Health
Cavaliers
Unfortunately, Cavaliers have a large number of health issues, to the point that some people have asked is it worth continuing the breed as it is.
I have been lucky enough to have shared most of my life with dogs, purchasing my first Cavalier in 1996 from a long time reputable Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) breeder and I believe they are undoubtably worth preserving.
There has been a lot of concerning information and of course some misinformation in the media around Cavalier health, particularly after the ban of their breeding recently in Norway. There have been discussions about cross breeding to regain healthy stock but hopefully this does not have to be the case. Cross breeding is very risky and has not been successful historically with improving other breeds.
Genetics and associated health testing are complex and complicated.
In recent years there has been a rapid incline in the cross breeding of Cavaliers with other breeds. I don’t dispute that these cross breeds may be lovely dogs, I love any dog. Cross breeds are a mixture of whatever two (in some cases more than two) breeds have been paired together. They have their own pros and cons and a multitude of health issues. A lot of “Oodles” have temperament issues, with anxiety and aggression being common as well as skin allergies.
I am an ANKC registered breeder purely interested in breeding the best possible specimens and aiding the best possible future of purebred dogs only, in particular Golden Retriever’s and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Purebred Cavaliers only come in four colours – Blenheim (red and white), tricolour, black and tan and Ruby. Any other colour is not a recognised colour, cannot be registered with the Dogs Australia and is therefore not a pure-bred cavalier.
So much goes into having a litter of healthy puppies. If someone has a litter of puppies and doesn’t have adequate knowledge about the parents, grandparents and beyond and the parents have not been fully health tested, those puppies may be more likely to be pre disposed to health issues. If those puppies then in turn have puppies; there is a vey high chance future puppies will have health issues, worsening the general health and welfare of the breed as a whole, not just the health of the individual animal.
I have compiled some information to hopefully clarify and provide common-sense information regarding health issues, health testing and health testing practices in Australia and its importance in relation to Cavaliers. The information provided is in no way scientific, it’s simply my personal honest opinion gathered from information and research I have come across in the search to gain as much information as possible to do my part in preserving this beautiful breed, to strive to be able to move forward in a positive way for the best possible outcomes for the breeds future.
The current main health issues in Australia-
Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD)– This is the leading cause of death in Cavaliers. It is a polygenic disease which statistics have shown may afflict over half of all Cavaliers by the age of 5 years and nearly all Cavaliers by the age of 10 years. The disease doesn’t often become apparent (the dog doesn’t show signs or symptoms) until after 5 years of age, after they have already been bred from, making it so hard to eradicate. In some countries you are restricted to breeding from Cavaliers until they have turned 5 for this reason. This limits the breeding options of dogs considerably. No DNA test is available. Dogs should have a yearly heart check by a specialist canine cardiologist. Only MMVD clear dogs should be used for breeding
Curly coat / dry eye syndrome – The dog is born with a rough, curly coat. The fur does not grow well initially and eventually develops scaling. The dogs foot pads will thicken. Eyes suffer reduced tear production and can be affected by repeated conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and other eye disease. They can suffer poor dental health. Treatment includes artificial tears solutions, topical antibiotics and anti- inflammatory medications as well as medicinal bathing to help skin issues. DNA test is available,
Degenerative Myelopathy – Is a muscle wasting disease, typically affecting dogs 8 years and over. It causes gradual muscle wasting and in coordination in the hind limbs and progresses to an inability to walk. It is said to be a non-painful destruction of the nerve conduction portion of the spinal cord. DNA test is available. There have been very limited to no known cases of DM in Australia and it is therefore not considered as concerning as other diseases. (see note on EBV below)
Episodic Falling Syndrome – A disorder of the muscles that causes increased muscle tone and muscle spasticity, resulting in limbs that appear “locked” in an extended position. It is induced by exercise, being over excited or physically stressed. The symptoms are short lived and the dog usually fully recovers after and episode. DNA test available.
Muscular dystrophy – Is a degeneration of muscle fibres due to problem with a dogs Dystrophin a protein that acts to stabilise skeletal and cardiac muscles and provides mechanical stability during muscle contraction. No test available other than muscle biopsy in affected (symptomatic) dogs
Progressive retinal atrophy – A disease of the retina that causes gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. It is not painful - DNA test available.
Other eye diseases – including congenital and inheritable cataracts and retinal dysplasia. Testing is available through specialist canine ophthalmologist via the ACES / ORCHID scheme.
