Episodic falling or sudden collapse in the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel has been recognised within the breed for at least 20 years. After a variable period of exercise, affected animals develop
a laboured, bounding gait in the hindlimbs which appear stiff and
are partially abducted. The limbs are advanced and retracted in
an exaggerated manner, resembling the hopping of a rabbit. At the
same time the back becomes arched and the animal often cries out.
Following the retardation and disintegration of coordinated movement,
the dogs collapse on to the side or pitch over on to the nose.
Sometimes the forelegs also show excessive protraction; they are
advanced higher and higher and when the animal has collapsed they
may be held crossed over the back of the head. There is no loss
of consciousness or cyanosis and during the period of collapse,
limb tone is normal, the patellar reflex is present and conscious
perception of pain is intact.
After a short interval the animal regains its feet as if nothing
has happend, However, this period can often be reduced by the owner
picking the dog up. The episodes appear to be triggered by stress,
apprehension and excitement.
This report is based on nine clinical cases and on reports derived
from several breeders and veterinary surgeons.
The clinical cases consisted of seven females and two males, ranging
in age from five and a half months to four years. In most cases
the clinical signs were first observed between three and four months
of age. Under hospital conditions the collapsing episodes could
not be predicted with certainty despite a positive history, indicating
that perhaps environmental circumstances contribute to their onset.
No improvement was obtained after the administration of the short
acting anticholinesterase edrophonium chloride (Tensilon; Roche)
ruling out the possibility of myasthenia gravis.
There was no evidence of luxating patellae and no significant changes
in haematology, plasma glucose. urea, electrolytes and muscle enzyme
levels in samples taken before and after exercise. Radiological
examination of the spine was unremarkable. One affected animal was
also a `fly-catcher` (Lane and Holmes 1972)
Three cases showed slight improvement after treatment with diazepam
(Valium; Roche) but this effect was not permanent. In two cases
the frequency of the episodes was increased with the use of the
antiepileptic drug, caramazepine (Tegretol; Geigy).
Full post mortem examinations were carried out on a dog and a bitch,
both five and a half months old. However, no gross or microscopical
changes were found in the brain, spinalcord, sciatic nerve, myocardium,
liver, lung, kidney, thymus, pancreas, adrenal, thyriod or pituitary
glands, urinary bladder or eye.
Breeders reports suggest that the condition is reasonably common
and the age of onset has been found to range from 14 weeks to four
years. One animal was reported to have recovered when two years
old but the attacks recurred a year later. The condition has also
been reported to occur in near relatives but at present there is
no definite evidence of a genetic trait.
The clinical signs are similar to those exhibited in Scottie cramp.
This affects the Scottish Terrier and is provoked by an excitatory
stimulus (Meyers and Peters 1979). The latent period between the
stimulus and the onset of signs can be shortened by pharmacological
compounds which decrease serotonergic function
and lengthened by compounds that increase serotonergic function.
Thus the condition appears to reflect a functional deficit of serotonergig
neurons. The condition is also belived to be inherited (Meyers and
others 1969)
Sudden collapse can occur in cataplexy, a condition which is brought
about by fright or shock. However. in the dog, cataplexy is often
a prelude to the state of narcolepsy, a flaccid quadriplegia accompanied
by sleep (Mitler and Dement 1979). Such a sequence is not seen in
the Cavalier.
It appears that episodic falling in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
is a condition resembling Scottie cramp. it is sometimes seen concomitantly
with the `fly-catching` syndrome. We have been unable to find any
clinical or pathological abnormality to account for the behaviour,
but consider that both genetic and neuropharmacological factors
may contribute to its manifestation.
(C) M.E.HERRTAGE, A.C.PALMER, department of clinical veterinary
medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge.
This may not be reproduced in any form without permisson from the
owner of this website or its designer.
Leptospirosis - death coming from the puddle
No! This is not the beginning of a crime story. Unfortunately this is
the sad truth of the fate of a cavalier pup. He was just 4 months old,
chosen by a nice family which did make itself a lot of thoughts before
deciding especially for him. His companion was a lovely six-year old
girl. He enjoyed life in his new home only for 6 weeks until he died
terribly.
The little cavalier boy was very active and he took posession of his
little world. There were no obstacles to make all the experiences because
he had been vaccinated several times (according to the new scheme of
the vet university of Munich). In spite of all he was killed by an infectious
disease he was thought to be safe for: leptospirosis - in Germany also
called Weil's disease or canine epidemic of Stuttgart. Most people know
this disease only as a name in the yearly combined vaccine.
Few know that the protection against leptospirosis is not as safe as
it is against rabies or other canine infectious diseases. There are
several reasons why: it is much more difficult to produce vaccines against
bacteria than against virus. Leptospirae are a big group of bacteria
(accordingly to borreliae). More than 100 different types and subtypes
do exist which only by laboratory methods can be distinguished.
The origin of leptospirae caused infections is mainly the urine of mice
and rats which sheds big amounts of these bacteria. In water leptospirae
can live many weeks whereas they will die very soon by drying out. The
danger for dogs and dogsowners is a hot and humid weather during spring
and fall. Rain produces shallow puddles on field-paths. The temperature
in the puddles is ideal for leptospirae to grow. Everybody knows that
along field-paths you will find many mouse holes (and for sure mice).
So their urine comes inside the puddles.
