Prevalence of neurological disorders in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in neurology referral populations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the distribution of clinical presentation and the prevalence of neurological conditions in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). A particular focus was placed upon establishing if syringomyelia was a prevalent disease in CKCS and a frequent diagnosis in referral populations.

METHODS
Records of 500 CKCS presenting to Fitzpatrick Referrals and the Royal Veterinary College neurology departments over a selected four-year period (September 2013 – September 2017) were searched. Data was examined to determine the presenting clinical signs and final diagnosis made and analysis was carried out to establish the prevalence and frequency of these.

RESULTS
The most common clinical presentations of all neurological conditions were behavioural signs of pain (312 cases; 62.4%), spinal pain (238; 47.6%), phantom scratching (121; 24.2%) and gait abnormalities (90; 18.0%). The most common final diagnosis was syringomyelia (216 affected; 43.2% prevalence), orthopaedic conditions (74; 14.8%) and intervertebral disc disease (60; 12.0%). Other less frequently documented conditions included Chiari-like malformation associated pain (56; 11.2%), myoclonus (19; 3.8%), epilepsy (18;3.6% and skin disease (12; 2.4%).

STATEMENT
This study provides vital information for veterinarians, breeders and owners of CKCS about common presentations of syringomyelia and other neurological diseases to allow for earlier recognition of these potentially painful disorders. It concludes that syringomyelia is the most prevalent neurological disease in referral practices and emphasizes the frequency of pain associated with neurological disorders, but when compared to previous studies, it may be underdiagnosed in first opinion practices.