topic Re: Neuro myoclonus in Pet Lovers

Neuro myoclonus

Mustang Shar — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:45:54 GMT

I have 2 Cavalier King Charles, Chloe who is 9 and Sir Ozzie Osborne who is 18 months younger. Chloe already had a genetic disorder chiata and syringomyelia since 7 months of age.

Now we have a new disorder- myoclonus. A head bobbing, blinking disorder and apparently BOTH dogs have it. This is all recent and still learning about it. Apparently there's no drugs that stop the symptoms?

Pups aren't bothered by it, however I'm heartbroken. Both dogs from same breeder, different parents. Breeder gave me puppy Ozzie as part of Chloe's health guarantee so he was a freebee.

These are the most lovable lap dogs, always by their masters side-Velcro dogs and it breaks my heart that we have yet another health issue with them.

Does anyone else have this condition with their pups?

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Spacrazy — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:51:00 GMT

@Mustang Shar I have no information or advice for your questions but just want you to know how special your babies are to have you as their person. The pic you posted of them is beyond precious. Your babies are beautiful. Hope you get information you are seeking. You are sure to get support ~ starting with me!

Re: Neuro myoclonus

tends2dogs — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:15:41 GMT

This is really sad to hear, @Mustang Shar . What has the vet decided the course of action will be?

This is my personal opinion only, but I would say that it could be a result from overbreeding. My guy presented with inflammatory bowel disease early on. Our vet, who is holistic said it was most likely inbreeding, overbreeding, whatever you want to call it. Whatever the reason, your pups have it and now you have to take care of them.

I hope you can come up with a plan of action for your pups. It is sad when things go wrong. I hate when they say that pets can't feel something or that it doesn't bother them. How can they know this? A life of steroids never has a good outcome. While they are good for short term, there are so many negative side effects.

Wishing you the best with this. Please let us know how things are going.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

GingerHead — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:09:42 GMT

@Mustang Shar

They are just precious!!!

I don't know about this condition. I am sorry to hear your little loves are going through these things, it's not fair.

It sounds like they are lucky to have such a loving and involved dog mommy.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Kachina624 — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:46:35 GMT

It's very sad that these cute, appealing companion dogs seem to have been over or inter bred by irresponsible breeders. I understand many of them have heart problems too. I believe @Carmie has a couple of Cavaliers.

Have you searched for a national organization of breeders to see if they'd have suggestions. The AKC may know of one. There may be a Facebook group of owners too. If you're not a Facebooker, I'll check for you.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Kachina624 — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:04:52 GMT

@Mustang Shar. Facebook does have a site for Cavalier King Charles Club - USA.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Mustang Shar — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:05:48 GMT

You are all the best!!! Thank you, needed a few hugs to get over this new hurdle. See, this is exactly why Norway has made it illegal to have cavaliers or breed cavaliers because they have been overbred. Thanks I found that website but goodness, I was sure hoping for some treatment plan. Just breaks your heart to see both of them this way

hugs everyone!

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Carmie — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:28:45 GMT

I have had Cavaliers for many years. My first set, two females 11 months apart in age had the same breeder.

My breeder tested the parents and also generations of pups before them. Unfortunately, this breed has problems no matter how diligent the breeder is.

My first dog had syringomyelia around her first birthday. I I noticed the signs and requested she be tested.

She had surgery that was successful. Her problems did not progress, but the damage was still there. She lived to be almost nine years old. When she passed,she had heart problems, arthritis and liver damage. I had to put her down because she was so sick, she couldn't even stand up.

My other Cavalier lived almost eight years. She had heart problems...mitral valve. She passed on her own, just fell over dead while looking straight at me. Her valve tore away. She was under the care of a cardiologist as was the other one. They both passed within two months of each other.

I now have two more Cavaliers, again both female. One was from a breeder, a different one from the first set. She is chubby, but well. I got her at eight weeks old and she is now five years old.

The second one was a rescue, she is now eight years old and healthy and everyone assumes she is a young puppy.

