The head rubbing is a thing ALL cavaliers do, (and in fact many other breeds too) with or without this condition, My uncle bred them for 15 years or so, didn';t have one report of any with this condition, if they are rubbing their head due to this actual condition, it would be alot more vigorously and frantically with continued yelping like they have something they want to get off themselves, they will not be wagging tail either, all cavaliers rub their head esp after meals in enjoyment.
Rubbing the head and ear scratching is NOT just a sign of this condition, My uncle has bred cavaliers for 10 years, & EVERY one of them rubs their head all over the floor after eating & not one of them has ever been diagnosed with this condition, many many of them scratch their ears and shoulders alot & none of them been diagnosed, mine does BOTH of these and has had the scan and is clear, When I told the vet I was worried about this condition I was told by 3 vets that it is infact pretty rare.
@Metroid4ever thanks for replying :) He is getting a vet checkup tomorrow so I will tell her about it. He also seems to scratch near his ear a lot whenever you scratch him on his left side near his ear. Is this also a symptom? I have been researching as much as I can :) x
I have a 1 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Riley. He scratches when he has his collar on (we got him a harness to stop him pulling, he doesn't scratch with that) and he always rubs his head and body across the carpet after a bath or he's finished eating. Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if I should be worried. (I'm just paranoid :P)
i'm curious. if this is common with this breed of dog, why do people still buy them? or do these symptoms spring up at any age? not saying we should buy sick dogs cuz they need the most help, but is that why people get them?
@jackskarsgardsgirl This condition is actually much rarer than what people thinks, just as is the rumore that they don't live past 12! I meet 13-15 year old cavaliers EVERYDAY, I met a 17 year old one last week.
I have one his name is charlie we got him in japan so if you live in japan go to owkinawa and find PUPPYLOVE!!!!!! Mines 4or5 years old! hes so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok i know that the dog is gona be in pain with this awful disease but she is brushing him way too harshley. i mean if you were to brush any dog like that they will be uncomfortable. im not saying that the dog doesnt have the disease im just saying she needs to be wayyyyy more careful and sensitive with him. poor dog :(
@pinkmushrooms1 I saw and wondered the same thing.It was if she was trying to bring on the problem. I have always and massaged my Calalier dog since I got him a yr. ago. I did this massage with humans than decided to do my own dogs from day 1. I comb Doc.'s ears gentlely and comb and brush in the patteren of the fur. I am always gentle grooming him. Plus Doc. likes to tunnel under my covers to sleep on or in back of my knees at nite.
@pink mushrooms 1 I agree with you on the brushing,she is way too harsh with the dog. My cavalier is 1 yr. old and I brush in the pattern of his fur. I have also massaged him from day 1,especially head,neck,ears,spine and of course feet. It now puts him to sleep,and he tunnels under covers because he sleeps on my knees or behind my knees.If he scratches his ear it is because he has gotten something outside on them...
Thank you very much for posting this important video.
I am a Cavalier owner of a 3 year old tricolor. She is of course scraching herself as all dogs, but this video will help me very much in identifying any SM problem she might get.
I think the Cavaliers are some fantastic dogs. But the breed should no longer be breeded if the breeders are not starting to be much more serious in trying to save the breed.
The Cavaliers have done so much for us, now we need to pay back. They deserve that.
But it is important to know that cavaliers also may have syringomyelia without having any symptoms! It's therefore very important that all breeders MRI-scan their dogs before breeding!
This video shows many typical syringomyelia symptoms, but as asti898 mentioned also other breeds do rub their head or body on the ground. Many other breeds can have syringomyelia, but this symptom alone isn't a very good indicator. And as many of us has experienced many other breeds, and cavaliers MRI-scanned free of syringomyelia can have the same reflex as we see on this video when they get brushed, or when you scratch them behind their ears. (My leonberger and my labrador did the same).
Also, I'm sorry if that came off so harshly; I'm just sickened by the fact that there are so many breeders who don't seem to care that this is just a rampant issue. I just watched the BBC Pedigree dogs special and was horrified - particularly with the way this breed is afflicted with so many health issues. They are my favorite and it breaks my heart to see them suffering so greatly. I'd rather they be interbred with other spaniels but the kennel club would never approve.
