Anyone have experience with Cerebellar Hypoplasia

[lmperez]

I have a little 2.5lb yorkie girl with cerebellar Hypoplasia or hypoxia and was wondering if anyone has knowlegde of this condition? Many helpful websites or chat groups. I have been looking online and have some info but would like to talk to others who are going through this as well. I just want to be sure that I am doing all the right things for her.

[ladyjane]

I don't have experience with it but have heard of it. How old is she?

I hope the breeder stopped breeding the parents as it is congenital.

I am assuming she is high functioning? I honestly don't know what people do except for the fact that I do know they have to be careful about watching that the pups don't hurt themselves by falling off of furniture and things like that.

[lmperez]

She is two years old. I am not sure about the breeders since I rescued her from being euthanized after they turned her into the shelter when she was 5 mos old. She is severly impacted. She is unable to stay in a upright position. She flops like a fish but is able to get from point A to point B with much effort. She can eat and drink independently. She will flop to a pee pad near her bed to pee but wears a diaper because she will pee all over herself. Mentally she is very aware and will even try to come when called. I just can't help to think there is something more I could do for her.

[107barney]

Yes, I do. My dog Teddy has Cerebellar Hypoplasia characterized by the presence of Intention Tremors. His condition is static and mild. There is no treatment for the disorder.

It is congenital but may not necessarily be due to genetics as many dogs can have this as a result of a birth injury or hypoxia shortly before birth.

It is very important to rule out the cause of any tremors or head bobbing that may be due to something other than Cerebellar Hypoplasia. A neurologist should be involved to determine what diagnostic tests are needed. In our case, Teddy also had seizures. We sought the involvement of a board certified neurologist and had Teddy undergo testing (MRI and spinal tap, as well as all kinds of blood work) in order to make sure we were not missing anything.

By the way, Teddy's tremors and head bobbing and unsteady gait were noted at 10 weeks old when I got him from his breeder and probably sooner. He is now just over 2 years old and living a normal life.

[ladyjane]

Poor baby. Bless you for saving her.

[yorkiesincommon]

Originally Posted by lmperez

She is two years old. I am not sure about the breeders since I rescued her from being euthanized after they turned her into the shelter when she was 5 mos old. She is severly impacted. She is unable to stay in a upright position. She flops like a fish but is able to get from point A to point B with much effort. She can eat and drink independently. She will flop to a pee pad near her bed to pee but wears a diaper because she will pee all over herself. Mentally she is very aware and will even try to come when called. I just can't help to think there is something more I could do for her.

I have 2 little 3 month old brothers who have severe disability problems and know the amount of patience that it takes to care for them. I can not believe how "in love" I am with them. I admire your reaching out for more research in a body of folks that really foster great care of all little furbabies. Research is great but being in touch with folks who deal in similar things really helps shortcut to new ideas that work and any thing else that may help. Keep us updated and as we know more, we can exchange ideas and your interaction and care may also help others. The 2 way street is what makes YT a great resource to us all. I pray for your continued growth in helping your little one. Mary

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by lmperez

She is two years old. I am not sure about the breeders since I rescued her from being euthanized after they turned her into the shelter when she was 5 mos old. She is severly impacted. She is unable to stay in a upright position. She flops like a fish but is able to get from point A to point B with much effort. She can eat and drink independently. She will flop to a pee pad near her bed to pee but wears a diaper because she will pee all over herself. Mentally she is very aware and will even try to come when called. I just can't help to think there is something more I could do for her.

Bless her heart. And bless you for saving her! I'll keep you both in my prayers that you find new ways to help her.

Hugs to you both,
Bonny

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Yes, I do. My dog Teddy has Cerebellar Hypoplasia characterized by the presence of Intention Tremors. His condition is static and mild. There is no treatment for the disorder.

It is congenital but may not necessarily be due to genetics as many dogs can have this as a result of a birth injury or hypoxia shortly before birth.

It is very important to rule out the cause of any tremors or head bobbing that may be due to something other than Cerebellar Hypoplasia. A neurologist should be involved to determine what diagnostic tests are needed. In our case, Teddy also had seizures. We sought the involvement of a board certified neurologist and had Teddy undergo testing (MRI and spinal tap, as well as all kinds of blood work) in order to make sure we were not missing anything.


By the way, Teddy's tremors and head bobbing and unsteady gait were noted at 10 weeks old when I got him from his breeder and probably sooner. He is now just over 2 years old and living a normal life.

