car and began to yelp and hold up his left hind leg. Increasing weakness was also noted to be progressing in his left hind leg.  After his examination, Dr. Lane determined that Max had a T3-L3 Myelopathy and a Sciatic neuropathy. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) would be necessary to determine the cause.  The following day Max underwent MRI and Surgery to decompress an intervertebral disc extrusion at L2-L3 and fix a malformation and disc extrusion at L7-S1.  Max recovered quickly.  He always wagged his tail and maintained a positive attitude, especially when his people would come to visit him.  After a short hospital stay Max went home to finish his recovery with his family. 

The Marshall O’Shea family brought Max back to Dr. Lane in March of 2011.  He was again experiencing weakness in his rear legs and pain. Max again underwent MRI and a surgery using a right hemilaminectomy to decompress an intervertebral disc extrusion at L1-L2.  Max recovered without incident. After an uneventful recovery and multiple loving visits from his family, Max was up and walking.  During each of his hospital stays Max was as happy as possible and would never turn down extra love from his technicians.  He has since gotten back to all of his normal activities, including looking after the newest addition to the Marshall O’Shea family. 

Max has continued to recover with his loving family and has been more than happy to help his people with his new human brother, Kannen.  Max’s owners call him their first child and are grateful for the extra years they have been able to spend with him.

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"Buster" Berry - Chocolate Labrador

Buster is a handsome 2-year-old Chocolate Lab, who lives at home with his parents and his two human older brothers.  He lives the typical active Colorado lifestyle with his family, enjoying activities such as hiking, biking, and everything the outdoors has to offer.

Buster was initially seen in April 2011 after being referred from his family veterinarian. Buster's owners noticed that he was showing signs of weakness in his hind legs.  After a short trial of medications from his family veterinarian, Buster continued to decline with symptoms of ataxia (weakness) and knuckling in his hind legs.   Dr. Lane determined that a Buster suffered from a T3-L3 myelopathy. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was performed revealing that Busters spinal cord dysfunction was due to a mass lesion inside the coverings of the spinal cord.   

Buster's family had a very difficult decision to make but decided to pursue surgery in hopes the mass could be removed. Buster has a "strong family that only wished the best for Buster".  Surgery was scheduled for him the following day and went without complication. Surgical resection of the mass was successful, and Buster was on the road to recovery.  

While in hospital, Buster and his family kept a positive attitude.  He improved on a daily basis with good feeling (deep pain) to his hind limbs and tail and eventually movement his hind legs.  Buster's parents and family visited regularly, drawing pictures and supporting their brave family member.  Even when his family went on their usual bike ride, they did not forget him and took his collar 'so he could be there in spirit'.  He was loved by both his family, and also very quickly by his technicians.  Buster wagged his tail as soon as he was able and was a model patient that everyone wanted to work with.  After his recovery in-hospital was complete he was again reunited with his family who had been eagerly awaiting his return home.  Buster said his 'good-byes' to everyone who was involved in his care and had enjoyed his company. 

Buster continues his rehabilitation at home.  He was discharged with a para cart (hind limb wheel chair), which he had been using for short walks around the neighborhood.  He is back to his old self and strutting his new wheels as well.  We hope that Buster will soon be back to all of his outdoor activities, enjoying the summer with his wonderful family.

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MARCH 2011

"Delilah" Fuehrer - Mastiff

Delilah is a social and active 6 1/2 year old Mastiff who presented for further assessment of progressive weakness in her hind limbs. Following her initial examination, Dr. Lane diagnosed Delilah with a T3-L3 myelopathy with right lateralization. This meant that there was a change to her spinal cord function in the middle of her back, which was more right sided than left. Because there are many causes for spinal cord dysfunction, Dr. Lane recommended an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for a definitive diagnosis. Delilah's owner was unable to pursue such diagnostic testing and made the difficult decision to relinquish her so that she would have the best chance at appropriate care.

Lori Fuehrer is the lead Veterinary Technician at Rocky Mountain Veterinary Neurology. After meeting Delilah and falling in love with her outgoing personality and adorable face, Lori agreed to take over her care, knowing she needed further diagnostics to treat appropriately.

Delilah underwent MRI study and was diagnosed with an intradural mass lesion. "Intradural" means within the dura mater, which are the membranes that surrounds the spinal cord. A "lesion" is any type of tissue change that is different from surrounding tissues (cyst, blood vessels, or a tumor). Dr. Lane recommended surgical intervention for debulkment and attempted complete resection of this lesion. Delilah went to surgery with the support of her new owner and the rest of the neurology staff, and began the road to recovery.

