Last Friday our precious Miss Pickles began having violent muscle spasms, mostly across her neck. They almost mimicked seizures. They were severe enough that she screamed in pain. We raced her to VCA Veterinary Specialists in Loveland, Colorado, where she received top notch medical care by Dr. Wight and the VCA staff. On Monday, Miss Pickles received a comprehensive exam by neurology specialist, Dr. Amy Komitor, which was followed by an MRI. The findings were much worse than we anticipated.
Miss Pickles has “Chiari-like malformation” which is a condition characterized by the mismatch of size between the brain and the skull. The skull is too small causing part of the brain to descend out of the skull through the opening at its base, crowding the spinal cord. Because of this, she has has developed Syringomyelia, a disease of the spinal cord which is caused by the obstruction of spinal fluid in the nervous system. High pressure in the spinal cord compared to low pressure outside, leads to fluid accumulation, which eventually forms cavities.
Besides the disease mentioned above, Miss Pickles also has “Multifocal intervertebral disc disease”, and in her case, 2 cervical discs have ruptured.
Miss Pickles, a little history:
Tiny 4-pound Miss Pickles was found as a stray in a field in Santa Barbara, California and then taken to a shelter where she was saved from being euthanized by Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco. That was early in November 2016. A short time later, on December 6th, Muttville volunteer Daryl Weeden, flew Miss Pickles to us in Colorado. We fell in love with her instantly.
She had such a rotten mouth and a severe mouth/nasal infection that she immediately had to undergo surgery to remove remaining teeth and suture fistulas (openings between the roof of the mouth and the nasal cavity). Biopsies were also taken and it was determined that Miss Pickles had a benign tumor in the mandible area, which had already destroyed a portion of her bone. She had obviously suffered from infection for a long time and because of that, her sinuses has been ravaged. A culture revealed she had MRSA, a staff infection that is resistant to most antibiotics. Miss Pickles was prescribed a very specific antibiotic called Chloramphenicol. Three times a day we put on rubber gloves and gave the oral solution to Miss Pickles for the next 30 days.
Miss Pickles began to thrive. She was pain-free, she gained weight, she was happy – so happy in fact, she began playing with her sisters. And then 7 weeks later … the spinal issues arose.
The situation now:
To manage the Chiari-like malformation, surgery would entail creating an opening in the skull to relieve the pressure and then closing it with a mesh screen – that is not an option, we don’t believe it would be right to put Miss Pickles through that. There is also an option of putting a shunt into the spinal canal to make the spinal fluid flow much easier, though she might be too small for that. To surgically repair the ruptured discs might cause instability of her neck, … but there is the option of creating tiny 6mm openings to remove disc material, if the pain continues. Yet the question remains: Exactly which of the 2 issues is causing her pain?
Dr. Komitor’s initial plan is to manage the pain aggressively. Miss Pickles is on 3 different pain medications, plus she is being given a drug which is known to reduce the amount of spinal fluid, thus lessening the pressure. She is on strict “bed rest” with no activity.
We’re already seeing positive results, but we’re taking things one day at a time. Please continue to keep little Miss Pickles in your thoughts and prayers. She suffered so much neglect in the past and she deserves to have a future filled with nothing but comfort, kindness and love. Her quality of life is of utmost importance – she must be happy and pain-free.
For those of you who are asking, donations to help with Miss Pickles’ medical expenses are very much appreciated and can be made directly to VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado by calling them at 970-278-0668 (please mention that your donation should be applied to the account of Miss Pickles Taylor)
Or a check can be mailed to: VCA. 201 West 67th Court, Loveland, CO 80538 (be sure to note that your donation is to be applied to the account of Miss Pickles Taylor)
With tremendous gratitude, Dan and Rudi
My heart goes out to all of you. My prayer is for comfort for Miss Pickles.
Praying for little Miss Pickles for comfort and a quick recovery!
Oh bless this cute baby
I will include her in my prayers. God bless you all.
Thank you SO much for the update on Miss Pickles! Love ALL of your seniors:. Harley, Teddy, Gwinnie, Miss Pickles, Fernando … Miss the ones who have passed on and appreciate hearing how each and every one is doing health wise. It so wonderful that you are giving these darlings a few good years or even a few months or days of love and care. Small check in mail for Miss Pickles vet. Hope Fernando is doing well. Hopefully Teddy will be able to go home tomorrow. Harley’s story and Lily’s story brought me an awareness of Puppy Mills.
The thought of this precious girl in such pain breaks my heart. Sending lots of love and healing thoughts to Miss Pickles and the entire Taylor pack.
I will pray that Miss Pickles gets the donations for her medical care.
We love you Miss Pickles <3
I love you, precious one! I have a chi and have had disc problems in his neck! He is such a love! I rescued him at 2 yrs old I have a Yorkie I rescued at 9 yrs! Prayers, love, and strength h to all! 💕💕🐾💜💜🐾🐾🐾🐾
Sweet girl you are still in my prayers…love and warm gentle huggs to you! May you not have any pain…
I know own this is so hard for you, your love for Miss Pickles is amazing, as we too have come to love her. Know Miss Pickles is in my heart, and I wish the very best outcome for her.
Praying for this precious Angel!
