Bernette Needs Surgery! HELP!
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Dear Supporters,
Bernette is a 4 month old female Hound Mix. She came from Montreal and has been in our care since early June 2014. Bernette is not only a beautiful dog, but has the personality that melts all those she meets. She is such a happy girl, with so much puppy love to give. We want to give her a chance, a chance to be free of diapers, a chance to be free of constant bladder expressions and constant bladder infections.
Unfortunately Bernette continues to have weakness in her back legs in addition to fecal and urinary incontinence. She has another raging bladder infection, which she is on antiobitics again for. She will continue to get them, and in the end we will not be able to treat, as she will become resistant to any drugs.
Since her last recheck with Dr James, Bernette has improved some. She is wagging her tail more and holding it higher. She can sense large bowel movements and can hold her urine for longer. She sometimes postures to defecate, but she still needs her bladder extracted three times a day. She still bunny hops but occasionally takes alternate steps. She seems to be getting stronger with her physiotherapy.
Bernette had a much needed MRI of lumbosacral spine (Aug 16th, 2014). Where they found a Cyst-like lesion in the mid-dorsal portion of the spinal cord at L3 that may communicate with the central canal and is likely congenital in origin. The exact anatomical origin of these cyst is uncertain. The MRI rule outs include an atypical epidermoid/dermoid cyst, an atypical intraparenchymal arachnoid cyst, or other cystic anomaly. The cystic lesion is causing marked spinal cord atrophy.
This is the Assessment/Plan from Debbie James DVM, DACVIM (Neurology): I have discussed surgical exploration of the spinal cord cyst with Susan. It is difficult to know whether surgery will result in significant improvement since spinal cord atrophy has already occurred. However, if we want to try to do all that we can to eliminate the compressive aspect of this cyst, then surgical exploration with the hopeful goal of draining the cyst and marsupializing the dura to prevent reformation is recommended.
We would love to have the surgery done so we can try to improve Bernettes quality of life. Please help us help Bernette,
thank you so much for all your continued support. <3
From My Heart Rescue Family
Bernette is a 4 month old female Hound Mix. She came from Montreal and has been in our care since early June 2014. Bernette is not only a beautiful dog, but has the personality that melts all those she meets. She is such a happy girl, with so much puppy love to give. We want to give her a chance, a chance to be free of diapers, a chance to be free of constant bladder expressions and constant bladder infections.
Unfortunately Bernette continues to have weakness in her back legs in addition to fecal and urinary incontinence. She has another raging bladder infection, which she is on antiobitics again for. She will continue to get them, and in the end we will not be able to treat, as she will become resistant to any drugs.
Since her last recheck with Dr James, Bernette has improved some. She is wagging her tail more and holding it higher. She can sense large bowel movements and can hold her urine for longer. She sometimes postures to defecate, but she still needs her bladder extracted three times a day. She still bunny hops but occasionally takes alternate steps. She seems to be getting stronger with her physiotherapy.
Bernette had a much needed MRI of lumbosacral spine (Aug 16th, 2014). Where they found a Cyst-like lesion in the mid-dorsal portion of the spinal cord at L3 that may communicate with the central canal and is likely congenital in origin. The exact anatomical origin of these cyst is uncertain. The MRI rule outs include an atypical epidermoid/dermoid cyst, an atypical intraparenchymal arachnoid cyst, or other cystic anomaly. The cystic lesion is causing marked spinal cord atrophy.
This is the Assessment/Plan from Debbie James DVM, DACVIM (Neurology): I have discussed surgical exploration of the spinal cord cyst with Susan. It is difficult to know whether surgery will result in significant improvement since spinal cord atrophy has already occurred. However, if we want to try to do all that we can to eliminate the compressive aspect of this cyst, then surgical exploration with the hopeful goal of draining the cyst and marsupializing the dura to prevent reformation is recommended.
We would love to have the surgery done so we can try to improve Bernettes quality of life. Please help us help Bernette,
thank you so much for all your continued support. <3
From My Heart Rescue Family
Organizer
Susan Thompson
Organizer
Whitby, ON
