Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Latest Development: The Neurologist Said...

Yesterday afternoon, Moki's neurologist call back, unfortunately I missed the actual call, but he did leave me a really detailed voice message. So here is whats happening. The neurologists at UC Davis (all of them) still remain baffled by Moki's condition...

After everyone on the neurological team at UC Davis re-reviewed Moki's case, and still couldn't come up with an answer, the team of specialists at UC Davis came to a group decision to forward a copy of Moki's medical information/file to a doctor in Missouri who specializes in degenerative disease research. This specialist amoung specialist is prepared to review Moki's medical file, and let UC Davis know if he/she can find any degenerative disease(s) based on his/her research efforts, which may explain Moki's neurological condition...

As for the orthopedic surgeon, he is consultating with some human orthopedic surgeons about Moki's case, who reside at the Shriners Children's Hospital. The orthopedic surgeons at UC Davis have never dealt with anything like Moki's thoracic inlet problems before, which currently leaves us in uncharted waters. Hopefully the Shriner's Children's Hospital can make some recommendations on where we should go from here with Moki's thoracic inlet problem based on any similar findings they have seen in human children. In any event, all recommendations at this point, will most likely be for things never yet done/preformed on an animal before. In other words if a procedure can be found, then it just may be the first ever preformed on a thoracic inlet by UC Davis...we'll have to wait and see...

In the meantime, our neurologist and the orthopedic surgeon both want us to continue with Moki's physical therapy. From the sounds of everything going on, it may be awhile before we hear anything more about either Moki's neurological condition, or his orthopedic problem. Moki's neurologist has already forwarded some of the information to the specialist in Missouri, but still has more to bundle up and send.

Currently everyone is doing everything that can be done, and we will just have to keep our fingers crossed that both the specialist in Missouri and the Shriners Children's Hospital can provide some valuable input/insite into Moki's case. In the meantime we are continuing our fundrasing efforts, since at this point, it appears that Moki is going to need more than 10 hydrotherapy treatments, and that the physical therapy for now will be an ongoing thing. We also are trying to prepare for the cost of what is to come next...In addition to the ongoing physical therapy, we are also working with Moki by doing a series of stretches, on a regular basis, trying to get him to loosen up his muscles. Moki holds his muscles really tight and has a very limited ROM (range of motion) as a result. As you can see in the below video, Moki has two problems going on here when he tries to scratch his ear with his back leg. The first problem lies in coordinating the movement from his leg to his ear, the second is caused by having a limited range of motion. (Since Moki's muscles are so tight it is actually hard for him to stretch his back leg long enough to reach his front ear...)

With all that said, while our wait for answers continues, we will not give up hope of finding them, nor will we give up hope of helping Moki. Our motto has thus become, in the event that one door should close, we will seek out and find another door which is open...Thats all for now!

23 comments:

Lux said...

I'm always wishing Moki the best - I hope they can figure it out!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

You look kinda tired there Moki! It sucks to have an itch you can't scratch! I hope your Mom scratched that ear real good for you after you finished playing.

We are sorry there is no answers for you condition yet. We will continue our purrs and we are sending gentle headbutts to you...Meowm is sending a big old snuggle for you!

Junior, Orion and Meowm

Anonymous said...

Moki little fella, I hope they can find a way of helping you. You are a delightful guy and you have an obvious love of life.

The Florida Furkids said...

Hey Moki,
We're purraying and purring for you. We hope they can find out what is wrong and get you better soon.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Motor Home Cats said...

We think it is kind of neat that Moki is getting help from human doctors to help him out. He is definately one of a kind, and we love him for it.

We also want to know if your mama scratched your ear after you were done playing.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade

Moki The Wobbly Cat said...

Of course. Part of what I have been trying to do is direct Moki's back legs to his head and help him scratch the area himself. It's part of the stretching and trying to help him with his coordination problems.

Mickey's Musings said...

One way or another,whatever happens,Moki is loved and having a happy life! Purrs to you :)
I will keep my paws crossed for him:)

Purrs Mickey

Mr. Hendrix said...

aw Moki, i'm sorry it will take so long for answers. we are sure that all you are going thru will help other special kitties, we hope that helps you.

many healing and comforting purrs to you all!

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Oh, Moki, sweetie, we give you an A+ for effort!

We want to come over and scratch your ears for you.

(((HUGS)))

Laila and Minchie

Dma said...

it's very admirable all the work and effort you are doing to help moki out.

poor moki- i've had itches i can't scratch and that is about the most annoying thing ever...

:-)

Jans Funny Farm said...

Poor Moki, He is such a medical mystery. But you are doing so much to help him, surely he will get better.

We dropped by to let you know Cecil the Cougar has just posted.

Evergreen loves Kilroy said...

Hey there - we just got a thank you card from you and were very touched. We'll be sure to show the picture around so that others can learn about Moki's story.

God bless you for what you're doing for this little guy.

Unknown said...

Moki, you are such a cutie-pie. I love watching your videos.

I continue to hope and pray that the doctors can figure ways to help you.

Love
Kellie

Parker said...

We were so touched by the note and the photo you sent to us! Mommy put your sweet little swimming photo on the fridge where we can smile at you every day!
Smooches to you Moki - I pray that they come up with something to help you, in the meantime keep fighting!
Smooches!

Tesla and Hansel said...

poor moki!

Well, we'll be here for the raffles. We will do our best to help you guys out!

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

Hi Moki! You are such a sweetie. We just wanted to stop by and say KEEP FIGHTING!

The Island Cats said...

Hi ya, Moki! You are such a fighter! We hope the Drs. can figure out a way to help you!

Wally, Ernie & Zoey

Daisy said...

Thanks for sharing the information from Moki's neurologist. Maybe Moki can be the cause of a medical breakthrough that helps him and other cats!

The Cat Realm said...

I Dare You!
Yes, it is time again for another challenge from The Cat Realm! Come and check out the details on our blog.
I hope you will accept the challenge and will eagerly await your entry!
Karl
(I wish I could dare the universe to make Moki all better and healthy!)

The Cat Realm said...

I Dare You!
Yes, it is time again for another challenge from The Cat Realm! Come and check out the details on our blog.
I hope you will accept the challenge and will eagerly await your entry!
Karl
(I wish I could dare the universe to make Moki all better and healthy!)

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Wow Moki, yoo sure are gettin the specialist specialists. Yay! Oh, we showed Grandma Cat our nise card and she saw your pikshur in yore life jacket. She finks yoo are the coolest cat to go swimmin for therapys. You made her smile lots and lots fur bein so brave and cute.
Purrrrrrs,
Sanjee and the resta the Hotties

Lux said...

Moki, thank you for the lovely card and photograph of you - it's now up on our fridge!

Anonymous said...

It just seems to get slowly worse, doesn't it?

In theory the vets could break his thoracic inlet and bone-plate it back in position, but I'd be worried about why it moved in the first place and suspect that the tenseness of his muscles will distort more bones as time goes on.