Oliver had both his scans through the Midland Cavalier Club. No questions were ever asked about whether he was showing symptoms or whether it was likely that he would have SM, and the secretary, who organised the scanning days, knew that I wasn't a breeder. When Aled was also scanned, she was also well aware that he was a neutered rescue. I think as long as there is room for your dogs on the day and you belong to the club, they're happy to let any Cavalier owner take advantage of the mini scans. ChesterGates charges £150 for a mini scan (it was £100 when Oliver was scanned for the first time) and £2000 for a full scan! The Midland Club is having some more scanning days in April,and May so I'm going to get Aled done - he was scanned when Oliver was last done, but he was barely 2 then and is now nearly 5, so I'd like to know what (if anything) is happening. Three years ago he had no SM and no herniation, but mildly dilated ventricles, and so far seems to have no symptoms.
Although the Cavalier Club does say that about mini-scans on their website, it also gives a list of centres that do mini scans, and I would think that if you talked to them and explained any financial difficulties they would recognise that a mini scan is better than no scan at all. And a mini scan plus a session with a neurologist if the scan shows SM is still very much more affordable than a full scan. Anyway, as far as 'no symptomatic dogs' goes, I bet that most of the dogs mini-scanned and showing SM are actually also showing some (unrecognised) symptoms. Certainly Oliver was at the time of his first scan, though both I and my vet woud have sworn that he was asymptomatic. Does such a thing as a dog with asymptomatic SM actually exist - or do we need to learn a lot more about recognising symptoms of pain?
Oh for a DNA test!
Kate, Oliver and Aled