Cavalier health problems

Margaret Carter, from Cavalier Matters, shares with us the sorts of health problems that may affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cavaliers are a delightful breed but many, these days, suffer from a range of health issues. The most typical are: eye problems, heart problems and a specific neurological problem, Syringomyelia (SM). Margaret tells us how these and other typical problems manifest.
For example, Mitral Heart Disease (MVD) is where the heart ages too quickly and can lead to coughing, feinting and even death. We find out about some not very well known issues such as episodic falling syndrome and ‘dry eye curly coat’ which leads to problems with their eyes, can cause blindness, skin lesions, bleeding nails, cracked and bleeding pads.
Irresponsible breeding of Cavaliers has resulted in a situation where 70% (at the time of filming in 2012) will have Syringomyelia by the time they are 6 years old. A responsible breeder will check for these problems and only breed from healthy dogs.
Margaret explains how to tell that the breeder you have chosen to purchase your Cav puppy from, has taken the right precautions to ensure your dog is as healthy as it can be. But, should the worst happen, and you have a dog with these health issues, she explains what support is available. With simple tests to check for health problems, it seems surprising that any breeder would want to bring a puppy into the world knowing that it was going to suffer.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:37 What health tests should cavalier breeders do?
1:32 Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) in Cavaliers
2:02 Syringomyelia (SM) in Cavaliers
3:47 Other health issues in Cavaliers
5:50 Websites and other support for cavalier health problems
6:30 How to buy a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier Matters (www.cavaliermatters.org) provides advice for potential and existing owners of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels including hereditary health issues.
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[@user-ft2uh5tt1f]

I have had 2 Cavaliers. One live to 13 years, one lived to be 15 years. Breeders must be reputable. This matters is ALL breeds.

[@susanjohnson747]

God bless you. I have Mister Bentley and he was 8 weeks old, had double pneumonia and coccidia and more. I prayed to god on my birthday. To save , take what Bentley needed to save him for me😭 He bottomed out. That’s when I found out about how sick he was. I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and got wonderful news from my doctor that my treatments are working. I have wanted one my entire life. I didn’t know that the Amish people, breeders in Indiana are puppy mills 😡😢 He’s recovered so well. Doing better than me. I have noticed that he does scratch at his hind legs a little. He’s about 6 months old now. They lied to me about everything and I am so worried. It’s been horrible for me us. Taken it’s toll on me. But I’m still fighting to be here to love my little Bentley he’s all I’ve got. We were meant to be together. I believe god set us up😇 thank you for your help and sharing this. Blessings to you and your family

[@williamrush8370]

THESE GUYS ARE NOT JUST DOGS, THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE! BVERY WONDERFUL PEOPLE!~

[@rosanac.5358]

Obrigada ! Excelente vídeo 🙏🏻

[@Pmjs]

Skye had Dry Eye Syndrome&Inflammatory Bowel Disease both are Autoimmune Diseases.

[@BougieBrownSugar]

My Cavalier passed away. I grapple with getting another one. Do you think that the certifications of the parents of the puppy will actually make a difference?

[@soesterbergblue]

I lost mine a little over a year ago and absolutely love this breed but I am convinced almost all Cavaliers will eventually get MVD, you just hope it will be later in life. Watching all their health issues develop is heartbreaking.

[@BougieBrownSugar]

@@soesterbergblue I cannot go through this again. I still miss her.

[@soesterbergblue]

@@BougieBrownSugar I feel the same way. I've seen so many younger sick Cavaliers that I just can't bring myself to go through it again. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[@hanna9611]

I am so sorry for your loss. My seven year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does have heart murmur although her whole line was healthy and got yearly checkups. In Germany owners have to report health issues to the breeder to ensure that they can bring the breed back to a healthy standard. I do love Cavaliers and my dog from the bottom of my heart, but personally I wouldn’t get another one. Almost every “regular” breed does have some health issues nowadays, but I feel like the Cavalier is more likely to have serious issues. Looking at my dog and knowing that she may suffer one day and won’t reach 13 or 14 years because of her health issues breaks my heart.

[@user-ij7dv2im8u]

All 3 of my cavaliers had anal gland problems and heart murmur issue's😢 these poor dogs.😣

[@jh2419]

We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers . Doesn't much seem like it.

[@williamrush8370]

What happens if you set your hyperbaric OXY SETTINGS AT 30 LBS. AND AT LEAST 30%OXY. OR 100%OXY FOR A DAY OR TWO? I SAY IF YOU LOVE THEM THE WAY I DO LOVE THEM, YOU WILL DO THIS!

[@wbl5649]

I really wanted one of these dogs but after research I will not get one. I had even contacted 2 breeders and had discussions with them. One told me she has never had someone she sold a pup to have any genetic affliction problems. But with the percentages as they are with these problems I decided she is lying. Why would I pay $2000+ for a sweet dog I would fall in love with and end up spending massive amounts of money on Vet bills and medication. The dog will suffer and I will suffer watching him suffer. I would have to be a fool to enter into such a situation knowing all this. It's a shame. And it's why Norway has now banned the breeding of Cavaliers.

[@jenbrown2690]

I've had dogs all my life, my last one, a Cavalier, was a lockdown puppy, had two homes prior to me giving a home to him. He's the only dog I can say I've regretted having. So many problems, behavioural and some health problems. Been the hardest dog I've ever owned. In hindsight I'd never have had him. Think carefully before getting one. Now my Staffix is the easiest of my dogs, the most loving and no overall maintenance.

[@wbl5649]

@@jenbrown2690 thanks for the advice

[@MartinRoebuck925]

These dogs shouldn’t even exist if they’re gonna have a lot of very serious health issues. Not many of them live up to a good old age. Most of them die young.

[@rustyhowe3907]

I'm sad to say I agree with you in full. Something MUST be done in drastic measures to get the breed good health before we as the customer/potential owner could even reasonably look at them as potential companions. I adore this breed, always wanted a few of them myself but I just can't call it a good idea while their breed is in this terrible condition. Wound up with a little mixed puppy for my own dog and prefer the option of not having a specific breed over this chaos in such a wonderful dog (personality wise) like the Cavalier, what's been done to them is horrible in ways no adjective can describe, they didn't deserve this at all.

[@hayleyrose8076]

Hi found your video very useful, I'm a dog breeder of America cocker spaniel and I'm looking into buying a Cavalier girl for breeding and doing my homework on them first, do you still breed them yourself please ? If so are you on Facebook or Instagram please? Would love to get intouch with you if you are you might be able to point me in the right direction and be able to find a great breeder , as I would like to do this for the best interest of the puppies, many thanks Mrs Haddrell Xx