Hi,
Thanks to all of you who have responded about Snookie.  I really appreciate
it.  Between my hectic job, taking time off at lunch to run all the way home
to make sure Snookie gets his Duck Soup, and the the other stress in my
life, it was very nice to log on and see all of those replies!
 
I am not sure how the injury happend.  Nikita, my very aggressive 9 month
old, picks on Snookie constantly, chasing him around the house even when
Snookie is not in the mood.  I think it's possible that Nikita was chasing
him and he fell off of one of the four staircases in the house.  I'm not
sure.
 
Everyone who has responded said to use surgery only as a last resort.  If
EVERYONE said it, I guess I better listen, huh? ;-)  One person has even
called me.  I think I'll take the hint and try to find a holistic doctor and
using some physical therapy along with some steroids.  I think the steroids
have helped because I noticed a little more mobility tonight when I let him
out of his cage so I could feed him.
 
Snookie's X-rays have been sent to Auburn University for a second opinion.
I do not know if Snookie is even a candidate for surgery, but I'd like to
know if I have that option.  The injury is at the C7 and T1 vertebrae.  I am
hoping that the rest, meds, and therapy will help.
 
If anything changes, I'll let you know.  We go to the vet on Friday for
another checkup.  Wish us luck!
 
Thanks again for all of the well wishes and advise!
 
-Mark Zmyewski
 Huntsville, Alabama
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[Posted in FML issue 2012]