Hmmm Dysplasia Is The Least Of My Worries

[Guest BooMooandDoo]

The Dr. called yesterday and left me a message stating that we needed to talk and that the radiologist picked up some stuff that he was more concerned about than the dysplasia.

 

I didn't understand what he was saying so I called today and another vet called me back. This is what she told me.

 

1. The dysplasia is mild. The bone structure looks okay but the joint appears "loose".

2. The right stifle has inflammation appears to be "restructuring itself" and there's a small cyst under the patella.

2. The are some deformations in her spine where lumbar vertabrae and the sacrum meet. They said it will likely progress to become lumbrosacral neuropathy (????) She recommended seeing a neurologist. I asked her what if this was urgent or something we could wait on. She informed me she would have her checked out sooner rather than later, but it was my call. She said the neurologist would more than likely want an MRI done. Until then, Mazie is under limited exercise. Walks fine. Allowing her off leash in short spurts 3-4 times a week are okay as long as it's controlled . .. (she doesn't know my Mazie). We are to control the pain with Rimidyl and Metacam. She said what bothered her is Mazie's age. She said if she was an old dog she would recommend making the dog comfortable for rest of it's days . . . . .

Edited June 11, 2008 by BooMooandDoo

[GreyTzu]

That sucks Lori.

[Hollis]

Oh dear.

[Guest BooMooandDoo]

So if anyone can tell me what lumbrosacral neuropathy is. . I would greatful. I've done online searches and didn't find anything. I asked the vet if it was the same as LS and she said no. Same area, different problem

[Guest vahoundlover]

Crap!

[ShantisMom]

Not good news. We will think good thoughts for Mazie. I remember her from Solvang. Sweet, friendly and the softest dog!!!

[Guest sweetgsmom]

Oh S#*@! I am so sorry to hear this. If you were closer you could see Aidans Neurologist he's great. Hope you find out what it is.

[Guest greyindy]

I am so sorry (((Hugs)))

[TheFullHouse]

Man, that does suck.

[Guest greybookends]

I will add her to my prayer list.

[JerseyGirlInOz]

So if anyone can tell me what lumbrosacral neuropathy is. . I would greatful. I've done online searches and didn't find anything. I asked the vet if it was the same as LS and she said no. Same area, different problem

 

Neuropathy is usually short for peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is defined as deranged function and structure of peripheral motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons, involving either the entire neuron or selected levels.

 

Lumbosacral would be an indication of where it's located.

 

So from what I can tell, it's a problem with the nerves in the lower spine.

 

 

 

 

And why am I not surprised that the word "deranged" appears in a description of something going on with Moo?

 

[Batmom]

I don't understand the distinction she's making from LS, either. Altho LS is distinctly a narrowing of the area thru which the nerves must pass, whereas lumbosacral neuropathy could indicate other problems with the nerves in that area. Seems awfully similar ......

 

Crap and a half, eh? Hoping folks are giving you a hypothetical worst scenario and your lovely girlie will make a complete, permanent recovery.

[Guest onefloppyear]

I don't know how this applies to dogs, but I'll give you a little information on what I know about neuropathy in humans. I'm not a doctor (and don't play one on TV either) so please take this with a grain (or several) of salt. It's mainly based on medical literature that I've read through work.

 

In humans, the lumbar/sacral area is the part of the spine that is your low back and tailbone. The spine has a cord running through the center (the spinal cord) that branches off to go to the rest of the body. In general, each part of the spine branches off to a different part. That is why a person who injures the spinal cord in the neck or upper back (like Christopher Reeve) has loss of function from a much higher level (involving the chest and arms) than someone who injures the lumbar spine.

 

Neuropathy generally refers to some type of damage to or dysfunction of the nerves. Neuropathy can manifest itself in different ways because the nerves have multiple functions. If someone damages the motor portion of a nerve, this can cause problems with the muscles, like weakness or twitching. If someone has damage to the sensory part of the nerve, this can cause numbness, tingling, or pain. The nerves also affect the autonomic systems of the body, so an injury to the nerves could cause loss of bowel or bladder function, for instance. An injury to the lumbar/sacral area is usually going to manifest itself in the legs and possibly the systems in the lower part of the abdomen (like the bowel, bladder, and sexual organs).

 

Your vet or a specialist is obviously the right person to explain this to you. And hopefully they'll be able to reassure you and find things to help your GH. A lot of people have neuropathy (diabetics for instance can have loss of sensation in their feet) and are still able to function and lead a normal life, often either by just being careful or with medications or assistive devices. I was just hopeful that some general information might be helpful. Best wishes to you and Mazie.

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

That's not what we wanted to hear

 

 

Keeping Mazie in our prayers...

