My dog has what?

Spaniel club hears all about syringomyelia

On Sunday, Feb. 28, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Northwest Washington hosted a talk by Dr. Melissa Smith of Country Care Vet and Acupuncture in Sequim.

Smith talked about syringomyelia, a hereditary disease that affects small breeds, especially Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Syringomyelia is a serious condition in which fluid-filled cavities develop within the spinal cord near the brain. It also is known as "neck scratcher’s disease" because a common signs is scratching in the air near the neck.

Other breeds affected by this disease are the Brussels Griffon, Boston terrier, Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, French bulldog, King Charles spaniel, Maltese, Pomeranian, Staffordshire bull terrier, Hungarian Vizsla, Weimaraner, Rhodesian ridgeback and poodle.

Smith also spoke on emergency preparedness for your dog, how to determine if a pet needs emergency care and what to have in a "grab and go box."

A lunch and a silent auction helped raise funds for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s efforts to feed the homeless.