Playing in the safety zone

Mason gets about five sessions out of his kennel each day s he can stretch, go potty and move around a bit.  When the grass is too wet, we head into the bathroom.  Here, he can do all these things as well as stay away from crazy play with Peanut that could cause more trouble.

Here's a little video of some careful play in the bathroom.

We'll be back tomorrow with an update from the doctor.

Waiting for tomorrow...

Hello there,

Mason's making the most of being cooped up in his kennel for the majority of the day.  He's got his favorite toys (stuffed dog, mouse and manatee) as well as a bully stick that keeps him occupied.  He finally knows it's a good idea to take his Gabapentin (for nerve pain) without giving momma a fight. He gets a special treat of baby food -Turkey and Gravy/Chicken and Gravy after he's gotten the nasty squirt.  Today I added another cherry cough syrup (Prednosolone for inflamation) flavored squirt to the mix.  He doesn't care for that either, but at least he can get it down without much of a fight.

The muggy weather has left the grass moist each morning and evening so that has been pretty challenging when needing to go "Potty".  Mason so wants to be a big boy and go outside so he holds it as long as he can to avoid going in the makeshift potty in the shower.  The doctor said he has to keep his head splint very dry as to avoid getting an infection.

I'll be taking a little video tonight of Mason hanging out in the bathroom.  This is pretty much the safest place he can wander and be a puppy during this scary time.  Mason has to keep away from Peanut for his own good, and since Peanut wants to follow me (and Mason) everywhere we go, locking her out of the bathroom for a few minutes is the best thing to do.  Every time Mason is around her on the floor he wants to climb her, chew on her ears, and pull her neck hairs...He loves her so much. He tried to climb into her puppy bed last night but I had to pick him back up and put him in his kennel.  Sooo sad for that puppy.  She's pretty much a bull in a China shop around him and seems oblivious to walking and moving carefully when he's nearby.

Thank you to my friends and family for sending sweet cards to us in the mail.  We appreciate it so much.  I'll post the video here so stop back and take a peek.  I'll also post an update tomorrow as we return from our visit with Dr. Jarboe.

Please continue to pray, and if you can, share share share the fundraiser link.  Thank you!

Being cooped up stinks!

Hello friends,

Mason is doing ok today.  I can see he's trying to manage his cumbersome head brace as best he can. When out of his kennel for stretches and potty breaks, he tries really hard to rub it off.  He's hearing a lot of NO-NO's as I'm afraid he's twisting his head a bit too much sometimes.  I try to give him extra rubs on his ears and forehead and even some sneaky rubs under his brace at the base of his back.  I believe it's becoming annoying and itchy, just as a cast would be.

Mason really hates his new medicine too.  He's now off the Meloxicam and exclusively on .6mg dose of Gabapentin.  This medicine is given to block nerve pain and is often given as an anti seizure medication.  He may be placed on Prednisone 1.0 mg next week if the doctor feels he would benefit from using it.  Gabapentin is given every 12 hours so at least that one good thing about having to take something you really dislike!

Mason will return to Dr. Jarobe on Wednesday.  Her office called just the other day to explain that they received the additional report from the doctor they asked to take a second look at the MRI.  They will discuss his findings when I'm there.  They stated it did not impact the diagnosis or treatment plan. Mason will also have neuro evaluation again and the doctor will determine whether to remove the splint or replace it.

So for now, Mason is good.  He isn't in pain, he's bored and really wants to play with Peanut.  I believe the kennel rest (it'll be 2 weeks on Sunday), meds and love has made his leg strength and coordination much better, but from what I hear, that is not atypical and is not a sign of miraculous recovery...but I'll take it for now.  I hate hearing and seeing him in pain.

PS...I'm also attaching the xray that was taken 7-30.  I do have the disk of his MRI but the special formatting is not allowing me to download them (over 120 slides).

Strength...Courage...Hope...

Hello-

Mighty Mason needs your prayers as we received scary medical reports this past week.  Mason has been exhibiting pain symptoms sporadically after waking from sleep for about two months now, but did not show any symptoms when taken into the vet for evaluations.  Perhaps it was his adrenaline kicking in or just the timing was always off.  In any case, Dr. Vernon never saw what I had been seeing and thought that perhaps it was just me overreacting to typical puppy behaviors and whines.  However,  In July, Dr. Vernon finally noticed some tenderness when palpating and manipulating his neck.  He prescribed medicine that seemed to solve the painful episodes for the time being.  

This past Saturday he had a painful night.  He woke several times in crying out in pain and then throughout the day on Sunday.  His pain episodes were long lasting (unlike those in the past that were approx 1-2 minute episodes) and all I could do was try to comfort him in my arms.  Since Dr. Vernon wasn't open on Sunday, I had the longest and most excruciatingly heart wrenching wait with my little guy.  Right away Monday morning I took him in to be evaluated by Dr. Vernon. During this visit, Mason displayed signs and symptoms that I had been trying to convince him of and finally, I felt Dr. Vernon believed me that it was not just "typical puppy crying" or manipulation behaviors.  He watched him walk on the floor and noticed his weakness on the right side and his tipsy walking.  He conducted a few neurological assessments and suggested he may have some abnormalities in his neck/vertebra that would need further assessment.  He recommended a few Neuro's and I decided to make an appointment the next day with the one closest to home.

