Elton screamed CM?

[anniemac]

I used a collar the past two days because I could not find his harness. I put his collar on him and I could tell he was uncomfortable. Then yesterday he screamed when I put it on him. I also noticed a lot log scratching at it and afterwards.

Of coarse he is back on his harness. I have noticed before when a friend rubs his head, picks him up a certain way or does something he yelps. I can pin point what he does but I know he isn't doing something on purpose.

I have written several times about my concerns and then thought things were ok (allergies or behavioral). He didn't seem to react to gabapentin trial so I thought it may not be the CM.

He never seems in pain and runs laps around other cavaliers much younger. I know a collar is not something good for any cavalier because pulling on the neck. I just can't believe he screamed putting it on. I will email his neurologist but could it be something else? A disc issue? He is great otherwise..... Help

[mommytoClaire]

Oh goodness Anne...I don't have any practical advise here....but wanted to tell you I'll be thinking of you and praying for little Elton.

Take care okay?

[MomObvious]

Look, I'm just going to tell you what I think about the "Mommy intuition" it is RARELY ever wrong. If you have concerns address them with specialists, even if you sometimes feel like you are crazy to ask for testing, questions or whatever. I hope you are wrong we all do but as you know untreated pain of any kind is awful. If he has a neurologist I would for sure contact him/her as soon as possible, but it could be something else SM/CM is sometimes misdiagnosis as disc problems so maybe.....

[lindylou]

hi
so sorry to read about elton and his pain i wish him well
sending elton kisses and cuddles from louie and his mum

[Karlin]

Oh no . I think you are right to talk to a neurologist. Maybe ask to trial something like cimetidine? If I recall that is what Clare generally starts CM dogs on first. Hope Elton feels better fast. The only other option might be something with the vertebrae up in the neck but as you know he has CM that is probably where you want to start.

[anniemac]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to email him today.

[Sydneys Mom]

Hope Elton is feeling better. Let us know that the neurologist says.

[anniemac]

I emailed him and he said if its not frequent it is probably nothing to worry about but I should schedule an appointment. He said I could try tagamet and is "generally" harmless just to see if it helps.

Elton is with my friend Kat yesterday and today. I told her about my concern and to let me know if he yelps. She said he did when she touched his left side. Said he was in pain or scared. She was the one that thought I was crazy because she thought nothing was wrong with Ella for a long time. When she says I should definately get him checked out, I know something is wrong.

[anniemac]

Should I go to the vet first? I don't want to jump to conclusion that it's CM related. His neurologist mentioned that if he has done a lot of "phantom scratching" then definately need to look at. I always hear "phantom scratching" but I always felt Ella would make contact and also scratching was reduced with food change.

I just want to make sure everything is checked because something really is wrong.

[Karlin]

I'd try him on tagamet given those responses. very typical of my Leo. If that doesn't help I'd go see him and talk about maybe a higher dose of gabapentin?

I'd actually think the pain signs are more relevant than scratching as so many neurologists say they don't even see scratching as a symptom in painful dogs that have CM/SM (eg DR Marino has stressed this in particular). Different neurologists can have different points of view by Dr Marino has scanned hundreds of dogs now with CM/SM and would be very familiar with various symptoms. I think he has said only about half, perhaps fewer than half, scratch.