Piper's Special Story

Update 10/6/2011
Thank you to everyone who helped us pay for all the medical needs of Baby Boy Piper. He has grown into a beautiful little yorkie and we couldn't have done it without your on going support.

Update 6/2/2011
Here are a few pictures of Baby boy Piper playing with Teddy. Teddy was sleeping in an open crate and Piper went in there to play with him. These are not the best pictures of him because he still has not been groomed but it is just wonderful to see him doing so well.

Update 5/2/2011
Baby Boy Piper went back to the surgeon to stay for 48 hours while they took the neck brace off and evaluated how he was going to do without it. He did very well and they sent him home without the brace. The only restriction for him at this time is if he plays with any of the other Yorkies the play must be monitored so that no dog forces his neck up or down. He will be going for long walks in a step in harness and be allowed to play out in a big yard. Baby Boy Piper was so happy when returning home to all his toys. His progress has been phenomenal. He is such a happy boy and we are thrilled that he has responded so well to his treatment. Thank you for supporting his medical expenses. We couldn't do it without you.

UPDATE 5/2/2011
Piper returns to his doctor today to have his neck brace removed. They plan to keep him in the hospital for 48 hours to see how he does and if he has any problems they will put the neck brace back on immediately and the doctor will decide what our next step should be. Thank you for supporting this adorable little boy who is so full of JOY as his life still offers him challenges that are not for the faint of heart .

3/28/2011
I thought everyone would like to see a current picture of Baby boy Piper taken today. The little man fought me with all he was worth when the brush and comb came in contact with him. But I finally got the hair out of his eyes using a lot of love and calming him down so that you can see his beautiful little face. His wonderful hair hides his neck brace. Thank you all for supporting this little fellow.

Baby Boy Piper went to his doctors appointment this morning and they are thrilled with his progress, however just to make sure that he doesn't re-injure his neck they are going to leave him in his neck brace for another four weeks, at that time we will need to leave him at the vet for forty eight hours so that they can remove the neck brace and see how he does without it and if there is a problem they will be able to put him right back into the brace. Thank you for supporting Baby Boy Piper.

2/13/2011
Piper is a real trooper; you just can’t keep him down. He is standing and wanting to play. I am giving him freedom in very small increments. He is happiest when being held. When I first brought him home after the set back he didn’t want to move at all, what a change in less than a week.

2/9/2011
Baby Boy Piper had a set back yesterday and couldn't stand up again, a visit to his surgeon this morning has revealed that the C1dorsal was soft and collapsed and gave way, the bone will regenerate itself, with dogs this young and this tiny this happens sometimes. He has put Piper into a neck brace for 4 - 6 weeks and then he will redo the surgery and will only charge us for the anesthetic. Thank you for supporting Baby Boy Piper with your prayers and donations.

MaryElizabeth

Here is a picture of Baby Boy Piper in his neck brace as you can see he is down again. This is also a picture of Piper with his Surgeon..

1/28/2011
Baby Boy Piper he doesn’t look his best but at least you can see that he is standing. I will not be able to bathe him for 2 weeks.

1/26/11 Update:
Piper had his surgery yesterday and is doing well. The surgeon is optimistic that he will do well. He will stay in the hospital until Friday so that they can keep him quietly resting and if all goes well he will be able to go home. The vet called this morning and told us that Baby Boy Piper stood up on his own and ate on his own, if he continues to show this kind of progress he will be able to go home tomorrow. Thank you to everyone for supporting Baby Boy Piper's surgery.

1/24/2011
YTNR picked up this adorable little boy and he is being transported to our orthopedic surgeon for this life saving surgery. His surgery which will be about $2500.00. This was the email we received from his broken hearted mother.

