Duncan's new issue-Flycatcher's Syndrome

Question

Hello All,Duncan has over the last week been swiping toward the left side of his face.  I trimmed his eyebrows and whiskers that might be bothering him.  I checked his teeth for inflammation, redness or heat and checked his ears for infection.  No signs of anything wrong.Took him to the vet today.  She says it's most likely petit mal seizures caused by Flycatchers Syndrome.  It's infrequent and not disrupting his actions...yet.Do any of you have experience with this?  I have been reading about it and it's a Cavalier King Charles problem.  The vet doesn't seem worried but I'm ...let's say "distressed".  Dr Doug, any advice from your experience?  Our vet has only seen 2 cases.  Then there's something called Syringomeyelia (same page as Flycatcher's Syndrome).  Our vet didn't mention it, should he be tested?It also talks about GI issues that may be the cause of the syndrome.  Duncan does every now and then have a belly issue that keeps us up all night.  His belly makes loud noises and he's obviously uncomfortable.  Could there be a correlation? Any words of encouragement would be appreciated.  He acts fine.  Plays, eats, drinks, he just swipes at imaginary flies.Thank you

dturm · Answer

I've heard of it, learned about it in school, never have seen a case.  I'd recommend a referral to a neurologist (probably vet school in Madison).  If that's what it is, I'm sure they will be excited to see him because it's so rare and will be a great teaching opportunity.

usa_traveler · Answer

I have never heard of this!  Interesting but scary at the same time.  I would like to know what you find out in a new post if you do take Duncan in to a specialist.

campn4walleye · Answer

After reading a TON of info and watching videos...I'm fairly sure Duncan has syringomeyelia (SM).

There so many other symptoms correlating that I thought was just an "ism". He wipes himself over everything like a cat and rolls around on the floor. We call it "being miserable".
He will scream for no apparent reason when being touched.
He also has the invisible itch and leg twitch.

I have call into our regular vet to discuss course of action. I suppose if we really want to know, an MRI is in order.

I just know that a life of complex pain meds is no kind of life. I will not let my baby suffer.

I am heartbroken.

Please say prayers and tell me I'm over reacting.

crowe · Answer

Prayers going out.  Try to think positive until you get an answer.  At that point you will know what to do.

campn4walleye · Answer

My vet is unfamiliar with SM but agrees that Duncan displays too many symptoms. She was unaware because we never thought of them as symptoms.

She is referring us to Madison for an MRI and then to be seen by a neurologist. I sure hope I'm wrong about SM. At this point Flycatcher's Syndrome sounds good.

Shame on breeders who are only out for the money at the cost of dogs' lives. They constantly try to breed the Cavalier King Charles spaniel smaller. Their brain is too large for the skull.

I researched everything about the breed prior to purchase. I had never heard of any of these other problems. The heart and joint issues were of concern but not this.

Perhaps our saving grace will be that our darling is oversized.

Cavalier owners: watch the videos on You tube and educate yourselves on SM. Those who are considering CKCS, make sure the parents have been MRI'd for the problem. If not, DO NOT BUY! Something has to be done to stop this.

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Duncan's new issue-Flycatcher's Syndrome

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