OT: Carson probably has Syringomyelia

[VikingGnome]

Well, I am very sad tonight. I did a lot of research on the web today. I figured out that Carson has something much worse than epilepsy. He probably has Syringomyelia with Chiari-like Malformation. It is a condition that plagues Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The problem is that the lower back portion of their brain is too big for the size the skull in that region. So the cerebrum herniates down the opening in the skull that connects the brain to the spinal cord and cuts off the supply of cerebral spinal fluid. It is a horrible, degenerative disease that cause intense pain and eventually paralysis. The only treatment is to control the swelling that stops CSF flow and treat the pain. Some researchers have experimented on brain surgeries, CSF shunts, etc. but none of that is available to lowly pet owners.

I didn't even realize that Carson has been in trouble for at least a year. He frequently scratches the left side of his neck or left ear. He rubs his face on the carpet and rolls around on the floor whenever he wakes up in the morning or after a nap. He compulsively licks or bites his paws. He's always shaking his body like a wet dog. When we get thunderstorms down here in the deep south, he seems to be worse. I just thought this was all just some quirky behaviors. Then I saw this video on YouTube today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... DjxvgfUVRU

OMG. Carson does almost all those things, just not as severe. He doesn't vocalize when scratching or head rubbing. His gait doesn't seem affected yet and he doesn't do "Flycatching". MRI is the only way to diagnose but way too expensive for me.

CKC Spaniels have some awful genetic problems, mitral valve and heart failure being the best known. Nobody ever told me my baby would probably die a horrible death from a condition called Syringomyelia (SM).

"SM is rare in most breeds but has become very widespread in cavalier King Charles spaniels. Some researchers estimate that as many as 95% of CKCSs have Chiari-like malformation (CM or CLM), the skull bone malformation believed to be a part of the cause of syringomyelia, and that more than 50% of cavaliers have SM.* It is worldwide in scope and not limited to any country, breeding line, or kennel, and experts report that it is believed to be inherited in the cavalier King Charles spaniel. CM is so widespread in the cavalier that it may be an inherent part of the CKCS's breed standard."
(Breed standard says what the shape of the head of a perfect show dog should be. It's that very shape that it is causing this problem for the breed.)

As our dogs age, the condition becomes more prevalent. At age 1, 25% of CKCs have it. By age 6, 70% have it. Carson is 3 so there's a 50/50 chance he has it and he has most of the symptoms.

The condition is definitely inherited. One group in UK last year announced that they found the chromosomal defect that causes it. The reason it is so prevalent in CKCs is indiscriminate breeding. A standard was announced to try to breed out the problem in CKCs. Since the problem doesn't show up for several years in a dog, the standard recommended that breeders use only dogs at least 5 years old AND were certified disease free by vet neurologist (Certification requires MRI of the dog). The breed is so popular, most breeders refused to follow the standard. Who wants to wait 5 years to know if their dog can even be used as breeding stock?

Right now the Netherlands is proposing a total BAN on the breeding of CKC spaniels. That will just drive it underground. If you have a Cavy or just want to know about the problem in depth, go here:
http://www.cavalierhealth.org/syringomy ... #IN_DEPTH:

This is all a great shock to me. I could cope with epilepsy. But this? I can't stand to see my furrbaby in pain or suffering. His seizure was probably related to SM. That totally changes the picture. I need to get Carson to a Vet neurologist ASAP and get him started on meds to control the progression of the condition and his pain.

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Not so off Topic:

Almost all CKCS's have a condition called Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). The primary BAOS abnormalities in the cavalier include an elongated and fleshy soft palate, narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares), and everted laryngeal saccules. Other disorders may include laryngeal malformation and relatively small windpipe (tracheal hypoplasia or stenosis) and collapsing trachea. All of these disorders cause obstruction of the upper airway, compromise the dog's ability to take in air, and may result in laryngeal collapse.

They don't have CPAP for BAOS. I'm betting dogs wouldn't put up with a hose 24/7 nor would we.

[Janknitz]

I'm sorry for the bad news. Humans get chiari malformation, too. It's somewhat common in Noonan's syndrome and we had to rule it out for my daughter. (she's fine).

