Getting a CKC puppy. Advice!

[glenruby]

Well, myself and the 3 girls I live with are getting a CKC pup in mid March. Its part of a littler from a bitch that was rescued about 6wks ago. Pups are approx 3wks old now and we'll pick one up in 5 wks time. We are all vet students so know (only too well!!) of the health problems that this breed can get.
however, I would like to know if any of you have experience of any of these breed related problems - Id like to get an idea of just how likely this pup may be to have problems. Reason for asking is, I guess, that as students we cant afford to spend TOO much on vet care (though we get a good reduction at the college hospital and can get drugs eetc at cost price)
PS. I know it depends on the breed strain and parents - but just a rough idea of what sort of problems your KC has had or if it has always been perfectly healthy post that too!

 

[CalliChristmasTree]

I have a pup, well 8 months old now.
Never had any problems with her.
Just watch out for "scooting" lol So you'd need to get their anal sacks cleaned.
They do have heart problems so your better off knowing about the parents hearts.
Watch out if there are any cats near by, i've heard of stories where cats have scratched their eyes, because the stick out a little.
Lovely little dogs.
Good luck!
Have you thought of any names?

 

[glenruby]

No names yet - the girls were thinking of "Princess something or other"

( like the one on Sex and the City?), but I flatly refuse to call ANYTHING Princess! lol!

Not entirely sure whether we'll get male/female but will probably be male.
Dont worry, we're all well used to expressng anal sacs! (seems to be the first job the vet gives students seeing practice - I wonder why!!

) Only seems to be one cat in the neighbourhood - but hadnt thought of that with the eyes. Have covered cardio/respiratory disorders in college - so well versed in the breed-specifc heart/resp problems! Was just wondering how many CKC owners actually had problems.
Thanks for your reply! 8mths - she must still be quite small? What's her name?

 

[igpodet]

This is an excellent place to look ...they have a very good "Health" section,
http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk/start.html
They have lots of good advice and masses of experience obviously

good articles on Syringomyelia and Mitral Valve Disease , also dry eye and every thing else the CKCS has as genetic disorders!

Afraid I know a lot of people who have had probs with their dogs, mostly from unrecognised back yard breeders who don't do any health cheeks, but as some of these conditions are so widespread, even some of the best breeders are going to throw up probs occasionally .
As you are all 'baby' vets... you are the best people to take one of these pups, with, I suspect no testing record... best of luck

 

[mandy4727]

CWD mum here. As ours is female they don't seem to grow as bit as the males. She is about the size of a cat and just starting to get her feathers. Her name is Sasha. They are velcro dogs - follow you everywhere even the loo!!! Probably not the most intelligent dog there is out there either. But quiet easy to housetrain. Loves the cats to bits and wants to play with them but they dont' want to play with her and hiss and spit at her. But she is getting wary of them now. Sleeps a lot.

 

[Skhosu]

Just to check, who will keep the pup when you are no longer students?
I think they can have a few problems, much like all small hairy purebreds seem to!
What about a mongrel instead?

 

[CAYLA]

They can be a walking vet bill if u get a really badly bred one

Heart problems (even the better bred ones)
Slipping Patellas
Dry eye


And....even worse....The snoring.....ZZZZZzzzzz

I agree though...they are fantastic little dogs, fab temperament, could not get a better small bred pet IMO.

Why don't u insure it between the 3 of you...they are a little more expensive to insure given the breed problems....but it should work out cheap enough between the 3 of you.

 

[star]

i would say the majority of KC's i see have heart murmurs by middle age and most of these progress on to needing heart meds in old age - it's a serious problem in the breed. anal glands are usually a minor issue, but see a lot of infections and abscesses from people not picking up on the signs early enough. syringomyelia is a recognised breed problem, but so far i've only seen two (one at vet school and one in 1st yr of practice) and the other vets at my old practice had never seen one. dry eye is more common and a pain to treat. slipping patella also quite common. i'd definitely get one insured. i'm a vet, but all my animals are still insured - even at cost price, stuff gets expensive.