Dogs attending primary‐care practice in England with clinical signs suggestive of Chiari‐like malformation/syringomyelia

Sanchis‐Mora, Sandra; Pelligand, Ludovic; Thomas, Claire Le; Volk, Holger A.; Abeyesinghe, Siobhan; Brodbelt, David; Church, David; Thomson, Peter; McGreevy, Paul D.; O'Neill, D G

doi:10.1136/vr.103651

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The primary outcome 'number of scratching events during 10 minutes of continuous physical activity' was chosen based on previous reports on the most prevalent clinical signs in symptomatic CKCS with SM (Rusbridge et al 2000(Rusbridge et al , 2007Sanchis-Mora et al 2016;Sparks et al 2018). The dogs' scratching profiles were documented in standardized videoseries of 10 minute duration and quantified by counting scratching episodes.…”

Section: Outcome Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Common clinical signs are spontaneous and evoked scratching, phantom scratching and paroxysmal pain manifestations with vocalization (Rusbridge & Jeffery 2008;Cerda-Gonzalez et al 2009). Furthermore, aberrant behaviours including nightwandering, hiding, avoidance of touch and grooming and reluctance to wear a collar or harness are reported by the owners (Rusbridge et al 2000;Sanchis-Mora et al 2016;Sparks et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pregabalin alleviates clinical signs of syringomyelia-related central neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs: a randomized controlled trial

Thoefner

Skovgaard

McEvoy

et al. 2020

Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

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Objective We aimed to assess the efficacy and benefitrisk profile of pregabalin (PGN) to reduce the clinical signs of central neuropathic pain (CNeP) as reflected by scratching episodes in dogs with symptomatic syringomyelia (SM). Study design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Animals A total of 12 client-owned Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (age, 1.1e7.4 years, bodyweight, 8.2e10.8 kg) with magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed SM and clinical signs of CNeP. Methods Dogs were randomized to either PGN 150 mg or placebo for 25 days, followed by 48 hour washout period before crossover to the alternate phase of 25 days. The primary outcome was defined as number of scratching events during 10 minutes of video-recorded physical activity. Treatment effect was estimated using a generalized estimation equation model. Benefit-risk and quality of life assessments were obtained through owner interviews focusing on potential adverse events. Results The treatment effect estimate was an 84% (95% confidence interval ¼ 75e89%) reduction in mean number of scratching events relative to baseline compared with placebo (p < 0.0001). Owner-assessed satisfactory quality of life was status quo and rated as 'good' or 'could not be better' in six/11 dogs and improved in four/11 dogs. The most prevalent adverse events were increased appetite in nine/12 dogs and transient ataxia in nine/12 dogs. There was one dog withdrawn by the owner 7 days after crossover to PGN owing to persistent ataxia. No dogs needed rescue analgesia during the trial. Conclusions and clinical relevance PGN is superior to placebo in the reduction of clinical signs of SM-related CNeP in dogs. At a dose range of 13e19 mg kg e1 orally twice daily, the encountered adverse events were acceptable to all but one owner.

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Section: Outcome Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregabalin alleviates clinical signs of syringomyelia-related central neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs: a randomized controlled trial

Thoefner

Skovgaard

McEvoy

et al. 2020

Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

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“…Chiari-like malformation (CM), and secondary syringomyelia (SM), is a painful inherited disorder common in brachycephalic toy breed dogs ( 1 – 5 ). CM/SM was highlighted as a substantial welfare concern by the Companion Animal Welfare Council ( 6 , 7 ) over a decade ago.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphogenesis of Canine Chiari Malformation and Secondary Syringomyelia: Disorders of Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation

