disease question

[E13]

I just started to watch the 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' video mentioned on another thread but had to turn it off as I have cavvies and it was distressing. In relation to syringomyelia though - one of my dogs shows mild signs of this, but it doesn't distress her; I can't remember if these signs were prevalent when she was young, but she is now 9 years old. It has been mentioned to the vet, but I forgot to ask last time I was there (a feline visit actually!) - if an older dog shows mild signs, is it likely to worsen? I think I remember reading that it generally presents itself in young dogs... Or (hopefully) it stays stable!

 

[satinbaze]

I had Cavaliers (lost the last one 1 year ago) and until 5 years ago had never heard of SM. My last Cavalier used to occasionally chase her tail but didnt show any other signs of SM therefore I never took things further, she was a very bright dog who competed in Working Trials and Agility. Her health issues were all heart related. She was nearly 14 when she passed away.
The dogs I have known with SM have usually shown signs such as head shaking, repeated head scratching, bunny hopping when running when puppies and then as young adults. I think the worse symptoms appear once the head has stopped growing. If your Cavalier is lively and a typical CKCS I wouldnt worry too much, however if he is showing signs of having a bad headache it maybe worth persuing. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club have a database of dogs that have had MRI scans. It maybe worth checking your dogs pedigree against this.
A friend recently got a new CKCS puppy and she found a breeder that will only use breeding stock that has been MRI scanned clear for SM. Her puppy is a great little chap and appears v healthy. Good breeders are out there.
If you look at the CKCS Club website, go to golden oldies my old lady has her picture on there her name is Rebinya Drambuie with Satinbaze. Its lovely to look at some grand old dogs.

 

[s4sugar]

PDE got the figures wrong and it is far rarer than they suggest.
(The programme makers were taken to court -& lost - over some inaccuracies)

If your Cavvy is not affected/distressed at 9 years old you have no need to worry. It won't progress.
The condition is being monitored by breed clubs and inheritance is not fully determined. Unfortunately some vets are jumping on the bandwagon and dogs with, for example, ear infections have been misdiagnosed.

Just like some vets think all GSDs are "slopey backed cripples"

The programme was not made for dog welfare but to promote mongrels and it was a blessing to puppy farmers.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I agree with S4S...I've heard a very well respected vet telling a GSD owner that they ALL get hip dyspasia eventually (news to me, none of ours have ever had it....) shortly after relieving him of £450....a vet told me she was very worried about the looseness in my five month old pup's cruciates - that'll be because he was five months old - owners told to PTS or replace hip joints in young dogs which when re-x-rayed turned out to be sound as a pound - agree that programme has just been excellent propoganda for puppy farmers.
Jemima Harrison has popped up on another forum I frequent and she does come out with some absolute toot. The footage used in the film does not tally with the dog being described and is used out of context a lot of the time....an eight year old in the veteran class at Crufts (a dog imported from Germany used to gaiting on grass, not a slippy green carpet) was used quite regularly. I've seen the bitch in the flesh, she's not the straightest behind, but she must be ten now and still going strong/competing so I could not call her 'unhealthy'.

 

[E13]

Just to say that my questions don't come from watching the video at all - I had already heard of SM and researched it, and the video just reminded me! Thanks for the replies. The symptoms she has are head/neck scratching, being itchy in that area, having to itch while walking, and they both like to roll on the floor and push their heads along sideways, as if their head is itchy - don't know if this is a symptom or just them being mad dogs! She sometimes stumbles on a front leg while on a walk, and seems to have not-so-perfect hearing (never thought this was related but read it could be, so including it just in case)