CMSM has been shown to be inherited in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Griffon Bruxellois. CMSM is suspected to be inherited in the Affenpinscher and the King Charles Spaniel. Other breeds reported with the condition include, Bichon Frise, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Havanese, Miniature Dachshunds, Maltese, Minature Pinscher, Minature/ToyPoodles, Papillions, Pekingese, Pomeranians, Pug, Shih Tzus, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers and several cross breeds.

Breeders have a huge responsibility to ensure that they do the best for the dogs in their care. By choosing to health scan breeding dogs and choosing to follow breeding guidelines and protocals, breeders are playing an important and valuable  role in securing the future of their chosen breeds.


The British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club (BVA/KC) proposed Chiari-like Malformation Syringomyelia (CMSM) Scheme will hopefully be introduced in the UK later this year.The aim of the scheme is to reduce or eliminate the incidence of inherited CM ans SM in dogs.

The scheme requirements include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the brain and upper neck. It is expected that the majority of dogs using the CMSM scheme will be pedigree toy breeds though the scheme is available for all dogs including cross breads.

All breeds and cross breeds (NOT CAVALIERS),  can have a  MRI scan from the age of one. This is in recognition that many breeders choose to breed from their dogs before the age of 2.5. Responsible breeders will not breed from a bitch before her 3rd season. Breed clubs and associations usually have a code of ethics which includes quidance and recomendations on breeding. Responsible breeders are usually members of at least one breed club or association.The aim is to eliminate SM early onset dogs from any breeding plans.

The proposed CMSM screening guidelines will see the introduction of seperate  grades for CM and SM. The precise details of gradings for dogs are currently being finalised under the BVA/KC scheme. Below is the guideline table currently being used.

 GRADE AGE IN YEAERS SYRINGOMYELIA BREED TO
 A Over 2.5 Absent or less than 2mm central canal dilatation in the C2-C4 region only A,C,D
 C Under 2.5 Absent A
 D Over 2.5 Present but asymptomatic  A
 E Under 2.5 Present but asymptomatic  NO
 F Any Present and symptomatic NO

The best possibility for reducing the incidents of SM in Griffons and other breeds (not cavaliers) is to: Breed A graded dogs to A graded. Breed young grade C dogs to older grade A dogs. D graded dogs should only be breed to an older scanned A dog. Young SM clear scanned dogs can be bread to young SM clear scanned dogs but remembering that SM is a late onset condition so the condition may appear as a young dog matures

The ideal situation will be scanning dogs three times for example from 1 year and then at 3 years then again at 6+ years which would give a good indication of the dogs CMSM status. Which will be very useful for knowing the genealogy status and the history of any future litters. This may not be practical but a scan at 1 year then at 6+ years will give valuable information to an owners knowledge of their breeding dogs. 1st scan will identify condition or absence 2nd scan will confirm a clear status 3rd scan at 6+ valuable to knowledge of breeding stock Evidence in the Griffon Bruxellois indicates that A to A matings are mainly getting A's.  

CAVALIERS - Breeding recommendations were originally set up in response to cavalier breeders request for guidelines. The aim of these recommendations is to reduce the incidence of symptomatic syringomyelia (SM) in the breed not to create litters of puppies guaranteed not to have SM as the chance of producing an affected dog cannot be predicted without knowing the inheritance. In the Cavalier the age cut off at 2.5 years has been decided so as to tie in with MVD recommendations and because most dogs with symptomatic SM will show signs before 3 years of age. UK link http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk/start.html and USA link http://www.cavalierhealth.org/index.html  for cavalier health information and SM and MVD guidelines on breeding Cavaliers.

Puppy Buying

As a puppy buyer you have a tremendous ability to influence breeders and encourage them to try and breed for the healthiest puppies possible.  There can be no guarantees when you buy a puppy, even when breeders have carried out all the health tests but if you buy from a breeder that health tests you will have the best chance of a healthy puppy, and you will be supporting a responsible breeder. As a puppy buyer you need to research your chosen breed and check with the breed clubs or breed associations to see if a  breeder is a member.  Every buyer that walks away from breeders that do not care about the puppies they produce is giving these irresponsible people a very powerful message. Breeders make informed choices about the health of planned and future puppy litter. A responsible breeder is one that health tests and is happy to share and show health certificates to the  puppy buyer.

  

If you are looking for a pet or a show dog theres a lot of advice available to potential puppy buyer please check on the links page.