In case you assume Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a regal identify for a regal canine, then you definitely’re proper! A lot of issues make these pups particular:
- Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable
- Energetic and playful
- Good with kids and different pets
- Clever, wanting to please, and attentive to coaching
- Energetic, with a pleasant character
However take into consideration these traits, too:
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- Wants frequent consideration from her household
- Displays indicators of separation nervousness if left alone an excessive amount of
- Sees cats and small animals as prey except skilled in any other case
- May be tough to housetrain
- An indoor canine that doesn’t do effectively within the warmth
- Vulnerable to fairly just a few well being issues
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in England as a companion pet. The Cavalier was separated from the King Charles Spaniel, or English Toy Spaniel, within the early 1900’s in an effort to return to an older variant with an extended muzzle. The Cavaliers are an lively breed that enjoys chasing butterflies within the yard and is even appropriate for obedience trials. When not on the transfer the Cavalier’s favourite place is their proprietor’s lap. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel thrives in a house the place somebody is house more often than not; they require shut human contact and sometimes change into damaging when left alone greater than a few hours. The Cavalier is an clever and fearless companion, however isn’t recognized to be an excellent watchdog though they’ll alarm bark as a result of they’re typically overly social with strangers. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a typically wholesome breed with a median lifespan of 9-14 years.
Table of Contents
Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Well being
We all know that since you care a lot about your canine, you need to take excellent care of her. That’s the reason we’ve summarized the well being issues we will probably be discussing with you over the lifetime of your Cavalier. By figuring out about well being issues particular to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, we at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital can tailor a preventive well being plan to observe for and hopefully stop some predictable dangers.
Many ailments and well being situations are genetic, which means they’re associated to your pet’s breed. There’s a basic consensus amongst canine genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the situations we’ve described herein have a big charge of incidence and/or influence on this breed. That doesn’t imply your canine may have these issues; it simply implies that she is extra in danger than different canines. We are going to describe the most typical points seen in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to present you an concept of what could come up in her future. After all, we will’t cowl each chance right here, so all the time examine with us for those who discover any uncommon indicators or signs.
This information comprises basic well being data necessary to all canines in addition to crucial genetic predispositions for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This data helps you and us collectively plan in your pet’s distinctive medical wants. On the finish of the article, we’ve additionally included an outline of what you are able to do at house to maintain your Charlie feeling and looking her finest. You’ll know what to observe for, and we’ll all really feel higher figuring out that we’re taking the very best care of your pal.
Normal Well being Info in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Dental Illness
Dental illness is the most typical persistent downside in pets, affecting 80% of all canines by age two. And sadly, your Cavalier King Charles is extra doubtless than different canines to have issues together with her tooth. It begins with tartar build-up on the tooth and progresses to an infection of the gums and roots of the tooth. If we don’t stop or deal with dental illness, your buddy will lose her tooth and be at risk of damaging her kidneys, liver, coronary heart, and joints. In truth, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s life span could also be reduce quick by one to a few years! We’ll clear your canine’s tooth often and allow you to know what you are able to do at house to maintain these pearly whites clear.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are inclined to bacterial and viral infections — the identical ones that every one canines can get — akin to parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of those infections are preventable by vaccination, which we’ll advocate based mostly on the ailments we see in our space, her age, and different elements.
Weight problems
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Weight problems could be a vital well being downside in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It’s a critical illness that will trigger or worsen joint issues, metabolic and digestive problems, again ache and coronary heart illness. Although it’s tempting to present your pal meals when she seems at you with these soulful eyes, you’ll be able to “love her to death” with leftover individuals meals and doggie treats. As a substitute, give her a hug, brush her fur or tooth, play a recreation together with her, or maybe take her for a stroll. She’ll really feel higher, and so will you!
Parasites
All types of worms and bugs can invade your Charlie’s physique, inside and outside. Every thing from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her pores and skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can get into her system in a lot of methods: ingesting unclean water, strolling on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an contaminated mosquito. A few of these parasites will be transmitted to you or a member of the family and are a critical concern for everybody. In your canine good friend, these parasites may cause ache, discomfort, and even dying, so it’s necessary that we check for them regularly. We’ll additionally advocate preventive medicine as essential to hold her wholesome.
