Update on Claude and Brynn At The Veterinary Teaching Hospital

This was a distressing day.  What we learned about Claude the blind Great Dane puppy was heartbreaking.  I took this photo just before he was put inside the MRI machine at around 12:30 p.m.  About two hours later, we met with the neurologist to learn the results.  It turns out that Claude has a severe case of Wobblers Syndrome, and his spinal cord is significantly compressed at three different areas in his neck ... at the juncture of vertebrae C3 and C4, C4 and C5, and C5 and C6.  On the MRI images we could see the normally round spinal cord was squashed into a flat, almost box-like shape.  It made us flinch looking at it. 

But that wasn't all.  After reviewing the MRI results with us, the neurologist said, "I wish that were all I had to tell you, but I have some more bad news."  Oh no.

He reached over and put two X-rays on the lightbox.  I could tell before he said anything that we were looking at a very bad pair of hip joints.  One looked like the ball was almost out of the socket.  Those were Claude's hips.  At 10 months of age, he is already suffering from a severe case of hip displaysia.  I would have guessed that the radiographs belonged to a 15 year-old dog ... not a puppy.

I sat there, just floored.  Severe hip displaysia in a 10-month old puppy?

And then we had a long and difficult conversation about the surgery for Wobblers Syndrome, likely outcomes, and what our options were given the orthopedic findings. 

(Claude's case is the type of Wobblers Syndrome that afflicts young, giant breed dogs, and is different from the Wobblers Syndrome seen in older Dobermans.  It's a different disease process.)

The neurologist said that Wobblers Syndrome was his "least favorite disease to treat."  To begin with, the surgery -- which takes 6 hours and requires three doctors and a support team of three vet techs -- typically doesn't improve the dog's condition.  Although occasionally you'll see an animal with a slight improvement in symptoms, generally the best you can hope for is to stabilize the condition and prevent any further deterioration.  This means Claude would remain like he is today ... stumbling, falling down, knuckling over on his feet, and sinking to his knees when he pees.  In fact, the vet hospital here generally does five of these operations a year, and they've found in follow-up studies that a year later, on average only three cases have what they consider "decent" outcomes. 

We would not want Claude to live like he is today.  Since this started, we've seen the spark disappear.  And we know he would suffer pressure sores and constant wounds from dragging his rear feet when they knuckle over.  (Because he can't feel this happening now, he doesn't even know he's doing it.)  Add to this Claude's already severe hip displaysia, which will only get worse and more painful in coming months, and now we've got a quality of life decision to make.

In the best of all worlds, choosing to do the surgery is a major deal ... the neurologist said the surgery and 10-day hospital stay for recovery would cost $6,500 to $7,500, and he described it as a "painful procedure" to insert the apparatus that would stabilize his neck -- essentially an acrylic cement plate and dozens of screws affixed to his vertebrae.

After two rounds of conversations with the staff at the teaching hospital, a long phone call this evening with our primary care vet in Helena, Dr. Brenda Culver, and several calls with Alayne to review everything we learned today, we concluded that we would not put Claude through this.  Making this decision was agonizing.  We'll do everything we can medically for an animal, but we have to know the outcome is worth it ... and to see Claude continue like this, and to suffer from hip displaysia on top of it, doesn't seem like the right thing to do for him. 

We'll bring him back to the ranch tomorrow and then love him up as much as we can before we have to say goodbye.

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Compared to Claude, the news on Brynn was, well, okay.  After a lengthy endoscopy procedure, we learned that Brynn has not one but TWO ectopic ureters, both of which are emptying urine into her vagina.  But she also does have a good-sized bladder, and the reason she seems to have some bladder function is because the urine is flowing back down from her vagina into the bladder.  When it fills up, she actually will pee like a normal horse.  And when we thought we saw urine in her uterus on ultrasound when she was two weeks old, well, we did ... she had urine in there today, too.  That's because the urine is leaking backwards from her vagina and down into her uterus.

The surgeon, Dr. Claude Ragle, needs to run further diagnostics this week, but he was cautiously optimistic that he might be able to re-route the ureters into Brynn's bladder.  But we won't know for sure until he completes his tests.  Surgery would not occur until Thursday this week.

