Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs owners notice in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
By Pedersen, Tenna Remler et al.·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2024·Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical predictors of syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with chiari-like malformation based on owners' observations.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was showing signs of discomfort, including scratching at its neck and shoulders, and seemed to react negatively when those areas were touched. These symptoms suggested the possibility of syringomyelia, a condition that can occur alongside Chiari-like malformation in this breed. The vet noted that the dog had a large syrinx, which was confirmed through MRI. The owner was advised on specific signs to watch for, such as phantom scratching and changes in behavior when the dog was excited, which could indicate worsening symptoms. Treatment options were discussed to help manage the dog's condition.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel syringomyelia symptoms · dog neck scratching treatment · Chiari-like malformation in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Syringomyelia (SM) is a prevalent inherited developmental condition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) with Chiari-like malformation (CM), accompanied by a variety of clinical manifestations, including signs of neuropathic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in SM diagnosis. However, it is desirable to establish clinical predictors that can identify CKCSs with a large clinical syrinx that needs treatment, as some owners cannot afford or lack access to MRI. The aims of the study were to investigate owner-reported clinical signs of SM and clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx, using predictive values of significant signs, individually and in combinations. Eighty-nine CKCSs participated in this retrospective study. Based on MRI diagnosis, dogs were distributed into three groups: CM without syrinx or with a maximum transverse width < 2 mm (n = 13), CM with small syrinx 2.00-3.99 mm (n = 26) and CM with large syrinx ≥4 mm (n = 50). A structured investigator-owner interview using a standardized questionnaire was used to collect data regarding clinical signs of CM and SM. The statistical tests Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's Exact and Spearman's rank order were used to assess the difference in owner-reported signs between groups. For signs with significant differences, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated. RESULTS: Following clinical signs were reported significantly more frequent in dogs with a large syrinx: phantom scratching, bilateral scratching of the neck or shoulder, aversion when that area is touched, or exacerbation of clinical signs when the dog is emotionally aroused. Each individual sign had a high PPV, indicative of a large clinical syrinx. The PPV increased further when the signs phantom scratching, aversion to touch to the head, neck or shoulder, and a preferred head posture during sleep were present in combination. CONCLUSIONS: Specific clinical signs can be used individually and in combination as clinical predictors of a large clinical syrinx in CKCSs with CM and SM. General practitioners can utilize this information to identify CKCSs with a large syrinx to initiate necessary treatment. This is particularly useful in cases where access to or affordability of an MRI diagnosis is limited.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38331821/