When talking with potential puppy buyers here in the United States and discussing health issues it does not take long before the question of MRI scanning to arise. Most have either know about the condition from Pedigree Dogs exposed on TV or an affected Cavalier. They are searching for breeders that are MRI scanning of which are few in the US.
Breeders in the UK have been afforded low cost MRI scanning for a number of years now and have been breeding to set protocols. They have several generations of Cavaliers that are MRI clear and continue from those foundations.
Unfortunately, breeders in the US have not had the same finical luxury. MRI scans run anywhere from $800-$2,000. Breed clubs are hesitant to fundraise to offset group rates and researchers are not being funded for 'high dollar projects' that affect just a few breeds.
Add to that the debate, controversy, mis-information and tension between researches and breeders world wide. CM/SM has become a hot topic and our beloved Cavalier is suffering in my opinion.
Since I started MRI scanning about 10 years ago, much has changed. Research continues to evolve and advance. The breeding protocols have changed in recent years to reflect this.
A few things I know that do make sense and have effectively reduced Syringomyelia in our breed are:
* MRI scanning is the only way to properly diagnose SM and determine if a dog can be bred.
* Cavaliers WITH CM/SM can remain symptom free their entire lives. Just because they have SM does not mean they will become symptomatic.
* Most Cavaliers do not show symptoms until later in life, well after they have produced puppies.
* Only a very small percentage of breeders are scanning.
* Breeding two dogs that have clear MRI scans significantly reduces that chances of SM. In contrast breeding two dogs with CM/SM increases the risk of an affected to approximately 90%(Rusbridge2010)
The biggest problem in my opinion has been the grading system that the UK BVA has now established. What grade to put on an MRI where CM/SM has multiple factors? Here in the US we have been fortunate enough to have Canine Neurologists that list all the neurological issues and to what degree or absent on a specific scan. We are not given grade. This eliminates the 'interpretation' of grade A by one expert and the same dog a D by another.
It also eliminates the arguments that if a Dog has a Grade A it can still get SM later in life. Thankfully the research by Dr. Sofia Certa Gonzales at Cornell University determined that if a Cavalier is clear and has no CM it should not get SM later in life.
I have been very blessed to be working with a group of like minded breeders. We have been diligently working to help lower the cost of MRI scanning with group rate clinics and to get a registering body for the results. Our goal is to bring more public awareness to CM/SM that will ultimately entice other breeders to start testing in order to breed healthier dogs.