Ours is 10yrs as well, she's fine brushing, but she does that sitting thing as well, but i think thats coz she's fat, but she does that after eating thing as well....now im getting really scared that she's got this horrible thing coz she scratches randomly....i hope she's not suffereing the poor thing. She means the world to me!
I feel for these dogs as I am a human with Syringomyelia and its not fun and these poor animals have a hard to saying what they need or when they are in pain.
So my dog is a poodle and does the same thing where he rubs his head on the ground....he rubs his entire body on the ground. Can this happen in poodles?
this breaks my heart. they have the sweetest personality and are so lovable! too bad selfish breeders who only cared about winning shows that they were willing to compromise the health of an entire breed. too bad. ;(
I did everything right by the book, great breeders, both parents great health etc. and my cavalier has a million health problems :( my vet said they are getting so bad as a breed that eventually nature will take over and they will all be infertile! I love my dog more than anything in the world, but she will be the only cavalier I ever have. Its too sad for words. :( :( Breeders should immediately start mixing them with other spaniels to get better DNA.
Read on some web page that the incidence of Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles is 50 to 70%. I find that kind of hard to believe unless most are symptomless. My Cavalier, maybe, has a few times shown some mild symptoms (but I'm not positive). Now, I worry more about his hip dysplasia, and back problem (not to mention allergies).
thats wot are cavalier dose but hes only 1 and he screems and wipers al day and scartched his head and bum until t bleeds it aint fleas or mites so could this be y
You people need to stop buying this breed of dog, Im sorry if that seems harsh but the fact is that this condition has been brought on by the demand for thoroughbred Cavaliers. Other conditions exist in other breeds for the exact same reason.
hello, i was wondering, im searching to buy a cavalier. i talked to a nice lady who has 3puppies that will be ready in 3 weeks, but the mother was diagnosed with this disease. i read that its a 50/50 shot in the puppies getting this disease :( but is it worth saving the extra 1500 dollars and taking the chance? I am just so sad while watching this but the puppies still need a home even with this disease.
Personally I wouldn't as the likely hood would be that this condition is passed on to the puppies, unless absolutely sure you could cope, as some serious cases will inevitably end with putting the dog down.
I would never buy a dog that I know has a chance of carrying this desease. I know you must feel sorry for the puppies, I do too, but if no one buys sick puppies then who's gonna want to breed them? I know I'm naive.. but someone has to do something! And I think that this is the best thing we can do as buyers. I hope that makes sense to you :)
If the mother was already diagnosed, the breeder has broken all codes of ethics which she would have subscribed to when she joined a breed club. I can't imagine why she would admit to you the mother has been diagnosed or why you would consider taking one of the pups. I wouldn't trust this breeder. My Cavalier has cost me £1,700 in neurologist bills and over £100 in drug bills since October 2008.
My cav rubs his head on the floor after he eats. I presumed as cavs are a clean breed that he is cleaning traces of dog food off his face. He exhibits none of the other disease traits shown here. Is it shown here as an example of a disease trait or early sign or just a personality quirk shared by some cavaliers?
Thank you so much for posting this video. It helped me back up my worst fears. My 21 month old pug dog had an MRI scan today and Syringomyelia has been diagnosed. He hasn't been showing any signs of pain but has been doing the characteristic neck scratches and having the occasional 15 second long seizure. The neurologist has prescribed Gabapentin and Prednicare so hopefully we'll see an improvement in the neck scratching at least soon.
My Cavvie has just been for her MRI and they have confirmed syringomyelia. This video was so helpful for me because many of the symptoms looked just like my dog which prompted me to take her back to the vet. i had already taken her because of lower back pain and weakness but didn't put the neck scratching as a symptom until I saw this video. She is on Metacam (she's like a new dog!) and now neurogologist prescribed Gabapentin.
Our Clyde has just been diagnosed at age 11+. He is on strong steroids which do not seem to be helping much. Good video which may inspire me to do one along the same line. Thanks.
Our cavalier, Ollie is 4 and a half and is showing many symptoms of SM. The vet says an MRI scan will cost £1000. Should we have the scan, or just treat the symptoms with pain killers/anti-inflammatory drugs? (We would not consider spinal surgery in any case). Thank you.
