taxtell

Heya,

I know a few people here have them, myself included. I wanted to ask the fellow owners if they had any specific health problems with theirs?

Mine has been having issues lately, he has awful, awful teeth (I feed him raw but that doesn't seem to be helping), he is almost completely deaf at 4 years old, and I ran some bloods on him yesterday (after I did yet another dental on him) and he came up low thyroid. Argh!

Poor Jack. :(

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Feralpudel

I don't have one, but know they are dear little dogs, but a breed with a lot of health problems. A poodle friend told me about this web site. It may have some useful health info for you. And for everybody, it maintains a fabulous list of upcoming health clinics. Health clinics can be a low cost way of obtaining genetic tests, cardiac auscultation and echocardiography, CERF, etc.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Health & Genetic Diseases

taxtell

Fortunately, we've avoided most of the 'common' health issues with him (heart, brain, etc.).

The thyroid thing stumps me a bit because it usually isn't so common in small dogs. Ah well.

fjm

I love them, but avoided them because of the health issues. For teeth - I am using a combination of raw bones, PetZone gel and PlaqueOff. Yesterday I wiped a big chunk of nasty brown tartar off one of Poppy's canines - it just slipped off as if it were a bit of food, after defying all efforts for months. I think it is the PlaqueOff taking effect - they say it takes a month or two. PlaqueOff may be contraindicated with thyroid problems as it contains iodine (or may be the solution - depending!). I did have very good results with the PetZone gel with another dog with quite bad teeth - it is certainly worth a try.

taxtell

Good combo, thank you for letting me know. I will check into it with his thyroid issues. Poor little dude. I just bought some Petzlife yesterday.

He was a long story, we didn't actually buy him, one of my clients gave him to me. It was a big weird story and he's a nice dog, just problematic.

I think I would definitely advise people to avoid the breed, after all I've seen with them here at the clinic, even though they have lovely temperaments.

fjm

Aaargh - Petzlife, I meant! I keep misnaming it!

taxtell

Ok, thanks!!!

I don't know about Plaque Off, I will have to check that out too.

Margotsmom

I have a Crested/Bichon (we think) cross who has a low thyroid, and previously had a mini dox with low thyroid. Cavs are such a wonderful breed it is too bad they have so many health issues.

As to teeth we have found Four Paws Pet Dental to work better than the PetzLife. I have some former puppymillers here (Cresteds) with some pretty crummy teeth and I have been amazed at the results. And beats the bejeebers out of brushing or vet dentals!!!

*tina*

Cavs are my second favorite dog breed next to Poodles. After doing SOOO much research on the breed, I don't think we will ever have one. I read somewhere that 90% of all Cavs (the number may even be higher) will have heart problems by the age of 6, and then syringomyelia (the brain thing), Addison's, and so many more. They just seem like such dear little souls and I would LOVE to have one, but how do you find a responsible breeder that is trying to breed away from the health problems, you know?

fjm

Thanks - off to add yet more ammunition to my we will never need a veterinary dental box!