Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs of Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia pain in Cavalier
By Rusbridge, Clare et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Fitzpatrick Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Behavioral and clinical signs of Chiari-like malformation-associated pain and syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 130 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels showed signs of pain related to Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia, which can be tricky to diagnose. Common symptoms included vocalization, spinal pain, reduced activity, and difficulty with stairs or jumping. Some dogs also displayed altered emotional states and sleep disturbances. The severity of symptoms varied, with more serious cases showing additional issues like weakness and abnormal scratching behaviors. Understanding these signs can help owners recognize potential problems and seek veterinary care sooner.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pain symptoms · Chiari-like malformation treatment · syringomyelia in dogs signs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of Chiari-like malformation-associated pain (CM-P) or clinically relevant syringomyelia (SM) is challenging. We sought to determine common signs. ANIMALS: One hundred thirty client-owned Cavalier King Charles spaniels with neuroaxis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diagnosis of CM-P/SM. Dogs with comorbidities causing similar signs were excluded with exception of otitis media with effusion (OME). METHODS: Retrospective study of medical records relating signalment, signs, and MRI findings. Dogs were grouped by SM maximum transverse diameter (1 = no SM; 2 = 0.5-1.99 mm; 3 = 2-3.9 mm: 4 = ≥4 mm). Differences between all groups-groups 1 versus 2-4 and groups 1-3 versus 4-were investigated. Continuous variables were analyzed using 2-sample t-tests and analysis of variance. Associations between categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact or chi-square tests. RESULTS: Common signs were vocalization (65.4%), spinal pain (54.6%), reduced activity (37.7%), reduced stairs/jumping ability (35.4%), touch aversion (30.0%), altered emotional state (28.5%), and sleep disturbance (22%). Head scratching/rubbing (28.5%) was inversely associated with syrinx size (P = .005), less common in group 4 (P = .003), and not associated with OME (P = .977). Phantom scratching, scoliosis, weakness, and postural deficits were only seen in group 4 (SM ≥4 mm; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Signs of pain are common in CM/SM but are not SM-dependent, suggesting (not proving) CM-P causality. Wide (≥4 mm) SM is associated with signs of myelopathy and, if the dorsal horn is involved, phantom scratching (ipsilateral) and torticollis (shoulder deviated ipsilateral; head tilt contralateral).
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31290195/