This time around, I do not get immunizations, except for the mandated rabies vaccine. And, both dogs have had their puppy shots.

No flea or heart worm meds either. These drugs are known to be poison. My dogs get titer tests every year in Lieu of vaccines.

Many good breeders and Vets do not recommend all these vaccines for this breed.

So far, so good with these two. I agree,this breed of dogs are so sweet and lovable. In some countries, it is no longer legal to breed them because they have so many health issues.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:27:20 GMT

If it were my pet, I would certainly want to learn as much as possible about the disease.

I looked at the CavalierHealth dot org website, and I also skimmed research from the National Institute of Health.

You may need to find a specialist who will work with you to determine the best form of treatment/health plan.

PennVet has a neurology department, but the process of having your pets examined and monitored will likely not be cheap.

My oldest dog lived to 18 (and he had mild epilepsy), and I usually lose the others as mid-range teenagers, so it is sad for me to read that these dogs do not even live for ten years!

My thoughts are with you and your dogs.

Best wishes.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Mustang Shar — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 01:44:08 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I have had Cavaliers for many years. My first set, two females 11 months apart in age had the same breeder.

My breeder tested the parents and also generations of pups before them. Unfortunately, this breed has problems no matter how diligent the breeder is.

My first dog had syringomyelia around her first birthday. I I noticed the signs and requested she be tested.

She had surgery that was successful. Her problems did not progress, but the damage was still there. She lived to be almost nine years old. When she passed,she had heart problems, arthritis and liver damage. I had to put her down because she was so sick, she couldn't even stand up.

My other Cavalier lived almost eight years. She had heart problems...mitral valve. She passed on her own, just fell over dead while looking straight at me. Her valve tore away. She was under the care of a cardiologist as was the other one. They both passed within two months of each other.

I now have two more Cavaliers, again both female. One was from a breeder, a different one from the first set. She is chubby, but well. I got her at eight weeks old and she is now five years old.

The second one was a rescue, she is now eight years old and healthy and everyone assumes she is a young puppy.

This time around, I do not get immunizations, except for the mandated rabies vaccine. And, both dogs have had their puppy shots.

No flea or heart worm meds either. These drugs are known to be poison. My dogs get titer tests every year in Lieu of vaccines.

Many good breeders and Vets do not recommend all these vaccines for this breed.

So far, so good with these two. I agree,this breed of dogs are so sweet and lovable. In some countries, it is no longer legal to breed them because they have so many health issues.

Carmie, your post is most informative!!!! For years I never gave heartworm meds, then I started 2 years ago. Maybe I should stop! Now I feel bad, thinking maybe I should never have started them on it. Ozzie goes in on the 20th for his annual, maybe I'll titer test and only do the rabies.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Carmie — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 02:12:06 GMT

@Mustang Shar is there a heartworm problem in your area?

My vet pushes the preventative, but when I asked exactly how many dogs actually get heart worm in the area where I live and my Vet said virtually none.

She also said it takes a while for the dogs to get sick, so I asked if they can just be tested every 6 months and she said once a year would be okay. So, that's what I do.

Don't beat yourself up. It's difficult to know what we should do...there are so many opinions.

I do know when these dogs have health problems it is expensive. I have paid for surgery, CT scans and expensive meds. It's an ongoing expense.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

tends2dogs — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:54:30 GMT

@Mustang Shar I would ask to have them titered for rabies also. At their age, I am sure they are well protected. I, personally, would skip the other vaccines.

If you look at the rabies vial, it says to administer to healthy animals only. I would say your dogs aren't healthy. Any disease, autoimmune, past vaccine reactions should be a red flag giving more shots. I had a vet tell me once that giving a vaccine to an ailing pet is like throwing gasoline on a fire.

I hope you can find a plan that gives your dogs a happy, healthy life.

Re: Neuro myoclonus

Mustang Shar — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:38:24 GMT

Have another month to see Neurologist for confirmation but🤷🏻‍♀️ they aren't disturbed by the symptoms. Thanks everyone