Unfortunately with this breed, there are extremely high general incidences of both MVD and SM -- current figures from a 555-dog CKCS sample with no symptoms were that around 70% MRI with SM by the time they are over 6 (and this will be highlighted on Pedigree Dogs Exposed 2 tonight on the BBC). Some symptomatic dogs also are affected by the skull malformation (CM) alone, without a syrinx (SM). At the same time, even though this level of incidence is grotesque and horrific and MUST be addressed, thankfully most dogs with CM/SM seem to either have few to no symptoms or learn to live with the discomfort without showing any obvious outward compromise. So for MOST cavaliers chances are 1) that yes, your dog may ultimately have SM just as she will almost surely eventually have MVD (50% have it by only age 5...
) -- BUT that 2) that even if your dog does have SM (and nearly every cavalier has CM), she will not be likely to have severe SM and probably won't have symptomatic SM.
Unfortunately that is about the best that can be said as both conditions are so prevalent -- a caring and informed owner learns the signs, keeps an eye out for possible symptoms, but also enjoys their dog and tries as best as they can not to become obsessive about looking for signs. If a dog is gradually, seriously affected, signs will become more and more obvious -- so panicking at every small thing really is counterproductive as it is upsetting to the owner of course but also dogs pick up on these anxieties. That said we all as informed owners end up -- if we choose this wonderful breed -- to choose to also live with this terrible uncertainty for the entire life of our dog. That has caused some to choose to no longer own cavaliers -- and some to stop breeding because of the uncertainty of outcomes now.
These concerns for our individual dogs as well as the breed as a whole is why it is critical to support health testing, MRIing breeder and cardiologist-testng breeders to give every pup the best chance -- and also the breed its best chance of surviving this serious crisis.
There are some guidelines for testing and breeding which are CLEARLY showing results now, so a puppy buyer can make informed and wise choices of a breeder.
There's lots of info in the Health Library section which addresses some of these issues and also on my website
www.smcavaliers.com as well as several videos.
In short -- young puppies are extremely unlikely to show symptoms as this is a progressive disease. Most early onset cases are unlikely to be symptomatic til at least 6 months to a year. Most more seriously affected dogs will be showing symptoms by age 2.5, but even then there's no definite prognosis, good or bad, for any dog as the disease is so poorly understood and strange in manifestation -- this is just a general observation from researchers/neurologists. A dog can become symptomatic at any point in its life, including old age, but dogs without symptoms still at age 6 or so are far more unlikely to ever have symptoms or serious problems.
"Excessive" and "unusual" are what to watch for in terms of behaviours. Excessive scratching where you cannot distract the dog, where there are NO other causes that can be determined by your vet. Or if a vet thinks 'allergies' but signs persist -- it needs to be explored further (a very common vet misdiagnosis that can go on for years of suffering for the dog). Excessive face rubbing (rather than that kind of brief joyful rolling and facerubbing after a meal or walk that some dogs do -- I have had 2 SM-clear dogs that do this). Unexplained yelps of pain. Sensitivity when touched around the neck, head, sides, or hindquarters. Hiding away, listlessness, avoiding being touched. Bunny hopping/air scratching -- both very telltale for this condition alone.
Puppies all tend to yelp occasionally, scratch at collars, often have fleas/earmites when young, roll and facerub. All are
very unlikely to be SM.
A vet should always investigate if there's a lot of unexplained scratching -- most likely the issue will be fleas, mites, maybe mange.
Just be informed and aware, and enjoy your dog each day. I know we all wish we could say you will probably never have anything to worry about, but the reality with the breed is almost all of us will deal with either SM or MVD and many of us, both. Both can be managed as well in many dogs; many with either condition will never need treatment. Most will eventually die of MVD, not SM. (I have a dog diagnosed at just over age 1 with SM, signs by age 2, on meds since 2.5, now leading a fairly normal life on meds age 8.5. He also now has a heart murmur which is likely going to be what most seriously affects him in his senior years, not the SM. So like many other individual dogs, an early diagnosis is not necessarily a hopeless prognosis at all.)
But not for one second should any of us support the breeders who won't scan or properly heart test and follow breeding protocols. We all want a future for this breed and puppy buyer pressure for REAL health is more powerful than anything else. If no one bought a single puppy from any breeder not properly testing and using the protocols starting tomorrow, I can guarantee the majority of breeders would be health testing in a *meaningful* way within 6 months.