Chiari-like Malformation & Syringomyelia in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Chiari-like Malformation & Syringomyelia
Organ System: Cardiovascular

Chiari-like malformation refers to a disorder, which is commonly associated with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The back part of the skull is too small to contain the cerebellum and brainstem. These then push against the spine creating pressure which impedes the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. This leads to the formation of fluid-filled cavities (syrinxes) within the spinal cord (syringomyelia). If your dog appears to be in pain for no apparent reason, your vet may use an MRI scan to check for CM/SM. If CM/SM is detected your vet will use drugs and/or surgery to treat the condition, however your dog may need to be put to sleep.

Breeds exposed to Chiari-like Malformation & Syringomyelia – Research Reference
Alsatian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
German Shepherd Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boston Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Brittany Spaniel Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Dachshund Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
English Pointer Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Chow Chow Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bouvier Des Flandres Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Chihuahua Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Boxer Cross – (Nielen et al. 2001
British Bulldog Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
American Cocker Spaniel Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pug Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Beagle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Toy terrier Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
French Bulldog Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
King Charles Spaniel Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
American Staffordshire Terrier Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Shih Tzu Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pekingese Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Wire Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund- Long Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Spoodle – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
American Pit Bull Terrier – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Cocker Spaniel – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dachshund – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
English Pointer – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
English Toy terrier – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Miniature Dachshund – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) & University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pekingese – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labradoodle – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dachshund – Long Haired – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Springer Spaniel – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
French Bulldog – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
German Shepherd – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
King Charles Spaniel – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Shih Tzu – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
American Staffordshire Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Beagle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bernese Mountain Dog – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
British Bulldog – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pug – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Affenpinscher – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
American Cocker Spaniel – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Australian Shepherd – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Boston Terrier – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bouvier Des Flandres – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Brittany Spaniel – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Bullmastiff – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Chihuahua – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Chow Chow – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Alsatian – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Springer Spaniel – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Australian Shepherd Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
English Springer Spaniel Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Spoodle Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Cocker Spaniel Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
American Pit Bull Terrier Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bernese Mountain Dog Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labrador – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Springer Spaniel Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
“Boxer – (Nielen et al. 2001
Labradoodle Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dachshund – Long Haired Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Chiari-like Malformation & Syringomyelia or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.