The Surgery

[DextersMomma]

Very happy to hear this update! I'm hopeful he continues to be the biggest PITA and comes home a happy boy! Will be thinking of Goofus this weekend!

[13frajja]

great new. I hope this is his last surgery. Hug him for me please.

[dogtag]

You're all so kind, thank you.....then, you're all Dane People so you understand.

Dogtag

[duke'sdad]

It sounds like good news for goofus. I'm sorry about your horse. I hope you get him home tomorrow.
Rob

[dogtag]

The good news is that the Goo Boy is home and safe in his bed. He is very happy about this, so I'm including some pictures.
As a follow up, I will hope to describe what was done in further attempts to explain his condition and also to acknowledge the great care and expertise he obtained at Summit Veterinary Referral Center in Tacoma Washington.

Goofus's Surgery was performed by Dr Jerry Demuth, DVM DACVIM a Neuro Surgeon at Summit.
He has done more successful "dorsal laminectomys" than anyone in the area.
My Wife and I recommend him and his staff highly.

As many of you know, Goofus is suffering from Caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy, (Wobblers syndrome)
According to experts, this is caused by a combination of vertebral malformation and inappropriate articulation of the vertebrae in the neck.

Left untreated, it's outcome is always the same.
In recent years, a new type of surgery has provided relief and in some cases a dramatic extension of life and most important, Quality Life!!!

In Goofus case, he has had discs C2,C3,C4,C5,C6 and C7 modified to
remove the stress to the spinal cord caused by the disc's malformation.
The first surgery in June repaired C2 and C3 and this weeks surgery the rest mentioned. All in all, 6.5 hrs for the first and 8.5 hrs for the second.
In other words, it was pretty major.

Although it's taken two radical surgeries to bring Goofus to the point where he has a fighting chance, we felt the risk was worth it. He is a very mild and affectionate dog and it just didn't seem fair to us that his life be cut so short.

In closing, I will resurrect this thread on occasion to let my Dane Friends know how Goofus is doing and update you with any medical changes.
Although he is suffering some significant pain, it's not enough to slow him down when it comes to a good bone chew.

If this crappy disease presents itself in one of your Babies you couldn't
go wrong consulting Dr Jerry at Summit.
Just ask you Vet for a referral.

Pete

[DextersMomma]

Great update! Great to see him chewing on a bone already! I'm hopeful that his return to function includes no pain and mobility! Keep us posted!

[Gibson'sMom]

Wow, that is a long incision. Glad he is home & doing well. The last pic made me laugh.

[dogtag]

Well, here it is, December already and the Goo is doing very well.
Here is a recent vid of him walking and trotting.
Notice that he doesn't swing his rear legs out to the side when he walks any more.
Next week he gets to don his body harness and go for walks on the property.
He is still on Steroids so building muscle is difficult. It makes him look like he is starving when in fact he is consuming 10 cups of kibble and two cans of
dogfood per day, along with any thing he can steal.

As December goes on, he will be weened from the Steroids and he should start packing it on.
Got my fingers crossed... He seems more sure footed than he has been in the last year.

Dogtag

PS; He has always submerged his snout all the way to his eyes when he drinks. Weird!!!!

YouTube - Post Surgery, Dec 1st 2010.MP4

YouTube - Post Surgery, Dec 1st 2010.MP4

[daneslave]

He looks great!!!!I bet he would love to swim under water lol.

[DextersMomma]

He's looking really great! Glad to see things are improving!