• If you're a past member of the board, but can't recall your password any more, you don't need to set up a new account (unless you wish to). As long as you recall your old login name, you can log in with that user name then select 'forgot password' and the board will email you at your registration email, to let you reset your password.

Rosie's Problem - Advice Please

Brian M

Well-known member
Hi

Yesterday Rosie yelped twice then came straight over and sat by me for comfort, then later on she had trouble sitting bending down and scratching with her back foot under her chin and she was very wary of twisting her body when she moved .We went for a walk with all four in the afternoon and she walked OK but did not chase her ball which she normally does and when home would not walk up the stairs she waited to be carried and the same coming in from the garden there is a step of about 300 mm up into the back porch and she waited to be lifted up .I took her and Poppy to the vets on Friday for their anal glands as Rosie was scooting a lot but she always seems to do and she is always licking or chewing down below and at her feet an awful lot but this has been going on a long time .I fear a joint problem somewhere but any other ideas .I add lots of joint and mobility supplements to her food and have done for a long and about 12 months ago we had a suspected patella problem which one of the vets was quick to recommend surgery which I refused and she hasn't had a single twinge since with her knees ,she is fully insured so we can go in any direction but I would like comments from our experts prior to my vets visit where I think they will say xray then surgery for whatever they may find or am I being gloomy .Rosie is a beautiful little girl and I will do whatever is needed to help her in anyway I can .And on todays walks she was fine but I didnt push her to run and I had to carry her upstairs again .
 
I am sorry to hear that poor Rosie sounds a bit sore :( My first thought was anal glands but obviously that has been checked.

I think I would want to get her checked out at the vets - tell them everything you've told us.

I wouldn't take her for a walk - rest her for a few days. No jumping, chasing about etc.

It doesn't sound like a patella issue.

It's good that you've got her insured, at least you know then that finances are not going to affect any treatment decisions.


It could possibly be a vertebral disc issue - and I'm sure you've already thought about it and don't want to even got there, but the things you have mentioned are symptoms of Syringomyelia. :( We don't want to face it, but sadly our poor dogs do not have that option - and we have an obligation to them to find out what is wrong and obtain the appropriate treatment.

I really hope that this is not Rosie's problem - but I think we need to consider all possibilities.


You are both in our thoughts - telephone the vets in the morning, and let us know when you have an appointment arranged. Make sure you print off the appropriate information from SM Cavalier Talk and www.Veterinary-neurologist.co.uk

Take care - gentle hugs for Rosie
 
Just had similiar thing with Bella. She is the sofa queen and likes nothing more than sitting on the back of the sofa and being a little madam. Anyway for the last week she's let out the odd yelp when she's jumped up. She also yelped once when playing with Jessie but I didn't think that was too unusual as they are very lively at playtime. Anyway she started to sit and look up at the sofa and then gives me look to lift her up. I did this twice over the week and then on Thursday night as I went to pick her up she let out the most almighty yelp. I took her to the vet who examined her legs, neck and then down her spine. As she worked down her back she got to just past her shoulders and you could see that there was a spasm and tenderness. She's pretty sure that its just muscular and not a disc. She has given Bella 5 days of Metacam and doesn't want to see her back unless she doesn't improve. If I need to take her back she will xray her. So far so good and there's been no yelps or anything painful and she finishes the Metacam on tuesday. It could be something similar to Rosie's problem. I suppose its a process of elimination. Either way get her checked out. Let me know how she goes on.
Forgot to say that the vet also said no walks and just a potter around the garden, which is easier said than done.
 
Hi Brian,

I agree with Nicki, keep Rosie quiet for a while. I would strongly recommend you initially get Rosie clinically examined for sm! (you know the drill) I know this is everyones biggest fear, but you need to rule this out, as you could be wasting valuable time. If it is bad news, at least she can be put on meds to make her more comfortable.

I wasted time with Molly having x rays after x rays and tests after tests and just going round and round in circles, in the meantime the poor little girl was suffering!
If it is not sm, then we can all help and look into other possibilites.

Lots of hugs to you all :hug:

(Have sent you a pm)
 
Hi

I am still confused she slept all night by me got up at 6.00 am ran down the stairs outside for a wee jumped back up into the porch ran up the stairs and jumped on the bed then started nibbling her feet later ran down the stairs and started scooting .
So no yelps at all and two things I cant work out why does she nibble her feet so often and why is she scooting still when we only went to the vets on Friday when she had her glands emptied.
I have an appointment at 9.15 with one of the better vets at the practice .I have an anal gland problem going round and round in my head what are the thoughts about removal if it is ,I hope I am wrong but I don't see SM. to me not enough symptoms but then again i know not a lot .
Tania no pm but an email at work will ring as soon as I can .

