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How to Find a Cavalier Breeder

OUR BLOG: Say "NO!"
to Vetmedin's EPIC Trial

Syringomyelia can cause
severe pain in cavaliers

Syringomyelia (SM) is reported to be "very widespread" in the cavalier King Charles spaniel breed. Syringomyelia is a disorder of the brain and spinal cord, which may cause severe head and neck pain and possible paralysis.

• More: CKCS syringomyelia
• SM breeding protocol
• "Pedigree Dogs Exposed"
• "Pedigree Dogs Exposed - Three Years On"
• Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs)
• Research news
• Reduced rate MRI clinic locations
• MRI screening protocol for SM

Hip dysplasia afflicts
up to 1 out of 4 CKCSs

Hip dysplasia reportedly afflicts up to one out of every four cavalier King Charles spaniels. It is a genetic disease which can cause the dogs pain and debilitation.

• More: Cavaliers' hip dysplasia

Low blood platelet counts are
not a problem for cavaliers

Low blood platelet counts in cavaliers usually are not a health problem. Many veterinarians are misled by low platelet counts to wrongly diagnose anemia or other serious disorders.

• More: Cavaliers' blood platelet counts

Brachycephalic Airway
Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)

The size and shape of its head can cause serious breathing problems for the cavalier King Charles spaniel. Elongated soft palates, stenotic nares, everted laryngeal saccules, and laryngeal collapse are inherited developmental defects in the breed.

• More: BAOS in the cavalier King Charles spaniel

CKCSs are pre-disposed
to cerebellar strokes

Cavalier King Charles spaniels appear predisposed to develop cerebellar infarcts, or strokes.

• More: Cerebellar infarcts in the CKCS

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Deafness is a double whammy
for cavalier King Charles spaniels

Cavaliers are predisposed to a form of congenital deafness, which is present at birth, and also to a progressive hereditary hearing loss, which usually begins during puppyhood and worsens, or progresses, until the dog is completely deaf, usually between the ages of three and five years.

• More: Deafness in cavalier King Charles spaniels

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CHECK OUT THESE ITEMS

How to Find a Cavalier Breeder in U.S.
10 Questions for Cavalier Breeders
TOP TEN: Breeders Worst Excuses

Genetic Eye Disorders in CKCS
SM Healthful Breeding Protocol

Progressive Deafness in Cavaliers

Cerebellar Infarcts -- Brain Strokes
Diabetes Requires Daily Treatment

Masticatory Muscle Myositis (MMM)
Fly Catchers: Biting Imaginary Flies
Cavalier's Knees -- Patellar Luxation
Cavaliers' Sudden Collapsing Explained
Dry Eye Syndrome Means Constant Care

Supporting Research, Rescue, & Reform 

Campaign to Improve the Health of Pedigree Dogs

MVD: leading cause
of CKCS deaths

Heart mitral valve disease (MVD) is a terminal illness which afflicts over half of all cavalier King Charles spaniels by the age of 5 years and nearly all Cavaliers by age 10 years. It is CKCSs' leading cause of death.

• More: Cavalier King Charles spaniel MVD
• Mitral valve disease breeding protocol
• A few words about pimobendan (Vetmedin)
• ACVIM cardiologists consensus statement
• Research news

The Latest in Genetic Research
& Upcoming Events

►UK cavalier club and Kennel Club may revise CKCS breed standard for genetic diversity.

►CompanionMRI.com offers reduced fee MRI scans in West Hartford, CT.

►Tufts researchers examine effects of statin drug on dogs with congestive heart failure.

►UK cavalier club hears presentations on genetic diversity, EBV and MRI scans.

►UK & German neurologists find connection between venous drainage and parenchyma overcrowding in CKCSs with CM/SM.

►US study finds only 6.2% of vet-prepared dog food recipes met minimum essential nutrient guidelines.

►MitralSeal mitral valve replacement technology is approaching the end of its 3-year research period at Colorado State University.

►UK Cavalier Club is conducting on-line 2013 Health Census of all CKCSs, June 1 to 9.

►Cardiologist Dr. Buchanan reports mitral valve thickening is worst at chordae tendineae contact points.

►Sweden's cavaliers show great progress against MVD in 2012.

►NEW WEBPAGE: Kidney disease and the cavalier King Charles spaniel.

►UK study finds cavaliers at "significant risk" for chronic kidney disease.

►UK's Royal Veterinary College needs dogs with idiopathic epilepsy for study.

►Dogs' cataracts can be improved with N-acetyl carnosine eye drops.

►UK Kennel Club announces syringomyelia as a "candidate" for EBVs.

►German researchers find relationship between pain and asymmetrical syrinxes and dorsal horn involvement in cavaliers with SM.

►German researchers find natriuretic peptides not useful to distinguish between grades of MVD.

►UK Kennel Club adopts the DNA testing scheme for episodic falling and curly coat syndromes in the CKCS.

►UK study finds CKCSs not pre-disposed to mast cell tumors.

►Tufts vet school seeks "healthy" CKCSs for free ultrasound study of muscle mass.

►Researchers find that cardiac troponin-I could be a biomarker for formation of scar tissue in MVD dogs.

►UK seminar on May 26: "Chiari and syrlngomyelia in toy dogs, latest developments and projects" by Dr. Paul Mandigers.

►OUR BLOG: CKCSC,USA embarks on an offensive “charm offensive”.

►Prof. Brendan Corcoran's February 2013 report on MVD research to UK's cavalier club.

►UK cavalier clubs urge Kennel Club to include Episodic Falling & Curly Coat DNA tests in KC's registration system.

►US researchers find false crude fiber percentages reported on commercial dog food ingredients lists.>

►UK researchers find PSOM is progressive in cavaliers and will not cure itself.

►CavalierHealth.org now is a charitable trust under Sec. 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code.

►Alabama specialist analyzes PSOM in 9-month old female CKCS.

►UK's Dr. Penny Watson seeks breakthroughs in understanding chronic pancreatitis in CKCSs.

►Early neutering may increase male dogs' risk for developing hip dysplasia.

►International study finds no statistical relationship between coughing in MVD dogs and congestive heart failure.

►UK neurologists report cavaliers' CM/SM may be due to independent development of the occipital bone and cerebellum or failure to coordinate growth mechanisms.

►Gene therapy reportedly cures Type 1 diabetes in dogs.

►Dr. Oyama hints at new diuretic for MVD.

Breeding policy would
end early-onset MVD

Veterinary specialists have designed breeding guidelines to eliminate early-onset mitral valve disease in cavalier King Charles spaniels.

• More: Mitral valve disease breeding protocol
• CKCSC,USA dumps MVD breeding protocol

RUPERT'S FUND pays for MRIs of older dogs, to aid the Syringomyelia Genome Research Project.

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