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Syringohydromyelia in Dogs: Implications for the Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel
What is
Syringohydromyelia?
Syringohydromyelia
(syringomyelia, hydromyelia, syrinx, SM) is a congenital or acquired
intraspinal disease. It is a disorder where a cyst or herniation, known as a
syrinx, forms within the spinal cord and cause the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) to become obstructed and accumulate, causing symptoms such as scratching,
pain and limb dysfunction. In some cases it is seen in combination with
hydrocephalus.
This condition is thought to be similar to the Arnold Chiari
Syndrome in humans which may also be accompanied by secondary syringomyelia or
hydromyelia. It is considered multi species and has been reported in humans,
dogs, cats, horses among others. Nor is it limited to one breed having been
reported in breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner, Fox Terrier,
Lhasa Apso, Pomeranian, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of Syringohydromyelia are a
hypersensitivity in the neck area resulting in an uncontrolled urge to scratch
at the neck and shoulders, quite often to the point that the dog will fall
over. There is quite often discomfort and pain in the neck and ear areas. There
may also be progressive weakness in the limbs and loss of bladder and bowel
control.
In the congenital form
symptoms are usually first seen from 6 to 18 months of age but depending upon
the degree affected could manifest at any age. In the acquired form symptoms
can be seen any time after the original injury or trauma to the spine.
How does a dog get Syringohydromyelia?
Syringohydromyelia can
be either acquired or congenital. If acquired, this would occur due to trauma,
complications of surgery or disease such as a tumour and the syrinx would
develop in the damaged segment of the spine and may expand causing
difficulties. If congenital, the condition would develop in the womb or during
birth as a malformation and in this case the syrinx is usually in the cervical
region of the spine. In the congenital condition, there is some suspicion that
it may be a genetic and there are currently studies going on to establish a
familial link and hopefully understand the mode of inheritance if genetic.
(Please see the section "Implications in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels" for
more information)
How is it diagnosed?
Though the condition was recognized symptomatically earlier it
has only been due to the advances in advanced imaging techniques through the
use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that this disease has been understood
and diagnosis been able to be confirmed.
The MRI is the leading
diagnostic tool used in determining Syringohydromyelia. It has only been since
1993 that a functional MRI was developed and around 1996 when it was advanced
enough and readily available to diagnose spinal conditions in dogs.
MRI images are formed by the combination of a strong magnetic
field and radio wave interacting with the hydrogen protons in the body and then
using a computer the information is collected and made into three dimensional
pictures of the body. The MRI can then characterize and discriminate among the
tissues using their physical and biochemical properties (water, fat, iron,
blood and its breakdown products) allowing blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) flow and contraction and relaxation of organs to be evaluated.
Using the MRI then allows the neurologist to study the spine for
the presence of a syrinx or any other abnormality, such as a tumour which might
obstruct the flow of the spinal fluid.
What is the treatment for
Syringohydromyelia?
There are several
different treatments for Syringohydromyelia, some more successful that others.
In some less severe cases the use of cortisteroids or nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs may relieve the clinical symptoms. Decompression
surgery to allow the CSF to flow normally may be necessary and in some cases a
shunt is installed.
Implications in
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
"I have a Cavalier,
should I be concerned"?
This particular condition
is known to affect less than 0.002% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels so odds
are very much in your favour that your dog would not have this condition. If
your dog is scratching or displaying some of the other symptoms more than
likely it is due to another cause such as allergies which is a common condition
in dogs. If concerned see a veterinarian for evaluation.
Is
Syringohydromyelia genetic?
There is a suspicion that
Syringohydromyelia is of a genetic nature. Due to the development of the MRI
and genetic mapping, diagnosis and study of diseases such as this is now being
made possible. The Cavalier King Charles Club (UK) has approached Mr. Simon
Platt, Head of Neurology at The Animal Health Trust to undertake research into
the possible genetic nature of this condition.
If you have a Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel diagnosed with this condition please send pedigree and
pertinent medical records relating to the diagnosis to:
Mr.Simon Platt
BVM&S MRCVS
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology) Diplomate ECVN
Head of
Neurology/Neurology Service
Centre for Small Health Studies
Kentford
Newmarket
CB8 7UU
This will hopefully help in the confirmation
that this condition is of a genetic nature and allow for understanding of the
mode of inheritance.
Any speculation as to the genetic nature and
possible carriers of this disease is premature and cannot be made by anyone
less than trained professionals such as neurologists and geneticists, so by
providing records to Mr. Platt at the Animal Health Trust you are helping in
the fight to understand and possibly eradicate Syringohydromyelia from Cavalier
King Charles Spaniels in the future. |
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on this site is copyrighted by Rhiannon Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and
Creature Comforts Inn. Redistribution on any other website is only
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