Thanks all

PS Tania I never really believed that you snore ,honest ,as you say ladies don't do things like that.
 
It does sound a bit like anal gland problems, but don't entirely discount SM. As with Tania I too wasted almost a year having different tests done before finally ending up the correct diagnosis.

Thinking of you and Rosie and hoping all goes well at the vets this morning.
 
Hi

Just back saw Mr Marsden one of the partners he listened looked felt and daignosed a twisted back gave her a steroid injection (old faithful for vets ) checked her rear end then discounted her anal glands ,listened to her heart (thats the part I hate ) and said thats fine ,pulled and pushed all four legs they are OK, listened to my story felt her prodded her looked at her walk and the way she holds her stance then discounted SM .So really the best outcome I could possibly have hoped for though I do realise SM syptoms and the presence of it and of CM can only be conmfirmed by a scan so I may have to give that more thought .I do watch their every move as being a Cavalier owner the dark thought of SM /CM is always present but I also try and balance that by the enjoyment they give which I try and return by making their lives with me as pleasurable as possible for them all.:)

Thank you all for your kind comments and geunine concern shown which prove again its an honour and a priveledge to be a member of CT with so many kind people
 
Great news Brian, I did think it sounded similar to what Bella had. The vet did say that Bella's weight could contribute to the problem, but we are heading in the right direction with that, as she's down from 10.6kg to 9.6 Kg. So just a thought about Rosies weight. I do know what you mean about the SM thing, its always not far from the mind.
 
Hi

Yes I am so happy it is just that ( fingers crossed ) and Rosie's weight is now 9.50 kilo and I would like it down around 8.25 ,though lately all four have put on a bit of weight as about six weeks ago she was 8.80 kilo and I do carefully weigh everything so I will have to be a bit more cruel and cut back on all of them .
 
If she shows any repeat symptoms Brian,then go and get the scan arranged.
We all like to think our cavaliers don't/won't have SM,but we really need to break down the taboos and fears surrounding Syringomyelia and start treating it like any other clinical condition.
Basically,if a dog shows symptoms,we should really investigate it fully, in the best interests of the dog and then manage the condition as appropriate.
I say this to so many people,but a diagnosis of SM will not change the way you feel about your dog,they're still the same loving little companions that they always have been.
I know what you mean about the dark thought of SM being there...but fear of the unknown is far worse than dealing with an actual diagnosis,if that makes sense.
Scans,either the low cost ones or the full scan done through your insurance are safe and quick and will give you a definitive answer once and for all.
Hopefully Rosie will make a full recovery from whatever is troubling her at the moment.
Sins
 
Hello Sins

Where do we stand with Chestergates now and does a low cost scan give you the information you need and can Chestergates do a full scan and if not where would you recommend to go .Any scan would be insurance covered ,actually only just renewed all four .
 
I don't know if Chestergates do the low cost screening scans but when Dylan had his scan at Stone Lion Clare Rusbridge said if the dog was showing signs of SM then it is preferable to have a full scan done which shows exactly how severe it is so she can taylor the medication to suit. The low cost scans are really for breeders whose dogs are not showing signs of SM and are for screening purposes.
 
Most logical place for you to go Brian,should the need arise is to Chestergates as it's practically on your doorstep and have the full scan done.If you have a dog showing signs of pain from any spinal complaint,I'd prefer the full scan to be done.
Stone Lion have plenty of low cost days planned as far ahead as February,dates and details are now on Clare Rusbridge's site,but you wouldn't get a consultation and if you have a symptomatic dog,it's best to chat with a specialist.
I found Geoff Skerritt to be very sympathetic and kind when Daisy was diagnosed.Also even if it isn't SM but another condition,you have expert advice literally only ten mins away from you.
Sins
 
Brian, If Rosie does show any more symptoms of scooting etc. please please arrange to get her MRI'd.

My vet poo pooed SM when Minnie kept having repeat bouts of "not wanting to go upstairs or jump up on bed" that lasted anything from 8 hours to 7 days. My Vet even gave me an extra lot of Rimadyl to keep to use when she had symptoms as he said she had a muscle problem with her lower back and it was obviously a weak spot. :sl*p:
She was always having her poor bum checked as she scooted a lot as well as head rubbing.

I finally tooked the bull by the horns and joined in with one of the low cost MRI days at Stone Lion for my own peace of mind. My vet was completely speechless when he saw the MRI, but at least now she is getting the treatment she needs.

