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CAVALIER HEALTH
The following health issues are typical
of the breed, the most prevalent being Heart (Mitral Valve) disease.
Breed-wide, the average lifespan of a Cavalier is about 9-12 years.
With the exception of Syringomyelia, the following problems are
diagnosed through simple, non-invasive, inexpensive, readily available,
and painless tests. The breeder will tell you what health clearances
have been performed on the MOTHER and the FATHER of any litter you are
considering (puppies are too young for health
testing to be meaningful).
Ideally, both parents should be over 2 1/2 years at the
time of examination and the clearance certificates should be dated
within the year – copies of whatever health clearances have been done
should be willingly provided to you in writing for future reference by
your veterinarian.
Many low cost health clinics, sponsored by the various
Cavalier Clubs, are easily accessible to all breeders throughout the
Northeast Region. Therefore, walk away from any litter you are
considering where the PARENTS of the litter have not recently been
cleared by a Cardiologist and Ophthalmologist, as a minimum
pre-requisite. Breeders
of the puppies listed on this East Coast Puppy Referral site have been
required to provide documented evidence of clear cardiologist and
ophthalmologist certifications for mother and father of the puppies
listed.
Please review the
CKCSC, USA's Recommended Health Testing Guidelines or
http://www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc.inc.nsf/Founded-1954/testingguide.html
HEART
Diagnosis should be done by a Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist,
dated within the year, for the MOTHER and FATHER of any puppy you
purchase. Mitral Valve Disease is progressive and can be early onset in
this breed. The good news is that just because your Cavalier develops a
murmur does not mean the dog will die. As the murmur progresses there
are a multitude of effective heart medications to help your Cavalier
live a long, symptom – free life.
EYES
Diagnosis should be done by a Board Certified Veterinary
Ophthalmologist, dated within the year, for the MOTHER and FATHER of
any puppy you purchase. Eye issues in Cavaliers are not prevalent.
Juvenile cataracts and retinal dysplasia or folds are found on
occasion.
PATELLAR LUXATION
Diagnosis should be done by a General Practitioner annually for
the MOTHER and FATHER of any puppy you purchase and is the easiest of
all the tests to be performed. Known also as slipping patellas, it is
seen mostly in Toy breeds. Severe patellar luxation will require
expensive, but successful, surgery and is often symptomatic in young
Cavaliers therefore it is important to know that the PARENTS are clear.
Mild patellar luxation may not cause much, if any, discomfort but
these dogs should never be bred as they could pass along a more severe
version which will need surgery.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Diagnosis should be done by X-rays taken on the MOTHER and the FATHER at
2 years of age or older and sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals (OFA) for evaluation. This one time diagnosis is considered
good for life. X-rays taken under 2 years are considered Preliminary
diagnosis and it is recommended that the hips be re-evaluated at 2
years.
SYRINGOMYELIA (“SM”)
The only definite way to diagnose syringomyelia and the associated skull
malformation is by a MRI scan. Unfortunately this invasive, expensive
test, usually performed by a neurologist, is only available at
specialist veterinary centers. The most common sign of this condition
is shoulder/neck/ear scratching (with no evidence of skin or ear
disease), especially when excited or walking on a lead. Other symptoms
may include sensitivity around the head, neck and forelimbs.
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
BACK - Degenerative disc disease
EPILEPSY - Gran mal
seizures are possible but various forms of focal (petit mal) seizures
can also occur. One type of focal seizure is called “Fly Catcher’s
Syndrome”, where the dog snaps at imaginary flies. All types of
seizures may be successfully controlled with phenobarbital and/or
potassium bromide and other drugs if necessary
DEAFNESS - Total
deafness is rarely congenital (present at birth) however it is
inherited. Cavalier deafness is usually of a partial and/or premature
nature. Some Cavaliers become totally deaf by 6-8 years. BAER testing is
available to assess hearing loss.
IMMUNE SYSTEM - These disorders can include,
but are not limited to, allergies, digestive or metabolic disorders, dry
eye, cancer, fertility, muscle or nerve disorders, thyroid problems,
blood problems (mainly autoimmune hemolytic anemia and/or
thrombocytopenia), etc.
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