SYRINGOMYELIA
SYRINGOMYELIA: Owners of short-nosed dogs, please be aware of this condition. Although there is no cure, if caught early it can be controlled. If you are thinking of buying a puppy of this type of breed, then please ask the breeder the for evidence that this condition isn't present in the bloodline. A few unscrupulous breeders have been known to breed from affected dogs despite being aware of the problem. Here is our story - PLEASE SHARE.
Our earliest memory of Jazz was as an 18 week old Tricolour Cavalier pup, tucked under the arm of her breeder, her little tail going like a demented egg whisk and drawing attention to the black & white swirl on her furiously wagging behind. In a house full of Queen fans, she could never be called anything but Jazz - just look at the cover of the album of the same name! That same swirl later also became known as 'the off button' since a swift tap with a finger was often known to be accompanied by 'off the chair', or 'off the garden' etc! On the whole though, she was very good pup, but with a somewhat impish sense of humour.
She was a happy, healthy little dog and a star from the outset. A half mile stroll along a promenade was known to take an hour or more as every second person stopped us to make a fuss of her. She quickly learnt the maxim 'smile at a human and it will smile back (and sometimes produce a treat)' and practised it at every opportunity.
The first indication of any health problem was when she was about four. She was lying on my lap, and though neither of us had moved she suddenly stiffened and started screaming (I know, an odd description in connection with a dog, but I can't find a more appropriate word). It seemed to go in for ages, although in reality probably about 30 seconds. A subsequent visit to the vet produced no answers, but after a few more occurrences without a diagnosis we sought a second opinion and she was eventually found to have Syringomyelia - a condition which causes sacks of fluid surrounding the brain to herniate through the space at the back of the skull. It is apparently found especially in dogs bred to have shortened faces and is also known as Scratching Cavalier Syndrome, since affected dogs will often scratch their head and ears more than normal.
She was booked in for a scan early one morning (did you know that some vets make use of the scanners at private hospitals when they aren't in use for human patients - no neither did I). I will never forget the phone call which told us that, despite all efforts on the vet's behalf, they hadn't been able to bring her round from the anaesthetic.....she was just five and a half.
The 'Compassion' rambling rose planted in her memory reminds us of her every summer as its exuberance threatens to get out of hand. RIP Jazz. I'm sure you're having a whale of a time over that rainbow bridge, still charming both 2 & 4 legged friends alike. I'd swear I can sometimes spot you, curled up snug and warm in the sunshine, on your very own small fluffy cloud xx
Our earliest memory of Jazz was as an 18 week old Tricolour Cavalier pup, tucked under the arm of her breeder, her little tail going like a demented egg whisk and drawing attention to the black & white swirl on her furiously wagging behind. In a house full of Queen fans, she could never be called anything but Jazz - just look at the cover of the album of the same name! That same swirl later also became known as 'the off button' since a swift tap with a finger was often known to be accompanied by 'off the chair', or 'off the garden' etc! On the whole though, she was very good pup, but with a somewhat impish sense of humour.
She was a happy, healthy little dog and a star from the outset. A half mile stroll along a promenade was known to take an hour or more as every second person stopped us to make a fuss of her. She quickly learnt the maxim 'smile at a human and it will smile back (and sometimes produce a treat)' and practised it at every opportunity.
The first indication of any health problem was when she was about four. She was lying on my lap, and though neither of us had moved she suddenly stiffened and started screaming (I know, an odd description in connection with a dog, but I can't find a more appropriate word). It seemed to go in for ages, although in reality probably about 30 seconds. A subsequent visit to the vet produced no answers, but after a few more occurrences without a diagnosis we sought a second opinion and she was eventually found to have Syringomyelia - a condition which causes sacks of fluid surrounding the brain to herniate through the space at the back of the skull. It is apparently found especially in dogs bred to have shortened faces and is also known as Scratching Cavalier Syndrome, since affected dogs will often scratch their head and ears more than normal.
She was booked in for a scan early one morning (did you know that some vets make use of the scanners at private hospitals when they aren't in use for human patients - no neither did I). I will never forget the phone call which told us that, despite all efforts on the vet's behalf, they hadn't been able to bring her round from the anaesthetic.....she was just five and a half.
The 'Compassion' rambling rose planted in her memory reminds us of her every summer as its exuberance threatens to get out of hand. RIP Jazz. I'm sure you're having a whale of a time over that rainbow bridge, still charming both 2 & 4 legged friends alike. I'd swear I can sometimes spot you, curled up snug and warm in the sunshine, on your very own small fluffy cloud xx
