Hydrocephalus is an uncommon neurological disorder in dogs and cats.  While it is more common in dogs than in cats, it is still considered rare. What is Hydrocephalus? The word hydrocephalus translates to “water on the brain.”  This condition occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cannot drain properly causing an increase in pressure on the brain. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing nutrients and protection. A buildup of CSF can occur in the brain when the flow or absorption of the fluid is blocked or too much is produced by the body. The swelling and ..read more

Many breeds of dogs and cats are prone to heart disease. While there are no proven methods to decrease the risk of heart disease in a breed genetically prone to its development, a pet owner has many nutritional, herbal, and therapeutic options to support healthy heart function.  What types of heart disease are prevalent in cats?Heart disease is a silent killer with cats causing 62% of sudden death cases in cats. Radiographs rarely show heart enlargement, even when significant heart disease is present. Cats often do not have murmurs even with advanced heart disease. The types of ..read more

On June 6, 2020 the world was blessed with another special puppy – Forrest (as in Gump) and his brother and sister – Bubba and Jenny!  Just as Tom Hank’s character was “special”, our new little baby was “special” also.   It all started when Forrest’s Mama, Ivy, went into labor about 2 days too early.  She was carrying 4 puppies and one placenta had separated causing an infection.  We had no choice but to take the remaining 3 puppies early. The one that had separated was still born. They were all small but Forrest was all of 2.9 oz.!  That’s a very tiny pup!  ..read more

What is Degenerative Myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM). It is a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord and eventually the brain stem and cranial nerves, which results in complete paralysis. If not euthanized, the pet will eventually succumb due to paralysis of the rib muscles and difficulty breathing. The symptoms result from degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord. The white matter contains the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to the limbs and sensory informat ..read more

Today has been an extremely sad day in the Morgan/Grant household. Our beloved boy Charlie gained his wings today, just three weeks shy of his 19th birthday. Most cavalier King Charles spaniels have much shorter lifespans, due to heart disease and neurologic problems that afflict so many of these wonderful dogs. Charlie started life in Missouri as a puppy mill breeding male. When he became so arthritic he was no longer capable of being used for breeding he was tossed aside, like so many dogs raised in mills. Fortunately, instead of facing euthanasia at the age of eight, he was picked up by a r ..read more

A recent study evaluating the effects of using CoQ10 for dogs with heart disease revealed information regarding dosing. Clinical benefits for humans with heart failure have been shown in numerous studies, but this was the first study undertaken to evaluate dogs naturally suffering with mitral valve disease (rather than experimentally induced MVD). MVD is the most common heart disease found in small breed dogs. Veterinary cardiologists from Thailand evaluated the use of CoQ10 in thirteen dogs in Stage C congestive heart failure over a period of four weeks. The dose used was 100 mg twice daily f ..read more

Also called "Love Sponges", these dogs will steal your heart. Unfortunately, their tendency to develop heart and neurologic problems are often enough to scare people off from adopting these adorable, playful, dogs. While there are definitely more than five inherited disorders in the breed, this is the list of the most common I see in practice. Mitral Valve Disease - (MVD) - This heart disease is the leading cause of death in cavalier King Charles spaniels. Studies have shown this to affect over half of dogs over five years of age and nearly all cavaliers by age ten. It affects this breed twen ..read more

As an owner of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and past owner of Doberman Pinschers, I am always on watch for any symptoms of heart disease. Both breeds are prone to cardiac problems, although not the same type. Cavaliers are genetically prone to mitral valve disease, or MVD, while Dobermans are genetically prone to dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. Other breeds prone to MVD include Dachshunds, Pekingnese, Pugs, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkies, Papillons, Bichons, and small poodles and terriers. Most breeds susceptible to MVD have an adult body weight of less than 9 kg (20 pounds). DCM tends to be a ..read more

Syringomyelia is a painful condition affecting the spinal cord of dogs, found most commonly in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It has also been diagnosed in Brussels Griffons, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Miniature Dachshunds, Pomeranians, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and other breeds. Pain results from pressure generated by the fluid that collects within pockets called syrinxes within the spinal cord. Symptoms associated with the disease include scratching, scooting, chewing, yelping, resistance to touch or grooming, lameness, reluctance to jump or climb, and neck or back pain. Un ..read more