Inbreeding in purebred dogs is one of the reasons we like rescue muts. They are generally healthier, though one of our rescues developed a melanoma and we only had her for a short time. Dogs are as close as family, and I know how hard it is. I'll be keeping you and Carson in my thoughts.

[portiemom]

I am somewhat familar with these kinds of furbaby issues of health and wealth. I know first and foremost you want to make Carson as comfortable as possible. I have had success calling the local, or regional Breed Club, and network through them, people and professionals that they may know can help you. You will be surprised how they can and will in most cases do whatever it takes to help you. They know about free or reduced medical trials and help. Contact your local or regional KCKS Rescue Groups as well as other Regions if you need too. I have had a weath of help from my regional Mini Schnauzer Club, as I have rescued many with a multitude of inherent health issues. My PWD Club helped me rescue a newborn PWD raised in California in a kill sheltrer in getting my baby here to me in Virginia. If possible contact the breeder of your baby first and network all Carsons' lttermates and their offspring, let them know Carson has or may have this, and implore them to STOP breeding this line. Some will and some won't stop but they need to know.
I'm here to support you anyway I can. God Bless.

[nanwilson]

Viking
You have not taken Carson to the vet yet to get a diagnosis, you are reading the worst case scenarios on the net.
Please stop the panicing.....we did the same thing when my daughter brought home a rescue dog..a one and a half year old miniature pincher/pomeranian cross. We thought for sure she would end up with broken legs, etc from perthese disease....follow forward 8 years and she has never broken a bone, but does have a minor disc problem in the top of her spine, and has allergies to any dog food that has chicken in it. You need to get him to the vet and stop the self diagnosis as you are only harming yourself with the panic mode. I do know that Cavaliers do have some serious over breeding problems, but we do not know exactly what Carson has yet. If its just the epilepsy, that can be treated with meds. if not, then you have some big decisions to make. Our minpin does the same rolling and head scratching and rubbing first thing in the morning too...she sleeps with my daughter....under the covers, she gets up and is really hot, rolls, rubs the carpet, stretches and scratches...and off she goes. Panic and the internet can do alot to your brain....what am I saying..we're on the internet You know what I mean.....don't do the panic thing, get a diagnosis and go from there.
Cheers and good luck
Nan

[chunkyfrog]

I'm with Nan;
get to the vet, whatever ensues; love and cherish every minute you have with your furbaby.
Life is too short for all of us, pets included.
Some folks say that if you want a pet with longevity, adopt a parrot, but dogs are so very, very special.

[VikingGnome]

If possible contact the breeder of your baby first and network all Carsons' littermates and their offspring, let them know Carson has or may have this, and implore them to STOP breeding this line. Some will and some won't stop but they need to know. I'm here to support you anyway I can. God Bless.

Yea, I sent them an email after the seizure and then links to the YouTube video showing the symptoms of SM. I got the same standard answer. "None of our dogs have those symptoms. We didn't certify our dogs but know they are genetically sound." Yadda Yadda. Breeders created this problem and they won't admit that they have breeding dogs that are affected.

One video on YouTube about SM and Cavaliers showed a dog winning the a Best Dog award at a dog show in England. The reporter said it was well-known that the dog had syringomyelia documented on MRI. The owner/breeder said they don't breed the dog which was a total lie. The dog is known to have 38 offspring and continues to breed. Totally irresponsible when you calculate the cost in pain and vet bills.

[chunkyfrog]

Somebody will come up with a DNA test to do on a newly adopted pet; and there WILL be lawsuits.

[portiemom]

I know full well, why folks breed regardless of line illness, I became a pariah when I spayed my Winners Bitch, while my breed was on the verge of extinction in Portugal and only a handful of inbreds here in the states. I took a great deal of flack just over the fact that she was sold to me as a pet, and then judged by Carla Molanari Portugals top PAD judge and the gal instrumental in saving the breed. But there are those out there that will stop breeding and you may well have stopped or at least given some folks food for thought. I would NEVER purchase another PAD without my friend and breeder in CO. Take care my friend!

[Maxie]

I agree that you need to check with your vet. This is very sad news and I will keep hoping it might not be the correct diagnosis. If it is correct, I'm sure that other doggies' owners with the same diagnosis will be a good source of information (like this board is for people who use CPAP). Please keep us updated and many of us understand how you feel as we love our furbabies present and past.