Cavalier Talk

Umbilical Hernia: This type of hernia is also very common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies and seldom need to be repaired. It is most likely caused when the mother Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pulls too hard on the umbilical cord at birth causing the hernia. There are different opinions on this type of hernia about whether it is genetic or caused at birth. If the umbilical ring does not close immediately after birth sometimes a little fatty tissue is trapped on the outside of the abdomen after the ring closes causing a bubble-like area where the umbilical cord was attached. If the bubble cannot be pushed back up into the abdomen it is called a non-reducible hernia. If the bubble can be pushed back up into the abdomen then it is called a reducible hernia and surgery is advisable if the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is going to be bred. This umbilical hernia existing on a future show dog is still allowed to show in AKC sanctioned events and a dog with this type of hernia can still be bred. Since this type of hernia is very widespread in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and does not harm the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy as far as future health is concerned the condition does not lower the adoption price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with this condition.

For more information on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Snorting: Some Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will snort, especially when excited. This is a common condition in all short-nosed breeds. It may seem like an asthmatic episode, but the condition is not dangerous. Simply place your hand over your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s nostrils and muzzle for a few seconds and restrict the intake of air and the snorting should stop. It can sometimes take a couple of tries, but if the symptoms occur along with lack of appetite or a persistent cough seek a veterinarian’s assistance.

For more information on Cavalier King Charles Spaniel please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Scrotal Hernia: (Affects only male Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) The tube that descends into the scrotum is too large, which allows intestines to descend into the scrotal canal. This type of hernia will also need to be watched carefully and if it does not repair on its own it will need to be fixed during the neutering process.

For more information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Open Fontanel: Congenital Open Fontanel is seen in several toy dog breeds, but most often it’s seen in Chihuahuas. Occasionally is will appear in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The fontanel is the area at the top of the skull where the bone plates merge. When babies (human and dog) are born the bony plates of the skull are usually partly soft and separated. Usually this area closes to about the size of a dime by the time the puppy is about one year old, but sometimes the bony plates never completely fuse, leaving a hole in the top of the skull that has a soft mushy feel when you touch it. The affected pup can still live a long, full and active life. There is no treatment for an open fontanel. Since open fontanels are either hereditary or genetic, once a good breeder determines which parent dog carries the gene the parent dog should be retired from the breeding program and spayed or neutered. Dogs with open fontanels should not be bred.

For more information on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Inguinal Hernia: The condition is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring. Inguinal hernias are presented as skin-covered bulges in the groin. They can be bilateral, involving both sides, or unilateral, involving only one side. Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes. As with umbilical hernias most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia(s). Inguinal hernias can also occur in unspayed, middle-aged female dogs. This may occur as the result of stretching of abdominal tissue due to pregnancy, or atrophy of abdominal tissue and musculature due to advanced age.

For more information on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and health issues please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Dry Eye: Occurs when a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (dog) does not produce enough tears to keep the eye properly moistened, often associated with an irritation or foreign object. Dry eye can cause chronically dry, burning eyes, and scarring and painful ulceration of the cornea which may lead to decreased vision. The disorder requires frequent medication every day and can be a life long condition. Puppies born with this condition should be placed in a pet home and never bred. Symptoms include chronic redness of the eye, thick yellow-green discharge, especially in the morning, and the development of a film over the cornea. Treatment involves increasing tear production, applying artificial tears, and reducing any bacterial infections along with decreasing inflammation and scarring of the cornea. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s eyes must be kept clean and free of discharge. The patient may be treated initially with a topical antibiotic or anti-inflammatory. Surgery is rarely a successful option.

For more information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Bite: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies have 28 primary (baby) teeth that begin to erupt around 4 weeks of age. Between 4 and 5 months of age a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy will get his permanent teeth pushing out the baby teeth. If baby teeth have trouble falling out you will need to see your veterinarian as retention can lead to misalignment. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s bite can take up to two years to settle into permanent position. A scissor bite at 8 weeks will usually remain a scissor bite in adulthood. An undershot bite will often correct itself, but an overshot bite will never correct itself.

For more information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Currently there are 4 screenings recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by OFA:

Hip Displasia: includes OFA evaluation, OVC evaluation, and PennHip evaluation

Eye Clearance: CERF evaluation. Initial CERF exam recommended at 8-12 weeks of age, follow up at 12 months of age, annually until 5 years of age, every 2 years until 9 years of age. For additional information please visit the CERF website by clicking the following link: Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)

Patellar Luxation: OFA evaluation

Congenital Cardiac Database: OFA evaluation with examination performed by Board-Certified Cardiologist. Recommended annually.

For more information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Health testing is a wonderful tool to aid breeders in making sound decisions regarding pairing two Cavaliers for breeding. However, testing is only a snapshot in time and cannot predict what might happen to a Cavalier later in life. Health testing also gives no guarantees that all the offspring will be healthy and free of genetic disorders. Health testing does give a more reliable foundation at which to begin and move forward with.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have four areas of health testing that is recommended for the breed. Cavaliers should be tested for eye and heart disorders on a yearly basis. Cavaliers should be cleared of patella luxation after 12 months of age. Cavaliers should also be cleared of hip dysplasia after 24 months of age. Once a Cavalier has obtained all 4 health tests and if all 4 tests are submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) then a CHIC number will be issued for that Cavalier showing it has successfully obtained all the required health certifications for the Cavalier breed.

For additional information pertaining to Cavalier Health please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com