Cavalier King Charles & Syringomyelia

Hi Forum Buddies

Just wanted to ask if anyone else out there has or had a pet who has been diagnosed with syringomyelia? What treatment route did you take and what was the outcome for your pet?

One of my CKC's is suspected of having this very painful progressive disease. In short it is where fluid gets trapped around their spinal colume in cavities and causing severe pain and progressive nerve damage. Ultimatley pets can start to fit and become paralysed.

My dog is having a scan next week to confirm diagnosis and establish how far the disease has progressed and if an operation would be necessary. Until then he is on the anti-inflamatory Rimadyl.

What are other owners experience of this dreadful condition?

I have read that up to 50% of cavaliers suffer from this delibertating condition and evidence suggests it is on the increase!!

Thank you in anticipation

S x

Gosh, I really hope it's good new for you when the results come back. I have two cavaliers myself although they are the old fashioned size, similar size to a cocker spaniel/medium springer. I do hope breeders start to consider the effects of breeding them so small - it's heartbreaking for the new owners of the dog and not fair on the dog itself . Please let us know how you get on at the vets, I will keep my fingers crossed for you

Thanks nox

Our dogs arn't the toy size which i think they are named just 'King Charles'. Our's are the next size up. I have seen many dogs which are smaller than ours.

We had a lovely cavvy that had to be put sleep aged 11 due to health issues 4 1/2 years ago. When we were researching prior to purchasing our current dogs four years ago (we have 2) we were really careful and ensured that the breeder had screened for Mitral Valve Disease. At the time I had never even heard of syringomyelia.

i will try to post a piccy below of our beloved dogs below (the bleinhem is the poorly one). Here goes, fingers crossed.

Oups it wont let me copy and paste a piccy.

S x

As far as I can remember King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels used to be the same size, it was just the head that was slightly different - their muzzle really. Apparently they have been breeding them a lot smaller so that they are easier to pick up and place on the show tables at dog shows, the main one in particular, crufts. I was under the impression that the dogs who developed syringomyelia where the really tiny dogs with the head too small? Really keeping my fingers crossed for you.

p.s - you will be able to post a link once you've had 5 posts

Hi Nox

Thanks for the tip re:- posting piccy's.

3 posts down, 2 to go;)

S x

Hi Shellie, what symptoms is he showing this will help to detect how advanced it is?

I think my Ted has a mild form, as he yelps for no reason, he has had one episode since I got him at 5 years of age in September but he shows no other signs. You can have a MRI to be sure, think the cost is currently £200 at Derby (thats the cheapest).

If proven, then surgery is an option, but be warned that it is very serious brain surgery, very invasive and is not a guaranteed cure. I have decided to wait and see with Ted and if he shows any other symptoms ie air scratching or frequest yelping and appears to be suffering in any way then I will consider having him PTS as I would not let him have a miserable life, but that is my choice and as an owner then you can be the only one to decide on surgery or put to sleep option for your dog. The severity of the disease is usually the factor for me.

Good luck

Hi G

Thank you for your reply. I had my dog to the vets a couple of times last year as he was yelping on jumping or trying to jump on and off furniture. they diagnosed a pulled muscle.

He sits down in a peculiar way ... his back is really bent over and he is half sitting half crouching as if that is the most comfortable position for him. He seems to be more comfy with his head higher than his body when he lays down.

He licks his front left paw a lot and also holds it off the floor on occasion. He is really not himself, does not want to play with his toys or anything and just not as lively as he used to be. he also scratches behind his ears, although there is no infection or fleas or anything. He also has a runny nose and licks his lips a lot.

He is also prefering to be more secluded, sleeping under tables, beds and chairs, when previously he never used to.

In regards to full MRI scans the cheapest I could find for a FULL SCAN was £500 - £800; which is an improvement from my own vet who wanted £3000 just for the scan - OMG. No one I spoke to was willing to operate (if necessary) using a 3rd party scan, so I had to find a vet that scans that also specialises in the operation.

My dog is only 3 years and 8 months old.

S x

Crikey, do you want me to get the Derby number for you? I have left the details at my shop but can ring you tomm if you wish with the info.

I was really panicking with Ted as I knew about Syringomyelia before I got him, he was given to me by a customer who did not want him anymore, so I took a chance. We had a Cavvie at home when I was younger, he did die young at 8 years with his heart, but had not other major health issues.

I really feel for you as it is a terrible illness and I was filled with dread when Ted started to yelp in the night it is so upsetting, he wouldnt allow me to touch him anywhere, my first thought was to check him over in case he had a injury but he screamed every time I went near him.

I am so thankfull that Ted shows no other symptoms.

I wish you all the best x

My cavvie had syringomyelia but this was a few years back when no one seemed to know much about the condition - I found out about it on the cavvie website after our local vet seemed to think I was a bit loopy describing the symptoms my dog was displaying .

Armed with the correct info I tried another vet who prescribed him metacam for when he had a bad attack which as he got older were getting more and more frequent.

I knew the time would come when the drugs wouldn't help and the time would come to make some tough decisions however he develoved a really bad case of haemorraghic gastro enteritis (sp?) and despite the brilliant care from my new vets he died a month before his eighth birthday. I still miss him to this day - he was the best dog anyone could ask for

Thanks G it would be good to have another scan option. Could you PM me the number please?

Hi dogs4life it seems you had a bad time with your doggy. I am finding it difficult when I know my doggy is in pain and I hate the thought of him suffering.

I am going to try to get some sleep now...... not slept much this week and i am shattered.

I will post again tomorrow.

thanks again to those who have responded.

S x

I cant offer much advise I'm afraid but owning two Cavaliers I know how frightening this disease is, and to see them in pain is awful.I really hope your little dog is allright, do let us know how he goes on take care.xx

I would never have got Zach had I known before hand about this frightful condition. Zach's a fairly small Blenheim (they are most commonly afflicted with SM) and so it's constant tenterhooks for me every time he scratches too much.

It's irresponsible breeding that's done this. I already know that my bloodline has the disease as I spoke to the SM society who informed me that it's so very widespread, nearly everyone has it.

I will say that if Zach does develop the condition, I will breed him with another larger Spaniel, and that should breed out any imperfections, and still have a piece of him with me.

But to all the cavvie owners, it's a constant source of worry and stress over your little babies!