Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Genetic Diseases and Testing
As with all breeds of dogs there are certain health issues which
are more likely to affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Whilst the majority of Cavaliers are healthy and hardy it is
important to understand why the Cavalier breed is
susceptible to some health issues.
are more likely to affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Whilst the majority of Cavaliers are healthy and hardy it is
important to understand why the Cavalier breed is
susceptible to some health issues.
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The second world war (almost saw the Cavalier breed become extinct), caused a drastic setback to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed due to the hardship or wartime and food shortages. For instance, in the Ttiweh Cavalier Kennel, the population of sixty dogs dropped to three during the 1940s.
Following the war only six Cavaliers survived. These dogs were Ann's Son, his litter brother Wizbang Timothy, Carlo of Ttiweh, Duce of Braemore, Kobba of Kuranda and Aristide of Ttiweh. All Cavalier King Charles Spaniels alive today primarily descendants from these 6 dogs. |
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In order to re-populate the breed an incredibly
large amount of inbreeding was conducted in the years after the War. The inbreeding was absolutely necessary to preserve the breed and as a result of it there are several genetic markers for some health issues that this breed is predisposed to. Unfortunately MVD is one of the genetic markers and an ongoing health issues for this breed. As all of today's Cavaliers descend from only six dogs, any inheritable disease present in at least one of the original founding dogs can be passed on to a significant proportion of future generations. |
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This is known as the founder effect and is the likely cause of the prevalence of MVD in the breed.
The health problems shared with this breed include mitral valve disease, luxating patella, and
hereditary eye issues such as cataracts and retinal dysplasia.
The health problems shared with this breed include mitral valve disease, luxating patella, and
hereditary eye issues such as cataracts and retinal dysplasia.
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If you come across a breeder that guarantees their dogs will never get MVD or any of the other health ailments that this breed is susceptible to then you need to take a closer look at that breeder. It is impossible to guarantee this due to the extensive inbreeding that occurred to repopulate the breed and the fact that all current Cavaliers have inherited the genetic marker for these health issues. It doesn't matter how far back a breeder can show their dogs lineage has been clear of hereditary health issues, the genetic marker is there and it is possible that ANY Cavalier could potentially develop health issues. This is NOT to say that their dogs will develop health issues because there is a very good chance they wont but it is important to be aware that the genetic markers are present in any Cavalier they breed. |
Our Personal experience with MVD.
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We purchased our first Cavalier from a
reputable breeder who is well known in the Cavalier breeding community. Their dogs were registered with the CKC and they regularly had their dogs tested by a cardiologist for MVD. The adults where only bred if they were clear of MVD. The puppies were also checked by their vet and where cleared from having MVD as well. So we brought our lovely Black and Tan boy home. Fast forward 8 years and sadly every puppy from this litter eventually developed the disease as did their mother many years later. |
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Although the breeder bred "MVD cleared" dogs, the disease showed up many
years later and affected the entire litter.
years later and affected the entire litter.
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The reason we are sharing this story is to show the importance that genetic markers have on this breed. It is virtually impossible to say if any specific dog will or will not develop MVD or any other diseases. As breeders we do our best to ensure that we do not breed sickly adults but in the end it is a roll of the dice to see if the genetic marker will cause the dog to develop a disease of if the disease will remain dormant. |
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The first indication of MVD is easily detectible
by a veterinarian using a stethoscope, which is called auscultation. The veterinarian while listening to a dog's heart may hear a heart murmur on the left side. (Please note there are other causes for heart murmurs, to diagnose MVD it will depend upon where the regurgitation is heard) The veterinarian will then grade the murmur for severity from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 6 (severe) and depending upon the grade will advise proper treatment. |
As simple a device as the stethoscope may seem to be, many cardiologists consider that auscultation
is the best screening test there is for the identification of the presence of mitral valve regurgitation.
Initial diagnosis is by detection of a characteristic heart murmur with a stethoscope, and can be
confirmed by ultrasound investigation. Other diagnostic tools may also be used to determine the
severity of the disease and the presence of heart failure including ECG (electrocardiogram) recordings,
chest radiography, blood tests and full physical examinations.
is the best screening test there is for the identification of the presence of mitral valve regurgitation.
Initial diagnosis is by detection of a characteristic heart murmur with a stethoscope, and can be
confirmed by ultrasound investigation. Other diagnostic tools may also be used to determine the
severity of the disease and the presence of heart failure including ECG (electrocardiogram) recordings,
chest radiography, blood tests and full physical examinations.
What is testing all about?
Testing is merely a breeder's tool to try to establish a dog's health at any point in time.
It does not mean that dog will not develop a heart murmur in the future or
that they will not produce puppies with Mitral Valve Disorder.
It does not mean that dog will not develop a heart murmur in the future or
that they will not produce puppies with Mitral Valve Disorder.
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At present the mode of inheritance for
Mitral Valve Disorder in Cavaliers is unknown. It is considered multi-factorial. In other words there is a genetic predisposition for the disease but other unknown factors will go into why one dog is affected and at what age and another dog, even a littermate, is not affected at all. While it is extremely doubtful the disease will ever be eradicated from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel completely, the hope of breeders is to move the age of onset back as late in life as possible. So many breeders will have their dogs checked annually for evidence of a heart murmur and breed mature dogs that are unaffected. |
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At CavalierKingCharlesSpanielDogs.com we work very closely with our veterinarian and have our dogs checked for health issues especially MVD on a regular basis. We have never had to go for testing beyond our regular veterinarian check-up because the vets have never found any of the tell tale signs of MVD in any of our dogs.