Piper is a 5 month old male yorkie diagnoised with AAI. He is VERY advanced and Nero Surgeon advised immediate surgery. Problem is I cannot afford it but as much as I love him, I would give him up to you if he could get the surgery he so desperately needs! I maxed out my credit card just getting his diagnosis. And I'm laid off with only 2 weeks left on my unemployment. I have applied to every organization for assistance on his bill but have been turned down by all of them. I did not qualify for Care Credit. Please let me know if you can help him! He is in constant pain now and it's killing me! I live just outside of Nashville, Tn.

Any donations to help with medical treatment is greatly appreciated!

Atlantoaxial Instability (Luxation)

Atlantoaxial instability is a condition in which the first two cervical (neck) vertebrae are not firmly attached. Normally, the atlas (the first cervical vertebra) and the axis (the second cervical vertebra) are attached by a group of ligaments. They are further stabilized by a prominence on the axis called the dens that protrudes into a hole in the atlas.

Dogs with congenital atlantoaxial instability are born without ligament support to their atlantoaxial joint, and may also be born without a dens. Trauma to the neck can also cause tearing of the ligaments or fracture of the dens, resulting in atlantoaxial instability.

Atlantoaxial instability can lead to cervical spinal cord injury, the symptoms of which include: neck pain; a drunken, staggering gait; paralysis of all four legs; or sudden death.

Causes
Breeds at risk for congenital atlantoaxial instability include all toy breeds, especially Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pekingese, toy poodles, and Yorkshire terriers. These dogs usually show signs at less than one year of age, and symptoms can occur after very mild trauma, such as jumping off furniture, which would be considered normal activity.

Any dog, young or old and of any breed, is at risk for atlantoaxial instability after a traumatic event, such as being hit by a car or being an unrestrained passenger in a car accident.

Diagnosis
* Your veterinarian will ask you many questions to develop a complete history of the progression of the problem. These questions will include: what is your pet's age, was there any traumatic event, what symptoms have you noticed, how long have they been going on, what treatments have you tried and with what results?

* Your veterinarian will also examine your pet completely, including a neurological examination to determine the severity of the problem as well as localize the level of the spinal cord injury.

* Radiographs (X-rays) are usually taken to identify abnormal positioning of the atlantoaxial joint.

Treatment
* Medical treatment. Conservative management consists of several weeks of cage rest to allow scar tissue to form, stabilizing the atlantoaxial joint. Steroids are also given for a short time to decrease inflammation of the spinal cord. A neck brace is often used to minimize movement of the neck.

* Surgical treatment. There is a high rate of recurrence of symptoms with conservative management, so surgery is often recommended. Surgery is done either to stabilize the joint with pins, cement, wire, or suture, or to fuse the joint. The type of surgery performed depends on the preference of the surgeon. After surgery, the care is similar to conservative management. The prognosis depends on the severity of the neurologic signs before surgery.

Home Care
After surgery, the pet should be cage-rested and restricted from activity for about 4 to 6 weeks. Frequent re-check examinations by your surgeon are necessary to identify potential problems and correct them as soon as possible.

Dogs with this condition should not be bred, since there may be a genetic component to this condition.

Please keep this little boy in your prayers.

You may donate money here to help replenish funds for future Surgeries:

or mail a check to:

Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc.
c/o Mary Elizabeth Dugmore
1065 Lewis Road
Chapmansboro, TN 37035

We appreciate any help you can offer so that we can continue helping these little dogs!

Thank you so much for your donations!

Rose-Marie Engler Mary-Margaret and her Mother Michele Robin Joyce With wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery from Abbey Mia and Harper Leshnower Mary Schmidt Carol Cable Patricia Johnson Linda Freedman

Corrine Ellison Charlie Linnear Amalia Spaulding Piper Leshnower Hannelie Vermeulen Betsy Vandenberg Charles Laird Diane Hewitt Patricia Kushnir

Chris Hogan Marlyn Cole Kathryn C Schuller Vicki Gilfix Beatriz Fernandes Sherryl Butler Hannelie Vermeulen Terry Shardy