Cami's Update!!!

[catstamm]

All the positive :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and :pray: :pray: worked
Well...I have to say I'm exhausted...I believe this was harder on me than Cami. I did so much better with human children...I lose it with the love bug long dogs.
The Nuerologist was AMAZED! Cami is doing extremely well....dispite the hand she was dealt....
She has no further nuero damage, due to the fact she was born this way and knows no different the Dr thinks she is adapting and compensating for her disability and doing better than she could ask for....I told her Cami was famous and has a fan club :banana:
At this point we still have to take it day by day as she grows and the Dr wants to do a myleogram when she is a yr old. She also wants me to get her a special harness and begin walking her.... her hind legs have extremely weak muscle (since she only uses them to project herslf to bounce/hop and all the motion and strength is on her from legs and chest) She is hoping that some muscle strength in the back legs might help her more. (We tryed the walk tonight but, that's a whole other post...it looked more like I caught a fish:rotfl: :rotfl:....help Cesar)
She does want to get her spay before she goes into heat and can develop the possibility of other various health problems....due to her deformity her spay will be quite complicated (she can't lay on her back) They will put her in this gel/cushion thing that will form to her hump to do the spay....(they don't want her to be moved while under anesthesia) While she is under anesthesia they are also going to do complete blood work to make sure she has no internal organ problems or damage as well as complete xrays to get a good look at things while she is motionless.... A $500.00 spay imagine that :shocked:
As far as the surgery goes we have to keep waiting....and it is a possibility that she won't need it if she continues to progress as she is and the myleogram doesn't give us bad news that Cami is hiding with her spunk and courage..... the Dr did say to keep the nest eggs warm cuz you never know if things go south we have 48 hrs!!!
The Dr is very optimistic....Cami shined and I was a mess....
Thank you everyone for all the love and support you have given to me and you all give to each other.... Cami is a reminder everyday that life is GOOD!
Camelot and her Nuerologist
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/catstamm/camiandherdr.jpg

[samandissy]

Cat, that is great news. I knew she would get a good report today and I was thinking hard about my Goddogter all day. You were right about having more smileys here. Susie:hearts: :pray: :appl:

[Frzframe]

That is great news!! :woohoo:

Do you think water theapy might help with her weak back legs? Just a thought. :)

[catstamm]

Yeah....Susie is here! Welcome Cami's Godmother everyone .... lots more laughs to be expected...Susie LOVES smiley faces but, was only limited to 6 on the Meet-up forum :sosad: Your gonna have a field day here Susie :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[catstamm]

Can you give me some tips???? I tryed the water last night....but, I was soaked...her front legs SLAPPED the water and tryed to paddle and her back legs didn't do much at all :shocked: If anyone has any techniques I would love is cuz she's quit the spaz on the leash and tangles herself around herself, me, Carlee and Jen not to mention trys to eat the leash at the same time :rotfl: :rotfl:
Poor Jen..."Mom can I just go on a real walk ...like the old days, before you brought home this standard chick that is afraid of her shadow and steps on me ...and now this crazy spaz camel? ...please mom I'm too old for this!":please:

[Patt]

Awesome news and a great pic. :appl: :cheer2: Cami is such a little doll.:hearts:

I believe Yolanda has done water therapy, I would send her a PM. The link I have is no longer available. Are you doing this in the bath tub? I would suggest that you and Cami be the only ones in the room. How about putting a little water in the tub so she can touch the bottom. After she she relax's you can slowly add more water so she is swimming. Another suggestion would be a Canine Rehab Center that does hydrotherapy. I have a friend that used one and got terrific results for her dog. Ask your vet for recommendations.

[K2]

Yay Cami!!!! That's great news!!! You are such a little cutie~you're just so adorable.:hearts:

[Alex's Mom]

:woohoo: :banana: :cheer2: :banana: :cheer2: Cami!!! I was thinking about her all day yesterday, Cat, and wondering how it would turn out!!! I am SO glad to hear the good news! :bighug: to you and Cami from Alex and me. I've never done water therapy with dogs, but know that it's quite a good thing with horses. There is a canine physio clinic here and they do that kind of thing there. Do you have any place like that near you? Also a great pic!!!! Love to see our Cami girl! :hearts: :hearts:

[Laurie' s Dachshunds]

:cheer2: good news! :cheer2: :appl:

[lotsadox]

That's great news! Sending more rayz :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and I'll keep Cami in my :pray:

[Nancy]

My gawd, I'm crying!! I gotta toughen up a little bit!