The EG or NEBL3 gene or “wild gene’, only recently discovered and very recently been able to be DNA tested for. Dogs (Cavaliers) who have this gene “appear” to be less likely to be diagnosed with MMVD early in life. The study of this gene is in its very early days and a lot has yet to be done. Many breeders are following the study of the NEBL3 gene as well as testing for it, to hopefully utilise it in the future to assist in the reduction of MMVD in cavaliers. Some breeders are using the gene as a sales pitch and are charging more . Do they do other important health testing?
Chiari Malformation (CM) and Syringomyelia (SM) – Is characterised by a mismatch in size between the brain (which is too large) and the skull (which is too small). This may block the opening from the skull to the spine and alter the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around and within the spinal cord. As a result, fluid filled cavities called syrinxes can develop with the spinal cord, with the condition being called syringomyelia (“sear-ing-go-my-eelya”). Th condition has been shown to be inherited, although the mechanism of inheritance is not yet understood. Some dogs with the disease show no symptoms, others experience pain and sensitivity to touch. Sever cases may display frequent, repetitive head scratching and scratching the air. Some show neurological signs such as weakness and incoordination. There is no DNA test available. Dogs can have a brain MRI by specialist canine neurologist to check for brain abnormalities and fluid filled cavities indicative of the respective diseases. A dog with a positive scan will not necessarily have any symptoms of the disease.
Chiari Malformation (CM) should not be mistaken for the blood disorder –
Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia (also CM), a blood condition found in Cavaliers where a dog has large platelets (clumping cells that help stop bleeding) that are fewer in number than in most other dogs. This blood disorder can be DNA tested and is thought to be an autosomal recessive inherited pattern. This condition is poorly understood, the symptoms and the effects of the disease on Cavaliers is unsure. It is generally described as a benign condition, requiring no treatment.
I believe you need to take a holistic approach using both objective and subjective information. Some of the diseases above are very prevalent and have significant symptoms causing pain, discomfort, reduced function. Some have very little impact at all.
The concept of Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) is a proven effective way of using objective data. It is used positively in so many other livestock best breeding practices.
EBV is a statistical prediction of the relative genetic value of a particular animal available for breeding. EBV’s are used to rank breeding stock for selection, based on the genetic risk of each individual dog in relation to specific traits. In Cavaliers the biggest issues are early onset MVD, CM and SM and close behind is EFS and dry eye. EBV’s are now being used in the UK with a database called “Mate Select”. Australia does not have a large enough pool of tested dogs to allow such a database yet.
In short, only purchase a puppy from an ANKC registered breeder.
Both the parents of a Cavalier puppy should have had the following testing done -
*A DNA test for - Curly coat, dry eye and episodic falling syndromes and the result should be either negative or a carrier for all these genes. A test for the EG gene is a bonus, a positive result being the most preferred. A negative result is not a bad result either. (It is too early to know if this is actually a positive gene)
*An annual heart check, with a clear result and a certificate completed and signed by a specialist canine cardiologist.
*A biennial eye check, with an ACES / ORCHID scheme with a clear result and a certificate completed by a specialist canine Ophthalmologist.
*If possible, both parents should also have had an MRI scan to check for signs of SM and CM and only be bred from if the score is satisfactory. If an MRI has been done there will be a report with a photo copy of the individual dogs MRI scan and a grading score with a key legend to explain the scoring and breeding recommendation. As far as I am aware, all MRI breed testing and scoring in Australia is completed by the very knowledgeable neurologist Dr Georgina Child???
Valuable links –
https://www.cavalierhealth.org/index.html
The ORCHID / CHEDS and ORCHID / ACES website
Dr Georgina Child at https://sashvets.com
An excellent article about the NEBL3 / EG gene - https://www.sielleplacecavaliers.com/post/understanding-the-nebl3-gene-in-cavaliers
Goldens
Goldens have less health issues than Cavaliers. The main hereditary issues include -
Cancer: Golden Retrievers have a higher than average risk of cancer, including lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma.
Joint Dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are inherited conditions that cause joint instability, leading to pain and arthritis.
Skin Issues & Allergies: They are prone to allergies, which often cause hot spots, skin inflammation, and recurring ear infections. Ichthyosis - a skin condition which affects an increasing number of Goldens each year
Heart Disease: Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is a hereditary heart defect that can cause murmurs and exercise intolerance, according to the National Golden Retriever Council.
Eye Conditions: They are predisposed to cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and retinal dysplasia.
Other Issues: Obesity is common due to overeating, notes this YouTube video. Other issues include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, ectopic eureter and kidney issues. These last issues do not all have a definitive test to diagnose or be able to avoid the inherited disease.