[Guest onefloppyear]

Sorry. Not trying to be a downer. OP had just asked for information on neuropathy, and I was trying to help. As I said, the vet or the specialist will know much more about this and will likely have some good ideas for helping Mazie. I, too, hope that this is a worst-case scenario and that any problems she may have are minimal.

[GreyTzu]

Sorry. Not trying to be a downer. OP had just asked for information on neuropathy, and I was trying to help. As I said, the vet or the specialist will know much more about this and will likely have some good ideas for helping Mazie. I, too, hope that this is a worst-case scenario and that any problems she may have are minimal.

 

No one thinks you are a downer. I thought you did a good job of breaking the information down into 3rd grade lingo so I could understand it.

 

We all hate hearing potentially bad news about a dog.

[Guest MomofSweetPotatoes]

My angel Gus (13.5 years old at the time) was diagnosed with Polyneuropathy, before his Osteo diagnosis. The tests given to define the neuropathy were - an EMG (electromylogram) and an MRI. The EMG was done first because it was the least expensive and possibly could have given definitive answers as to the location of the neuropathy (had it not been polyneuropathy)

 

Lumbosacral - is the location or suspected location of the neuropathy. There are different forms of neuropahty some can be infectious (rare, but it happens) while others are idiopathic and others can be inflammatory (i think - doing this from memory without my notes) and others autoimmune (again ad-libbing from memory)

 

The bad news is some neuropathies aren't curable, BUT they are TREATABLE for a long and healthy life. The neurologist here suggested vitamin b12 & 6 and acetyl l-carnitine to give the nerve cells the support they need. We had several ideas for treatments outlined for Gus to slow the progression of the disease - the first was Prednisone in high doses. The second was Immuran to suppress the immune system (since neuropathy is thought to be autoimmune), the third option was a different drug - I believe and antidepressant of some sort - and the last was capsacin (pepper!)

 

Also,neuropathy can be painful, so we had tramadol on hand. We also consulted an acupuncturist too, becase that can help relieve the inflammation. we also did physical therapy as well.

 

I can not attest to whether or not any of the treatments did or will work, since Gus was diagnosed with Osteo 3 weeks after his neuropathy diagnosis and we chose to stop treatment.

 

Hopefully kudzu (gt name) will chime in. They had some good advice to give me regarding neuropathy.

[kudzu]

Ditto what MomofSweetPotatoes said. My boy had a polyneuropathy also. We also had all the xrays & bloodwork, then EMG/NCV to test the nerves, then MRI afterwards to look at the spinal cord & nerve roots. Dan's neurologist also added CoQ10 to the supplement list. The methylcobalimine form of B12 may be more effective for neuropathies.

 

Neuropathy is applied to diseases (or damage caused by other conditions) of nerves outside the brain & spinal cord. Myelopathy would be disease of the spinal cord itself. Nerve compression can cause neuropathy & lumbosacral stenosis or other problems in the lumbosacral area could damage the nerves or at least nerve roots causing neuropathy. So I wonder if that could be what she was referring to. Since nerves carry signals to the muscles & sensation back to the spinal cord neuropathies can cause either motor or sensory problems or both at the same time.

 

If the disease or damage is inside the spinal column then it could cause myelopathy instead of neuropathy. The symptoms can overlap & neither is likely to show on an MRI. However, the cause of the -opathy might show on MRI, most commonly disc damage, & that is why MRI's seem to be the main diagnostic tool. If a spinal deformity is suspected then CT may be used. I think CT with contrast might also show nerves.

 

See a neurologist definitely. A good neurologist could be a big help in diagnosing the root (no pun intended) cause of the problem. Be particular on who you use. A mediocre neurologist might suck up your money to no effect. (BTW, my dog's first diagnosis was mild hip dysplasia but no orthopedist or neurologist concurred.)

 

Hope you get help for your baby. Please, please let us know how things are going & what diagnostics you pursue.

 

ETA: I'm Laura.

Edited May 17, 2008 by kudzu

[Guest savvyprchick]

Oh gosh, Lori... I'm so sorry

[jodyksam]

I'm sorry that I didn't see this sooner

[ml529]

[Guest SusanP]

It sounds like a neurologist will know much more about this condition and treatment options than a general vet--Here's hoping the neuro visit is reassuring and helpful and that everything will be alright.

[Guest paulamariez]

Keeping your sweet Mazie in my prayers for a quick and complete healing. Tiger, Bueller and Domino are sending some doggie kisses to Mazie as well.

[feemandvm]

We are to control the pain with Rimidyl and Metacam.

 

Did you mean to say Rimadyl OR Metacam. You are not using both together right?

 

 

[Guest BooMooandDoo]

We are to control the pain with Rimidyl and Metacam.

 

Did you mean to say Rimadyl OR Metacam. You are not using both together right?

Yes. And the Dr said if I switched I had to wait at least 3 days in between.