Mary Allen
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a popular breed of dog, but unfortunately, the breed is also known to pose higher than average health risks. However, don’t let that put you off from owning this adorable toy dog. Like every living thing, every living thing has its own share of health hazards. There is absolutely no certainty that your dog is likely to be diagnosed with one or more of these diseases, but it’s always good to be prepared.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Canine hip dysplasia is usually associated with larger breeds but can be a common problem in Cavaliers. Because this strain is so small, symptoms may not appear until your dog is an adult. Vets often take X-rays to diagnose hip dysplasia by the age of 2 years. Symptoms can include lameness, stiff hind legs, difficulty standing up, and an inability to enjoy physical activity.
Deafness
Cavaliers are rarely born entirely avoidable. Many Cavaliers who suffer from deafness are partially or prematurely deaf. However, some become completely deaf by the age of 6 to 8 years. Symptoms include a lack of response to sounds like your voice, squeaky toys, clapping, whistling, doorbells, etc.
Entropion
Entropion is an inward rolling of the eyelid margins and is typically located in the lower eyelid of one or both eyes. The hairs on the affected eyelid terminate at the cornea, causing distress and trauma to the retina. This is a debilitating and potentially blinding condition inherited from the dog’s parents.
It usually develops within the first few months after arrival. Symptoms include redness in the eye, sore eyes, sensitivity to light, squinting, and discharge from the eyes.
Epilepsy
Seizures are common in Cavaliers. The most common type of seizure is flycatcher syndrome, which occurs when the dog lunges at imaginary flies. Medications may be prescribed for treatment. Symptoms include falling, stiffness, jerking, unconsciousness, drooling, tongue-biting, and foaming of the mouth.
Weakened Immune System
This can include things like allergies, metabolic or digestive disorders, dry eye, cancer, communication problems, muscle or nerve disorders, thyroid problems, blood problems, etc. Symptoms can vary depending on the immune problem.
Patella luxation (Patella Slipping)
Your dog may not feel much stress, especially when they are young. Surgery is a form of treatment when your dog is in pain, has a reduced quality of life, or prevents further joint problems. Symptoms include lameness, reduced mobility, difficulty standing up, swelling, and weakness. Dogs that have undergone a luxating patella are more prone to developing CCL/ACL injuries.
Syringomyelia
This may be caused by a small occipital bone (at the back of the skull) preventing free movement of cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid flows into the spinal cord, forming a cavity called the syrinx. Common symptoms are neck, shoulder, and ear scratching (common when walking on a leash or when excited) on both sides, but these can become excruciating.
Dogs with this can also be sensitive to the head, neck, and front legs and sometimes cry/yelp/yell for no apparent reason. Head position can be the reason for the dog’s pain and some like to sleep and eat with their head held high. Young dogs can develop cervical scoliosis (a twisted neck).
Hind legs that wobble when walking and front leg fatigue can also be signs. Cavaliers show signals between 6 months and 3 years, but dogs of any age can show symptoms. MRI scans are done to diagnose syringomyelia.