Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Syringohydromyelia causing neck and shoulder pain in Cavalier King
By Rusbridge, C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2000·Stone Lion Veterinary Center, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Syringohydromyelia in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Seven Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were brought in with symptoms like persistent scratching at their shoulders, neck pain, and weakness in their front legs. After using MRI scans, vets diagnosed them with syringohydromyelia, a condition linked to overcrowding at the base of the skull. The dogs received treatment with corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which helped improve their symptoms, although they didn't fully go away.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel scratching neck · syringohydromyelia treatment for dogs · dog neck pain and weakness
Abstract
Syringohydromyelia secondary to foramen magnum overcrowding is described in seven Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Clinical signs were consistent with a central spinal cord lesion. The most common signs were persistent scratching at the shoulder region with apparent neck, thoracic limb, or ear pain and thoracic limb lower motor neuron deficits. The diagnosis was made by magnetic resonance imaging. The syringohydromyelia is postulated to be a consequence of an occipital bone malformation resulting in a small caudal fossa and cerebellar herniation. Clinical signs improved but did not completely resolve when the dogs received treatment with corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10667404/