I have a cavie and mine displays some of the same quirks, but how can I be sure it just habit, or that he just has dry skin, and doesnt have this disease?? thank you for posting this video btw
The head rubbing is a thing ALL cavaliers do, (and in fact many other breeds too) with or without this condition, My uncle bred them for 15 years or so, didn';t have one report of any with this condition, if they are rubbing their head due to this actual condition, it would be alot more vigorously and frantically with continued yelping like they have something they want to get off themselves, they will not be wagging tail either, all cavaliers rub their head esp after meals in enjoyment.
MissSixtiesPennyLane 2 days ago
Rubbing the head and ear scratching is NOT just a sign of this condition, My uncle has bred cavaliers for 10 years, & EVERY one of them rubs their head all over the floor after eating & not one of them has ever been diagnosed with this condition, many many of them scratch their ears and shoulders alot & none of them been diagnosed, mine does BOTH of these and has had the scan and is clear, When I told the vet I was worried about this condition I was told by 3 vets that it is infact pretty rare.
MissSixtiesPennyLane 2 days ago
Comment removed
cgirl112600 2 months ago
@Metroid4ever thanks for replying :) He is getting a vet checkup tomorrow so I will tell her about it. He also seems to scratch near his ear a lot whenever you scratch him on his left side near his ear. Is this also a symptom? I have been researching as much as I can :) x
BlazingWater101 6 months ago
I have a 1 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Riley. He scratches when he has his collar on (we got him a harness to stop him pulling, he doesn't scratch with that) and he always rubs his head and body across the carpet after a bath or he's finished eating. Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if I should be worried. (I'm just paranoid :P)
BlazingWater101 7 months ago
@BlazingWater101
I'd have him checked out by a vet via MRI.
Metroid4ever 6 months ago
i'm curious. if this is common with this breed of dog, why do people still buy them? or do these symptoms spring up at any age? not saying we should buy sick dogs cuz they need the most help, but is that why people get them?
jackskarsgardsgirl 11 months ago
@jackskarsgardsgirl i mean't *shouldn't*
jackskarsgardsgirl 11 months ago
@jackskarsgardsgirl This condition is actually much rarer than what people thinks, just as is the rumore that they don't live past 12! I meet 13-15 year old cavaliers EVERYDAY, I met a 17 year old one last week.
MissSixtiesPennyLane 2 days ago
My dog is much the same
Almost paralysed when her neck in brushed
Scratches when excited
Rubs her head on the floor
She does yelp but she is only 6 so it could progress
Hope Chester is doing well
He's a beaut
bites 11 months ago
Comment removed
cgirl112600 1 year ago
I have one his name is charlie we got him in japan so if you live in japan go to owkinawa and find PUPPYLOVE!!!!!! Mines 4or5 years old! hes so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cgirl112600 1 year ago
have you (the dog's owner) watched "Pedigree dogs exposed"? if you havnt i think you should.
ashleyim18 1 year ago
What a shame. Such an adorable dog.
KevinFL 1 year ago
"Pedigree dogs" I think these words are so terrible,they are killing some of our best friend.
When I watched the BBC Pedigree dogs,it is heartbreaking.
kyn7777 1 year ago
ok i know that the dog is gona be in pain with this awful disease but she is brushing him way too harshley. i mean if you were to brush any dog like that they will be uncomfortable. im not saying that the dog doesnt have the disease im just saying she needs to be wayyyyy more careful and sensitive with him. poor dog :(
pinkmushrooms1 1 year ago
@pinkmushrooms1
word!
jennyoff 1 year ago
@pinkmushrooms1 I saw and wondered the same thing.It was if she was trying to bring on the problem. I have always and massaged my Calalier dog since I got him a yr. ago. I did this massage with humans than decided to do my own dogs from day 1. I comb Doc.'s ears gentlely and comb and brush in the patteren of the fur. I am always gentle grooming him. Plus Doc. likes to tunnel under my covers to sleep on or in back of my knees at nite.
