Although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the most popular dog breed, it does come with a number of health issues. What you find here, however, will not prevent you from owning this adorable toy dog. They are often warm and friendly, as well as playful and courteous. In this tutorial, I’ll go through some of the most prevalent health problems that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have.
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Common health problems
1. Heart Mitral Valve Disease
Heart Mitral Valve Disease is an endemic disease that affects nearly all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by the age of five and nearly all species by the age of ten. The most common cause of death in this breed is MVD, which causes excess blood flow into the atrium, causing stress and making the atrium less efficient at pumping blood.
Sleepiness and aversion to exercise are common symptoms, as are shortness of breath, drowsiness, and a loss of appetite. Although there is no treatment for mitral valve heart disease, there are drugs that can help with specific symptoms.
2. Hip Dysplasia
About a quarter of the breed is affected by this issue. It is a hereditary condition in dogs that causes severe discomfort, irregular growth, and weakening. Dogs suffering from this illness are in excruciating pain and may develop canine arthritis.
Uneven leg motions, as well as walking and standing with one leg lifted, is common symptoms of this condition. However, x-rays are the only way to provide a reliable diagnosis. Hip replacement surgery may be required in some severe situations.
3. Syringomyelia
The condition affects the brain and spinal cord, producing extreme discomfort in the head and neck as well as, in some cases, canine paralysis. When the dog’s spinal cavity near the brain is filled with fluid, SM can be highly dangerous. The skull of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is relatively small, and the cerebellum of his brain does not always support it. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid to their spine may be obstructed as a result of this.
As a result, fluid accumulates in the skull cavity. The symptoms of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel disease do not present until the dog is 6 months to a year old. As a result, when a fresh puppy is adopted, the problem is undetectable.
4. Low Blood Platelet
Although low blood platelet counts are normal for the race, it is not usually a major health issue in this breed.
5. Obesity
Obesity is the excess body fat that results in an overweight that makes people more susceptible to a range of related health problems. Common conditions that result from being overweight include osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancer.
Obesity can be prevented by making sure your dog has sufficient exercise and is fed the appropriate amount. Obese Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are at increased risk for many health issues. They will also feel extra stress on their joints and limbs because of the obesity. Therefore, stress can have an adverse impact on the heart as it will increase its workload pumping blood around the body.
6. Eye Problems
About 30% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs will suffer from eye diseases. Cataracts develop when a dog’s eye lens blocks light from reaching the back of the eye.
Moreover, dry eyes are the one kind of condition where they cannot produce sufficient tears. Consequently, it results in dry and painful eyes. It is more commonly found in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed than in other species and can lead to blindness if left untreated.
7. Ear Disorders
Ear deformities cause pain and other sensations in the back side of the dog’s head and neck, and it appears in symptoms such as syringomilia. Additionally, they have the potential for a type of congenital deafness. This condition is present at birth and is caused by a lack of formation of receptors in the inner ear.
It may lead to progressive hearing loss and can cause a dog to become completely deaf from the ages of 3 to 5. Early monitoring and treatment of ear infections can reduce the risk of damage to the eardrum, which can lead to deafness.
8. Heart Disease
The main cause of death in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is heart failure. The majority of heart diseases in dogs are caused by weakened valves. This may be indicated by heart palpitations or external signs of heart issues.
9. Bladder or Kidney Stones
He is more likely to have stones in the kidneys or bladder. It is necessary to test regular urine for any signs of presence. They are more painful for the breed. If your dog has blood in their urine, can’t urinate or is stressed, this is a medical emergency.
10. Allergies and Skin Problems
Just like humans, dogs suffer from allergies, but instead of sneezing, allergies can cause itchy dog skin. This itching can be caused by a reaction to fleas, food, or environmental allergens that commonly affect the dog’s feet, abdomen, ears, and other things along the skin folds.
All of this can be treated and prevented once the allergen is diagnosed by a veterinarian.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is particularly susceptible to ichthyosis, a condition that causes skin with thick claw pads and large, dry pieces of skin that resemble fish scales. There are several palliative treatment options available, such as special shampoos and fish oils, to provide a variety of relief, but there is no specific cure for this hereditary disease.
11. Breathing Problems
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has as much tissue in his nose and throat as a dog with a long nose. Consequently, the soft palate can become too long and hang in the airways. The airway of the brachycephalic dog is narrow and blocked. Beware of intolerance to exercise, shortness of breath, cough, blue gums, or fainting. In many cases, surgical correction may be indicated.
Common Tests
There are certain tests that are useful for Cavaliers:
Cardiac: Veterinarians search for murmurs to help diagnose chronic, degenerative mitral valve disease. Moreover, other heart ailments that they will detect, such as pulmonary and aortic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and so on.
Eye: Veterinarians will look for cataracts and retinal dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy is also something that this species may experience, but is not frequent.
Knee: A veterinarian will monitor patellar leukemia, syringomilia, and other knee-related ailments.
Responsible pet owners should acknowledge that their companions are not invincible. Most dogs will experience some type of health concern during their whole life cycle. The best thing a dog owner can do is take the essential steps to keep their dog healthy and be prepared for any future health condition.
Hope, you liked reading the guide. If you think we have missed something or have any suggestion, please drop your valuable opinion in the comment section below.