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MRI screening for syringomyelia: when, how and what the report means

Head of a black and tan Cavalier, article on MRI screening for syringomyelia

Magnetic resonance imaging is the only way to confirm or rule out syringomyelia in a Cavalier. Neither blood tests, nor X-rays, nor ultrasound show cavities in the spinal cord.

This article describes the examination itself: when it is done, what that day looks like, how long it takes, what the report says and roughly what it costs. We wrote about the disease itself in a separate article.

Who actually goes for a scan

A scan is not part of the routine schedule for a pet without symptoms. It is done in two situations.

First: the dog has symptoms. Phantom scratching at the neck, pain when the neck is touched, yelping for no reason, reluctance to jump. The condition is that skin and ear causes have been ruled out beforehand.

Second: the dog is intended for breeding. Then it is scanned even without a single symptom, because the report goes into the documentation on which a mating is planned.

An owner of a pet with no complaints has no reason to go for a scan.

When is the best time to scan

Age changes the value of the report considerably, because syringomyelia also appears later in life.

  • at least 12 months — the lower limit below which the report is not accepted
  • 3 years or more — a considerably more valuable report
  • 5 years or more — the greatest value, because it also covers late onset

So a clear report on a one-year-old dog does not mean the same as a clear report on a five-year-old. When you ask for the reports on a litter's parents, the age on the day of the scan is the detail you ask for alongside the grade.

What that day looks like

The examination is done under anaesthesia, because the dog must lie completely still.

The usual sequence:

  • the dog comes on an empty stomach, usually no food for twelve hours, water as agreed
  • before anaesthesia an examination and usually a blood test are done
  • anaesthesia is given and the dog is placed in the scanner
  • the scan itself takes about thirty to sixty minutes
  • waking up and observation take another hour or two
  • the dog goes home the same day, drowsy and unsteady on its legs

The head and the neck part of the spine are scanned. Some protocols also scan the whole spine, which lengthens the examination.

Anaesthesia is the reason this examination is not undertaken lightly. In a healthy dog the risk is small but not zero, so the state of the heart is also checked before booking.

What the report says

The report grades two things separately, because these are two different findings that are often confused.

The shape of the skull, that is Chiari-like malformation, is graded from 0 to 2:

  • 0: no malformation
  • 1: the cerebellum is indented but does not pass through the opening of the skull
  • 2: the cerebellum is pressed into the opening or passes through it

Cavities in the spinal cord, that is syringomyelia, also from 0 to 2:

  • 0: a normal result
  • 1: widening of the central canal narrower than 2 millimetres
  • 2: a cavity of 2 millimetres or wider

The dog's age on the day of the scan is always recorded alongside the grade.

What the report you received means

A few combinations come up most often and it is worth knowing how they read.

Chiari 1 or 2, syringomyelia 0. This is the most common finding in Cavaliers and is not a reason for alarm. Almost every dog of this breed has the skull shape, and there is no cavity. The dog is acceptable for breeding.

Syringomyelia 1. A slight widening without a cavity. The dog usually has no complaints. It is used in breeding with caution and with a partner graded 0.

Syringomyelia 2. A cavity is present. It does not necessarily mean the dog has or will have symptoms, but for breeding a mating with another dog also graded 2 is not recommended.

A clear report is not valid for life. A dog scanned at two years may develop cavities later, which is why in breeding dogs the scan is sometimes repeated.

What it costs and where it is done

This is the most expensive of all the health tests in this breed, because it involves the scanner, the anaesthesia and a specialist.

In the region the price runs roughly from two hundred to five hundred euros, depending on the facility and on whether only the head and neck or the whole spine is scanned. Prices change, so always check in advance.

Not every veterinary practice has an MRI scanner. Scans are done in larger clinics and at veterinary faculties, and the report is read by a specialist in neurology or radiology.

Because of the cost and the anaesthesia, this examination is also the best indicator of how seriously a breeder takes the breed. A cardiac examination is cheap and easy to obtain; this one is not.

How to prepare the dog

  • no food for twelve hours before the appointment, water according to the clinic's instructions
  • bring previous reports, especially the cardiac one
  • expect the dog not to be quite itself for the whole day
  • plan a quiet evening with no walk and no visitors
  • ask for the report on paper and, if possible, the images in digital form

Digital images are useful because they can be sent to another specialist for a second opinion without repeating the scan.

Conclusion

An MRI is a one-day examination under anaesthesia that yields two numbers: a grade for the shape of the skull and a grade for cavities, together with the dog's age. For the owner of a pet with no symptoms it is not needed. For a breeding dog it is, and the report is worth more the older the dog was at the time of the scan. When you ask for the reports on a litter's parents, always ask for the date and the age alongside the grade — without those the grade does not mean much.

Note: this article is informational and does not replace examination and advice from a veterinarian. The prices given are approximate and subject to change.

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