What is Syringomyelia (SM)?
The breeds that are most often affected include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Griffon Bruxellois, but other breeds have been reported as well. Some of these breeds are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Havanese, Affenpinscher, Pomeranian, Papillon, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, and Maltese Terrier. This is a serious disorder that needs to be addressed by a veterinary professional right away.
Syringomyelia (SM) in dogs is a relatively common condition that mostly affects Griffon Bruxellois and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, leading experts to believe it is an inherited disorder. The nature of this disease is that the dog’s skull is too small for his brain, which blocks the opening at the base of the skull and prevents the flow of spinal fluid. Because of this backup of fluid, pockets of fluid called syrinxes are created in the spinal cord which causes extreme pain in the shoulders, neck, head, and chest. They are usually very sensitive to touch in these areas and some dogs show weakness of extremities and possible paralysis.
Symptoms of Syringomyelia (SM) in Dogs
The signs of syringomyelia depend on the stage of the disease and age of your dog. In fact, some dogs with mild SM may never have symptoms and the only way you will know about the condition is if your dog has to get an MRI for a different reason. However, the most commonly reported symptoms include:
- Extreme sensitivity to touch in the neck, chest, shoulders, head, and back
- Holding head high and at a certain angle to prevent pain
- Sleeping with head held up
- Whining and yelping for no obvious reasons
- Phantom scratching (scratching about an inch or two from the head)
- Weakness of the extremities
- Inability to play or walk
- Depression
- Irritability
- Paralysis
- Seizures
Types
There are several grades of SM, which include:
- Grade 0 - Normal (with no syrinx or pre-syrinx and is not dilated)
- Grade 1 - Central canal dilation (CCD) under two millimeters
- Grade 2 - Syringomyelia (has CCD of more than 2 millimeters and a pre-syrinx or syrinx)
In addition, each grade includes a letter corresponding with the dog’s age because SM is a progressive condition. The letters include:
- A - more than five years old
- B - three to five years old
- C - one to three years old
This system is important for an individual's diagnosis but also for the breeding population. Breeding Cavaliers, for example, should be screened even if they do not have symptoms. This is important to protect future generations from this awful condition.
Causes of Syringomyelia (SM) in Dogs
The cause of SM is thought to be hereditary although this disease is not completely understood yet. It seems to affect certain breeds most often, which include:
- Pomeranians
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Shih Tzus
- Boston Terriers
- French Bulldogs
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Maltese Terriers
- Chihuahuas
- Miniature Dachshunds
- Miniature Poodles
- Bichon Frisés
- Pugs
- Pekingese
- Miniature Pinschers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Griffon Bruxellois
- Havaneses
- Affenpinschers
Diagnosis of Syringomyelia (SM) in Dogs
The most effective way to diagnose SM is an MRI scan of the spinal column and brain. Your dog will need to be put under general anesthesia during the procedure and will be given oxygen and fluids. The results should indicate pockets filled with spinal fluid throughout the spinal column if your dog has SM. First, your veterinarian will need to do a thorough physical examination including palpation and auscultation, vital signs, and a complete body condition score.
Also, you need to provide the veterinarian with your dog’s medical history and the most recent symptoms you have noticed. Afterward, the veterinarian will perform some blood tests such as a serum biochemical analysis and complete blood count (CBC). Urine and stool samples will be collected for microscopic analysis as well. Then, your veterinarian will do the imaging including x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs.
Treatment of Syringomyelia (SM) in Dogs
Treating SM depends on the stage of the disease and age of your dog. The most important objective is to relieve the pain that your dog is experiencing. This may include surgery or medication as well as physical therapy in some cases.
Surgery
Cervical or cranial decompression is done to remove part of the bone that is blocking the spinal column. This procedure is successful about 80% of the time. However, in some cases (25% to 50%), the syrinx causes it to become blocked again and the symptoms will return. This can be due to the scarring or the regrowth of the syrinx.
