Hi all

Just wanting some advice for one of our grooming clients. Her little dog has been diagnosed with syringomyelia (we suspected this was the case when she brought her in - now her symptoms have advanced dramatically and is in a very poor state) She was scanned and diagnosed but her owner has been left wondering what to next as her vet wasn't very helpful. What is the prognosis for the little dog? Can her symptoms be eased?

She phoned her breeder and was told that he'd never heard of it in his line before but made her promise not to tell a soul - and offered her a new puppy to replace the poor wee thing Which 'souls' is she not supposed to be telling? She did show the dog but obviously the dog is far to sick to even leave the house now.

This lady is very upset and confused so any input would be great,

Thanks

Lins xxxx

As you probably already know the "its not in my line " is total rubbish! If the dog is scanned and has SM it is a fact and the breeders intimidating "don't tell a soul" attitude is probably why it is cropping up so often. The Cavalier Club website now has some helpful advice as does Clair Rusbridges website veterinary-neurologist.co.uk. There are medications she can get tell her to keep strong there are things she can try.

Hi Lins!

(good to see you Honey! sorry about the circumstances that bring you back though..)
Some good links/research/support etc here: http://www.cavaliercampaign.com/syringomyelia.htm

Hope this is of use?

p.s Tooolz would be good for info on this too, Im sure she'll see this but maybe pm her too??

> As you probably already know the "its not in my line " is total rubbish! If the dog is scanned and has SM it is a fact and the breeders intimidating "don't tell a soul" attitude is probably why it is cropping up so often.

Yes thats what I thought too, I thought his attitude was awful! No doubt so he can carry on breeding from the dam - he said he thought it must have come from the American import he used..

Hiya Liv!

Great to see you too mate. Thanks for the link, It was so awful seeing this dog in the state she is in, she can't walk, just tries to walk backwards but can't and looks so distressed, bless her.

Yeah where's Tooolz? Tooolz! Where are thee?

P.s The dog in question isn't a cavalier doubt that makes a difference though?

xxxxxx

I wonder if scanning is required in other breeds known to be afflicted with the condition or just cavaliers?

Was it a Griffon by any chance?  There's some info on the breed club website and I've heard breeders mention they know it's in their breed. http://www.griffonclub1897.co.uk/Syringomyelia.html

It's a little Maltese Marianne 

xxxxx

Hi Honeybun,

Only CKCS and Griffons are scanning (as a screening test) in any great numbers.
Other breeds are in denial and, to be fair on the 'breeder' ( I and I can guess who it is from the breed ! ) they may not have seen a case/s in that breed.

Clare Rusbridge's website is the best source of info and can be found from HGs link.
Frusimide and then Gabapentin are the drugs of choice and most cases can be 'controlled' unless the symptoms are too severe ...then Euth is the only answer.
Is her other one OK?

xxxx

A lesson learned by me in making assumptions! Suppose the breeder could have been right about not knowing about SM. I understand there have only been a few diagnosed.

Ah Hurrah! Tooolz there you are!

> Is her other one OK?

So far yes, the bitch in question is the younger one so I would've thought her older one would have been symptomatic by now?

I hate to say it but by the look of her I'd be suprised if there is any kind of good outcome for her, the tests showed she has lesions on her skull and also a spinal problem (whether that is related or not I don't know?).

From what she said it sounded like the breeder wanted to get it swept under the carpet asap - I hope it doesn't as this was the most awful thing to see first hand in such a young dog.

P.s Tooolz are you showing on Saturday? Be lovely to see you xxxxx

The first thing she should do is send the diagnosis and the dogs pedigree to the relevant breed club.

As for the poor wee dog, I would be looking for a second opinion as to how the condition can be managed or whether PTS is the orly option, if her vet will not commit himself to an opinion.

> P.s Tooolz are you showing on Saturday?

Aye Hen.
Keep a little bit of dirt warm for me    ( show held at a filthy riding school)

See you there.

Yep, if you get there first, save us a chair! I'm not showing just watching and gossiping

I suppose you'll be after our big trophy? Good job I've just made Andy polish it to a gleaming shine.. all ready for you

xxxxxxxxxxxx

> I suppose you'll be after our big trophy?

My turn?

> My turn?

Definately.

What a shame everyone just assumed the dog in question was a CAVALIER !

Thanks to that programme, people often think of SM as a condition that afflicts cavaliers only.

Shame on the breeder of this MALTESE though - bribing the owner to keep quiet with the promise of a new puppy ?!!!

Quick update:

The little dog in question was PTS at the weekend. Her breeder still insisting her owner keeps it quiet - quote: " It'll be the end of my kennel if this gets out"

He has said he won't repeat the mating that produced this girl, but using either parents is risky, surely?

> but using either parents is risky, surely?

Who knows, I suspect no-one does, as if the method of inheritance if any in this breed are unknown then it is impossible to say if breeding the parents to other partners Will be risky or not.

Certainly the owner should let the breed club know, and make it public, the sooner a breed knows there is an emerging problem the less widespread it is likely to become and the more control measures can be put in place.

If is certainly wrong for the breed for the breeder to try and hide it.

> " It'll be the end of my kennel if this gets out"
>

Sounds like he's trying to guilt her into keeping it quiet, which is shameful.

I hope your friend is coping okay, sounds like she did the right thing, doubt that will make it any easier for her though, such a shame.