JAL

I haven't been here for a long time, mainly due to the abuse from some members. I thought I would update for those who gave me a lot of support last year, you may remember I posted this thread http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...13167&st=15 Chanel is doing great, her itching has got a little worse and she now has itch attacks about once a week. It is really heartbreaking. But she is doing good and her symptoms are still classed as mild. Before Christmas I was in contact with Claire Rusbridge and also a few other specialists and researchers. We sent a copy of Chanel's MRI and also DNA to the UK and also to Canada to help with research. I was told she is a special case as she is a cross breed with this disease and the fact that she is only 1/4 Cav and 3/4 Shih Tzu makes it a rare case. All up Chanel is doing great and we are taking super special care of her.

Hi everyone, I have been a little busy lately and haven't been able to get on here. Just thought I would post an update on Chanel for those interested. As some of you know Chanel is a Shih Tzu x CKCS and she was diagnosed with Syringomyelia last month. Her diagnosis has been confirmed by 3 specialists, which is good and bad. Good we know what it is and bad because of what it is. All 3 specialists have decided medication or treatment is not needed yet as her symptoms are mild and are not advancing as yet. I have been in contact with Claire Rusbridge and she has put me in contact with a researcher in Canada. This researcher has requested a DNA sample, copies of the MRI etc. We will be doing this next month. chanel is doing great! Her symptoms are mild and I am thankful for that and I hope she can continue this way for a long time. Thanks so much Jen, Chanel and Charlotte xx

I have no advice! My baby had the same problem with one of hers and after her op in sept 2006 she is much better and has had no issues. Hope your baby gets better soon.

Thanks. I have actually emailed Claire and also the Cav Club of NSW. ;) Thanks so much. I think she is lucky I wondered what would happen to her if she ended up with someone who couldn't afford the tests and treatment etc. But we love her to bits and will do all we can to help her and make her comfortable.

The fact is this person spend the better part of last night verbally bashing me.

P.S. I have just emailed Claire Rusbridge (this is the correct spelling of her name).

Thanks so much

Thanks Jed and Steve. You both seem very knowledgable on this subject and the information has helped a lot. Thank you. Cavandra. Why are all your previous posts deleted? Why have you now come in to post a "nice" post trying to act like you care. FYI you need to read posts properly. As I said previously my vet specialist said shunts have been used but advised that he would not suggest it as they are no very successful. I will actually contact this "Claire Rushbridge", the so called only expert in the world. I find it hard to beleive only one person can diagnose this disease. I would appreciate if Cavandra would stop replying to this thread. Your input is nasty, uninformed and not welcome. Anyone who deletes previous posts are obviously insecure about what they have said. Thank you to everyone for the support and the advice. I wont rest until I find answers to help my baby. In the process I hope we can help other dogs out there going through the same thing. Jen xx

my photobucket is playing up so had to use an alternative.

Thank you CavNRott. I will spent any amount of money to help my dogs. Yes I do have the money and feel bad for those who don't. Her symptoms are only mild and how dare you say I put her to sleep. I am so angry!! I am new to this forum and I was lookign for support as I could not find a specific Australian forum and was pointed here by a friend. My vet and the radiologist are perfectly qualified at making a diagnosis. They have told me steroids are the only treatment or an anti seizure medication. They are reluctant to do anything as her symptoms are mild. They refused to operate and said that in the USA a surgery was being performed that places a shunt to drain the fluid and said they would never advise this and I would never do this. Chanel is not a mutt she was abandoned and we rescued her from the RSPCA. Every dog has a right to a life!!! Like it was said she may be the first but it does not mean it doesn't exist.

Thanks so much for your kind words they really help She was diagnosed on Wednesday. For 6 months she has been scratching her neck area and we had ruled out skin and ear problems and were sent to a specialist last week who did and MRI on Wednesday and found fluid sack on her spinal cord. The symptoms are only mild at the moment and have been the same way for 7 months. I am hoping this will be it! I never knew this disease existed and after researching over the past few days I am in shock it is not more widely known about and I can not for the life of me understand why people are allowed to breed without showing their dogs are clear of this disease. I am devistated, my dogs are my children and tonight is the first night I haven't cried just looking at her. It is a nightmare I would never wish on anyone! The vets have offered no solutions, there is no proven treatment and he is reluctant to treat her until her symptoms worsen as he is unsure how fast or if she will develop my symptoms. So we are looking for a good holistic vet who might help with vitamins and acupunture to atleast slow the process down. I am now worried our other baby, Charlotte who is a PB CKCS will develop this. Jen xx

I am looking for a holistic vet in Queensland (Gold Coast or Brisbane). My baby CKCS x Shih Tzu has been diagnosed with Syringomyeila which in uncurable and almost untreatable. I am looking for alternative treatments. TIA Jen xx

Hi everyone, My dog (Cav x Shih Tzu) has been diagnosed with Syringomyeila. It is a degenerative spinal disease found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I would love to hear from anyone with dogs in the same situation. I have 2 babies, 1 Shih Tzu x Cavalier - 2.5 year old called Chanel and a pure Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - 14 months called Charlotte. Jen xx