Research paper on CKCS with SM and spinal cord damage

[Karlin]

Many of you will have read about this research in the SM forum here.

I have added a post there on Rod's original post, but want to also cross post it here, because we now have some blog posts explaining more about that research and the cavalier tissue collection scheme set up by Margaret, which I am delighted to say, provided all the data for the paper. This is the post:

I would like to give a special thanks here to Margaret Carter, because the research behind this paper was made possible entirely by the Cavalier Collection scheme that she started, to collect the donated bodies of our cavaliers that have passed away. This scheme enables their tissues to help a number of different research projects.

This research paper is the first to result directly from her collection project. I think it is wonderful to see such work and to understand so clearly that the donation of a cavalier, while it can be very difficult to do at a difficult time, can bring such insight. I know that for me, it really reinforced the consolation I have felt after Lucy's death in donating her to this scheme. I have her ashes back now and her little box sits on the shelf next to that of my cat Quincy, where they can both watch over everybody when we are relaxing together in the sitting room.

Margaret has made a wonderful blog post that explains how this scheme came about and how it connects to this research, here:

http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/e...ping-the-breed.

I hope others might be encouraged to consider a donation–either of their own cavalier, when the time comes, or of the cash donation to this research. We can take donations for the collection scheme through Rupert's Fund–just indicate that you wish it to go to the collection scheme:

http://www.rupertsfund.com/Donating.html

You can read more about this actual research and what it means on Clare Rusbridge's blog, here:

http://clarerusbridge-news.blogspot....gation-of.html

Clare noted in an e-mail that the findings may also lead to a consideration of new pain treatments, because some of the findings regarding the difference of the spinal cords in dogs with SM and dogs without SM indicate that some new avenues might be tried. So, in so many ways, this research paper has produced really valuable information that will bring new insight into how SM develops, what is actually altered and damaged inside the dogs, and potentially, perhaps some new ways of addressing the pain of affected dogs.

[Margaret C]

Thank you for highlighting the important contribution these little bodies make to the SM research.

A recent post has made me realise that it is a little known fact that even a cavalier that is known to have SM, because it has been confirmed by MRI, is unlikely to have an identifiable syrinx when the spinal cord was examined after death.

This is one of the problems identified when we first started looking for dogs to go into Professor Jeffery's spinal cord study, and why usually only MRI confirmed dogs can be accepted for SM research.
A syrinx will collapse very soon after death and so does not easily show on post-mortem.

( I believe that to diagnose syringomyelia after death, spinal cord tissue has to go through a fairly lengthy process of staining & examination under a microscope.)

This does not mean that unscanned cavaliers are not able to help cavalier health research. There are two other specialists that need tissue samples.
MVD is still the leading cause of death in cavaliers, and pancreatic & liver problems affect significant numbers of our pets, so all cavaliers of all ages are gratefully accepted on the Scheme.

[RodRussell]

... A recent post has made me realise that it is a little known fact that even a cavalier that is known to have SM, because it has been confirmed by MRI, is unlikely to have an identifiable syrinx when the spinal cord was examined after death. ...

I recall Dr. Rusbridge saying that during a presentation a few years ago. She said that the variable pressures present during heart beats and the flow of CSF obviously are not present after death, and that the syrinxes seem to disappear. So, I was surprised and pleased to find out in this current study that the researchers were able to identify syrinxes in deceased dogs.

[penquite]

Thank you for highlighting the important contribution these little bodies make to the SM research.

A recent post has made me realise that it is a little known fact that even a cavalier that is known to have SM, because it has been confirmed by MRI, is unlikely to have an identifiable syrinx when the spinal cord was examined after death.

This is one of the problems identified when we first started looking for dogs to go into Professor Jeffery's spinal cord study, and why usually only MRI confirmed dogs can be accepted for SM research.
A syrinx will collapse very soon after death and so does not easily show on post-mortem.

( I believe that to diagnose syringomyelia after death, spinal cord tissue has to go through a fairly lengthy process of staining & examination under a microscope.)

This does not mean that unscanned cavaliers are not able to help cavalier health research. There are two other specialists that need tissue samples.
MVD is still the leading cause of death in cavaliers, and pancreatic & liver problems affect significant numbers of our pets, so all cavaliers of all ages are gratefully accepted on the Scheme.

Hi Margaret
After the last few days it is nice to hear good news and to know that my Boy Thomas contributed in some small way, to the on going research. I had heard somewhere before about the syrinx collapsing after death but thank you for clarifying thngs for everyone
Sue.

[Karlin]

Thanks so much for donating Thomas at a difficult time.

[Brian M]

Hi

And thank you Sue ,I honestly dont know if I could be as brave as you .
You are some good Lady .

Best Wishes
brian and pops and
daisy and rosie and lily

[Margaret C]

This year, so far, we have had nine little dogs come into the Scheme, the ages ranging from three to fifteen years.

I have often been very critical of cavalier breeders in the past, and I am sure I will find plenty to criticise in the future, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few very prominent members of the Cavalier Club for supporting SM research by volunteering cavalier bodies to the Scheme.

We may not agree on many things but it is right to put differences aside when it comes to supporting any of the important research projects into cavalier health.

The latest golden oldie that came to us proved to be very special, an important little dog indeed.

[mommytoClaire]

Such incredible people making such incredible contributions. Thank you seems an insignificant response. But, thank you fine and wonderful people.

[penquite]

g

Hi

And thank you Sue ,I honestly dont know if I could be as brave as you .
You are some good Lady .

Best Wishes
brian and pops and
daisy and rosie and lily

I have had two go to Cambridge over the last 4 or so years. Both young cavaliers. Not brave Brian. For me it gave their short lives a real meaning. It is so sad and that this has been brought up again after 2 years.
Any way a lovely day was had yesterday. London with our 4 year old grandson. A birthday treat. The Natural History museum, the Science museun and the Rain Forest Cafe plus lots of rides on trains, undergrounds and double decker buses. 4 year old heaven LOL.
Hubby and Me??? We are exhausted VBG.

[Nicki]

Thank you for donating your beloved companions Sue, I know how hard it is but also know what a comfort it is that their passing was not in vain.

I feel so sad for you about what has been said about Thomas, that must have been very difficult for you

If there is anything to come out of it, maybe it has made more people understand about what happens to syrinxes post mortem.

It also shows why this scheme is so very important, the research to already have come out of it offers hope for better pain management for the future, for any of us who have lived with an SM/CM Cavalier, that really gives us hope.