I have had her since she was 5 mos old. dropped off at animal shelter to be put down. She is now 2.5 yrs old. She has been to 3 different vetsall concluded cerebellar hypopisa and 2 neurologists. The first neuro thought she had hydrocephalus and would probably die within months of me having her. He put her on steroids to stop or slow down the production of spinal fluid. After 2days I noticed her becoming very lethargic and almost non responsive. Called him back and he was surprised of her reaction and told me to stop. Within a day she was back to her spunky self and very alert. He concluded that it was not Hydrocephalus. He thought maybe to do an MRI.To be honest after he alsmost killed her I kind of lost faith in him and got a second opinion from another neurologist. This guy took so much time with her and was paitient with me. He concluded CH and when I asked about doing an MRI he said you could but it will not change anything so I would not recommend it. She has no seizures, eats and drinks indep. plays with toys and her fursisters and brothers, She is very awre of her surroundings. She barks at me if I ignore her. She wants to be picked up and carried. She does have the intention tremors not so much the head bobs but she does have a hard time uprighting her self and staying that way for a long period of time. She does get around though. When I am home she is all over the living room. If I am in the kitchen she will squrim her way in there. If my husband sits on the couch she goes over to him and barks to be picked up. she will come to me when I call her just takes a little while. LOL. We love her dearly and I would do it all agin. It would just be nice to talk to others to see if I can do something different for her that I did think about to improve her quality of life. By the way the neurologist was impressed by her. He did say she appears to be a little happy girl and said if I was willing to keep her she will have a long life. OF COURSE I WILL KEEP HER!!!! I just try to adapt her envirnoment to siut her needs. It is a never ending challenge to make her life more comfortable.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by BonBon

Bless her heart. And bless you for saving her! I'll keep you both in my prayers that you find new ways to help her.

Hugs to you both,
Bonny

Thank You Bonny. She is a doll.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by yorkiesincommon

I have 2 little 3 month old brothers who have severe disability problems and know the amount of patience that it takes to care for them. I can not believe how "in love" I am with them. I admire your reaching out for more research in a body of folks that really foster great care of all little furbabies. Research is great but being in touch with folks who deal in similar things really helps shortcut to new ideas that work and any thing else that may help. Keep us updated and as we know more, we can exchange ideas and your interaction and care may also help others. The 2 way street is what makes YT a great resource to us all. I pray for your continued growth in helping your little one. Mary

Thank you Mary. It is amazing how deeply in love you fall for these guys. It does take a lot more energy to care for them but it is worth it. If I had the financial means I would rescue many more special needs animals. I am so taken by them. Maybe in the future, but for right now I have one little girl that I am trying my darnest to prove a wonderful life for.

Good luck to you and your boys. What type of disability do they have. Tell me more about them.
Laura

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lmperez

I have had her since she was 5 mos old. dropped off at animal shelter to be put down. She is now 2.5 yrs old. She has been to 3 different vetsall concluded cerebellar hypopisa and 2 neurologists. The first neuro thought she had hydrocephalus and would probably die within months of me having her. He put her on steroids to stop or slow down the production of spinal fluid. After 2days I noticed her becoming very lethargic and almost non responsive. Called him back and he was surprised of her reaction and told me to stop. Within a day she was back to her spunky self and very alert. He concluded that it was not Hydrocephalus. He thought maybe to do an MRI.To be honest after he alsmost killed her I kind of lost faith in him and got a second opinion from another neurologist. This guy took so much time with her and was paitient with me. He concluded CH and when I asked about doing an MRI he said you could but it will not change anything so I would not recommend it. She has no seizures, eats and drinks indep. plays with toys and her fursisters and brothers, She is very awre of her surroundings. She barks at me if I ignore her. She wants to be picked up and carried. She does have the intention tremors not so much the head bobs but she does have a hard time uprighting her self and staying that way for a long period of time. She does get around though. When I am home she is all over the living room. If I am in the kitchen she will squrim her way in there. If my husband sits on the couch she goes over to him and barks to be picked up. she will come to me when I call her just takes a little while. LOL. We love her dearly and I would do it all agin. It would just be nice to talk to others to see if I can do something different for her that I did think about to improve her quality of life. By the way the neurologist was impressed by her. He did say she appears to be a little happy girl and said if I was willing to keep her she will have a long life. OF COURSE I WILL KEEP HER!!!! I just try to adapt her envirnoment to siut her needs. It is a never ending challenge to make her life more comfortable.

She sounds charming! She is so lucky to have you!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkiesincommon

I have 2 little 3 month old brothers who have severe disability problems and know the amount of patience that it takes to care for them. I can not believe how "in love" I am with them. I admire your reaching out for more research in a body of folks that really foster great care of all little furbabies. Research is great but being in touch with folks who deal in similar things really helps shortcut to new ideas that work and any thing else that may help. Keep us updated and as we know more, we can exchange ideas and your interaction and care may also help others. The 2 way street is what makes YT a great resource to us all. I pray for your continued growth in helping your little one. Mary

Ohh another person who loves the pups unconditionally. I wish more people realized how much you get back from the special needs pups. Bless you for loving those two pups!

[lmperez]

Thank you Lady Jane. I agree I wished more people would realize how wonderful these dogs are. They do give back so much. I would have more if I had the extra time to give them all the quality of life they deserve. I also have a little girl that was born with a cleft. She is sooo precious. Her breeder is wonderful. She was going to keep her and it was difficult for her to let her go and how lucky for me that she did. We flew from California to Tenn to pick her up. We did a round about trip. This breeder kept her past the 12 weeks until she hit two pounds before we were able to get her. Wonderful breeder. She now weighs 3.5 lbs.

[Sammy Mommy]

I'm here with tears in my eyes. God bless you (and all prople who take in pups with issues) and your precious pup. I wish all the very best for you.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

I'm here with tears in my eyes. God bless you (and all prople who take in pups with issues) and your precious pup. I wish all the very best for you.

Thank you!!! She is a little Diva!