Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
King Charles Spaniel with forelimb weakness and flank scratching
By Churcher, R K & Child, G·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2000·North Shore Veterinary Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chiari 1/syringomyelia complex in a King Charles Spaniel.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old King Charles Spaniel was brought in because he had been getting weaker in his front legs and scratching at his sides uncontrollably for two years. After a thorough exam and imaging, the vet found issues in his spinal cord and brain, which were causing these symptoms. The dog showed some improvement with diuretic medication, but surgery to relieve pressure in the neck area might provide a better long-term solution.
People also search for: King Charles Spaniel weakness · dog scratching sides treatment · syringomyelia in dogs surgery
Abstract
A 9-year-old King Charles Spaniel presented with a history of progressive forelimb weakness and paroxysmal involuntary flank scratching over a 2-year period. Neurological examination suggested a myelopathy of C1 to C4 spinal cord segments. Advanced imaging studies revealed hydrocephalus, caudal herniation of part of the caudal lobe of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum and marked syrinx formation to the level of the caudal thoracic spine, resembling Arnold-Chiari malformation with secondary hydromyelia in humans. Mechanical obstruction at the craniocervical junction, altering CSF flow dynamics, may lead to syrinx formation. Response to diuretic therapy was moderate but surgical decompression may offer better long term prognosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10736666/