We've had our puppy for 6 months, but since Christmas she's taking to letting out a yelp if you pick her up. I thought this was due to her being in pain, but sometimes she does it if I just wrap my hand underneath her and don't apply any pressure.

She's been to the vets and got some anti-inflamattories for a suspect strained muscle, this doesn't seem to have done anything apart from put her off her food.

We've also noticed that she occasionally shivers as if she's cold - even when it's very warm.

Any ideas?

How old were the parent and is there any Syringomyelia in her lines?

Very few Cavaliers are completely free of vulnerability to Syringomyelia, and you should certainly get further advice from a vet familiar with the disease.

A good place to start is the Cavalier Talk forum - lots of people there have affected dogs and will be able to help you find advice local to where you are. It's also a great resource, with videos, links, up to date news etc.

Good luck, hopefully your dog has indeed just suffered a sprain.

Thanks for the replies - she's from a well respected, responsible breeder but have dropped her an email to ask more questions.

She's also booked in for an x-ray - the vets think it's more likely to be some sort of fracture or hairline break, poor pup!

Thanks for the update - my concern is that she is of an age when SM starts to show itself. If she has been bred from older SM free (or asymptomatic) dogs then hopefully it isn't SM.

Fingers crossed for her xx