Since surgery, Delilah has demonstrated a remarkable recovery with the help of a para cart (hind limb support) and hydrotherapy. She is happy and now only needs her wheelchair for long walks. She is enjoying the company of her dedicated owner and is getting to know her new neighbors on her daily walks. Delilah has become particularly interested in her nearest neighbor, Oliver. He is a cat next door who knows which windows surround Delilah's bed, and comes to visit every morning. Delilah has captured the hearts of many with her social nature and drive to be happy and healthy.

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PETS OF THE MONTH

FEBUARY 2011

"Brautwurst" Scott - Dachshund

Brautwurst is a 4-year-old male Dachshund with a laid-back demeanor and affectionate attitude. Brautwurst presented with a history of back pain that was treated medically by his family veterinarian. Although Brautwurst made a full recovery, he had another episode of back pain, which resulted in a second round of medical management. Brautwurst presented to the Central Veterinary Emergency Services (CVES) at the VRCC after experiencing progressive ambulatory difficulty and pain.

Dr. Luke Rump of CVES admitted Brautwurst with progressive gaiting difficulty, spinal pain and the inability to empty his bladder. After an examination, it was determined that Brautwurst would need further assessment by a neurologist. He was transferred to Rocky Mountain Veterinary Neurology the following morning.

After a full neurologic assessment by Dr. Lane, it was recommended that Brautwurst undergo MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to diagnose his spinal cord problem, what was likely an acute Intervertebral Disc Extrusion. Intervertebral Disc Extrusions are common in chondrodystrophic breeds (small breed dogs with short legs, i.e., Dachshunds, Shih Tzu's, Pekingese, and Lhasa Apso). The intervertebral disc is made of a "Jell-O" like center or nucleus, with an outer ring of woven cartilage fibers. When a disc ruptures or extrudes, the nucleus can put pressure and bruise the spinal cord, causing dysfunction and pain. Dr. Lane recommended that Brautwurst have an MRI as soon as possible to determine if surgical intervention would be necessary to alleviate pain and decompress the spinal cord to allow for recovery.

MRI was performed and as suspected, Brautwurst was diagnosed with a large right-sided Intervertebral Disc Extrusion (IVDE) at L5-L6 (in between the 5th and 6th Lumbar vertebrae). Brautwurst was taken directly into surgery. After successful resection of the ruptured disc material and hematoma (localized collection of blood) from the spinal cord, Brautwurst now stood a good chance for recovery.

Brautwurst spent a few days within hospital recovering from surgery. His dynamic and positive personality won the hearts of his technicians and neurosurgeon. His recovery included regaining motor function to his hind legs and management of his own bladder function. He was an excellent patient and soon went home to complete his recovery with his family. He is now able to walk, run and wag his tail pain free.

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PETS OF THE MONTH

JANUARY 2011

"Meka" Hooks - Doberman

Meka Hooks presented to Rocky Mountain Veterinary Neurology with a very vibrant, shy and stubborn personality. Meka was experiencing progressive gaiting difficulty characterized by slipping, sliding, and falling on all limbs. Despite this difficulty, Meka continued to try to keep up with her younger Doberman housemate, and warm the hearts of all she came into contact with.

Meka suffered from cervical (neck) spinal cord dysfunction, which affected her ability to control her legs. With the use of magnetic resonance imaging, Meka was diagnosed with a multilevel vertebral malformation (abnormal growth and development of the vertebrae). This syndrome is the result of excessive vertebral boney growth with the result of pinching the spinal cord causing the information traveling from her legs to the brain and back to be delayed. The result, weakness and wobbliness. Surgery was performed to remove the abnormal vertebral boney development and pressure from the spinal cord. Meka recovered from surgery without incident only to deteriorate 36 hours following surgery, Mekas spine had moved, or subluxated causing pressure to the underside of her spinal cord. Meka underwent a second surgery with fusion of her subluxated vertebrae. She again recovered from surgery with the dedication of the neurology team and her parents.

Meka’s unique personality endowed her to everyone she came into contact with. The neurology team was impressed with her challenging personality and spent many hours attempting to encourage her not to give up. Meka is now recovering at home with her family and her housemate, who loves to curl up with Meka and sleep during the day. Progressive neurologic recovery has occurred and Meka now enjoys 3 walks each day. If she chooses! We feel fortunate that we have been allowed the chance to work with the Hooks and help such a wonderful dog.

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