Spay or Neuter
The most effective issues you are able to do in your Cavalier is to have her spayed (neutered for males). In females, this implies we surgically take away the ovaries and often the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically take away the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the probability of sure varieties of cancers and eliminates the potential for your pet turning into pregnant or fathering undesirable puppies. Performing this surgical procedure additionally offers us an opportunity, whereas your pet is below anesthesia, to establish and handle among the ailments your canine is more likely to develop. For instance, in case your pet wants hip X-rays or a pet tooth extracted, this could be an excellent time. That is handy for you and straightforward in your good friend. Routine blood testing previous to surgical procedure additionally helps us to establish and take precautions for widespread issues that enhance anesthetic or surgical danger. Don’t fear; we’ll focus on the particular issues we will probably be searching for when the time arrives.
Genetic Predispositions for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Coronary heart failure is a number one reason for dying amongst Cavalier King Charles Spaniels of their golden years. Most coronary heart illness in canines is brought on by weakening of a valve. A coronary heart valve slowly turns into deformed in order that it not closes tightly. Blood then leaks again round this valve and strains the guts. Pets with coronary heart valve illness (typically referred to as mitral valve illness) have a coronary heart murmur. In case your canine has a coronary heart murmur or outward indicators suggesting coronary heart issues, we’ll carry out testing to find out the severity of the illness. The identical assessments will should be repeated at the least yearly to watch the situation. If coronary heart valve illness is recognized early, we might be able to prescribe medicines that might delay his life for a few years. Veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation may also help stop coronary heart illness and weight management may also help diminish signs.
Neurologic Issues
A number of neurologic ailments can afflict Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Signs of neurological issues can embrace seizures, imbalance, tremors, weak spot, or extra sleeping. In case you discover any of those signs, please search quick veterinary care.
Epilepsy
There are three varieties of seizures in canines: reactive, secondary, and first. Reactive seizures are brought on by the mind’s response to a metabolic downside like low blood sugar, organ failure, or a toxin. Secondary seizures are the results of a mind tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no different trigger will be discovered, the illness is known as main, or idiopathic epilepsy. This downside is commonly an inherited situation, with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels generally stricken. In case your good friend is liable to seizures, they are going to often start between six months and three years of age. An preliminary diagnostic workup could assist discover the trigger. Lifelong medicine is often crucial to assist hold seizures below management, with periodic blood testing required to watch unwanted effects and effectiveness. In case your canine has a seizure: Fastidiously stop him from injuring himself, however do not attempt to management his mouth or tongue. It will not assist him, and he could chew you by chance! Word the size of the seizure, and name us at (512) 892-9038 or name an emergency hospital.
- Charlies have the next tendency towards partial or milder seizures that will seem as odd habits akin to spacing out, snapping on the air as if biting at flies or falling over, with out the inflexible muscle tissues and flailing that often accompany full-blown seizures.
Bone and Joint Issues
Quite a few completely different musculoskeletal issues have been reported in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Whereas it could appear overwhelming, every situation will be recognized and handled to forestall undue ache and struggling. With diligent commentary at house and information in regards to the ailments that will have an effect on your good friend’s bones, joints, or muscle tissues it is possible for you to to take nice care of him all through his life.
- Generally your Cavalier’s kneecap (patella) could slip misplaced (referred to as patellar luxation). You would possibly discover that he runs alongside and out of the blue picks up a again leg and skips or hops for just a few strides. Then he kicks his leg out sideways to pop the kneecap again in place, and he’s superb once more. If the issue is gentle and entails just one leg, your good friend could not require a lot therapy past arthritis medicine. When signs are extreme, surgical procedure could also be wanted to realign the kneecap to maintain it from popping misplaced.
- Each hips and elbows are in danger for dysplasia, an inherited illness that causes the joints to develop improperly and leads to arthritis. Stiffness in your Cavalier’s elbows or hips could change into an issue for him, particularly as he matures. You might discover that he begins to point out lameness in his legs or has issue getting up from mendacity down. We will deal with the arthritis—the earlier the higher—to attenuate discomfort and ache. We’ll take X-rays of your canine’s bones to establish points as early as doable. Surgical procedure is typically an excellent possibility in extreme and life-limiting instances. Take into account that chubby canines could develop arthritis years sooner than these of regular weight, inflicting undue ache and struggling!
