My 6.5 yr old Cav has recently had an MRI scan for his back and in the process he was found to have syringomyelia.  Now that his back is better I can concentrate on his SM.

The vet thinks it is relatively mild as he ahs probably lived with it since a pup and knowing he has it could explain why he is so sensitive.  Has anyone out there lived with a cav with SM and if so I am after some practical advise like how to exercise him, grooming, long term medication, acupuncture or anything really.  The vet has left the ball in my court and I am reading the research but we need to regain our confidence.  It is a shock, we were doing agility competitions, running Canix and generally leading an active life up until recently. 

Many thanks
Veronica and Chutney

Ive personally never owned an SM affected dog but know that there is a lot of support out there for those who do.

There is a Companion Cavaliers club with sections for all sorts of dog activities including health support and meet ups.

http://www.companioncavalierclub.co.uk/

My 8.5 year old has started showing very slight symptoms in the last year, just a little scratching occasionally and no yelping, she was scanned as a type D some years ago (syrinx but no symptoms). In her case it is no worse with her collar on (she only wears one when we are out) but often they do suggest a harness instead of a collar. My girl still competes in rally obedience (which includes jumps and tunnels) and conformation shows, so if your vet is happy, I would hope your boy wouldn't have to be limited too much. With more severe symptoms you can get medication or even surgery, but I'm not an expert on this as my girl hasn't needed anything yet.

what are the symptoms of Syringomyelia? I groom a little cavalier regularly and he is very difficult to groom as he is extremely sensitive around his front legs and shoulders. he flinches and pulls away as soon as I get to the area. I am used to dogs who don't like their paws touched but this is something completely different. He is very difficult to groom and my usual trick of starting with one small clip and then release the leg and building up gradually doesn't work. It occurred to me that perhaps there is a physical  reason for the sensitivity rather than a behavioral one.

Sensitivity around the neck and shoulders is a common symptom. The owners are perhaps unaware of the associated low grade pain the little dog may also be in.

Thanks - Chutney is sensitive around his back legs and bum but he has thick coat and gets matted.  He was groomed yesterday for the first time knowing his condition and she clipped him rather than brushing out knots and feathering him.  His symptoms are mild but he air scratches underneath his stomach area, he does it both sides when he gets excited/nervous so it must be in his lower back region (mostly it is found in neck should region like possibly your client's dog).  He tolerates being smoothed around that region but is a bit guarded and will tuck his bum under, he has always been uncomfortable being lifted so we now support his rear end. He has had (say roughly once or twice a year) little episodes of cowering in a corner for no reason and occasionally he will squeal if you raise your hand or touch him. A lot is normal behaviour or so rare it is difficult to think there is something wrong. Only an MRI scan will confirm it.   

Many thanks will look into this.

A two week course of pain killers or protein pump inhibitors may reveal the dogs true character and then you will realise what his 'normal' really is.

Ask your vet to use Clare Rusbridge's algorythym for treatment, found on her website..   Google Clare Rusbridge+Neurovet

Really appreciate everyone's help and am reading all the websites, their links and continuing with my research feeling more confident.