syringomyelia question

[Lucy]

I said I would stay away but I just want to say this. I'm not saying that any of it is a sure fire way to get rid of this. As I said in my first post, and as everyone else has said, obviously DNA testing is the only way to know who has it and who's a carrier of the gene.
I also said that with the younger ones, I understand there is no point scanning before 2.5 years as its very unlikely if they did have it, it would show.

My issue is people flat out refusing to do it just because.
I'll use Lotus as an example because I'm her aunt , if, when she was scanned at 2.5 years, it was clear and Sarah then went on to breed her however many more times and then at 5 or 6 (heaven forbid) she started showing symptoms of SM, was scanned again and turned out she had it, I really couldn't fault Sarah because at least she did test and take the steps that were available to her now.
My whole point is, people saying they won't scan just because there's a chance they'll show clear, but may still be a carrier. The flip side there's a chance that they do have it and it WILL show. I just find it irresponsible.

I understand in different circumstances perhaps its not going to be worth it, and yes, until there is a DNA test, we definitely wont know whats going on. But this isn't a new problem for the cavs, and what if, 5/6 years down the line there STILL isn't a DNA test and the problem Chis is even worse than it is now, with more showing physical symptoms?

I guess I just have a problem with it mostly because these are living, breathing souls (sorry to those who don't agree dogs have souls lol) and ultimately its them who are going to be in pain and suffering with this horrible condition. Because its all well and good a dog having a nice bite and perfectly set ears, but when its screaming in pain and can't walk... I know not every dog with SM does get so severe but still.

I will promise to shut up now before everyone hates me (hopefully that isn't already the case!).

[Sarah]

I see your point Lucy and totally agree but the other issue is that we breed them before 2.5 I would not be willing to scan a 1 year old I'd prefer to scan at the half way mark I.e 2.5-3 years old but by then you've had 2 litters it's so hard to know what to do.
Mtheres 2 camps again with chis those who will and those who won't

[Lucy]

Lol but that's what I'm saying. I do not blame people who don't scan before 2.5, it probably would be a waste of money and obviously with anesthetic etc, its not good to just put dogs under willy nilly.

I'm saying for people with dogs OVER 2.5, even if they've already been bred, and are intended to be bred again, they should be scanned.

[brodysmom]

If I was over there and breeding... I would ONLY use a stud dog that had been tested clear. There is a scan for it. I wouldn't take my chances.

[Lowenchi]

there is another dog that has just been confirmed with SM yesterday, he is all american breed from a american kennel. so its not just a problem here.

[brodysmom]

May 30, 2012 18:13:20 GMT Lowenchi said:

there is another dog that has just been confirmed with SM yesterday, he is all american breed from a american kennel. so its not just a problem here.

Very scary Louise! I'm glad I'm not breeding. But if I was, I would certainly do all health testing, including the MRI.

[Sarah]

another dog has been diagnosed too plus it seems all the scanned dogs have CM (chiari Malformation). CM isnt always connected to SM though.

The problem is the age of the scanning.. if you scan at 1 year old and they are clear then you scan again at 3 and 5 years.. well frankly who can afford to do that?? What age do you say they are totally clear? they say 5.. well you cant breed froma bitch for the first time at 5 and using a dog at stud from age 5 is just silly to. Its a total catch 22 situation. I dont know what to do. I NEED to scan Lotus but she is only 2 years old. Leilani is only 1 and if she grows some more i will breed her but when do i test her?

If Frankie turns out nice he would be put at stud.. but when do i scan him?? i dont have unlimited funds.. but i feel if you scan at a young age and its clear thats not conclusive i would not feel comfy saying my dog was clear. Theres also diferent levels and i honestly belive at least 50% of Chis have SM.. The only thing i dont get is we seem to be asymptomatic.. We only know of one dog who has severe symptoms.. none of the others have any symptoms.. i do not understand it at all.. CKCS are in agony.. why are chihuahuas not?

To open another can of worms id like to know if the affected dogs have moleras.. since SM and CM are all to do with CSF fluid.. if the dog has a molera present surely the fluid would go there first and relieve any intercranial pressure?

Tracey the two smooths of Grahams that were diagnosed had an American sire too.. it really isnt a UK thing it is world wide.. there are cases in sweden and other places in europe. its just trying to pin point who/what has caused it and getting rid of it.. We need a pedigree database with all the information and a geniologist could look at it and work out which are the dogs which are on all the pedigree.. it would be easier to spot it down the line.

Whats even more worrying is people breeding their pet dogs wont have a clue about this.. some wont even know their pedigree so who knows whats going on its in all toy breed apparently..

[zaccodi]

I got my results from the first three scanned yesterday. All three have CM and one has SM with a syrinx of 2mm. My 1 year old girl and 2 year old boy were scanned yesterday and it will be four weeks before their results are available. If SM shows up at an early stage, then it is likely that the effects will be more severe.