Open AccessInvestigation of sensory thresholds in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with and without Chiari‐like malformations and syringomyelia
Author(s) -
Sparks Courtney R.,
Gorney Angela,
Williams Kim,
Griffith Emily H.,
CerdaGonzalez Sofia,
Lascelles B. Duncan X.,
Olby Natasha J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.15297
Subject(s) - medicine , syringomyelia , quantitative sensory testing , magnetic resonance imaging , sensory system , physical examination , neck pain , sensory threshold , thorax (insect anatomy) , neurological examination , surgery , anesthesia , radiology , anatomy , pathology , psychology , alternative medicine , cognitive psychology , cognitive science
Background Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) suffer pain associated with Chiari‐like malformation and syringomyelia (CMSM). People suffer from a similar condition and describe numerous sensory abnormalities. Sensory changes have not been quantified in affected CKCS. Objectives To use quantitative sensory testing (QST) to quantify thermal and mechanical thresholds in CKCS and to compare QST in dogs with and without syringomyelia (SM). Animals Forty‐four CKCS. Methods Prospective study. Dogs underwent neurological examinations and craniocervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thermal testing was performed over the humerus and thorax (n = 32); mechanical testing was performed on the paw and neck (n = 44). Latencies, thresholds, and response rates were compared with presence and severity of SM on MRI, presence of pain reported by the owner and pain identified on examination. Results Thirty dogs had SM, 30 were painful on examination, 29 were owner‐reported symptomatic. Thermal and mechanical variables were not significantly different based on presence or severity of SM. Dogs with pain on examination had decreased mechanical thresholds on the paw (0.38 kg, SD = 0.18) and neck (2.05 kg, SD = 0.74) compared to thresholds of dogs without pain on examination on the paw (0.60 kg, SD = 0.30) and neck (2.72 kg, SD = 0.57; P = .021). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Mechanical and thermal sensitivity does not appear to be related to the presence of SM, but mechanical sensitivity appears to be related to the presence of pain and clinical signs. Mechanical testing may be useful for assessing sensory abnormalities during clinical trials.