Most Cavaliers die less than two years after the onset of heart failure. It has a serious effect on quality of life, causing severe discomfort with breathing difficulties, breathlessness, and coughing. More than half of all Cavaliers develop MVD by age 5, and most show signs of the disease by age 10. This disease, which begins as a heart murmur and progresses to heart failure, occurs in Cavaliers roughly 20 times more often than in other breeds. Mitral valve disease (MVD) is the most common cause of death of Cavalier King Charles spaniels. They’re Predisposed to Heart Conditions All the Love in the World Can’t Fix Going for a walk, chasing a ball, running, and playing-the things that make dogs’ lives joyful and fulfilling-are impossible for many BIB dogs. They’re a Breathing-Impaired BreedĬavalier King Charles spaniels are a breathing-impaired breed (BIB) and are more likely to suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome-a disorder that greatly limits a dog’s ability to breathe-than other types of dogs. Once the pain begins, it tends to last throughout the dog’s life. Dogs may also lick and chew their paws, shake or rub their head, and experience weakness, poor coordination, and scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Humans suffering from this condition describe feeling like insects are crawling on their skin, with the most extreme pain akin to severe burning. The disorder, called syringomyelia, causes dogs to yelp in pain after sudden changes in posture and to scratch their ears, chest, neck, and shoulders uncontrollably. This blocks cerebrospinal fluid from flowing properly, and the abnormal pressure creates fluid-filled cavities, or syringes, near the brain. Studies have estimated that more than 90% of all Cavaliers have a malformation that squeezes their brain through the foramen magnum, the hole at the back of the skull. What Health Problems Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier Mixes Have? They’re Bred to Have a Skull Too Small for Their Brain Cavaliers, like all dogs bought and sold, are exploited from birth to line the pockets of breeders who don’t care if the dogs endure painful conditions. Because the conditions are genetic, dogs mixed with Cavalier King Charles spaniels, like the “Cavapoo” (a Cavalier-poodle mix), are still likely to inherit health issues. This inbreeding is likely what has led to the prevalence of certain genetic health issues and diseases within the breed. But why does this breed have so many health problems?Īll Cavaliers and Cavalier mixes originate from just six Cavalier King Charles spaniels who were inbred to restart the breed after World War II. They were deemed to be suffering so greatly from health problems that the Oslo District Court banned the breeding of Cavaliers in Norway altogether, as their propensity for unhealthiness was considered to be a violation of the country’s Animal Welfare Act. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is one of the unhealthiest dog breeds in the world.
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