TheMadumati 4 months ago
@pink mushrooms 1 I agree with you on the brushing,she is way too harsh with the dog. My cavalier is 1 yr. old and I brush in the pattern of his fur. I have also massaged him from day 1,especially head,neck,ears,spine and of course feet. It now puts him to sleep,and he tunnels under covers because he sleeps on my knees or behind my knees.If he scratches his ear it is because he has gotten something outside on them...
TheMadumati 4 months ago
Thank you very much for posting this important video.
I am a Cavalier owner of a 3 year old tricolor. She is of course scraching herself as all dogs, but this video will help me very much in identifying any SM problem she might get.
I think the Cavaliers are some fantastic dogs. But the breed should no longer be breeded if the breeders are not starting to be much more serious in trying to save the breed.
The Cavaliers have done so much for us, now we need to pay back. They deserve that.
daggad03 2 years ago
my auntie lil yorkie might have the same thing as chester cuz she seems to be getting the same symptoms. im sad cuz her yorkie is like my yorkie too.
iluvb33 2 years ago
But it is important to know that cavaliers also may have syringomyelia without having any symptoms! It's therefore very important that all breeders MRI-scan their dogs before breeding!
Ckcstruth 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This video shows many typical syringomyelia symptoms, but as asti898 mentioned also other breeds do rub their head or body on the ground. Many other breeds can have syringomyelia, but this symptom alone isn't a very good indicator. And as many of us has experienced many other breeds, and cavaliers MRI-scanned free of syringomyelia can have the same reflex as we see on this video when they get brushed, or when you scratch them behind their ears. (My leonberger and my labrador did the same).
Ckcstruth 2 years ago
Comment removed
DanielForlandsaas 2 years ago
Also, I'm sorry if that came off so harshly; I'm just sickened by the fact that there are so many breeders who don't seem to care that this is just a rampant issue. I just watched the BBC Pedigree dogs special and was horrified - particularly with the way this breed is afflicted with so many health issues. They are my favorite and it breaks my heart to see them suffering so greatly. I'd rather they be interbred with other spaniels but the kennel club would never approve.
gtastat 2 years ago
This is horrifying and heartbreaking. Those dogs are clearly in terrible pain, I can't believe an owner could allow a dog to survive like this!
Shame on the Cavalier breeders out there who aren't doing their best to eliminate this disease.
gtastat 2 years ago
stop brushing the dog so much and doing some of the things that you can reduce the symptoms of this horrible disease. it is sooo painful for them.
livilovesriding 2 years ago
poor dog
livilovesriding 2 years ago
Ours is 10yrs as well, she's fine brushing, but she does that sitting thing as well, but i think thats coz she's fat, but she does that after eating thing as well....now im getting really scared that she's got this horrible thing coz she scratches randomly....i hope she's not suffereing the poor thing. She means the world to me!
rozymisty 2 years ago
what do you feed her?
prplhze2000 2 years ago
I feel for these dogs as I am a human with Syringomyelia and its not fun and these poor animals have a hard to saying what they need or when they are in pain.
kirafaye 2 years ago
Ok.
So my dog is a poodle and does the same thing where he rubs his head on the ground....he rubs his entire body on the ground. Can this happen in poodles?
asti898 2 years ago
this breaks my heart. they have the sweetest personality and are so lovable! too bad selfish breeders who only cared about winning shows that they were willing to compromise the health of an entire breed. too bad. ;(
hillysee 2 years ago 4
I did everything right by the book, great breeders, both parents great health etc. and my cavalier has a million health problems :( my vet said they are getting so bad as a breed that eventually nature will take over and they will all be infertile! I love my dog more than anything in the world, but she will be the only cavalier I ever have. Its too sad for words. :( :( Breeders should immediately start mixing them with other spaniels to get better DNA.
wamsies 3 years ago
Read on some web page that the incidence of Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles is 50 to 70%. I find that kind of hard to believe unless most are symptomless. My Cavalier, maybe, has a few times shown some mild symptoms (but I'm not positive). Now, I worry more about his hip dysplasia, and back problem (not to mention allergies).
beamdot 3 years ago
Avoid Grantilley Cavaliers (these are mostly shipped over the USA from the UK).
