Cavalier Health

Unfortunately, cavaliers are prone to numerous genetic and acquired health problems. Some of these diseases are more common than others.  As a veterinarian, the health of our dogs is of the utmost importance and we take as many steps as possible to lessen the chance of any health disorders appearing in our puppies.  Since genetic diseases are passed from parents to offspring, the likelihood of a puppy having one of these diseases is greatly reduced if their parents are free of disease.  This is why we health test our cavaliers  before breeding them. Below are the genetically linked diseases we test for:

• Heart disease (Mitral Valve Disease is the most common heart disease in cavaliers)
• Eyes disorders, specifically Geographic Retinal Dysplasia (which causes blindness)
• Patellar Luxation (slipping knee caps)
  
• Episodic Falling: Episodic Falling is a form of muscular hypertonicity.Muscular hypertonicity is a neurological condition where the muscle tone becomes rigid and unable to relax.Episodic Falling may initially be mistaken for epilepsy but the main difference is that the dog remains conscious and aware and there is no loss of bodily functions during the event.
• Curly coat and dry eye syndrome: this disease causes an extreme form of Dry Eye coupled with a persistent scaly itchy skin starting along the spine to the flanks. The coat is rough and curly (more frizz than curl) and may be accompanied with patches of hair loss and itch.

Unfortunately, cavaliers are prone to numerous genetic and acquired health problems. Some of these diseases are more common than others.  As a veterinarian, the health of our dogs is of the utmost importance and we take as many steps as possible to lessen the chance of any health disorders appearing in our puppies.  Since genetic diseases are passed from parents to offspring, the likelihood of a puppy having one of these diseases is greatly reduced if their parents are free of disease.  This is why we health test our cavaliers  before breeding them. Below are the genetically linked diseases we test for:

• Heart disease (Mitral Valve Disease is the most common heart disease in cavaliers)
• Eyes disorders, specifically Geographic Retinal Dysplasia (which causes blindness)
• Patellar Luxation (slipping knee caps)
  
• Episodic Falling: Episodic Falling is a form of muscular hypertonicity.Muscular hypertonicity is a neurological condition where the muscle tone becomes rigid and unable to relax.Episodic Falling may initially be mistaken for epilepsy but the main difference is that the dog remains conscious and aware and there is no loss of bodily functions during the event.
• Curly coat and dry eye syndrome: this disease causes an extreme form of Dry Eye coupled with a persistent scaly itchy skin starting along the spine to the flanks. The coat is rough and curly (more frizz than curl) and may be accompanied with patches of hair loss and itch.