- Intervertebral disc illness (IVDD) is a typical situation in Cavaliers. The illness is precipitated when the jelly-like cushion between a number of vertebrae slips or ruptures, inflicting the disc to press on the spinal wire. In case your canine is out of the blue unable or unwilling to leap up, go up stairs, is reluctant to maneuver round, has a hunched again, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he’s doubtless in extreme ache. He could even drag his again toes or be out of the blue paralyzed and unable to stand up or use his again legs. In case you see signs, don’t wait. Name us or an emergency clinic instantly! For much less extreme instances, relaxation and medicine could resolve the issue. In lots of instances involving paralysis, we’ll advocate surgical removing of the ruptured discs (inside 24 hours of the onset of signs to get the very best outcomes). As with so many different ailments, weight management helps to forestall this downside. You must also use ramps or steps from puppyhood on in order that your canine doesn’t spend a lifetime stressing his again by leaping on and off of the furnishings.
Eye Issues
Not many issues have as dramatic an influence in your canine’s high quality of life as the correct functioning of his eyes. Sadly, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can inherit or develop a lot of completely different eye situations, a few of which can trigger blindness if not handled instantly, and most of which will be extraordinarily painful! We are going to consider his eyes at each examination to search for any indicators of concern.
- Cataracts are a typical reason for blindness in older Cavaliers. We’ll look ahead to the lenses of his eyes to change into extra opaque—which means they give the impression of being cloudy as a substitute of clear—after we look at him. Many canines regulate effectively to shedding their imaginative and prescient and get alongside simply superb. Surgical procedure to take away cataracts and restore sight might also be an possibility.
- Dry eye, often known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS, is widespread in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The tear glands not produce sufficient tears to maintain the attention moist, which ends up in sore, itchy eyes and infections. Ouch! Signs embrace a thick discharge, squinting, pawing on the eye, or a uninteresting, dry look of the attention. This can be a painful situation; please name us instantly for those who discover any of those indicators. We’ll conduct a tear check after we look at him. If he has this illness, we’ll prescribe ointment that you just’ll want to use for the remainder of your canine’s life.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited illness by which the eyes are genetically programmed to go blind. Sadly, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a bit extra doubtless than different canines to have this situation. PRA isn’t painful, but additionally not curable. In canines with the dangerous gene, early signs akin to night time blindness or dilated pupils typically start round three to 5 years of age. A genetic check is offered for this situation.
Dry, flaky, itchy pores and skin is a typical downside for a lot of canines, however Charlies particularly are liable to a extreme flaking pores and skin situation referred to as ichthyosis. Named for the big dry flakes that resemble fish scales, this downside often arises very early in life, with most affected puppies born with irregular pores and skin. A number of palliative therapy choices like particular shampoos and fish oils give variable ranges of aid, however there isn’t a definitive remedy for this inherited illness. There’s a genetic check accessible for a lot of breeds that may decide whether or not he’s clear, a provider, or affected. That is necessary data in case you are planning to make use of your good friend for breeding, as it’s not really helpful to breed canines who’re affected or carriers; the purpose is to forestall this debilitating illness in future generations.
Bladder or Kidney Stones
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There are just a few various kinds of stones that may type within the kidney or within the bladder, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels usually tend to develop them than different breeds. We’ll periodically check his urine for telltale indicators indicating the presence of kidney and bladder stones; they’re painful! In case your buddy has blood in his urine, can’t urinate, or is straining to urinate, it’s a medical emergency. Name us instantly!
Allergic reactions
In people, an allergy to pollen, mildew, or mud makes individuals sneeze and their eyes itch. In canines, quite than sneeze, allergy symptoms make their pores and skin itchy. We name this pores and skin allergy “atopy”, and Cavaliers typically have it. Generally, the toes, stomach, folds of the pores and skin, and ears are most affected. Signs sometimes begin between the ages of 1 and three and may worsen yearly. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most typical indicators. The excellent news is that there are numerous therapy choices accessible for this situation.
