Hereditary Diseases

Chronic Pancreatitis (CP)

Cavaliers have an increased risk of developing chronic pancreatitis, it is very common within this breed but not recognised. The underlying cause has not been found.

The pancreas is a thin, delicate-appearing, boomerang-shaped organ that resides in the abdominal cavity, tucked up against the stomach and small intestine. While the pancreas may be diminutive in appearance, its actions are mighty! It is the body's source of insulin and enzymes necessary for food digestion. When pancreatitis is chronic or particularly severe, this little factory sometimes permanently closes down, resulting in diabetes mellitus (requires insulin shots) and/or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (requires digestive enzyme replacement therapy).

When a dog eats, enzymes are released from the pancreas into the small intestine, where they are activated for food digestion. Sometimes, for reasons we do not understand, these enzymes are activated within the pancreas itself, resulting in the inflammation of pancreatitis. In addition to rich or fatty foods, certain drugs, hormonal imbalances and inherited defects in fat metabolism can also cause pancreatitis. Classic pancreatitis symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss and decreased appetite and activity levels (these symptoms can be caused by other conditions apart from CP).

Pancreatitis can be acute and only occur once in a dog's lifetime or it can become chronic and keep returning over and over again. It can be a rapidly life threatening illness and result in death.

Fly Catcher's Syndrome

Fly Catcher's Syndrome results from a brain wave disturbance. So-called Fly Catcher's Syndrome is a variant where hallucinations cause the dog to leap and snap at imaginary objects, as if flies were in front of their nose. Some affected dogs may compulsively chase their tails or act as if their ears or paws are irritated. Episodes may last for several hours or in severe cases constantly.

Fly Catcher's Syndrome has also been identified as a symptom of Syringomyelia it has also been associated with another disorder "Idiopathic Asymptomatic Thrombocytopenia" (Blood Platelets) and Epileptic Seizures.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a common, heritable disease which can cause the dog terrible pain. The hip joint is a ball and socket arrangement in which the femoral head (the ball) of the thigh bone (the femur) fits into the acetabulum (the socket) of the pelvic structure. The assembly is held in place by ligaments and muscles. Malformation of either the ball or the socket, laxity in the ligaments, and poor muscle condition all contribute to the pain and ultimate arthritis of the disease.

Breeding dogs should be well below the average {16 for Cavaliers}. Very few Cavaliers are hip scored; it is not perceived to be a major problem in the breed, by the time symptoms show, they are usually dismissed as arthritis.

It is believed by specialists in the field of hip dysplasia that the true incidence of HD in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is two to three times as high as those statistics would indicate, meaning from 24% to 36% of all Cavaliers, or as many as one third or more of all of the dogs in the breed.

The minimum score is 0 and the maximum is 106, 53 for each hip.

The lower the score the less the degree.

Luxating Patella - Knee Dislocation

Luxating = Dislocate

Patella = Knee Cap

Twenty to thirty percent of Cavaliers suffer from a hereditary condition called Luxating Patellas. The knee cap should be located in its groove within the centre of the knee joint of the upper leg bone. A Luxating Patella is a knee cap that moves out of its groove.

Knee Dislocation can cause your puppy/dog to cry out in pain when running or playing. Owners sometimes hear a popping sound in their dogs legs when they are being picked up.

If the condition is not corrected, it will degenerate, the knees ridges will become shallower and the Cavalier will become progressively more lame. Arthritis will prematurely affect the joint, causing a permanent swollen knee with poor mobility.

Next Page: Pedigree Dog Breeding Reports