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(Click on photo for larger image.)

Comments

[Julie]

I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Claude. I wish that a "doggy wheelchair" would be a possibility for him. Please give him lots of loves, hugs and treats for us.

[Debbie Burke]

Steve and Alayne, I'm so sorry about darling Claude. You've given him every fighting chance, but his poor body just has too many insurmountable problems. You are doing the right thing, hard as it is. Sending long distance pets and loving to him and big hugs to you guys for your wisdom and compassion.

Debbie

[Nina]

My heart goes out to you both, Steve and Alayne. I know that the decision not to proceed with surgery is not an easy one....it is especially harder since Claude is still a "puppy." Enjoy him and make lots of memories! Is holistic medication an option at all?

[Sarah Doering]

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news about Claude. I have a dane, too, and that kind of news would break my heart. I'm sure you two will give him enough love for this life and the next.

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

I'm so saddened to read about Claude. I'm a pushover with big dogs, yet I know what smaller dogs can often live with, the larger ones cannot. I hope Claude can feel the love pouring in for him, because he is dearly loved. You & Alayne have made the right decision although I understand it was horribly difficult. Make sure he gets hugs from ginger & Tobias, & S.J. (my brother in Ky.) Claude is one special pup & "loving him up" is perfect.
Sending love,
ginger & Tobias

[Barbara Arenal]

I'm SO sorry to hear about Claude. And that you have to eventually suffer his loss. But we all agree about the "quality" of life. He has had the very BEST with yous guys and you can always know in your heart you saved him from further pain & suffering. I love Danes, I had to make that decision once with one of mine who had acute Panosteitis and Megaesophoegus(sp?). My heart and prayers are with you, and precious Claude.

[Miranda]

I agree with everyone here. You're doing a wonderful job and no dog could ask for more medical care and expert advice than Claude has gotten. There is no need to put him through all the pain of surgery only for a high possibility of no improvement. Bring your big boy home and give him all his favorite treats and love him up and we all say goodbye with you. Thank you for taking such good care of Claude and sharing with us. Best wishes,

[Roz]

Prayers and love to Claude as he makes his way from this realm to the next. God love the big baby but you're right, he can't be allowed to suffer. Steve and Alayne, you provided a wonderful home and care for this big baby and that's all you can do.

Prayers and love to Brynn and I hope the UW can help her.

[Cathy]

Oh, my. I'm glad that the news on Brynn is relatively positive so far. The news on Claude breaks my heart. Quality of life decisions are essential but oh-so-difficult. Animals have graceful souls and they try to do whatever we ask them to do. It's our duty to honor that grace and not ask them to suffer more just because we'll miss them. I love the idea of Claude being "loved up" at RDR until it's time to say goodbye to him physically. But he'll always be romping around in your hearts. I'm glad he'll be spending the rest of his time in a loving environment.

[Peggie]

Steve and Alayne,
So through blurred eyes I write to you. Our family has never stopped coming to you page to check on Claude. We are so very grateful that you agreed to take our rescue in. I just wish there was some way that I could known all of this that first day at the shelter when I too was questioning what his quality of life was going to be. I am sorry that you and he have had to go through all of this but I guess that he deserved to live even though it was such a short time. I so baddly wish I could come give him my love too before he goes...can you please tell him we all love him too.. even from far away. You will never really know how thankful I still am to you two for taking him and giving him such a fun life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Our hearts and prayers are with all of you at Rolling Dog Ranch. You have our support on this. Kiss that big silly pup for us!
Peggie, Doug,
Daniel, Delainy and Drake

[Leilani]

I think you and Alayne have made the right decision for Claude; quality of life is the important factor to consider. We want it for ourselves and for our beloved animal family members too.
I'm sure he's looking forward to going home and being showered with love. Share your happy memories of him with us when they come about. We're all part of your support team!

[Heidi and the kitties]

This must be the hardest part by far of the tremendous work you and Alayne do for these animals. I cannot imagine the difficulty and heartbreak of making these kind of decisions. BLess you both for doing the right thing no matter how hard it is. My heart goes out to you two and to sweet sweet Claude.

[danielle]

I'm so sorry to hear about Claude. He's been one of my favorites at rolling dog.