Veterinary Question

Hi Andrew, Yes, syringomyelia is a rather distressing condition that is most commonly seen in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, largely to do with the shape of their skull relative to the opening to their spinal cord, leading to an accumulation of fluid pockets, called syrinxes, along the spinal cord. The type of clinical signs, and their severity, depend on the number and location of these syrinxes. Some dogs may show very mild symptoms, like scratching at the head or neck (phantom scratching), often mistaken for ear infections, while others may show signs of discomfort or pain when in certain positions, or when getting up, lying down, or moving their head. This might present with crying or yelping, panting, or just a reluctance to move in certain ways. Weakness, paralysis, ataxia (wobbliness), and seizures are also possible. Ordinarily, I would expect the signs of syringomyelia to appear earlier in life, but milder cases may take longer to become apparent. The trouble is that the signs can mimic other conditions, including injury, arthritis, nerve inflammation, tumors, or meningitis, so a physical examination is a must. The diagnosis of syringomyelia requires an MRI, and treatment will ultimately depend on the severity of the disease and the circumstances of the patient and owner. Surgery is often needed in more severe cases, while milder forms are often managed using medication. In Zoey’s case, her clinical signs may come and go, but if syringomyelia is the cause, I would expect them to continue or even get worse over time. Ultimately, I would urge you to make an appointment with your vet so she can have a physical examination and decide on a plan from there. If you’d like to discuss Zoey’s case in more detail, you can make an appointment to speak to a vet online at Pangovet.com, and I have included some links to some further reading that might be of use. All the best, Dr Karyn https://www.dogster.com/ask-the-vet/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-syringomyelia