How to Maintain the Health of Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog and a member of the toy group. Originally bred as companion dogs and lap warmers, they are known for excellent temperaments and soulful expressions. Like many purebred dogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has it's share of health problems. Owners love these dogs dearly and will want to follow these tips to keep their Cavalier in tip-top health.
Instructions
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Begin with a healthy dog. If you are looking for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, pet stores and puppy mills are not the place to find one. Find a responsible breeder who will educate you about the breed and help you find the right dog for you. Many responsible breeders know of rescues or may have older dogs that were intended for the show ring that need a home. An ethical breeder should be able to provide you with a three-generation pedigree and be able to talk to you about the health of the parents and grandparents.
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Follow the advice of your veterinarian and breeder regarding regular health maintenance related to vaccination schedules, heartworm medication, and flea control for your Cavalier as you would any other dog.
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Take your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to health clinics for annual heart and eye exams. Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) can be a problem in the breed and the symptoms are treatable to maintain quality of life. Canine cardiologists can detect heart murmurs and clicks associated with this disorder. Heart and Eye exams are provided by canine heart and eye specialists. These exams are often performed for reduced fees at club sponsored dog shows.
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Maintain the teeth and gums of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel through brushing his teeth and regular dental cleaning. Follow the advice of your vet about dental cleaning, since Cavaliers may be prone to MVD, using antibiotics during teeth cleaning may be advised.
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Feed your Cavalier a healthy dog food and limit table scraps. Cavaliers love food, but they can quickly become overweight. Maintain a schedule of good, high-quality, brand-name dog food and be sure your Cavalier gets plenty of exercise so as not to pack on the pounds.
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Supervise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel closely. Cavaliers are emotionally intelligent, but may not be as reliable off the leash or at obedience if they are distracted. Similarly, they may allow children or strangers to pet or even hurt them without defending themselves as they are quite non-aggressive. They will depend on you to make sure they are safe from others and even themselves.
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Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of health issues known to be problematic in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel including hip dysplasia, brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, or BAOS, caused by the size and shape of the head, and syringomyelia (SM). SM is widespread in this breed. It is a brain and spinal-cord disorder that causes severe head and neck pain as well as paralysis. Watch for the signs and symptoms of these diseases and report them immediately to your vet if you see them.
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Tips & Warnings
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally happy, healthy loving dogs who are great around kids and even make great therapy dogs. Their care is fairly easy to maintain.
Find a vet who has experience treating this breed and develop a good relationship with your breeder - this will save a lot of worry regarding health related issues.
References
Resources
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