Vaccinations :
Consult your breeder if the vaccination programme
has not been completed to ensure the correct dosage. Adult vaccination should
be given annually.
Teeth
:Puppies start getting
their 42 permanent teeth between 16 and 30 weeks. Check regularly to ensure
each baby tooth is replaced with an adult one. Rawhide chewbones help with
teething but don't buy enormous ones designed for bigger dogs. Do not feed
cooked meat bones and never chicken or pork but use raw beef marrow bones.
Regular brushing the dogs teeth with a toothbrush or finger stool and a
dog toothpaste is essential.
Anal Glands :
Cavaliers often need
their anal glands emptied some more frequently than others. A good indication
is when they are regularly ' scooting ' their rear end on the
floor.
Fleas :
Fleas should be kept
under control with the use of flea shampoos and sprays available from your
Veterinary practice. If bad remember to treat the carpets and furniture that
the dog has access too.
Ears :
Check the inside of the
dogs ears regularly and if the dog frequently shakes it's head and scratches
it's ears then investigate for an infection, wax buildup or earmites. In summer
it could be a grass seed which can be dangerous if
ignored.
Eyes :
Clean any stained fur
in the eye area with cotton wool and warm water. At the first sign of any eye
infection contact a Vet.
Snorting
: This is a Cavalier
characteristic especially when excited and not a cause for great alarm. It is a
sudden breath intake accompanied by a snorting noise. It can usually be stopped
by placing the hand over the nostrils momentarily to restrict the intake of
air. Sometimes it is accompanied by a flipped palate and here you can hold the
dog in your arms and a quick flick of its head should flip the palate
back.
On the whole Cavaliers
are a healthy breed however like all breeds there can be possible health
problems and inheritable genetic defects. This does not mean that all dogs are
affected and with a proper diet and exercise a Cavalier usually leads a long
heathy life.
Some of the breed
problems are :
Heart Murmurs -
get the heart checked at annual vaccination. The Cavalier Club is actively
involved in heart research publishing a list of dogs and bitches aged five
years and older that are free of Mitral Valve Disease. This assists breeders
wishing to improve the health of the breed. Forms are completed by your Vet or
Cardiologist, held on a central database and statistics made available to those
engaged in researching the problem of heart murmurs in Cavaliers
.
Eye Defects -
Can only be diagnosed by a veterinary opthalmologist who will certify dogs that
have been examined under the KC/BVA Eye Scheme. Cavaliers can suffer from
Hereditary Cataract or more likely Multifocal Retinal
Dysplasia.
Luxating
Patella - This occurs in the back leg and the knee cap slips causing the
dog discomfort. The condition is usually surgically
correctable.
Hip Dysplasia -
Being a small breed this is not a common problem and then not usually till old
age. No indication of this disease is evident in young dogs and can only be
diagnosed by x-rays of the hip joints normally after the age of
two.
It is important to
understand than even if the sire and dam have been screened and found clear of
any health problems, no breeder can guarantee that your puppy will never
develop a problem during its life time. Screening lessens the chance and
questioning breeders on health issues should not anger them. Not all breeders
believe in all testing, or of having tests certified, they should not object to
providing copies of any testing that has been done and will be pleased that you
care about the health of your puppy.
For piece of mind
get any new puppy checked by your own vet within days of bringing them
home. |