Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I am a huge lover of animals....and when I researched Chiari when I got my DX, I read many article's on the King Charles Caviler a small dog that is more likely to have this condition....the smaller the dog, the larger the possibility is....I also read that horses can also have this condition.
As for how ur Dog is feeling, I am not sure if we can relate it to how a dog may feel....
And in regards to surgery, u will find many posts with negative thoughts regarding surgery only bcuz I feel u will hear more of the ill resulting outcomes then the good, we have plenty of good results here....I had surgery 4 yrs ago this May...and I had success with it.
I do have related conditions that cause symptoms, but I was very pleased with my NS and the outcome .
Do u know where the syrinx is located? For me, a heating pad or a soak in a warm tub helped me, also to avoid loud noise...bright lights...
Even bending the neck should be avoided....so mayb lifting the food dish up ...that ,ay ease some of the issues.
I can only suggest u try and ask in the dog forum here on MedHelp, u may find others that have dogs with this same condition.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/4?camp=msc