Health
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Description of possible heritable genetic problems that might be in this breed. Each breed has its own genetic problems and other problemss are common to any breed. Responsible Cavalier breeders should readily recognize the need to take every possible precaution against inherited diseases.By far the most important factor to remember is it, wherever possible, all breeding dogs and bitches should be screened and declared free of any inheridated disease before being used for breeding. It is no use breeding without screening tests having been taken, and that they, in their turn, have been used for breeding and are causing further damage within the breed. If you have your dog checked, then you have done all that is possible. If problems are found you can ensure the dog or bitch is not bred from, thus avoid future distress. Let us now briefly consider some inherited diseases and defects that affect Cavaliers
- Heart
Undoubtedly this is the major problem affecting Cavaliers. It can cause ill-health and early death in those seriously affected and it is, of course, very distressing both to the Cavalier and its owner. What is the disease? It is caused by an early progressive degeneration of the valves of the heart. As a result, blood leaks back from the main pumping chambers into the smaller receiving chambers. The heart may cope with slight valve leakage for months, even years in some instance, but eventually the heart may not be able to compensate for the leakage, thus resulting in heart failure. The detection of the disease can not suppress their hereditary character , but if raised exclusively controlled parent and you are in the correct scale , this will help to significantly reduce the percentage of affected dogs every day.
Methods used to control Mvd:
There are 2 types of controls, the simple method of using the physical exam and the other method used is Eco cardiography ( Doppler ) . Only the latter test can be performed in a veterinary clinic that has a modern and sophisticated apparatus. Once that control, make us a Veterinary specialist assessment of the state of the mitral valve and give us one or more photos of echocardiography as well as a DVD with the film 's beating heart, so that the values we specialist in degrees state of the Mitral valve . Depending on the grade and age of the dog, if say otherwise insignificant whether we should raise the animal in question. Ideally, only those who do not have murmurs should be used for breeding. Breeders should ask to see a currently valid certificate before deciding to use a stud dog. The next best approach is not only use those who developed a murmur at late age. Therefore when considering hearts it is advisable not to breed from very young stock, as the absence of a murmur in a two or three years old does not guarantee it will not soon suffer from heart decease.
- Eyes
"The Eye microphthalmia or too small"
It is a genetic disease transmission "autosomal recessive", ie for the disease to develop, both father and mother are carriers of the gene. Normally such overhead is associated with cataracts.
"Distichiasis"
This defect is characterized by the presence of a number of eyebrows on the upper or lower eyelids. Its mode of transmission is "autosomal dominant" meaning that is transmitted to offspring if at least one parent is affected.
"Entropion"
Very common in brachicéphaleas races. This is not a major problem and is easy to.
- Kneecaps
"Dislocation"
The method used to control the producers in order to mislead the dislocation of patella, is none other than the use in prevention mode X-rays and / or manual palpation of the kneecaps.