Awww sweet baby. She deserves a happy life. Praying God touches and heals her and prolongs her time on earth.
Prayers love and ciber hugs for this cutie and all you guys.
No little girl should ever have to hurt so bad and suffer like she has……..Breaks my heart.God bless all of you for your efforts and I hope you are able to save her. Praying for healing and comfort for this baby… <3 her,,,,,
prayers from new Zealand, she is gorgeous
Prayers for sweet Miss Pickles that God will heal this baby asap. I will try to donate something soon.
Keeping you close in our hearts Miss Pickles. Sending love & positive thoughts your way.
Sending you lots of love Miss Pickles. 😘💞🐕
Poor sweet girl you are in my thoughts lots of love to you
Dearest Rudi and Dan..I wish there were something I could do or say that would make a miracle.
I’m feeling sick with sadness as my Miss Pickles lies beside me.
We are praying, loving,hoping.
Kiss her sweet face and head for me please.
With genuine fondness💖
You deserve the best sweet angel, sending positive thoughts and prayers.
My heart is breaking. You guys have been through so much with dear Harley. We (your followers) feel we know you too. I pray Miss Pickles can be pain free. Poor sweet girl. I want her to play again 😊
Thank you for the Miss Pickles update…I’ve been wondering how she was doing. I’m not sure if this is something you would be consider trying…Cannabis for dogs. My dog’s acupuncturist highly recommends it and it has helped my dog out tremendously with all sorts of ailments. If anything, it will help keep her comfortable. Here is the website:
https://cannacompanionusa.com
Big hugs for you Miss Pickles!
I have a little one with COMS, this sounds a lot like that. I hope she does well on the medication.
Prayers for sweet baby girl .. ❤️❤️🙏🙏
Oh no not the news I was hoping to hear Be strong little one your mommy and daddy need you in their lives Prayers and hugs to all
praying everyday for your family and Miss Pickles. You two are very special people and she has felt the love from you. Hopefully she will have forgotten what life was like before you. please keep us updated..
Continuing to pray for Miss Pickles that God will lay his healing hands on her frail lil body and give her some peace… and also for you guys in making the best decisions for that sweet baby… Love from the Georgia girls!
Rudi, what would the world be if not for people like you and Dan? Continued prayers and healing thoughts for all of you.
Ms Pickles I can’t imagine the horror you had to endure before being rescued but I pray that everyday you get better and please know that there are lots of folks out there that are sending you well wishes including myself and my furbabies. Prayers to you that you are not in any pain. ❤❤❤💋💋💋🐶🐶🐶🙏🙏🙏🐾
Praying for your precious furbaby.
Much love to you, Miss Pickles and I hope you find some much needed, pain free quality of life. You couldn’t be in better hands. Heres hoping you have a speedy recovery!!!!
My prayers are with your precious fur baby, thank u for loving her.
I pray that things get better for miss ppickles so cute. Thank you for sharing your story.
thank you for the update I hope the treatment will help Miss Pickles – she is in our thoughts and prayers
Poor sweetheart! It’s so unfair, as life is at many times that sweet Miss P is suffering so. She’s so fortunate to be surrounded by love.
Love you Miss Pickles 😘😘❌⭕
Sweet Miss Pickles couldn’t be in any better hands…She will continue to be in my prayers and I send all my love her way…. <3 <3 <3
U all r in my prayers. It’s a hard decision to make on which procedures r right for her. Praying that she will do great on the medications she’s on.
Please give her a hug and kiss fir me. I love her!!!!!!!
My thoughts and prayers 💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
My heart bleeds for you Miss Pickles. I pray for a speedy recovery and know our Harley angel is above watching over you ❤❤❤❤
Oh miss pickles. I wish I could donate anything more than my prayers. My two pups are suffering from kennel cough which I had no idea they could catch. Unfortunately they were in contact with a puppy that carried it and now ten days later and antibiotics and bought pills and honey and time we are trying to get better. Please know that we are praying for you
Poor baby pickles such a cutie pie and she is so adorable if I had the money I would send it but I don’t. I am a dog person me and my husband have 3 dogs ourselves.
Poor little girl. I sure hope the meds help control the pain. I, too, have a ruptured disc and I feel Miss Pickles pain. I will say puppy prayers for her and keep her in my thoughts. Kisses for you pretty girl💋💋💕💕
Sent from my iPad
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This makes me unbelievably sad. She has been through so much and has been such a fighter. Do for her what you can but I know you two and you won’t let her suffer. Just know my thoughts and prayers are with the precious girl and I pray God will be with her throughout.
Dear Little Girl, you had me at first smooch.
I am so very sorry to read how vast her issues are. I will say that I am sure she came into your lives so she would be loved and get the best possible care. Had she not been rescued, she surely would have suffered. Had you not adopted her, she surely would not be getting the level of care she’s receiving now. I wish I could help you and I know I cannot. Just know that I keep your whole pack in my prayers each day and I trust you will focus on her quality of life. As she would do for you were the roles reversed. Many gentle hugs from afar.
We love Miss Pickles get better soon lots of hugs and belly rubs.
Love you Miss Pickles. Please be careful.
We are praying for you
Praying for Miss Pickles.
I’ll be praying for you, Miss Pickles. Love you and your wonderful family.