2018

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Chiari-like Malformation (CM) and secondary syringomyelia (SM), as well as their analogous human conditions, is a complex developmental condition associated with pain and accompanying welfare concerns. CM/SM is diagnosed ever more frequently, thanks in part to the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging in veterinary medicine. Research over the last two decades has focused primarily on its pathophysiology relating to overcrowding of the cranial caudal fossa. More recent characterizations of CM/SM include brachycephaly with osseous reduction and neural parenchymal displacement involving the entire brain and craniocervical junction to include rostral flattening, olfactory bulb rotation, increased height of the cranium, reduced cranial base with spheno-occipital synchondrosis angulation, reduced supraoccipital and interparietal crest and rostral displacement of the axis and atlas with increased odontoid angulation. The most shared manifestation of CM is the development of fluid-filled pockets (syrinx, syringes) in the spinal cord that can be readily quantified. Dogs with symptomatic CM without SM have a reduced basioccipital bone, compensatory increased cranial fossa height with displaced parenchyma whereby the cerebellum is invaginated beneath the occipital lobes but without compromising cerebrospinal fluid channels enough to cause SM. Thus, broadly defined, CM might be described as any distortion of the skull and craniocervical junction which compromises the neural parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid circulation causing pain and/or SM. The etiology of CM is multifactorial, potentially including genetically-influenced, breed-specific abnormalities in both skeletal and neural components. Since causation between specific morphologic changes and SM or clinical signs is unproven, CM might be more appropriately considered as a brachycephalic obstructive CSF channel syndrome (BOCCS) rather than a single malformation. Understanding the normal development of the brain, skull and craniocervical junction is fundamental to identifying deviations which predispose to CM/SM. Here we review its anatomical, embryological, bio-mechanical, and genetic underpinnings to update the profession's understanding of this condition and meaningfully inform future research to diminish its welfare impact.

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“…Unprompted information recorded on veterinary electronic patient records (EPRs) could represent another perspective to help elucidate a truer picture on undesirable behaviours in Rottweilers. Veterinary EPR data are increasingly being used to explore breed-based and disorder-based topics in dogs [ 24 – 26 ] and are reported as a useful data resource that is representative of the wider dog population [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rottweilers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders

O’Neill

Seah

Church

et al. 2017

Canine Genet Epidemiol

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BackgroundRottweilers are reportedly predisposed to many disorders but accurate prevalence information relating to the general population are lacking. This study aimed to describe demography, mortality and commonly recorded diseases in Rottweilers under UK veterinary care. Clinical health records within the VetCompass Programme were explored for disorders recorded during 2013.ResultsRottweilers comprised 5321 (1.17%) of 455,557 dogs attending 304 clinics. Annual proportional birth rates dropped from 1.75% in 2006 to 1.07% in 2013. Median adult bodyweight overall was 44.9 kg (IQR 39.55–51.00, range 20.00–88.80). Median male adult bodyweight (48.5 kg, interquartile range [IQR] 43.0–54.0, range 20.0–88.8) was heavier than female (41.5 kg, IQR 37.0–46.4, range 21.1–73.5) (P < 0.001). Median longevity overall was 9.0 years (IQR 7.2–10.5, range 0.0–17.0). Median female longevity (9.5 years, IQR 7.8–11.0) was greater than male (8.7 years, IQR 6.8–10.1) (P = 0.002). The most common causes of death were neoplasia (33.0%), inability to stand (16.0%) and mass-associated disorder (7.1%).At least one disorder was recorded for 60.31% of Rottweilers. The most prevalent specific disorders recorded were aggression (7.46%, 95% CI 6.40–8.64), overweight/obesity (7.06%, 95% CI: 6.02–8.21), otitis externa (6.14%, 95% CI: 5.18–7.23) and degenerative joint disease (4.69%, 95% CI: 3.84–5.66). Male Rottweilers had higher prevalence than females for aggression (9.36% versus 5.47%, P = 0.001) and pyotraumatic dermatitis (4.05% versus 1.76%, P = 0.001). Aggression was more prevalent in neutered than entire females (7.5% versus 3.1%, P = 0.003) but did not differ between neutered and entire males (9.6% versus 9.0%, P = 0.773). The most frequent disorder groups were musculoskeletal (12.01%, 95% CI: 10.69–13.45), dermatological (10.96%, 95% CI: 9.69–12.35), gastro-intestinal (195, 8.87%, 95% CI: 7.72–10.14), undesirable behaviour (7.96%, 95% CI: 6.87–9.18) and neoplasia (7.96%, 95% CI: 6.87–9.18).ConclusionsThe current study assists prioritisation of health issues within Rottweilers. Rottweilers are relatively short-lived and neoplasia is a common cause of death. The most common disorders were aggression, overweight/obesity, otitis externa and degenerative joint disease. Males were significantly heavier, shorter-lived and predisposed to aggression than females. These results can alert prospective owners to potential health issues and optimise sex selection decision-making.

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Dogs attending primary‐care practice in England with clinical signs suggestive of Chiari‐like malformation/syringomyelia

Cited by 19 publications

References 35 publications

Pregabalin alleviates clinical signs of syringomyelia-related central neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs: a randomized controlled trial

Pregabalin alleviates clinical signs of syringomyelia-related central neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs: a randomized controlled trial

Morphogenesis of Canine Chiari Malformation and Secondary Syringomyelia: Disorders of Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation

Rottweilers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders

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