10 Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Issues to Look For
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Every dog breed has potential health issues, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is certainly no exception. But if you know what to look for and what you’re potentially getting yourself into, you can put yourself a step ahead and ensure you’re doing everything necessary to care for your pup.
We took the time to highlight 10 of the most common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health issues for you here. Whether you’re debating about getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the first place, or whether pet insurance is a good idea, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
The 10 Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Issues
1. Patellar Luxation
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Cost to Treat | High |
| Curable? | Yes |
Unfortunately, patellar luxation is a relatively common problem affecting many different dog breeds, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is no exception. This condition affects the stability of the kneecaps of the dog, and if it is serious enough, it requires surgical intervention.
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs surgical intervention expect to spend anywhere from $1,000–$5,000 to fix the problem.
2. Hip Dysplasia
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Cost to Treat | High |
| Curable? | Hip replacement |
Hip dysplasia is another skeletal problem. But while patellar luxation affects the kneecaps, hip dysplasia affects the hip bones. In hip dysplasia the ball and socket joint of the hip is not formed properly allowing the hip to be less stable in the joint. If you suspect your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has hip dysplasia, you should take them to a vet for a proper diagnosis as soon as possible.
If the condition is severe enough, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will need surgery, typically costing several thousand dollars. Most can be managed with diet and anti-inflammatory medications.
3. Cataracts
| Seriousness | Mild |
| Cost to Treat | High |
| Curable? | Yes |
There are tons of different eye conditions that can end up harming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but cataracts lead the bunch. While cataracts aren’t quite as severe as many of the other health concerns that made our list, if you don’t treat cataracts, they can lead to blindness.
Blindness isn’t something to take lightly, but many of the other conditions on our list will put your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in serious danger. Not only that, but it usually takes cataracts a while to progress to complete blindness.
While cataracts are treatable, it’s an expensive specialist task and not without risk, which is why many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners opt not to treat them.
4. Deafness
| Seriousness | Mild |
| Cost to Treat | Varies |
| Curable? | Varies |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are susceptible to congenital deafness. They can be born deaf due to genetic problems. They can also develop progressive hereditary deafness and go deaf as they age. If you keep up with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s ear health year after year, you will notice hearing problems early on. Contact your veterinary surgeon for advice.
5. Epilepsy
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Cost to Trea | High |
| Curable? | No |
Epilepsy is a serious condition affecting many dogs, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is no exception. While it’s not the most common condition out there, the good news is that it’s often treatable.
But while it’s treatable, it’s not curable, and you’ll need to spend between $500–$800 every year to get them the medication they need. It’s an expensive diagnosis, but with the right medication and a bit of luck they can go on to live a good life.
6. Mitral Valve Heart Disease
| Seriousness | Serious |
| Seriousness | High |
| Curable? | Not usually |
There are worrisome health problems for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and then there’s mitral valve heart disease. According to PetMD, mitral valve heart disease is the leading cause of death for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.1 The degeneration of the mitral valve eventually results in heart failure. Medications are used to manage the problem and delay the progression as most often valve replacement surgery is not appropriate.
7. Dermatitis
| Seriousness | Mild |
| Cost to Treat | Varies |
| Curable? | No |
Lots of dogs suffer from dermatitis, which is simply a skin irritation caused by many different triggers. Using the right shampoos and not over-bathing your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can help with this. If the problem is severe enough, they might need further medication from a vet. Some dogs will have lifelong problems such as atopy and others only one of skin irritation.
8. Gastritis
| Seriousness | Mild |
| Cost to Treat | Moderate |
| Curable? | Variable |
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, and for most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, it’s not a huge deal. It can be caused by many different problems such as viruses, bin raiding, parasites and dietary intolerances.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog is suffering from vomiting.
9. Syringomyelia
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Cost to Treat | High |
| Curable? | No |
Unfortunately, there is no cure for syringomyelia. The only option is for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to undergo surgery, but even then, that only helps with pain management.
Syringomyelia is a painful lifelong condition and is sadly prevalent in the breed.
10. Middle Ear Infection
| Seriousness | Moderate |
| Cost to Treat | Varies |
| Curable? | Yes |
Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will experience a lot of discomfort and pain with a middle ear infection, and the condition can evolve into something more serious that can cause permanent ear and hearing damage. Always get a vet check-up if your dog is showing signs of ear problems.
Summary
With so many potential health issues out there for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it can be a little overwhelming. But keep in mind that while these are some of the most common health issues for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, that doesn’t mean they’re going to develop all of them.
Keep an eye out for any potential symptoms so you can catch problems early. But if you go with a reputable breeder, there’s a good chance your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel won’t develop any of the issues on our list!
Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock
