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Very interesting experience with cavalier owner

anniemac said:
Wow. I can't believe your vet still doesn't believe you. I agree with what you said b/c its hard to show pain. I made shirts but sm cavaliers don't like how that feels to help with awareness. Vest seems like a good idea. I know I do the same thing and basically jump on any opportunity to tell someone. Brian gives tanias flyers etc. People sometimes look at me like I'm crazy but I don't care. If one person looks it up and gets help then great.
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Yeah, my vet saw the scratching and swears it an ear infection and saw the rubbing and swears that is allergies. Oh well the MRI will prove her wrong and maybe open her eyes.


Ha, yeah some people look at me like I'm crazy.... I don't care either. If I can save 1 dog from suffering then that is 1 dog that will be better off and maybe the owner will continue to pass on the knowledge. Even better 1 more vet MIGHT become educated. Etc....
 
I have a question(s): where is this quoted from? And has Dr. Marino done some research work or where are those results based on? Any links to original source?

"Results of a recent study indicate that although greater than 50% of dogs examined were reported to be “free of any clinical signs” by their owners, 97% were found to have clinical signs on examination. What this tells us is there needs to be greater education as to what to look for in dogs with Chiari like malformation and syringomyelia. Remember, in people some of the signs like migraines or neck sensitivity are difficult for owners to recognize."

Thank you :confused:
 
Suvi and Mira said:
I have a question(s): where is this quoted from? And has Dr. Marino done some research work or where are those results based on? Any links to original source?

"Results of a recent study indicate that although greater than 50% of dogs examined were reported to be “free of any clinical signs” by their owners, 97% were found to have clinical signs on examination. What this tells us is there needs to be greater education as to what to look for in dogs with Chiari like malformation and syringomyelia. Remember, in people some of the signs like migraines or neck sensitivity are difficult for owners to recognize."

Thank you :confused:
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I actually did an interview for this event. The information is found here http://www.twolittlecavaliers.com/2011/01/syringomyelia-awareness-dr-marino.html

I am not sure what study he was referring to but will do a follow up email. These are the things he sited in the email. I had sent the email to Rod prior so he might know more of what actual study he was referring to or if it is something that has not been published yet

Thermographic Imaging in Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease
Grossbard BP, Loughin CA, Marino DJ
Thermographic imaging is a non-invasive method used to screen animals for multiple medical problems. This study documents the use of thermal imaging to screen small breed dogs for possible herniated disc disease. Dogs with confirmed herniation based on MRI results are compared to dogs that have no evidence of a herniated disc. We also look at the usefulness of thermography to predict the site of herniation.


Treatment of Dogs with Primary Secretory Otitis Media
Grossbard BP, Loughin CA, Marino DJ
Primary secretory otitis media, also known as PSOM, is a disease of the inner ear. A mucous plug collects behind the ear drum, and can cause pain and scratching. Reported treatments have had variable success, and the mucous plug tends to recur. This study explores initial treatment with myringotomy followed by clavamox for 2 weeks.


Comparison between CT and MR for the Diagnosis of Primary Secretory Otitis Media in Dogs
Govier S, Loughin CA, Marino DJ
Primary secretory otitis media, also known as PSOM, is a disease of the inner ear. A mucous plug collects behind the ear drum, and can cause pain and scratching. Diagnosis has primarily depended on visualization of a pink swollen ear drum on examination of the ear canal. This type of examination can lead to missed diagnosis of PSOM since it is difficult to visualize this change. Recent studies have found that PSOM can easily be seen on a MRI, but MRIs are expensive and not widely available. This study looks at the accuracy of CT to diagnose PSOM.


The Prevalence of Primary Secretory Otitis Media in a Population of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels diagnosed with chiari-like malformation
Lugones M, Loughin CA, Marino DJ
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels constitute a breed that has a predisposition for PSOM and CLM, but “can these dogs have both diseases at the same time?” This study looks at a population of dogs being evaluated for CLM, and determines how prevalent PSOM is in this group of dogs.


Morphometric Features of the Craniocervical Junction Region in Dogs with Suspected Chiari-like Malformation Based on Combined MR and CT Imaging: 274 Cases (2007-2010)
Marino DJ, Loughin CA, Dewey CW, Marino LJ, Sackman J, Lesser M, Ackerman M
Evaluation of MRIs for CLM have mainly been based on the doctor’s opinion on how compressed and herniated the cerebellum may be. This kind of evaluation leads to considerable variability, resulting in disagreement among doctors. In order to make MRI evaluations more consistent, measurements made in the region of the skull and vertebrae of the neck have been developed. This paper reports the consistency of these new measurements.



The Effect of Foramen Magnum Decompression and Cranioplasty on Syrinx Volume in Dogs with Chiari-like Malformation
Loughin CA, Marino DJ, Dewey CW
Syringomyelia, also called SM or syrinx, has been documented as a secondary occurrence to CLM. Based on multiple theories and the results of research in humans, we suspect that the syrinx will slowly regress after decompressive surgery. This paper looks at a group of dogs diagnosed with CLM and SM, and follows them for one year after surgery to see what happens to the length and volume of the syrinx over time.



Syrinx Location in Dogs with Chiari-like Malformation having Brain and Whole Spine MRI
Dewey CW, Loughin CA, Marino DJ
MRI studies of dogs thought to have CLM have included mainly the skull and neck, but does the syrinx exists further down the spinal cord? This study looks at a group of dogs with CLM and SM to see how far the syrinx can extend.


Histologic Findings on Dural Biopsies in Dogs with Foramen Magnum Decompression and Cranioplasty for Chiari-like Malformation
Loughin CA, Marino DJ, Peters R
Dural biopsies performed in humans with chiari-like malformation have shown thickening of the dura mater. Some of this thickening has even been described as “bone-like”. Do dogs with CLM exhibit the same changes of the dura mater at the site of compression? This paper evaluates the biopsy reports of a group of dogs that have undergone surgery for CLM to determine if the dura develops “bone-like” qualities.
 
I did not email him but the information is published on an ebook on the canine chari institute website. It is from a study based at livs of 227. It has a lot of information and you can make a donation to keep information up to date for any amount or read it anyway for free

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
Blondiemonster said:
Hey Charliefarley. My neuro says that most of the cavaliers he sees on the street in NYC are affected. (doesn't have to be severe, but "affected" is a broad term...) Apparently, he can see it in the way they walk, their spine etc.. He told me he walks up to cavi owners all the time and recommends a fluid reducer. Which is much more pessimistic of a statistic than what you write.
So hopefully, there's a happy medium there! I'd much rather believe in what you wrote!! :p
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Strange, when I brought Chamberlain to get a check-up before I bought him the vet I saw worked in New York City and said that 80% of the Cavaliers she saw had heart problems and she did not see a lot of SM
 
anniemac said:
I didn't think this was something people had been aware of for several years (back in 90s 80s etc) but I know there is a problem and now we know.
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The Internet has a lot to do with increased knowledge, education and awareness. If it weren't for the Internet, I would have bought a CKCS and never even known to ask for the screening certs on the parent dogs, and which types. Even with the Internet, some people are research geeks (self included) while others are not (the clueless re: health issues for the breed).

So, it may be there are more actual cases of SM and CM in dogs, due to breeding practices, but the owners are more knowledgeable, as well. CavalierTalk forum has been very educational to me on the topic, unlike a Yahoo Group I joined for this breed, that seems to never want to discuss health issues. (Thank you Karlin, for this forum!)
 
Chamberlain said:
Strange, when I brought Chamberlain to get a check-up before I bought him the vet I saw worked in New York City and said that 80% of the Cavaliers she saw had heart problems and she did not see a lot of SM
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Is it a neurologists or a vet? Vets arent good at picking up SM symptoms. I guarantee you that most normal vets would not be able to tell there is something wrong with Blondie, normal people cant either.
 
So, what is the answer? Should all Cavaliers have MRI's even if they are only exhibiting symptoms that are extremely mild, like scratching, etc? Would the fluid reducers help in cases like this?

I remember after I got Claire my Vet telling me about some of the issues with Cavaliers that I might not be aware of (as I had mentioned MVD), as she knew Claire had a history we couldn't trace. She mentioned the issue with platelets, and the SM. In fact she mentioned a family that had 2 or 3 Cav's, of which one had SM and had just undergone surgery to help with. It was something my Vets had suspected, and sent the family on to a specialist.

Since I'll never know Claire's heritage, I do worry about things like SM/CM. I watch her like a hawk. And though she is like Pat's little one (her and the cat are constantly up to antics of all sorts) and has never appeared in pain, I don't want to be over zealous about every little scratch she makes.

The sad part for many of us, is that we have adopted dogs that we'll never know 'the whole story on'. And these dogs still needed homes.

I do wonder if people having the information, on SM/CM, will change things. I think many think their dog will never have it. And others are put off with the costs of MRI's and whatnot. Obviously, if the breeders don't have 'buyers' because people become aware, it could/would change things. But, I think unfortunately, this is a long, long process. And yes, awareness is the first step. But, there are still those that won't listen, and just buy the breed because they are so cute.

Of course, in the US, if we can get rid of the stores that sell puppies, it will no longer give the puppy mills a place to sell their dogs. And I hope that most legtimate breeders care more about the long term health of the breed, and will take the necessary steps to stamp out this horrible disorder!
 
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