Recently my 6yr old CKCS  was unable to coordinate the movement of his legs  This lasted for about 2 minutes  When he was laid down he started pawing the air with his front leg, we stood him up but he just couldn't co ordinate his leg movements.  He also started pawing the air with his rear leg.  He didn't appear to be in any pain .  Just as soon as it had started he appeared to back to normal again.  The vet described it as a "neurological event" and then went on to descibe the possible cause.  He suggested that we wait to see if it happens again before carrying out any tests. It's not unusual for him to suddenly jump up and try to turn upside down to rub his head   Does the symptons suggest that the condition could be in an advance stage?

The leg thing could be episodic falling perhaps? The head rubbing could be SM, but also rule out less scary stuff like ear mites, knots in ears pulling at skin, or just having wet ears - I used to have one that always and only ever did that after he'd been bathed, before I dried him. I'm not an expert though, I've just owned 3 Cavaliers which thank god have never shown symptoms of either SM or falling, so I'm sure more knowledgable people will be on soon.

He didn't appear to be in any pain
Read here   http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/part2.htm#20

"The most important and consistant clinical sign of SM is Pain."

Yes Tooolz, that's why I thought the first part may have been episodic falling. The head rubbing however I have heard could be a symptom, though again my Ellie has started doing this occasionally, she seems to stop when I remember to put some ear drops in so probably it's just ear wax for her. It's so hard to say with the many and varied mild symptoms which could easily be something else, particularly as I've never had one with the full blown thing - if Ellie is showing symptoms they are very mild and she certainly doesn't look in pain (as I say, I suspect it's itchy ear wax), and Henry never had any symptoms at all.

if the dog is inssuered take it to a neurologist.

I know someone suggested her, but if you have any doubts take your dog to Claire Rusbridge at Stone Lion vets, she is an expert on syringomyelia.  We used her when our GSP had degenerative myelopathy and she is so caring and you can see she really feels for the animals she treats.

Why would you only suggest taking the dog to a neurologist if the dog is insured ? Again a qualified vet would be the one to determine what treatment or specialist help would be needed and then it is uptp the OP to take their advice and also to cover the treatment via insurance or via other payment methods :-)

He didn't appear to be in any pain - pain in dogs is not always recognised! Pain doesn;t mean screaming or crying in dogs - lips licking/ yawning/ lying very still can all be signs of pain. I had a dog with a dislocated hip once who didn't make a sound and you could only see the pain through the fact she was still but also licking her lips and yawning...

Claire Rusbridge at Stone Lion

Clare will do a consultation for about £200 if I remember rightly, for any breed. The MRI scan would be a separate cost, she only suggests one if she thinks it is needed. Hope your boy does well.