Help Save Miss Daisy

This beautiful young Spaniel mix is in the fight of her life-

Daisy recently came to Little Paws Rescue in Lisbon as an owner surrender. Daisy has an undiagnosed neurological issue that involves tremors and loss of balance. She needs a diagnosis with treatment initiated very soon. She has had preliminary medical evaluations but the diagnosis can not be confirmed without a spinal tap to examine the fluid for signs of what we suspect to be meningitis. If this disease is confirmed, we can begin a course of treatment for Daisy that could save her life. Daisy is presently in a foster home and will be placed for adoption when she recovers.

- How you can help-

The cost of a spinal tap with is approx. $1400 with a rescue discount by the Eastern Iowa Vet Specialty Center. Littte Paws Rescue is actively seeking donations from the public to assist. We are committed and hope that as a community effort, we will be able to bring Daisy the health care she so desperately needs. Little Paws Rescue is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductable. Our rescue works closely with the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter and surrounding organizations to provide a safety net for Eastern Iowa's animals in need. Animals make our lives healthier and happier and in turn, we hope to do the same for them. Any excess funds will be used for medical care for other animals in our system. Saving Daisy is our goal. Please help us make this a realty for her. Please call Jan Erceg at 319-350-8295 for questions regarding Daisy.

Thank you so much

See updates below

Daisy Update 6/27/09

Jan and Miss Daisy

Jan and Daisy Deanne and Daisy Drs and Daisy

Deanne and Miss Daisy

Thought I would send some photos so all of you can get a look at the wonderful neurosurgeon who has guided Daisy's care.! DeAnn and I went to Madison last Thursday with our girl and received a wonderful, life affirming report.

We are so excited for Daisy!

Dr. Sophie Petersen is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital - U of WI- Madison. She nailed this diagnosis of White Shaker Syndrome which is now a confirmed diagnosis. Dr. Petersen has provided a lifeline for this dog who had been scheduled for euthanasia by her owners before Little Paws stepped into help.

Thanks to everyone at Little Paws for taking the tough road with Daisy, believing in her and giving her a shot at life when there did not seem to be much hope. Not every rescue or shelter has that kind of courage.

The public has an intense interest in helping these wonderful animals, when asked. They made the funding possible and with your participation and hard work, Daisy is the recipient of the goodwill and love provided by those who have never even met her! What a lucky girl.

On behalf of DeAnn and myself, thank you so much for giving us this wonderful opportunity to participate in something with substance and meaning. The ability to help save a life. Daisy future is now limitless. She is a normal girl able to run and play. She can now snuggle with Becky and her family as they continue her course of prednisone topped off with a healthy dose of love! It doesn't get any better than that. Daisy will have one more appointment in Madison in August as a final follow up.

Thanks for all each and everyone of you do for your rescue and your foster babies! You make Little Paws a premier rescue based on the philosophy that there is a home for every animal. And a special thank you to all of you out there who donated so generously to help us save Miss Daisy.

Daisy Update 5/27/09

Daisy is responding to her steroid treatments. She seems to be improving in many ways but still shows some weakness. Her care takers are in contact with Madison to determine if Daisy will need further testing. She has been unable to receive her vaccinations at this time so is not currently available for adoption but hopefully will be soon. We want to thank everyone who has donated to Daisy's Fund. You are all amazing, wonderful people who are appreciated very much. Hopefully a new update will be available soon.

Daisy Update 4-29-09

She went into the neurology clinic in Madison on Tuesday morning and has spent the last two days there. Dr. Peterson is a neurosurgeon who evaluated her and through a series of manual testing which includes reflexes, nerves, cognition and sensation determined Daisy's issue was in the cerebellum of the brain. Daisy original problems were ocular tremors, body tremors and ataxia (incoordination) of her legs. This was the reason she was surrendered to Little Paws Rescue by her owners.

Dr. Peterson scheduled Daisy for an MRI and a spinal tap yesterday along with some lab work and chest X-rays. We went over everything today(Thurs) when I came to pick her up and here is what we know. All testing is normal. Daisy's MRI and Spinal fluid is just fine, no tumors, no shrinking of her cerebellum which could indicate a degenerative wasting disease. No infections or noticeable inflammation, edema or stroke type injury. Based on these clinical findings, she has ruled out a large list of suspect conditions. Now we are left with a much smaller list. In Neurology, a lot of diagnosis' are reached by a process referred to as exclusion. Daisy's most likely condition is called White Shaker Syndrome which is an unexplained condition in the cerebellum that causes a list of symptoms as described above.

