Our findings show that the CKCS has a relatively larger
cerebellum than small breed dogs and Labradors and there is an association between increased cerebellar volume and SM in CKCS.
Young large breed dogs are at higher risk of developing skeletal
problems than small breed dogs, even when both are fed diets with too little or too much calcium.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have a more crowded rostral CCF than Labradors and more crowded caudal
CCF than small breed dogs or Labradors.
No significant differences were detected between CKCS and other breed groups in Brainstem CCF Percentage (CKCS 37.8 ± 0.3 % vs. SB 37.3 ± 0.8 % [p = 1.000] and LD 35.8 ± 0.6 % [p = 0.062]-RRB-, however Brainstem Brain Percentage was significantly larger in
CKCS than small breed dogs (CKCS 6.55 ± 0.1 % vs. SB 5.94 ± 0.2 % [p = 0.003] and LD 6.56 ± 0.2 % [p = 1.000]-RRB-.
Rostral Cerebellar CCF Percentage was significantly larger in CKCS (55.3 ± 0.7 %) than Labradors (49.2 ± 2.0 % [p = 0.004]-RRB- but was not significantly larger
than small breed dogs (52.5 ± 1.3 % [p = 0.282]; Figure 4), and significantly larger in the CM / SM group than the CM group (57.1 ± 0.9 % vs. 52.5 ± 1.6 % [p = 0.0146]; Figure 5).
Our results show that the CKCS has a relatively larger cerebellum
than small breed dogs and Labradors and provide evidence that increased cerebellar volume in CKCS is associated with crowding of cerebellum in the caudal part of the CCF.