Cami is a doll!!! Good to hear her vet visit was a positive one!! Please keep us posted on her spay.

[Lisa]

:cheer2: :cheer2:

Fantastic news (and a great job recruited Cami's God Mom for us too - Welcome Susie! :appl: :appl: ). I have been really worried about Cami but that is a wonderful checkup.

Such a nice picture, you can tell Cami has people sincerely caring about & for her.

Any date on when her spay will be?

[areese]

YAY Cami and Catherine!! We'll keep the thoughts and prayers and rays and smilies coming :)
I was thinking about the bathtub...Perhaps if you got enough water in there so that she starts swimming and then hold her front legs (and keeping her head above water LOL) so her back legs would get moving. I know my dogs swim more with their front legs than back also but perhaps if you didn't let the front legs move, the rear ones would. It seems like a really good idea..the water therapy, I mean. Any other ways to strengthen the rear that I can think of wouldn't work with her back like it is.
Keep up the good work, Cami and Mom :)

[oceangirls]

This is so nice to hear!! She is such a beautiful little girl:hearts: . I'm sorry I have no experience to help you, but I know others do.

Loved your comment from Jen. Poor Jen! :) I bet secretly she likes being the "good" :angel7: big sister.

Hi Susie and :welcome7: We're happy to have you!

[catstamm]

Thank you everyone ....keep this roll going...Cami's spay is on wednesday the 12th...the nuerologist will assist so I know everything will be ok and she'll be taken care of....I hope the x ray they do will show us something positive also :pray: :pray: :pray:
I told the Dr that if she wanted to be as famous as Cami, she needed to smile for the camera :rotfl: Cami's Dr. treats her like she is her pupper....she's great ...Thank you Dr. Robin :appl:

[Goob]

Thanks for the pup-date on Cami girl!! :cheer2: :cheer2: I will keep her in my prayers for her walking excercises and also for her spay. :pray: :pray:

[doxiechick]

If you can get in the tub with her, stand behind her and start holding her back legs in the proper walking position. Start walking her. It might be hard by yourself because she is going to turn around and want to look at you. Start with what ever time you can get her to do it and then increase slowly.

I would start doing bicycle exercises with her and move her joints back and forth, starting at her toes, then ankle and then her hips.

I have been talking Buckley (look at his story on www.drna.org) since Dec. Buckley goes to the acupuncturist once a week and then has underwater treadmill 2 times a week. The PT person has showed us what exercises to do with him to strengthen his back legs and his abdominal muscles. You might also get her a ball big enough for her to lay over and lets her feet barely touch the floor. Rock her back and forth and see if she pushes off the floor. Rock her sideways too; this will make her hold her abdominal muscles to keep her balance.

If you have acupuncture vet close to you I would be finding them and getting appointment. Ask them if they have a PT vet or vet tech around that can help you with some exercises.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!!!

[catstamm]

thanks so much for the info i will see if i can find a pt vet that would be willing to sheow me what to do.....its hard to picture, i'll start working on it.

[Patt]

Here's links for K9 P/T etc. They are in So. CA. but I'm not sure if they are near you. Possibly if you will give them a call they may assist you in finding a Rehab Center closer to you, or would consider giving you lessons.

http://www.canineaquatics.com/page/page/1622602.htm

http://www.cuttingedgek9.com/

http://www.twohandsfourpaws.com/index.htm

[catstamm]

Thanks Patt cuttingedgek9 is in san diego....I'll see if they can help me out...I'll keep everyone posted

[Bella's Mom]

Wonderful news! Cami sure is a special little doxie! Her face is so sweet. What a little angel. :angel7: She has definitely found a place in our hearts! :hearts:

[Jen]

A great update on Cami! She is so gorgeous, a truly special girl. :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for her spay today! Please keep us updated!