Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Guide

Mitral valve disease is a disease of the heart, caused by the deterioration of one of its valves. It is a very common disease in Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Because of the damage to the valve, with each heart beat some blood is forced backwards from one chamber into another rather than out of the heart. This causes heart failure. Speak to your vet for advice on this condition and any testing that can be done.

Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia are complex conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord in dogs. They’ve inherited abnormalities that are common in brachycephalic breeds. Syringomyelia is the term that describes fluid-filled cavities that develop within the spinal cord causing an abnormal sensations in affected dogs.

The underlying issue is called chiari-like malformation (CLM). CLM describes a mismatch between the size of the brain, which is too big, and the space within the skull, which is too small. This leads to crowding of the back part of the brain and the brainstem, and subsequent obstruction of the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. The most common sign is altered sensation typically at the back of the head and the neck which may progress to pain. As these conditions are common in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, please speak to your vet if you have any concerns.

Dry eye syndrome is when the immune system attacks the tear glands, causing the eyes to become red and inflamed, and can damage the cornea resulting in conjunctivitis, or infection. If your dog seems to be blinking a lot or you notice discharge or swollen blood vessels in his eyes, take them along to your vet for an examination to determine the cause and treatment.

Dogs can get many of the same or similar oral diseases as are seen in people. However, whereas the most common dental disease in people is tooth decay or cavities, in dogs it's periodontal disease. Dogs with dental problems commonly show symptoms such as bad breath, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, and more.

As dog parents, we need to take good care of our dog’s teeth through regular brushing. We should also check our dog’s mouth regularly for early signs of dental problems. If you have any concerns, speak to your vet.

Episodic Falling is a genetic neurological disorder found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Episodes are usually triggered by exercise, stress or excitement and are characterised by increased muscle tone and stiffness throughout the thoracic and pelvic limbs resulting in a characteristic 'deer-stalking' position and or collapse. During events, the dogs are conscious and aware. Although symptoms almost always arise by five months of age, there is no pattern of progression and episodes can be less or more severe over time.

Episodic falling is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy as it's relatively unknown, but drugs are available to treat the condition that are not used in epilepsy, so the correct diagnosis from your vet is critical.