- Allergic reactions, swimming, overgrowth of hair within the ear canals, or an accumulation of earwax can all predispose your canine to ear infections, that are painful and annoying. Cavaliers are fairly often stricken by allergy symptoms, which trigger itching and irritation within the ears and elsewhere. The sooner we diagnose this illness, the much less discomfort and ache he’ll endure. You’ll want to name us for those who discover him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears appear painful to the contact. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we additionally cut back the probability of eardrum harm that may result in deafness. Most ear infections are inclined to recur till we work collectively to manage the underlying trigger.
Deafness
Heritable deafness has been famous in some Charlie bloodlines, so if his ears are wholesome and he is nonetheless ignoring you, a extra thorough listening to workup could also be wanted, together with brainwave evaluation, if indicated. In case you suspect he is probably not listening to in addition to he ought to, schedule an appointment with us instantly as the issue may be brought on by a extreme ear an infection.
Brachycephalic Syndrome
This illness, often known as brachycephalic syndrome, impacts canines with a brief nostril, like your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has the identical quantity of tissue in his nostril and throat because the longer-nosed canines, however there’s no place for it to go. As a consequence, the taste bud (the smooth half behind the roof of the mouth), is just too lengthy and hangs down into the airway. The nostrils are sometimes too small, and typically the trachea, or windpipe, is slim and undersized. All of these items result in a slim and obstructed airway. Many of those canines can barely breathe! Look ahead to train intolerance, loud respiratory, coughing, bluish gums, or fainting. Together with his quick nostril, he’s additionally extra more likely to develop different issues, akin to flatulence from extreme air consumption, pneumonia from aspirating meals, or warmth stroke. In extreme instances, surgical correction could also be really helpful.
Taking Care of Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at Dwelling
pet medical insurance will assist you cowl these prices.
Routine Care, Weight-reduction plan, and Train
Construct her routine care into your schedule to assist your Charlie stay longer, keep more healthy, and be happier throughout her lifetime. We can’t overemphasize the significance of a correct food regimen and train routine.
- Supervise your pet as you’ll a toddler. Maintain doorways closed, decide up after your self, and block off rooms as crucial. This may hold her out of hassle and away from objects she shouldn’t put in her mouth.
- Brush her coat as wanted, at the least weekly to forestall mats.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically have critical issues with their tooth, so that you’ll must brush them at the least thrice every week!
- Clear her ears weekly, at the same time as a pet. Be certain that to maintain her floppy ears dry. Don’t fear—we’ll present you the way!
- She is effectively suited to condominium life so long as she is given each day walks and frequent play periods.
- She has a robust chase intuition, so she must be leash walked and a fenced yard is a should.
- She will be delicate to temperature extremes; keep away from any extended publicity and be very alert to the indicators of warmth stress.
- Maintain your canine’s food regimen constant and don’t give her individuals meals.
- Feed a high-quality food regimen acceptable for her age.
- Train your canine often, however don’t overdo it at first.
What to Watch For
Any irregular symptom could possibly be an indication of great illness, or it may simply be a minor or momentary downside. The necessary factor is to have the ability to inform when to hunt veterinary assist, and the way urgently. Many ailments trigger canines to have a attribute mixture of signs, which collectively could be a clear sign that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wants assist.
Workplace Calls
Give us a name for an appointment for those who discover any of these kinds of indicators:
- Change in urge for food or water consumption
- Tartar build-up, dangerous breath, crimson gums, or damaged tooth
- Itchy pores and skin (scratching, chewing or licking), hair loss
- Lethargy, psychological dullness, or extreme sleeping
- Fearfulness, aggression, or different behavioral modifications
Emergencies
Search medical care instantly for those who discover any of these kinds of indicators:
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- Scratching or shaking the top, tender ears, or ear discharge
- Coughing, particularly at night time or upon rising after sleeping, speedy respiratory at relaxation
- Any irregular shaking, trembling, or extreme involuntary tremors
- Bruises simply or bleeds lots from a small wound
- Simply startled, no response to unseen sounds
- Loud respiratory, tires simply at train
