Neurological Conditions

Let's talk neuro conditions. Sable (pictured) and Artic her littermate both have a neurological condition that makes them very uncoordinated, much like Cerebellar Hypoplasia - but based on my research, CH is very uncommon in dogs, and it would be so rare that littermate would both be effected. Sable has more coordination than Artie, she can get up on all 4 legs and walk, it's very jolting movements, but she can. Artie can not stand up on his back legs, he has motor function of them, but can not stand/walk. I know I could go see a neurologist and pay a huge amount for an MRI - but this isn't a fixable condition, I know that much, so why spend the resources, when that money could be used for another dog. (I run a rescue) So, my question is - what are the possible conditions they are dealing with? Their mobility does seem to be worsening over time.

Hello - and thank-you for this fascinating case.  With neurology, there are two useful things to know:  a) What is the problem and b) WHERE is the problem.  It's common to get the two confused; symptoms from a cyst or a haematoma or hypoglycaemia or a head injury can sometimes look extremely similar to one another, if they occur in the same location in the brain. Now, an MRI scan would potentially settle both of these questions in one swoop, but a neurological examination can give your vets a reasonable idea of a) whether it is truly within the brain (it isn't always - spinal conditions / muscular conditions can present in a surprisingly similar fashion, confusing good vets), and b) whereabouts in the brain / neurological system the abnormality is.  This can be carried out in a consultation, costs a fraction of the price of an MRI scan and in a lot of cases, once they put this together with the breed and history, a good neurologist will have a suitable differentials ('what it could be') list.  At this point, an MRI is sometimes recommended to differentiate between one or two of the differentials, but not everyone can afford an MRI and they may well be able to offer further information and advise without it.  This would be based on years of doing neuro exams, then seeing the MRI results.   More to follow

So my first recommendation would be to see a neurologist, and simply explain that an MRI scan doesn't fall into your price bracket.  My second would be to call around local vets and to find a local individual - perhaps not a specialist, who likes neurology and carries out a good neuro or orthopaedic exam.  Even GP vets have special interests.  Failing this, you have an individual who is getting progressively worse and no money to find out what is causing it.  No criticism there - running a rescue is tough and pragmatic decisions have to be made.  In this scenario, I would explain as much to your (normal) vet, who might have some symptomatic treatment up their sleeve and may at least be able to assess the patient's welfare.