Generalized Tremors: Identifying a White Shaker Dog

It comes on suddenly and for no reason. The cause is unknown. Daisy will take a course of high dose steroids to see if the symptoms resolve. We should see improvement within the next week. If this occurs, it confirms the diagnosis and that is what she has. She will be on steroids for approx. 2-3 months. That should take care of it. Sometimes dogs with WSS need to be on steroids on and off for life. That remains to be seen for our Daisy.

If there is no resolution within that week time frame, then Daisy will need to return to Madison for further testing which would include a muscle and nerve biopsy to check for any disease of the muscle. She did have a slightly elevated CK level which is an indicator for muscle breakdown or damage. This could indicate a muscle issue but Dr. Peterson felt is was insignificant based on the response of Daisy's muscles and the fact that a slightly higher ratio could be normal for her. The release of this chemical in the blood indicates muscle damage but this is so low, a bruise would cause a slight bump in the ratio. Right now, that seems unlikely based on her good reflexes. She does not fall over or stumble-she is completely functional but with constant tremors and twitching. She is not in any pain or discomfort and this little girl is a total love bug. All of the driving is so worth helping her and we will continue on that path as advocates for her well being and future adoption!

Daisy's story is not complete as of yet and we are hoping for a good improvement of her symptoms in the next week or so. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to her cause. Little Paws Rescue is very appreciative and will continue the good fight on behalf of all dogs in need!

Daisy Update 4-28-09

Here is what we know so far on Daisy-

Her problem is in the cerebellum of the brain. They made that determination in about an hour. Her reflexes are good-nerves good. This could be several different things ranging from a tumor ( not likely per Dr. Peterson) to infection, inflammation or a degenerative condition that atrophies(shrinks) the cerebellum. Now that they have the area singled out-they will start testing to narrow down the choices.

Tomorrow (Wed) Daisy will have an MRI and a spinal tap. Today she had blood work and chest xrays. The cost of all of this is $2400. They have secured $500 through Maddie's fund at the school to help us get all of these things done. Dr. Peterson (female) is a neurosurgeon and she let DeAnn and I know that they will keep as much on the low side as possible. They are just wonderful and we could tell today that they consider Daisy valuable and very functional.

One of the guesses as to what she has is a condition called White Shaker Syndrome. This is prevalent in little white dogs (and others as well) that for no reason, causes them to tremor and loose balance. This can be corrected with high dose steroids. The other issues they discussed are a wide range of possibilities. Some treatable-some not.

We will have a much better idea after her testing tomorrow and then we will see what can be done. We are on the right track.

We left Daisy there today and I will pick her up on Thurs. She is such a wonderful dog and so deserving of this help. More to come tomorrow. Tonight she is resting comfortably.

Thanks everyone:-)

Daisy update 4-24-09

DeAnn and I met with Dr. Aper at Eastern Iowa Vet Specialty Center today in preparation for a potential spinal tap. Dr. Aper spent a couple of hours in her assessment and consulted with their internist, Dr. Graff as to what they were seeing.

Daisy has ataxia ( incoordination of legs) Her rear end appears more affected than her front legs. She is intermittently painful behind her ears and head but not reliably so. She does not feel that there is any surgical issue going on here such as cervical spine trouble such as a disc or herniation problem. All vertebrae appears normal. Daisy twitches and has a head bob with some involvement in her eyelids. She is normal acting in her cognition and appropriate in her reflexes.

Dr. Aper feel that this is a neuromuscular issue and warrant a consultation with a canine neurologist. She does not feel that this in meningitis as first suspected. What this means is she thinks that there is an interruption between the nerves and the muscles coming off the spinal cord. She does not think this is injury induced. She has requested that we keep her updated when we have a better handle on her diagnosis.

I called the University of WI in Madison and Daisy will be seen there next Tuesday April 27th at 10:30 AM. A full diagnostic work up is very expensive ($2400). I discussed her symptoms at length and we will pick and choose her testing based on price. I told them that Daisy needs a diagnosis but we have to retain money for treatment. They understand. I am confident that we will have a much better understanding of her medical issues after Tuesday.

Please forward this to keep everyone updated on her. We can use any help you can give us to speed fundraising on behalf of Daisy. She is so worth it and so many people are pulling for her. She needs our help! Thanks everyone!

Donations can be mailed to the address below or made through Paypal by clicking the donation button. If using paypal please note in the comments "Saving Daisy".

Mail to: Little Paws Dog Rescue-Saving Daisy

PO Box 14

Mt Vernon, IA 53412

You may also help by printing, posting and passing along Daisy's flyer. It is located on our Newsletters and Flyers page for your convenience.

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