These DEFINITELY are affected!
sprout666blue 3 years ago
Some of these scumbag breeders have a lot to answer for. So sad!
mrlondonlover 3 years ago
thats wot are cavalier dose but hes only 1 and he screems and wipers al day and scartched his head and bum until t bleeds it aint fleas or mites so could this be y
lilsammycr 3 years ago
You people need to stop buying this breed of dog, Im sorry if that seems harsh but the fact is that this condition has been brought on by the demand for thoroughbred Cavaliers. Other conditions exist in other breeds for the exact same reason.
totz83 3 years ago
hello, i was wondering, im searching to buy a cavalier. i talked to a nice lady who has 3puppies that will be ready in 3 weeks, but the mother was diagnosed with this disease. i read that its a 50/50 shot in the puppies getting this disease :( but is it worth saving the extra 1500 dollars and taking the chance? I am just so sad while watching this but the puppies still need a home even with this disease.
eliguanodon 3 years ago
Personally I wouldn't as the likely hood would be that this condition is passed on to the puppies, unless absolutely sure you could cope, as some serious cases will inevitably end with putting the dog down.
MorpheusUK 3 years ago 3
I would never buy a dog that I know has a chance of carrying this desease. I know you must feel sorry for the puppies, I do too, but if no one buys sick puppies then who's gonna want to breed them? I know I'm naive.. but someone has to do something! And I think that this is the best thing we can do as buyers. I hope that makes sense to you :)
LeatherBee 3 years ago
If the mother was already diagnosed, the breeder has broken all codes of ethics which she would have subscribed to when she joined a breed club. I can't imagine why she would admit to you the mother has been diagnosed or why you would consider taking one of the pups. I wouldn't trust this breeder. My Cavalier has cost me £1,700 in neurologist bills and over £100 in drug bills since October 2008.
PaulineLovesDylan 3 years ago
My cav rubs his head on the floor after he eats. I presumed as cavs are a clean breed that he is cleaning traces of dog food off his face. He exhibits none of the other disease traits shown here. Is it shown here as an example of a disease trait or early sign or just a personality quirk shared by some cavaliers?
socialmedic 3 years ago
Thank you so much for posting this video. It helped me back up my worst fears. My 21 month old pug dog had an MRI scan today and Syringomyelia has been diagnosed. He hasn't been showing any signs of pain but has been doing the characteristic neck scratches and having the occasional 15 second long seizure. The neurologist has prescribed Gabapentin and Prednicare so hopefully we'll see an improvement in the neck scratching at least soon.
Thanks again.
puggzy73 3 years ago
My Cavvie has just been for her MRI and they have confirmed syringomyelia. This video was so helpful for me because many of the symptoms looked just like my dog which prompted me to take her back to the vet. i had already taken her because of lower back pain and weakness but didn't put the neck scratching as a symptom until I saw this video. She is on Metacam (she's like a new dog!) and now neurogologist prescribed Gabapentin.
jlowhighlow 3 years ago
Our Clyde has just been diagnosed at age 11+. He is on strong steroids which do not seem to be helping much. Good video which may inspire me to do one along the same line. Thanks.
grovefarmcoloureds 4 years ago
This film is much appreciated to document the behavioral aspects of SM. Thank you for the informative presentation of careful observations.
Did you try antihistamine medications (such as cimetidine or omeprazole), and if so, what dosing was useful?
cav986 4 years ago
Our cavalier, Ollie is 4 and a half and is showing many symptoms of SM. The vet says an MRI scan will cost £1000. Should we have the scan, or just treat the symptoms with pain killers/anti-inflammatory drugs? (We would not consider spinal surgery in any case). Thank you.
luceisamaze 4 years ago
I have a cavie and mine displays some of the same quirks, but how can I be sure it just habit, or that he just has dry skin, and doesnt have this disease?? thank you for posting this video btw
Mabes2887 5 years ago
Thank you for posting this. I have a cavalier and found your video very informative. Does Chester take any drugs as treatment?
beamdot 5 years ago
Yes, he takes Metacam for pain relief and it works wonders for him. It's expensive, but it's worth it.
CavalierMom 5 years ago
@CavalierMom it gets rid of the pain, but have you considered surgery to get rid of the symptoms?
ashleyim18 1 year ago
@CavalierMom this makes me sad :(
ashleyim18 1 year ago