Hi everyone,

I just wanted to post a Muffins’ update. I wish I had better news, but I guess it could always be worse.. This has been a very frustrating roller coaster ride.

On Monday I was able to speak to the doctor we saw at Mi. State on Jan 18th. She said that after speaking with the Internal medicine team and the head interventional Radiologist, the recommendation would be to place a temporary silicone stent. They would repeat CT, flush her out, use guided fluroscopy, rhynescopy, make a hole or make the stricture bigger. The stent would eventually be removed and hopefully relieve the symptoms. There are risks associated and one of them is swelling and inflammation in that area will constrict her airway, so a trachea tube would be placed to keep her airway open. It would be left in until discharge from the hospital which could be several days. Other considerations are, the stent might move, cause infection, fistula, not work, etc. This is rare and some studies have been done.

They could try the balloon dialation, but it sounds like there is very high risk that will not work on the 1st try.

Another option would be consulting with a soft tissue surgeon specialist to see if there is a less invasive way to help Muffins’ aside from going through her jaw or placing a stent.

I made an appointment yesterday with the Animal Surgical Center in Flint for a consultation with Dr Stanley.

I have to make the best decision for her longterm while weighing out the good and the bad of all scenarios. She is not even 1 yr old.

March 31st we will be going to our next appointment. In the meantime, I’ll be sedating her to do another nasal flush with a culture of her discharge and I’ll be stocking up on non alcohol baby wipes for her poor raw nose.. Please keep going for this sweet girl.. Gina

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