syringomyelia

dimondgirl · 11-14-2009, 06:03 AM

We have a lab mix that was just diagnosed with this. She is in the hospital, we are going to see the vet and test results tomorrow to discuss options. Does anyone have any info or experience with this? She is the sweetest girl; was severely abused the first year of her life and has blossomed into the most loyal and loving dog. We want to do whatever we can for her to live a happy and healthy life, and am having a hard time finding much info. Thanks in advance from my breaking heart.

Cracker · 11-14-2009, 07:11 AM

SM is very common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels...this link may help you.

http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk/hea...o/syringo.html

I'm sorry your dog is so sick. Good luck and good thoughts being sent your way!

StellaLucyDesi · 11-14-2009, 08:47 AM

Yes, unfortunately, it is becoming more and more common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. And I have 2.....I actually feel that Stella, my 8 year-old, may have a mild case of it. She has some mild symptoms. She has not been officially diagnosed because it entails having an MRI (which costs thousands of dollars) and I feel her symptoms are not a problem at this time. If you go to these websites they have threads dedicated to SM and alot of info. at hand. www.cavalierboard.com and www.cavaliertalk.com

I'm sorry to hear about the lab. I think there are ways that can help with the quality of life for a dog with SM, be it medicine or therapy, etc. IDK. Good luck!

RedyreRottweilers · 11-14-2009, 09:58 AM

Unfortunately this has been helped along by breeders who know better who bred known positive dogs.

A very sad situation in that breed. Combine that with the heart issues, this breed is in very serious trouble.

So sad, such wonderful little dogs.

RRM_Mom08 · 11-14-2009, 10:48 AM

If you watch the BBC special on the purebred dog in england they go indept on breeding issues and particulary SM.I hope your dog is not affected as bad as some were that were in this special.

BTW you can watch it on web
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=44215931

dimondgirl · 11-14-2009, 01:01 PM

We just brought her home. She did have the MRI and the doc thinks it is highly possible, altho she is not a breed that is usually effected by it, and has some unclassical other symptoms. They have her on meds, a steriod, and 2 antibiotics, and he is thinking it may be an inflammatory or infectious disease. I just finished hand feeding her as her head shaking and motor skills keep her from being able to eat herself. So heartbreaking, altho, I am hopeful that the meds will help her. Thank you all so much.

Cracker · 11-14-2009, 01:34 PM

Has she been tested for distemper?
SM is USUALLY characterized by pain, not the wobbles...but I'm not an expert. The link I put in has some very detailed info, including xrays and MRI pictures. It doesn't only show up in CKCS though it is very common, it shows up in many of the small breeds with large eyes or small skulls. So it would be uncommon to show up in a lab mix, but not unheard of.

dimondgirl · 11-14-2009, 01:56 PM

I will check about the distemper. She actually has very large eyes and moreso comparatively speaking with regard to her skull size. We've often wondered what she was mixed with as she has a chihuahua type look to her face. Very puzzling. The place we had her at seems extremely state of the art; I'd hope they checked for that, she seems to have had every test imaginable, but I will verify. Thanks!