{"id":4824,"date":"2024-03-06T15:07:08","date_gmt":"2024-03-06T15:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitaanimalhealth.com\/?p=4824"},"modified":"2024-04-15T13:23:28","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T12:23:28","slug":"awareness-of-heart-disease-in-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-has-dropped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitaanimalhealth.com\/awareness-of-heart-disease-in-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-has-dropped\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart of a King: Awareness of Hear Disease in Much Loved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has Dropped"},"content":{"rendered":"
A new survey* carried out by Vita Animal Health has shown that despite mitral valve disease (MVD) affecting almost all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in their lifetime, only 41% of dog lovers identified the CKCS as being very prone to heart disease with just 39% feeling confident they would know the signs. With 95% of people agreeing that a dog breed\u2019s popularity is influenced by celebrities and current affairs and with the coronation of King Charles III looming, now is the time for vets to help educate prospective dog owners of what to look out for when buying this breed.<\/p>
Veterinary cardiology specialist, Dr Rachel James, explains \u201cThe CKCS has long been a very popular breed of dog in high demand, due to their loving and placid nature making them perfect family pet. We know that sadly at least 50% of CKCS have evidence of MVD disease by the time they are five, with 98% of dogs affected in their lifetimes. However, we can help our clients when selecting this breed to choose a puppy that is less likely to develop MVD at an early age, by utilising the heart testing scheme (Doppler heart testing). Prospective owners should be asking to see test results for the parents, grandparents, and even better great grandparents too, on both maternal and paternal sides. In addition breeders need more support and education to encourage the use of the heart testing scheme and how this can enable them to choose the best dogs to breed from. Furthermore we should be encouraging breeders to breed from dogs only when they are at least 3 years of age.\u201d<\/p>