![]() But now, with VetCompass, we can help animals by their thousands. Scratching or pawing the head or neck regionĭr Dan O’Neill, Companion Animal Epidemiologist at the RVC, said: “I loved being a first opinion practice vet for over 20 years where I could help animals on a one-by-one basis. ![]() Sensitivity around the head and neck area.The RVC is urging owners and vets alike to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice if their Cavalier is showing signs typical of syringomyelia, so that clinically affected dogs can be recognised and treated earlier and better. There are now effective painkillers and other treatments that can make the lives of affected dogs much better, so earlier diagnosis can make a huge difference to the quality of life of these adorable little dogs. Some people refer to this action as ‘playing an air guitar’. Many of them also showed ‘phantom scratching’ where they would try to scratch at their necks with their hindlegs but without ever even making contact with the skin. The study showed that these dogs would often yelp or scream when they were picked up or when their necks were touched. Syringomyelia is a severe condition for affected dogs, with the VetCompass study showing that 72% of affected dogs were recorded as showing pain. VetCompass has revolutionised the way this first opinion veterinary data is collected and investigated. In contrast, the vast majority of animals are managed perfectly well by the primary vet practitioners without ever being referred or even being ill at any one time. It is mainly complex conditions and severely affected individuals that get referred. While this referral data is useful, the types of animals and conditions that are referred to these referral centres is unrepresentative of the wider dog population so it is very difficult to extrapolate any findings to the general population. VetCompass data reveals that almost 2,000 Cavaliers suffer from clinical syringomyelia in the UK at any one time.įor many years, scientists have struggled to identify the true extent and severity of diseases seen in the wider general dog population because the main source of veterinary health data on dogs has come from universities and referral hospitals. But among Cavaliers, the frequency of syringomyelia is much higher, affecting one in every 60 of the breed. At an overall dog population level, syringomyelia is not that common, affecting just one in 2,000 dogs. These data can be analysed to answer a wide variety of health questions that have been unanswerable until now.Ī recent VetCompass study published in the Veterinary Record journal highlights for the first time the frequency and severity of syringomyelia seen in general practice in the UK. ![]() VetCompass collects anonymised clinical data from first opinion veterinary clinics across the UK. However, an initiative called VetCompass from the RVC has now revolutionised the ability of scientists to investigate the health of companion animals. Until now, there has been little reliable evidence on the frequency and severity of syringomyelia in the overall dog population and this has limited vets’ ability to diagnose and manage this condition. Dog breeds that are miniaturised and short-nosed are more prone to syringomyelia, but Cavaliers are believed to be the most commonly affected breed. Syringomyelia is characterised by fluid filled cavities called syrinxes within the spinal cord which, as they grow, cause pain and neurological deficits. A new veterinary research initiative at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has for the first time revealed that one in 60 Cavaliers are affected by an inherited condition called syringomyelia.Ĭavaliers are especially predisposed to this potentially debilitating, painful and life-limiting spinal cord condition. Royal Veterinary College Vets seek to raise awareness of condition following new study.Ĭavalier King Charles Spaniels are sweet and adorable little dogs that are loved by the general public, with one currently even starring in ITV’s Victoria. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels playing air guitar can be sign of serious disease
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |