Brita’s journey

….where will it take her?  …..how did it start?  …what are we talking about…  Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis or Lumbosacral Instability….

Sometime in April or May of 2012 I began hearing Brita yelp at times and tried to determine when it was happening.  Then on May 13th, my birthday and mother’s day, she was lying in the living room not far from me, started getting up and it was more than a yelp.  The next day, off to an appointment with Dr. Jeff at Great Lakes Vet.  X-rays detected arthritis and a narrowing of the hole where the spinal column and nerves go through.  In the information in the next post, it mentions that dogs with hip dysplasia (hers are great, by the way) will show a mild response to hip extension whereas dogs with lumbosacral disease will object more acutely as this manipulation causes an “exquisite pain response”.  I guess that’s why she did what she was taught to do when someone is hurting her and that is to fight back.  After I said “get me a muzzle” the vet said “ I think we’ll need to sedate her for x-rays”… I said:  ya think?

First there were pain meds for a week and a VOM treatment and she seemed a bit better.  Pain meds were fazed out, antibiotics were started and there were just small yelps, then another VOM treatment.  Small yelps and then none for a few days until last night when I invited her onto my bed where she likes to sleep.  She hesitated, then tried and fell back with more than a small yelp but not quite a scream.  She didn’t try again.

What does all this mean?  Where will it lead us?  I don’t know.  In studies, German Shepherd Dogs were “over-represented” with numbers ranging from 25-50%.  I bought health insurance for her – I guess I’ll see now if this is covered.  From what I read, surgery early on is way more successful than waiting until the condition has worsened.  More to follow…

May 30, 2012 – Appointment with Bruce VanEnkevort - DVM, Diplomate ACVS, General, Orthopedic and Neurosurgery of the Fox Valley Animal Referral Center.  He agreed with Dr. Jeff and also indicated that the next step is to do an MRI to determine the extent of the problem. Dr. Bruce detailed the costs involved of the MRI and possible subsequent surgery and I submitted it to Brita’s insurance company for pre-authorization. 

June 6, 2012 – The insurance company authorized the procedure and an MRI (at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center) was scheduled for June 12th.

June 12th – the MRI confirmed what was on the x-rays and surgery is scheduled for June 22nd.  Brita gives a yelp often when she gets up but her wonderful attitude about life never changes…  you gotta love dogs.  I would probably be doing a bit of whining by this time if it was me!  Her leg muscles are clearly deteriorating and I’ve watched her use her front end to pull herself up (while jumping in the van, for instance).

June 16th – Took her swimming at Radfords pond and clearly noticed how after pulling herself out a few times (and it’s shallow) she wasn’t too enthused about going back in. She also doesn’t want me to pet her back legs.   The countdown begins.

June 21st – uneventful week..  Surgery tomorrow….