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Writer's pictureSHEVEGA Pets

Insight from SHEVEGA - Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Updated: Sep 20

One of the most affectionate, intelligent, and loyal dogs, originally from France.

What is important for the owners to be aware of is that because of interbreeding they have several genetic illnesses, some of which are serious, including:


  • 1. Mitral valvular heart disease

  • 2. Syringomyelia

  • 3. Chiari-lie malformation

  • 4. Chronic pancreatitis predisposition

  • 5. Microphthalmos and with inherited congenital cataracts

  • 6. Hypertonic myopathy

  • 7. Obesity predisposition

  • 8. Silica urinary uroliths

  • 9. Ear infection, brachycephalic dogs breathing problems





Mitral valvular heart disease (MVD):

More than 50% of Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels in the UK, Sweden and USA are found to have MVD. (Dare, 1985; Beardrow and Buchanan, 1993.)

MVD is the most common acquired disease that occurs in dogs over 10 years of age.

The MVD in Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels is a disease of the heart that frequently causes death at a young age which suggests a genetic Predisposition of the breed to develop this condition.

The role of mitral valves are to close the gap between the left atrial and left ventricular chambers in the moment when blood from the left ventricle is directed from the heart to the aorta (largest artery in the body that brings oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the entire body organs and tissues). When degenerated mitral valves are not properly closed, the blood will also be reversed back from left ventricle to the left atrium and back to the lungs.

This is known as Mitral Valves Regurgitation. The condition when blood is accumulating in the lungs is called lung’s congestion (congestive heart failure) where dog starts to cough, mainly during the night.

This means that the cardiac output (the supply of blood with nutrients to tissues) is reduced. Therefore organs in the body do not receive enough oxygenated blood rich in nutrients. The tissues and organs are not nourished enough to perform their functions. Noticeable signs are of weakness, inability to exercise and weight loss (cardiac cachexia).

Most dogs with cardiac disease have concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and kidney disease will have the need for similar nutrients requirement (see below).

It is important to check blood pressure and to do blood biochemistry including kidney blood parameters, BUN (blood, urine and nitrogen) and Creatinine and along with regular urine tests.

Abnormal levels of electrolytes magnesium and potassium can cause abnormal heart contractility and heart muscle weakness.

The consequent accumulation of fluids in lungs and tissues, will cause pulmonary (lungs) oedema and oedema of peripheral tissues and abdomen.

MVD can be diagnosed by the vet as a murmur (specific sounds) with mild clinical signs that can gradually worsen, or the development of lung oedema can be sudden.

Treatment consists of diuretics (to get rid of accumulated fluids), pimobendane that helps contractility and dilate veins and arteries and ACE inhibitors that are arterial and venous dilators and important for blood pressure control. This way the high blood pressure is decreased and kidneys are protected from developing disease. The supply of oxygen and nutrients to organs is achieved.

Treatment would normally be implied once the signs of congestion found during the auscultation (crackles and wheezes sounds in lungs) and during the alation the abdominal distention with fluid and with enlarged liver will be noticed by the vet.


Nutrition feeding Plan in CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF):

Distilled water with less than 150 m of sodium (Na). (Morris et al, 1976).

Avoid giving any human processed food and dog treats high in Na. Reduction of Na is increased in dogs that have heart dilatation seen on x-ray. In regular commercial food Na is quite high.

If dog is on diuretics treatment, electrolytes like magnesium and potassium should be checked.

Water soluble vitamins are supplemented if diuretics are used as a treatment. Thiamine (vit B1) and other B vitamins that are excreted in urine are added when dogs are on chronic treatments with diuretics and the urination is increased.

Food is given in 2-3 meals er day.

Food should be supplemented with Taurine and Carnitine. They are routinely measured.

Phosphorus and protein are of a key importance for heart and possible concurrent kidney disease. Phosphorus is a nutrient of concern, and the level in blood should be checked and restricted more or less depending of the tested blood phosphorus levels. Protein must be of a high quality. Tofu is the choice of protein due to the low levels of sulfuric amino acids and low phosphorus content compared to meat.

