Hi Laurie!
I am a CCRP in Texas, and I have been fortunate enough to have taken part in several of your lectures over the years.
I have recently acquired a patient with kyphosis, and I am hesitant about manipulations / exercises with her. I haven't been able to find many resources about what (if any) manipulations are safe for her, as well as what to expect as she grows.
Patient is a 6 mo old GSD approx 30lbs. Shelter/Rescue organization has had since ~5 weeks of age. Is ambulatory but severely ataxic. Does not appear painful or uncomfortable. Rads have been reviewed by surgeons and surgical correction is unlikely to improve condition. Radiographs are attached.
I know you are a busy woman but I would greatly appreciate any guidance you could give me with this sweet girl!
CM
Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
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Re: Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
Hi C!
Oi! This one doesn’t look so great!
I would stay fairly gentle in regards to mobilizations. Nothing from the dorsal surface. Maybe chest lifts only. OR Nothing. Nothing would be fine as well in that region. Tail pulls. Neck Traction. Maybe.
Exercises, yes. You can’t be scared of exercises. It’s all you’ve got!
Work on function. Normal you’ll never get. Funky and functional is okay!
You’ve got this.
Cheers,
Laurie
Oi! This one doesn’t look so great!
I would stay fairly gentle in regards to mobilizations. Nothing from the dorsal surface. Maybe chest lifts only. OR Nothing. Nothing would be fine as well in that region. Tail pulls. Neck Traction. Maybe.
Exercises, yes. You can’t be scared of exercises. It’s all you’ve got!
Work on function. Normal you’ll never get. Funky and functional is okay!
You’ve got this.
Cheers,
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES
Re: Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
Thank you so much. I’ve had a tough time finding any reliable information about what is safe for her.
Also, any insight you can lend as to what to expect as this dog grows? She has quite a lot of growing to do and the owner is understandably concerned that growth will cause further compression. Owner has not yet gone forward with a CT, but is open to considering it.
Thanks so much for your time!
C.
Also, any insight you can lend as to what to expect as this dog grows? She has quite a lot of growing to do and the owner is understandably concerned that growth will cause further compression. Owner has not yet gone forward with a CT, but is open to considering it.
Thanks so much for your time!
C.
Re: Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
Honestly, it’s a crap shoot.
Could it get worse? Quite possibly.
It reminds me of a cat I saw with x-rays very similar to this (presumed hit by car or fell out of tree - as it was normal and then drug itself home). That cat was making progress in moving, then one day decided to try to claw it’s way up onto the bed, fell, and was never the same afterwards. I think she finally suffered full severance of the cord.
That would be a very real concern for this dog as well.
You aren’t likely to find anything ‘reliable’ in regards to safety for this dog. There simply aren’t enough cases. And especially since it’s not clear what actually happened to the dog or if it’s congenital. In which case, it’s trial and error.
I’d avoid anything rough. No jumping. No aggressive play. Always and forever.
Even a CT won’t tell you much more - really & truly. Assume the worst already… a CT won’t be delivering any ‘good news’ - we can tell that already just by looking at the x-rays.
When you take on a dog with a spine like that, you must learn to accept the good days. Accept ‘function’ as the goal. Know that things could change in a heartbeat and you accept the ’now’.
Funky and functional. That’s all that matters.
Bit of a tough love / pep talk…
Laurie
Could it get worse? Quite possibly.
It reminds me of a cat I saw with x-rays very similar to this (presumed hit by car or fell out of tree - as it was normal and then drug itself home). That cat was making progress in moving, then one day decided to try to claw it’s way up onto the bed, fell, and was never the same afterwards. I think she finally suffered full severance of the cord.
That would be a very real concern for this dog as well.
You aren’t likely to find anything ‘reliable’ in regards to safety for this dog. There simply aren’t enough cases. And especially since it’s not clear what actually happened to the dog or if it’s congenital. In which case, it’s trial and error.
I’d avoid anything rough. No jumping. No aggressive play. Always and forever.
Even a CT won’t tell you much more - really & truly. Assume the worst already… a CT won’t be delivering any ‘good news’ - we can tell that already just by looking at the x-rays.
When you take on a dog with a spine like that, you must learn to accept the good days. Accept ‘function’ as the goal. Know that things could change in a heartbeat and you accept the ’now’.
Funky and functional. That’s all that matters.
Bit of a tough love / pep talk…
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES
Re: Ataxic, funky x-rays, what to do
Thank you! 
.
.