Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs of Chiari-like malformation in dogs at UK vet clinics
By Sanchis-Mora, S et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2016·Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dogs attending primary-care practice in England with clinical signs suggestive of Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs, particularly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, were found to have a condition called Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia (CM/SM), which can cause pain and affect their quality of life. In this study, 72% of the affected dogs showed signs of pain, and most were given pain relief medications. While the overall occurrence of this condition is low, it is more common in certain breeds, and many affected dogs may go undiagnosed due to financial barriers. Increased awareness among pet owners and veterinarians is essential for better management of this painful condition.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pain treatment · Chiari-like malformation in dogs · dog pain relief options
Abstract
Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia (CM/SM) in dogs describes a developmental disorder that can cause pain and reduced quality of life. This retrospective study aimed to report the period prevalence, clinical signs and risk factors for diagnosis of symptomatic CM/SM in the veterinary primary-care setting using a cross-sectional design. The study population included all dogs within the VetCompass Programme (September 1, 2009-June 13, 2014). Overall, the period prevalence of symptomatic CM/SM was 0.05 per cent (95 per cent CI 0.04 per cent to 0.06 per cent) for all breeds. The period prevalence in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) was 1.6 per cent (95 per cent CI 1.2 to 2.06). Other breeds at increased odds included the King Charles Spaniel (KCS), Affenpinscher, Chihuahua and Pomeranian. Insured dogs had 4.6 times the odds (95 per cent CI 2.95 to 7.17) of having a diagnosis of CM/SM compared with uninsured dogs. Pain was the most commonly associated clinical sign (67 dogs, 72 per cent). Analgesics were prescribed to 72 (77.4 per cent) of the symptomatic dogs. Despite its low overall period prevalence, the high proportion of affected dogs identified with chronic pain suggests a significant welfare issue. Financial implications could impede the diagnostic process and lead to underestimation of the true prevalence. This study may help to inform clinicians about the clinical relevance and the need for improved awareness of clinical signs, particularly in high-risk breeds, to optimise the management of CM/SM in primary-care practice.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27534983/