Cavalier Talk

Hip Dysplasia: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can sometimes develop hip dysplasia, but the breed risk ranks 61st according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) data. To get a true diagnosis of this disorder a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must be put under anesthesia by a veterinarian with experience in x-raying the hips. The x-ray is then sent to OFA for the actual diagnosis. This disorder can also be caused from trauma after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is born so not all cases of hip dysplasia are genetic, but most of the time if hip dysplasia occurs the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (dog) already had a predisposition to the disorder. Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with hip dysplasia live a long and normal life without much discomfort since they are a toy breed. It is also a condition that is very difficult to tell in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel without having the hips x-rayed, which is another example of how this disorder although not recommended for breeding does not usually affect the quality of life of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. All Cavaliers that have been cleared for hip dysplasia will be listed in with OFA. OFA is the ONLY screening that is absolute. A veterinarian cannot pass a Cavalier’s hips, but they can read the x-ray and have a good idea of whether the dog will pass or fail. There is no reason not to send the x-ray on to OFA for absolute diagnosis since it is only a minor charge.

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