Hot weather makes dogs drinking from these little water holes. Inside
there are remnants of agricultural chemicals, and leptospirae! The infection
is mainly by drinking contaminated water, seldom infections are transmitted
from dog to dog. Leptospirae are able to infect the body not only through
wounds but also by going through healthy skin.
Fortunately not every dog will die drinking from a puddle because it
has same safety system like the acid inside the stomach which is killing
most infectious germs. But if there are many lesions inside the mouth
germs can invade the body easily. Think of changing the theeth in puppies!
This was the reason that little cavalier got the infection. The leptospirae
spread in the body, destroyed the red blood cells and organs as kidneys,
liver etc. The organs can be damaged irreversibly (and they did). The
pup showed the typical symptoms like fever, throwing up, diarrhea, jaundice.
Then the kidneys stopped doing their job.
The signs of the disease are shown one to three weeks after infection.
Beside the acute forms there exist also chronic and subclinic types
of the disease (last term means infections with no visible symptoms).
Probably you can find dogs with later kidney function problems.
On the whole the leptospirosis is a very dangerous disease which also
can affect humans. In man you will have the same symptoms: fever, jaundice,
kidney problems.
Unfortunately the canine vaccine only contains the leptospira canicola
and l. icterohaemorrhagiae. In the middle of Europe there are also the
types l. pomona and l. grippotyphosa but they are not contained in the
vaccine. Beside, it is worth to know: the protection of baterial vaccines
is 2 to 3 months lesser than one year.
The disease caused by leptospirae in most cases is severe and in puppies
often fatal. Please protect your dogs (also with the view on your own
health). Let not allow them to drink from puddles. You cannot see the
danger inside!
Many dogs need not to die when dogowners and breeders know the danger
and disease. You only can protect you and your dog knowing the problem
with permission
from (C) Dr Elisabeth Venzl
for more info please visit the following site
ARNOLD-CHIARI
SYNDROME
OR
SYRINGOHYDROMYELIA
A CHIARI TYPE MALFORMATION
About the Syndrome
Clare Rusbridge, Dip ECVN MRCVS, was the first vet to realise in 1996
that syringohydromyelia, as it is now known, is akin to the Arnold-Chiari
syndrome in humans. From her, I gather that the clinical signs do not
begin to appear until at the earliest six months of age and may not
manifest until much later, the more severe the problem the earlier the
signs appear. The earlier the diagnosis the better, because successful
treatment should stop the progression of the disease, reduce the pain,
and stop neurological signs getting worse. Unfortunately any damage
existing prior to treatment will be permanent.
Initially, it was thought
that the condition was found only in King Charles Blenheim Cavaliers.
This is no longer true since it has now shown in the original King Charles
breed as well as Cavaliers of any colour. It has also been seen in Maltese
Terriers a Yorkshire Terrier and a Pomeranian and it is very likely
to be found in Chihuahuas. Clare Rusbridge is receiving reports from
almost every European country, U.S.A., South Africa, and also from Australia
where affected dogs are known to be related to affected dogs in the
UK. All this suggests that there may be a huge number of undiagnosed
cases in the pipeline.
There appears to be an
increasing body of evidence which indicates that the the shape of the
skull in (some) Cavaliers makes them susceptible to the syndrome, and
that some event may trigger its onset. The likelihood is that the disability
is neither a positive / negative condition, but one of degree which
may not show as a serious problem in some dogs while making the life
of another quite intolerable.
Clare Rusbridge has personally
diagnosed about 130 cases (30 by MRI scan and the rest from appropriate
clinical signs). We have now received further information from Mrs.
J.O. Skerritt of the Cranmore Veterinary Centre who say that they see
Cavaliers with the problem almost every week and the number must be
in excess of 40 or 50 by now, adding that the success rate of the operation
is very good and that in cases where a follow-up scan has been done
after a year or more, the shunt has still been intact and working properly.
In abbreviated clinical
terms syringohydromyelia has been described by Clare Rusbridge :-
"The clinical signs reflect damage to the central spinal cord.
In the affected dog the occipital bone is abnormal resulting in a small
caudal fossa resulting in overcrowding and herniation of the cerebellum
through the foramen magnum. This blocks cerobrospinal fluid flow and
fluid is forced into the central canal resulting in a cavity termed
a syringohydromyelia. Crossing spinothalamic (pain) fibres are the first
to be damaged resulting in shoulder, neck, and extremity pain with sensory
loss. Next affected are the ventral horn cells (motor) resulting in
lower motor neuron signs of the thoracic limb and in some cases cervical
scoliosis. The dorsal column proprioceptive tracts may also be affected
resulting in pelvic limb ataxia. In some cases there are brain stem
signs; the most common is a facial nerve paresis. ..........The only
way to diagnose syringohydromyelia is by MRI scan of the brain and spinal
chord. Treatment options are limited. Surgery is the treatment of choice
in humans but this is technically difficult and expensive. In addition
surgery will only prevent further deterioration. I have had some success
with medical treatment................................(but) the symptoms
do not disappear".
Clare Rusbridge BVMS,
DipECVN ,MRCVS, RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
at Stone Lion Vet Centre, 41, High St., Wimbledon Common, London, SW19
5AU
For the latest clinical
information, please refer to a paper entitled "Syringohydromyelia
in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels", recently published in the Journal
of the American Hospital Association, reference 2000;36:34-41.
or email stonelion@stonelion.co.uk
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ACS
PLEASE VISIT THIS WONDERFUL SITE