Hope Rosie is soon on the mend and that the Metacam helps her and :xfngr: she is A1 OK.
 
Hi Brian,
Just reading this now. Im sorry Rosie is not her self
:( It's a terrifying thought that you maybe facing SM but you know you only have her best interest at heart and what ever the problem she needs to rest assured that you'll get it sorted:hug:
 
Can I just ask a question please. Is there a cut off age as to when dogs would show symptons. What I mean is if a dog has got to the age of 6 or 7 for example and shown no signs, would it be safe to say that its unlikely that dog would show signs or indeed have the conditions. Or is that just wishful thinking?? Hope that's clear.
 
Hello

And thanks for all your comments .I honestly would never ever have dreamt on Friday when I decided to take Pops and Rosie to the vet for a simple thing like getting their glands emptied that I would be in the position I am now :( I remember a thread on Ct last year about helping our Cavaliers and having our own scanned to assist in future research and my answer was no as I have no intention to either breed or show so being selfish I would not put any of my girls through any needless risk for them to their health and I honestly think my answer toady would still be no .I am still fairly happy with my and my vets conclusion that Rosie has no more than a strained back and I dearly hope we are both right ,but having read the replies on here and also being in contact with two good friends Sinead and Tania I have decided to go part way and have phoned my vets and asked for a referral for a full scan and he has agreed and will write to Chestergates today .My next step of course is to convince myself and agree to the appointment and attend ,I think I have a lot of thoughts to complete .:?:(
Thanks again to all for your wisdom .

And when I think of two wonderful devoted Cavalier people like Pauline and Kate H who often travel miles and miles by public transport it puts me to shame when Chestergates is 10 minutes by car from where I live .
 
Last edited:
Brian; I'm holding out hopes that Poppy's problem is a fleeting one and not more serious!

Best of luck with her scan.

Heather R
 
Can I just ask a question please. Is there a cut off age as to when dogs would show symptoms. What I mean is if a dog has got to the age of 6 or 7 for example and shown no signs, would it be safe to say that its unlikely that dog would show signs or indeed have the conditions. Or is that just wishful thinking?? Hope that's clear.

Sadly no, dogs have shown symptoms as late as the age of 10 or 11...

However generally the older they show symptoms, the better - it does seem that the younger they are, the worst affected they appear to be.




Brian, I know it's very difficult but I do think you are doing the right thing in getting Rosie scanned. It will hopefully give you good news which will give you peace of mind - and if it isn't as good as we hope - then at least you will know and can get Rosie started on appropriate treatment.

You are indeed fortunate to be so near to such an excellent neurologist and scanning centre. They will look after Rosie very well and be able to give you good advice.


Sadly if anal gland problems are ruled out, then the scooting would worry me, this is not something that a back injury would normally cause. The steroids will help - just try to keep her rested.


We are all thinking of you - many of us have been in the same situation so do understand what you are going through.
 
Hi Brian

You will find that the people at Chestergates are great, and it is a very well-equipped hospital. You may also see a picture of my Oliver - when he had his second mini-scan last year, they were making a video to run in the waiting room and filmed Oliver having his hearing checked, looking like a Battle of Britain pilot in his headphones (or Snoopy as the Red Baron!).

Oliver was diagnosed via a mini-scan when he had virtually no symptoms, and what seemed to be the start of symptoms last summer - weakness in his back legs - turned out to be spondylosis and nothing to do with his SM. Six weeks of rest and a gradual return to exercise sorted this out - he can now happily walk 5 miles and jump up onto furniture and do stairs with no problems. So it's not impossible for Rosie to have a spinal problem that is nothing to do with SM, as well as possible SM - but only scanning will sort that out.

The great plus for Chestergates in my eyes is that they don't use anaesthetic, and scanned Oliver with a very minimal dose of sedative (he is a very placid dog anyway), but weighing up the risks has to be a personal decision. Knowing that Oliver has SM has been good (if you know what I mean!) - not because it has increased my worrying about him, but because I know what I'm dealing with, and that, for example, his occasional headaches in strong sunlight are due to his dilated ventricles and can be helped by an extra gabapentin, which I now carry with me. Yes, you keep a more careful look-out for symptoms, but then if you notice anything you can do something about it promptly. You may be missing things with Rosie now that you could be doing something to help - because, whether or not she has SM, you and your vet are working in the dark. Whatever the outcome, I do think it helps to know - but that's just my opinion; people are different in how they cope.

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
Back
Top