People looking to buy a dog are being warned against getting a certain breed.
Specialist vet Dr Rachel James is urging the public to educate themselves before buying a cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS). As the popularity of the floppy-eared breed is on the rise in the UK, the vet has warned that they come with a whole array of health issues including heart disease.
According to a new study by Vita Animal Health, more than half of CKCS dog owners are unaware the breed has a 98% risk of developing heart disease. The Mirror reported that cardiology specialist vet, Dr James, explained: "Cavalier King Charles spaniels are in high demand and sell very quickly."
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She added: "They are a wonderful breed but sadly up to 50% of CKCS have evidence of heart disease by the time they are five, and if they live as long as ten years, nearly all dogs are affected. Unfortunately, not all new buyers know what to ask breeders when they choose their puppy.
"The good news is that there is a heart Doppler test that can be performed on the parents which helps breeders identify affected dogs early on so they can be taken out of the breeding programmes. Only dogs who have GREEN Doppler results should be used for breeding, and prospective buyers should be asking breeders for proof of these tests – even better if the grandparents of the puppies have good results too."
The survey revealed that 78% of dog owners believed heart disease in dogs is common, but 61% don't know the signs of heart disease. Dr James continued: "We still have lots of work to do in educating our pet owners around heart disease.
"Subtle changes such as weight loss can let us know something is wrong, as well as more obvious signs such as coughing, exercise intolerance and fainting. Annual health checks of dogs are so important as vets can pick up on early subtle signs, especially for those prone to heart disease such as the CKCS."
Vita's vet nurse, Tara Evans, explained: "The CKCS is a very popular breed of dog, perhaps set to be more so now King Charles III is reigning monarch. This survey has shown that awareness of mitral valve disease – which is very common in this breed – is not as good as it could be. The mitral valve sits between the left upper chamber (atrium) and left lower chamber (ventricle) of the heart.
"It ensures blood flows one way round the heart but when it doesn't close properly, less oxygenated blood travels around the body to meet its needs."
Dr James urges dog owners to talk to their vet if they have any questions or concerns regarding heart disease in dogs. To learn more about the common signs of heart disease, visit Vita Animal Health's helpful guide.
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