On Tuesday, Mason met with Dr. Knoeckel at SouthPaws.  Dr. Knoeckel evaluated him and took one x-ray so as to not manipulate his painful neck and not cause further damage.  After reviewing the radiographs, his diagnosis was: Absence of a dens= C1-2 instability.  He discussed two common treatment options: splinting and cage rest for 6-8 weeks, or surgery.   After some discussion that seemed totally hopeless, I was in shock and terribly devastated. I left with little hope in either treatment.   Upon returning home and through tear filled eyes, I scoured the internet for information about his condition searching for something...anything that could help save my little man.   I needed a second opinion and a glimmer of hope...at least.  I found a Dr. in Miami and some success stories online.  I researched other neurologists in the area and finally found Bush Veterinary Neurology Service.  

Dr.  Jarboe met Mighty Mason for the first time today.  I have to say the staff there helped ease my heartache and sadness and Dr. Jarboe helped bring hope to a very dark and scary diagnosis. She shared her expert opinion about the x-ray view and additional things she noticed in the x-ray. She also spent time talking with me about other conditions that could be contributing to his pain. She recommended doing an MRI to find out more and to determine a treatment plan.  Her compassion and understanding helped me breathe...and gave me some hope he could be saved.

I left Mason in the care of Dr. Jarboe and her staff so they could conduct the MRI.  It was the longest three hours of my life.  Thank God, my sister, a director of nursing in Richmond, VA was there to support me.  Her expertise and understanding of all this medical mumbo-jumbo was so much appreciated.  While we were away, she was able to explain the terminology to me in a simplified way-and helped my nerves.

When I returned at 1:30, I could hear Mason's pitiful squeals in the other room...These squeals I knew all too well...not those of a painful pup...those were the squeals of please hold me, don't leave me in this cage...Poor Pitiful Mason...Quite different from the howls, barks and moans of other dogs waiting there too, and most definitely different than his painful cries that break my heart each time they come.  The post-procedure team came out throughout his recovery to reassure me that those were not yelps or cries of pain...they didn't have to.  I knew what those cries were...all too well...and they did give me hope and a little smile through all this sadness.

Dr. Jarboe and her staff returned with Mason all wrapped in a head/neck sling and so excited to see me. What a handsome fellow ready to bust outta there!   Looking somewhat like a turtle in that headdress and a poodle with his new haircut on his legs.  Of course he wasn't whining or yelping or squealing as he was safe and sound tucked in my arms.  She got to work showing me the MRI slides and explaining her observations in detail.  She gave her diagnoses and left me with hope...albeit risky...but hopeful.  

So here's the scary diagnoses:  

1.  Atlanto axial subluxation with aplastic dens and dorsolateral ligamentous hypertrophy

2.  Caudal occipital malformaiton syndrome (COMS)

3.  Atlanto occipital (AO) overlap

4.  Low vlume quadrigeminal diverticulum

5.  Mild dilation of the lateral (LT>RT), third, mesencephalic aqueduct

6.  Bilateral cryptochidism

Prognosis:  50% chance of stabilization with conservative care (splint/cage rest) and risk of permanent paralysis or death.  80% chance for stabilization with surgical stabilization.  20% he would not improve and risk acute death or permanent paralysis.  Likely probability that he may require a second surgery to address his COMS and AO overlap at a later time.  

Soooo....That's scary!  

We'll return to see Dr. Jarboe next Wednesday for a recheck, possible medication adjustments and to change his splint.  At this time we will also discuss further plans for treatment.  

Please...Pray....Give your babies extra hugs tonight!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of Mason that were taken just about a week and a half ago...when my days were so much brighter...

 (Mason ready to go outside!)

(Mason's favorite spot...next to me with his noisy mousie!)

What a BIIIIGGGG water bowl!

Wow!  This is one BIG water bowl.  Not so sure about this.  Momma is going to make me a pool lover before the end of the season!  My friend Peanut says NO WAY!  She'd rather sunbathe on the doorstoop.

PS...That wascally wabbit left treasures for me in the back yard.  Searching for treasure is more fun than standing in the BIG water bowl!!!

The Great Paper Caper...

Momma's been working in her craft room making cards for friends around the world and I decided to follow her up to her secret room today...OOHHH...I discovered a nice little box of goodies on the floor (momma should know better) and I was off on my great adventure...

Look at all these goodies I found inside this box!  WOOF WOOOOOF!

 Just a little taste testing.  Gotta be just right for my collection you know.

 Lemme drag one more piece out...

 Ohhh...wonder what's down deep in this box???  Sniff sniff...

 Oh, lemme see...This piece will be good for my collection of pink paper... Shhh she'll never know.

 Shhh...don't tell her I dragged the whole bag out...She doesn't need those scraps anyway!  Arf, arf, arf...

Even Peanut's no match for this Paper Caper!!! WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!  

See you around!  Let me get back to work...

Greetings Earthlings...

Hi folks.

I've been busy at home working on mastering my tricks.  Momma says I'm getting better at staying put for longer periods of time.  She says I need to spend more time with boys.  What?  Is she kidding?  I like the LADIES!!!  Momma says SHHH too much when the boys come around 'cuz I just wanna bark, bark, bark...

Momma ordered some photos of me and they arrived this week.  She's been working on making some cards to send off with this strange man in a blue uniform.  I don't much care for that guy, but I guess he has a job to do.  Momma says we're gonna send these cards out to some Schnauzerville friends and family.

Momma says we're going to go on a long car ride to visit her sister in a few days.  I've been there before so I can say hi to my two big dog friends there.  She said I can also practice being nice to the manfolk...

See ya around!  Woof