anniemac
Well-known member
First let me say that I do NOT think that Elton has SM but I have been wanting to post this for some time. When I first met Elton, I commented to some off the forum that he was chasing his tail along with barking. One person said they thought this was a symptom of SM which another agreed (who I will not name but knows a lot about Cavalier Health).
Anyway, I read a lot where people say they can tell my the eyes (which don't ask me but I totally understand) and his eyes were bright eyed and full of energy. Even though they mentioned this, I felt I could pick up on it pretty good and nothing screamed CM/SM. I felt it was behavioral.
Before I was going to agree to adopt him, I took him to make sure of some things and I also wanted to look into the tail chasing. Even though I knew in my heart he did not have CM/SM (symptomatic), when it was mentioned I wanted to contact a neurologist. I know there are no guarantees with a Cavalier and even if Elton does not have symptoms now, it doesn't mean at 7 years (I think the age of Rebel) or later they can develop. Also I know that a number of things can always happen but I wanted to get him checked out anyway.
I emailed Ella's neurologist and he said it sounded behavioral but tail chasing CAN be a symptom of Sm (secondary whatever that means). Ella's neurologist is no longer in Charlotte, so I took him to see his former partner. I didn't have to get a referral or anything because I have met him and also told Dr. Brofman that I wanted to see his former partner if I needed a referral could he contact him.
So this neurologist did the squeeze (don't remember name) and did some physical exam in the back and came back and said he is extremely confident Elton did not have COMS (I bit my lip because I don't know why COMS instead of CM or CLM bothers me). He said there were several things Elton did like shaking his whole body and other things that would be painful for a symptomatic Cavalier. He said it doesn't mean that when he is 12 it can not happen but he saw a 14 week old the week before. He told me that he seemed extremely healthy.
*I then mentioned the tail chasing which he said this would be very painful for a symptomatic cavalier??:huh:*
I have read recently that butt dragging on another thread is an SM symptom (never heard of it) and two very conflicting statements about this symptom from specialists which leave me to think which is right? I know everyone thinks of scratching but like I said, I could see the pain in Ella's eyes and the most tell tale thing was everyone thought she was really old. I remember they look older than they are but what additional symptoms than the ones that are most common are there?
Are there any additional that are not listed on Karlin's website?
http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/diagnosing/diagnosing/symptoms.html
Thankfully, Elton does not chase his tail much anymore (he is adjusting) but I immediately think this was behavioral but are these what are primary symptoms and why Ella's neurologist said it could be a secondary symptom?
Anyway, I read a lot where people say they can tell my the eyes (which don't ask me but I totally understand) and his eyes were bright eyed and full of energy. Even though they mentioned this, I felt I could pick up on it pretty good and nothing screamed CM/SM. I felt it was behavioral.
Before I was going to agree to adopt him, I took him to make sure of some things and I also wanted to look into the tail chasing. Even though I knew in my heart he did not have CM/SM (symptomatic), when it was mentioned I wanted to contact a neurologist. I know there are no guarantees with a Cavalier and even if Elton does not have symptoms now, it doesn't mean at 7 years (I think the age of Rebel) or later they can develop. Also I know that a number of things can always happen but I wanted to get him checked out anyway.
I emailed Ella's neurologist and he said it sounded behavioral but tail chasing CAN be a symptom of Sm (secondary whatever that means). Ella's neurologist is no longer in Charlotte, so I took him to see his former partner. I didn't have to get a referral or anything because I have met him and also told Dr. Brofman that I wanted to see his former partner if I needed a referral could he contact him.
So this neurologist did the squeeze (don't remember name) and did some physical exam in the back and came back and said he is extremely confident Elton did not have COMS (I bit my lip because I don't know why COMS instead of CM or CLM bothers me). He said there were several things Elton did like shaking his whole body and other things that would be painful for a symptomatic Cavalier. He said it doesn't mean that when he is 12 it can not happen but he saw a 14 week old the week before. He told me that he seemed extremely healthy.
*I then mentioned the tail chasing which he said this would be very painful for a symptomatic cavalier??:huh:*
I have read recently that butt dragging on another thread is an SM symptom (never heard of it) and two very conflicting statements about this symptom from specialists which leave me to think which is right? I know everyone thinks of scratching but like I said, I could see the pain in Ella's eyes and the most tell tale thing was everyone thought she was really old. I remember they look older than they are but what additional symptoms than the ones that are most common are there?
Are there any additional that are not listed on Karlin's website?
http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/diagnosing/diagnosing/symptoms.html
Thankfully, Elton does not chase his tail much anymore (he is adjusting) but I immediately think this was behavioral but are these what are primary symptoms and why Ella's neurologist said it could be a secondary symptom?
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