PLEASE NOTE: We spend a great deal of money and time making sure our parent dogs pass the hip, heart, and eye examinations. We have heard many excuses of why other people do not have these tests done.  I will personally never buy a puppy that does not have the parents tested. It is extremely important to make sure the parents are in good health. The puppies sell for a lot of money, so there are some breeders that are looking at the money and not the betterment of the breed. For you, your family, and your puppies’ sake, insist that the parents be tested before buying.  

The most serious health problem with Cavaliers is Mitral Valve Disease (MVD).  Virtually all Cavaliers suffer from mitral valve disease. This is a problem with the left or mitral valve of the heart.  In this disease, the valve can thicken and degenerate, leading to congestive heart failure and eventually, death.  Although MVD is common in most toy breeds, it is of particular concern in Cavaliers because this condition can begin to emerge at an early age, and is present in more than half of all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by 5 years of age. It is extremely rare for a 10-year-old Cavalier not to have at least a slight heart murmur.  MVD has been found in all bloodlines and in Cavaliers from all countries. It is the leading cause of death of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Conscientious breeders all over the world regularly check the health of their breeding stock for signs of early onset of this disease before breeding.   

Hip Dysplasia is a common genetic disease in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It rarely is present at birth and develops with age. Hip dysplasia is diagnosed by x-rays, but it usually does not appear in x-rays of Cavaliers until they mature. Hip dysplasia, a major concern for large breeds, is not often encountered when the parents and grandparents are strong and healthy. 

Cavaliers, like many toy breeds, are subject to a genetic defect of the femur and knee called luxating patella (slipping kneecaps).   The disorder is believed to affect 20% to 30% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This condition is most often observed when a puppy is 4-6 months old. This is a condition when the knee is not stable and can cause lameness.  Luckily Cavalier’s with good bones and healthy parents generally are not candidates for this problem. 

While Cavaliers do not commonly have serious eye problems, like all mammals, they can develop cataracts and other eye diseases. The most common eye defect among Cavaliers is keratoconjunctivitis sicca, colloquially known as "dry eye". The usual cause of this condition is an autoimmune reaction against the dog's lacrimal gland (tear gland), reducing the production of tears. According to the Canine Inherited Disorders Database, the condition requires continual treatment and if untreated may result in partial or total blindness. Careful breeders have certified veterinarian ophthalmologists check their breeding stock annually.

Adapted from the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, Inc.,

http://ackcsc.org/about.htm