Did someone on here have a Cavalier with SM?

J

JillA

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My latest rescued boy has been scratching his neck a lot despite being de-flea-ed and the vet says it could be a symptom of the brain stem problem, which I am keeping an eye on. But now he has begun barking all night - not aggressive barking, nor separation barking (my other cav sleeps in the kitchen with him) but just regular bark bark bark for hours on end. I am wondering if it could be migraine type headache? I plan to leave a light on for him tonight and see if it helps, next stage if he keeps doing it would be metacam.
It doesn't bother me as there are no neighbours to complain but if it is pain related I need to sort something for him, he is the sweetest most enthusiastic little chap.

Photo for the "awww" factor

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Do you know his lines? There’s a very famous stud with sm still being used, I think. Lév will probably know, her mum breeds cavs.
 
He came without any paperwork at all, not even vaccination certificates, we had to start over, we don't even know his age for sure (microchip never registered). Probably a backyard breeder if not a puppy farm, bought via Facebook I was told (I got him through breed rescue)
 
cinnamontoast said:
Absolutely outrageous :(
Click to expand...
Isn't it.

I'd never heard of the condition before, but on looking it up it does sound like the symptoms fit. We've had a cavalier before, and wondered about getting another as we get older, but google suggests that 50% of cavaliers have it :(, though some will be symptomless. I hope that you find a way of making this lovely little chap more comfortable and settled, he's landed on his paws with you.
 
They are such an appealing breed and so amenable, having been developed as companion dogs, that they are a prime breed for unscrupulous breeders intent on simply making money. Some of you might know I have been looking into puppy farm campaigning groups and they say that cavaliers and bichons are the two main breeds. Such a shame because it puts people off owning what could be the perfect breed for their circumstances.

I have to say, I have rehomed four now, one a poor little ex puppy farm brood bitch who was eternally grateful, another (from a reputable breeder) with a grade 1 heart murmur who lived to 13, a third privately bred and as robust as they come and now Charlie. It might be that diuretics keep it under control, we wait and see. Wouldn't be without them, health problems or not, they are a delightful breed.

It's a shame to write the breed off just because there is a chance of health issues - do insurers have a problem with them, anyone know (I self insure mine)

(BTW there was less barking last night, although still a fair bit, so it might be a learned behaviour from his past suddenly resurfaced. I had left a light on to see if it helped)
 
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