Dear Patch-Degenerative Neurological Issue






Dear Sir or Madam,
I have a Saluki Greyhound who is 12 years 8 months old called Patch. He has recently been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy (CRM/DM). When he was 6 years old he suddenly became paralysed from the waist down and lost his bladder function. He had emergency spinal surgery and the vet informed me one of his discs had crumbled but his spinal cord ‘looked intact’ and it was wait and see if he regained use of his hind legs/functions. He did, and has lead a full life since.

I have noticed that sometimes his back paw(s) turn so his knuckles get dragged as he walks and so far manages to correct his paw himself after a second or so. I suppose this was to be expected given his past. Surgery has been ruled out due to his age and breed, as more harm than good could come of it. I currently give him norocarp (an anti-inflamatory drug).

I am hoping that you may have:

• Come across other greyhounds with either this condition or other back problems and can give me the benefit of your experience; and/or
• Possibly recommend a vet who you know to specialise or have experience in this area.
  

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated, to be paid for of course.
Yours Faithfully
Mrs L A Wilson


Dear Lisa,

I have a bit of information for you that I hope will help. I spoke with a natural veterinarian Dr. Dobias who will consult with you over the phone. His number is 606-983-0987.

I also discovered that there are alternate therapies available for dogs that can be very helpful, like acupuncture and inter muscular stimulation as well. DR. Dean Smith, who works at the same office, practices these alternate therapies and may have some helpful advice for you as well.

Perhaps you can find someone who does similar therapy in your area. You can go to their web site and read up on the type of therapies that they do. It is www.healingplace.ca. I hope this will help you find some relief for Patch.

Take Care and all the best
Gabriele

Dear Gabriele,
Thank you so much for the information and your kindness.
Best Wishes
Regards
Lisa


Hi Lisa,You are very welcome. I am happy to help, I just want to ask f you mind that I add our correspondence to the 'Dear Gabi' page so others could benefit from the information.
Gabriele


Dear Gabriele,
I have no problem at all with you publicizing our correspondence to aid others. I have found a vet in my area, but as yet have to see her.(Unable to drive for a while due to an op and she is also extremely hard to get an appointment with, a pain but a good sign). Her clinic has a swimming pool, physio and I am sure she also does other therapies.

I found during my own research for Patch that more scientific research seems to be done in North America and that vets are more knowledgeable on the subject of DM than they are in England.

If it would help others on either side of the Atlantic I would be more than happy to share Patch's progress with you. If it helps one pet owner somewhere then that’s good enough for me.

Regards
Lisa