.com Forum · Real Show Dogs

Oh my. I hope the surgery will be successful and your little pup will be able to run around and play like normal again! I'm sorry to hear he's in pain! best wishes and you have my prayers...

~Lauren

So many unknowns. It's a hard decision and this is obviously going to be quite costly.

If the cost is not a show-stopping issue, I'd want to go ahead but you have to be realistic. You are really looking at euthanesia if it doesn't work and euthanesia if you don't do it anyway. If you can manage the cost he has a chance of a fairly normal life (is that right).

I really hate it when these decisions hang on cost - it seems so unfair.

All the best to you and Emmie. Take care of yourself too in difficult times - that's important.

I didn't read your link, but given the information presented here, surgery seems like your best option.

The MRI doesn't seem like it will tell you anything that surgery wouldn't, it's costly, and it would involve more anesthesia. That option seems like a pricey gamble, who's only outcome might be that you decide not to do surgery, which is a death sentence of it's own.

Wait and see you've made clear is not an option.

Surgery comes with large risk, but also his absolute best shot at recovery. Indeed, the odds of a successful procedure are still higher than the risk.

You also state that he has deteriorated rapidly in just 15 days. Given that, it seems unlikely he would have a lot of "good" time left if you went with medication and eventual euthanasia. And, if, heaven forbid, surgery does NOT go well, it seems given the rapid progression, it's not likely that the surgery will have taken much time from him.


I really, really don't envy you this decision. but if surgery is something you are willing and able to pursue and afford, i think it seems like the only viable option to give Emmett a chance to live a long, full life.

Very interesting article. The sentence"Magnetic resonance imaging may identify spinal cord parenchymal changes, such as presence of syringomyelia. " indicates the genetic malformation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and other toy breeds, are they think that pathway with your boy?

I believe I may have seen your post about him on FB?

Would you mind if I share your story with a Ridgeback breeder friend of mine and see if she has any experience with this?

Thank you everyone for your support, comments, friendship and for taking the time to read my posts and for keeping us in your thoughts It means a lot to me

Emmie is comfortable at the moment on the medication we are using.

I have decided to go ahead with the surgery without the MRI. The surgery has been tentatively booked for this Monday 10th August. I will call the specialist in the morning to confirm that he is happy to go ahead with it on Monday (as he is currently having a well deserved weekend off work).

I have been an absolute emotional mess today. Unfortunately it was also my weekend to work (I work 4-5 days a week and work only 1 weekend per month) - so between me being sick, having to work all day and having to deal with the emotional trauma of this entire situation I'm almost at breaking point. (Meanwhile Emmie is happily chewing a toy at my side as I'm typing and seems oblivious to the reason why I'm so sad).

One good thing out of this entire situation is that he is still a really happy boy most of the time. (when he is not falling over due to the spinal cord compression).

I have managed to arrange a professional pet photographer to do a photo shoot with me and the boys tomorrow at such short notice which is really amazing - I want to have the photos done in case the outcome of the surgery is bad.

I will give an update after Monday - I'm not sure when the update will be ... as my emotions and mental capacity could be very affected depending on what happens to my beautiful boy

MudBug, I'm not sure if I had posted about him on FB?

But I'm more than happy for you to pass on my information about Emmie's case.

Some pics from yesterday and today:


His new hair cut:



Just after he came home from the CT and myelogram - looking very groggy still. (you can also see that the spinal cord compression is now affecting his front limbs as he has become very weak in his wrists/pasterns)




Sitting here with me right now as I type:




And this image was taken back in June when he didnt have anything wrong with him You can see he was very agile as he could easily jump from the ground to the table (Which he was very naughty about since being on the table was not allowed lol!) Emmie has always been a clown

Thank you for the permission to share.

I'm pretty sure I remember someone posting several months back in a FB group asking about an unusual gait in the hind end, random pain and a lot of his symptoms. They were talking then about thinking it was Wobblers.

Shared with a breeder friend.

Poor baby I hope he feels well again soon. It's really hard to watch our fur babies in pain.

I'm so very sorry you and your pup are going through this. I hope the surgery is successful and that he has many happy years left. Will be sending positive thoughts his way tomorrow (today?) for a good resolution. Hugs to you!

Huge prayers have been with ya'll throughout today.

Thank you everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers - Ive just admitted Emmie to the specialist now and will here from the surgeon this afternoon. (Its midday here in Australia at the moment).

Managed to hold it together this morning so Emmie didn't have to see me cry

I'm sorry. I want to wrap you in a big warm hug. Know that we all love and care about you!! And we are sending that love and care to your little pup!

Very quick update as I'm exhausted and desperately need sleep:

Emmie has pulled through surgery really well! It's such a relief!

His anaesthetic was really good and he is now in the ICU recovering. The surgeon has spoken to me on the phone and said that they found a 'massive' subarachnoid cyst within his spinal cord and they were able to open it up and drain it. From what I understand they sort of use sutures to keep that layer of his spinal cord open so the cyst will never refill again -so hopefully this is a once-off and we never have to deal with all of this trauma again.

He has a very large incision on the top of his neck and is now all shaved up the poor thing - looking very bald.

I got to visit him after work today and he is looking sore and sorry for himself but he gave me the biggest waggy-tail hello which made me burst into tears

At this stage the surgeon hasnt been able to assess whether or not he has any permanent damage to his spinal cord which could cause paralysis as he isn't awake enough from the anaesthetic to walk.

The surgeon will assess him in the morning and will let me know if Emmie has any form/level of paralysis.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we jump over this last hurdle.

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts, messages, posts, and kindness throughout this ordeal

That's good to hear. I hope he pulls through enough that he can walk again!

Oh Rij! That is so great to hear!! Still sending positive thoughts and vibes your way!!

Thinking of you and Emmett, and wishing him a quick and successful recovery!

I am so glad that surgery went well, and that he pulled through like a trooper. Get some well deserved rest and update when you can.

Give Emmett lots of love from us and know that you are all in our prayers.

So glad to hear that the surgery was successful! Hoping for a speedy recovery and that he will be back to normal soon!