Omega 3 (alpha linolenic, EA and DHA fatty acids) electrically stabilize and decrease risks of arrhythmia and prevent sudden death. (Billman et al, 1999; Leaf et al, 2005)

Vitamin E supplementation is important and depends on the level of Omega 3 supplementation.

In cachectic dogs with body weight loss the higher caloric intake is recommended.


SYRINGOMYELITIS is common disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel where fluid filled cavity (syrinx) are formed within the spinal cord. This can cause damage to the spinal cord and neuropathic (nerve) pain. Dogs are often resented with the signs of “phantom scratching” on one side. (Prevalence of asymptomatic syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. J.E.arkker, BVSc, MRCVS, S. . Knowler BSc)

Some Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will be asymptomatic (without signs of pain). (J.E. arker, BVSc) It is found that out of 555 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that were not showing signs of Syringomyelia. scanned on MRI, 25% of dogs aged 12 months increasing to 70% weak in dogs aged 72 months and more, had this condition.

The Chiari-like malformation (CM) is another common disease of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and as in Syringomyelia both diseases has been characterised with the development of neuropathic pain. (I.N. lessas DVM, MRCSv)

In CM, the cerebellum (small brain) is compressed, herniated through the foramen magnum (the opening in the scull where the spinal cord is continuing, and medulla (the beginning of the spinal cord) is kinked. The cerebrospinal fluid flow is disrupted.

This disease is inherited for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

In the study 48 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with CM and /or SM with neuropathologic signs are examined for 39 months.

Clinical signs of scratching, facial rubbing, vocalisation, and exercise ability were evaluated. A quarter of dogs were stable or improved. Majority of dog owners were that the quality of life of their dogs was acceptable. Treatment consisted of gabapentin or pregabalin and/or intermittently carprofen.


CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the breeds predisposed for chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis with the signs of abdominal pain can progress into endocrine (leads to insufficient insulin production and development of diabetes mellitus) and exocrine (decrease of pancreatic digestive enzymes production and consequent malabsorption of nutrients) pancreatic insufficiency.

The appearance of one of these two pancreatic insufficiencies is followed by the deterioration the other one in the period of 6 to 12 months.

Non-invasive tests, like low sensitivity blood tests and the non-specific and low-grade sings of pancreatitis are the reason for underdiagnosis of this disease.

Supportive treatment with analgesia (pain killers) and nutrition and evaluation of the functional loss (endocrine, exocrine or both) of pancreas are crucial. Chronic pancreatitis in Dogs. Enny Watson


MICROHTALMUS

Microphthalmos is a condition where the eye is not developed properly to normal size. It is associated with the development of inherited cataracts of young Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cataract’s location is nuclear and cortical. This is progressive disease.


HYERTONIC MYOATHY

This disease beginning at about 3 months of age is described in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels dogs in UK. (Herrtage and palmer, 1983; Wright et al, 1987).

Muscle specimens biopsy were evaluated (G.D. Shelton, unpublished data, 1999).

The abnormalities of mitochondria in muscle cells were found.

These dogs had a history of exercise induced and excitement induced “collapse” that was preceded by the “dear-stalking” movements. All four limbs had increase in extensor tone of muscle during the time of “collapse”. Recovery would occur in about 10 minutes. Progression of disease is not reported. Stabilisation and recovery are reported to occur.


OBESITY REDISOSITION

It is found in the research that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a genetic redisposition and are at increased risk of overweight status. It is important to clarify that in some percentage the management style of this breed is influenced by the owners (overfeeding their pets) and is involved in obesity risk.

CCS are highly food motivated.

In general, middle-aged dogs are at greatest risks of becoming obese in their 6 to 9 years of age.


SILICA URINARY UROLITS

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to silica forming uroliths which are formed in acidic to neutral urine. Males of 3-5 years of age are more redisposed than females.


EAR INFECTION AND BREATHING ROBLEMS

Regular cleaning and flushing of ears is recommended. Strenuous exercises are not recommended.

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