Medication
There are a few drugs that can help with pain, swelling, and reduction of spinal fluid production: Pain medications include opioids and NSAIDs, steroids to reduce swelling, and diuretics or omeprazole to reduce the production of spinal fluid.
Physical Therapy
There are several types of therapy that can help your dog, which include aqua therapy and massage therapy. Your veterinarian can teach you how to do these yourself or you can take your dog to special physical therapy classes.
Lifestyle changes
Use a body harness rather than neck collar and avoid touching your dog in areas where it hurts them.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Syringomyelia (SM) in Dogs
If your dog was treated with surgery, you will need to be very observant for a few weeks while he heals. Provide plenty of fresh water because hydration is essential. You should also keep your dog as calm as possible, placing your dog on cage rest when needed. Call your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.
Syringomyelia (SM) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Rottweiler
Nakuja
Six Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain.
My Rottweiler was diagnosed with syringomyelia about eight months ago. I would like to find a vet that specializes in this surgery here in Southern California but even if I can’t find one locally I would be willing to take her anywhere in the US if the specialist thought that surgery could help her. Can you Recommend a veterinary surgery specialist for SM? Or tell me how to find the BEST one out there. My dog is a state registered service dog, she is my best friend/and family member. Thank you so much for your time.
June 19, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I might start by contacting veterinary schools and teaching hospitals, as that is where many uncommon procedures can be done. If there is a large surgical referral veterinary clinic near you, they may be able to perform the surgery as well. UC Davis is the veterinary school in California, and that would be a good place to start! http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/index.cfm
June 19, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
King Charles Spaniel
Taffy
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Snoring
Scratching
Rubbing Face
My Cavalier, Taffy, will be 6 in August. She constantly rubs her face on the floor and scratches all the time. Her snoring has become worse and scares me at times that she is having trouble breathing. I am concerned about syringomyelia after watching a video of a Cavalier with it and it looks exactly like my Taffy's behavior. We have tried everything....treatment for ear infections, food allergies, injections for allergies. Nothing has helped. She does not have any skin rashes or fleas/ticks.
I have an appointment for her next week with a Neurologist. What kind of therapy can I do at home to help alleviate any pain she might be having? Someone mentions physical therapy/massage?
June 8, 2018
1 Recommendations
The majority of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will develop syringomyelia by six years of age, but the severity varies between cases; long-term prednisolone and furosemide treatment are the best methods of medical management and some cases may require surgery. However, you shouldn’t be planning any treatment until you see the Neurologist and get their diagnosis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.ufaw.org.uk/dogs/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-syringomyelia
June 9, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Olivia
15 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Pain When Lifted
My 15 mo old CKCS is thought to have SM by her symptoms which include severe crying spells, rolling upside down while biting her feet, yelping when picked up at times. She takes gabapentin 3x a day. She also takes Keppra for seizures which are not known if related to SM. She now has a fluid pocket above her right shoulder. It is the size of a quarter. Could this be a pocket of spinal fluid? She does not seem to be in pain if I touch it. It is soft and seems to slide around as I touch it.
May 30, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It would be unlikely to have a pocket of spinal fluid over her shoulder, as those two areas don' t connect. Since I can't see her, though, and don't know what the fluid might be, if it does not resolve, it would be a good idea to have her veterinarian take a look at it to make sure that it is nothing to worry about.
May 30, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Belle
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching
We have a 6 month old CKC and we are worried she may have SM. There is an area behind her left side neck that when touched her leg starts scratching. I’ve seen this is a symptom.
May 21, 2018
0 Recommendations
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are overrepresented with syringomyelia, the majority of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will have this condition but whether or not they will present with symptoms is another question as some dogs are asymptomatic. Typically phantom scratching is a tell tale sign where a dog will scratch their neck but not actually make contact with the skin, but other symptoms may also be evident. You should have Belle checked by your Veterinarian if you’re having concerns. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 22, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
