Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known as one of the sweetest and friendliest dog breeds. They are more athletic than many other small dog breeds. Though generally healthy, they do have some common health conditions owners should be aware of.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation is a condition in which the patella (kneecap) slips out of the groove in the upper leg bone (femur) that it normally slides in. The patella usually slips out to the inside of the leg (medial luxation). When this occurs, the dog will often yelp in pain, hold his leg up and skip for a few steps until the patella slips back into its normal position. In small dogs like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels the cause is often that the patellar groove is shallower than normal. Exercise and physical therapy to strengthen the muscle and tendon unit the patella is associated with may help the condition. In more severe cases surgery to deepen the patellar groove may be necessary. Patellar luxation can usually be detected upon careful palpation of the back legs during a general physical examination.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is another condition that commonly afflicts smaller breed dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a group that evaluates radiographs from dogs to check for anomalies such as hip dysplasia, found that approximately twenty percent of radiographs examined from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from 2021 to 2025 had some degree of hip dysplasia . Affected dogs have abnormal development of the hip joint such that the ball and socket components do not fit together properly. This results in abnormal distribution of forces across the joint that can lead to early arthritis. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition that causes lameness and weakness in the hind end. Mild cases can often be managed with joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin as well as anti-inflammatory medications. In dogs that are more severely affected, surgical correction is possible using a total hip replacement such as is performed in human patients. Hip dysplasia is best prevented by selecting breeding animals that have undergone screening of radiographs to ensure they have well-formed hip joints.
Retinal dysplasia
Retinal dysplasia is a condition of the eyes in which the retina, the back portion of the eye that receives visual input to transmit to the brain, does not form properly or develops some detachment from the layer of the eye beneath it. A minor form termed multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) is characterized by one or multiple small areas of retinal defect and rarely has vision impairment. MRD can usually be diagnosed during a careful ophthalmic examination of the back of the eye after 10 weeks of age when the retinal layers have fully developed. Geographic retinal dysplasia by contrast results in larger areas of retinal defect and can lead to blindness. This more severe form may not be apparent at 10 weeks of age so a dog with visual impairment should be carefully examined for this condition. Because retinal dysplasia is thought to be an inherited condition, affected dogs should not be bred. There is no treatment for this condition.
Mitral Valve Heart Disease
Mitral valve disease (MVD) is a condition in which the mitral valve, the heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, undergoes degeneration and does not function properly. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop MVD by 6-7 years of age and nearly 100% are affected by 11 years of age. Mitral valve disease is a developmental disease unlike a congenital condition such as mitral valve dysplasia which is present from birth. This condition is characterized by thickened valve leaflets that do not close properly, allowing backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. This results in poorer blood flow to the rest of the body. Mitral valve disease may be suspected when a heart murmur is heard by a veterinarian during a general physical examination. Confirmation of this condition depends upon echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the heart) which can show the abnormal flow of blood through the valve in real time. While MVD is not curable, affected dogs can be managed with medications that improve heart function as well as special diets that reduce the workload on the heart.
Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a neurologic disease found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This condition is characterized by fluid-filled defects in the spinal cord due to an abnormal flow of cerebrospinal fluid that is produced by the brain and cushions the brain and spinal cord from impact trauma. A large percentage of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 95% in one study, have a smaller than normal opening in the back of the skull from which the spinal cord exits. Almost 50% of dogs with this smaller opening have some degree of syringomyelia and approximately 35% of those show neurologic signs. Affected dogs often scratch at their head or neck, seem to be hypersensitive when touched and may resist wearing a collar. Diagnosis usually requires magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Milder cases can be managed with corticosteroids such as prednisolone and drugs that treat neuropathic pain. Surgery to enlarge the opening in the base of the brain is possible though not commonly performed. Treatment is not successful in all cases.
Periodontal Disease
Being a smaller breed of dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have smaller mouths in which teeth may be crowded. This crowding of teeth results in the development of periodontal disease due to an incomplete margin of gingiva around individual teeth. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop periodontal disease by 2 to 3 years of age. Severe periodontal disease is painful and results in the need to extract teeth. Home care consisting of daily tooth brushing, dental wipes and clinically tested dental treats is critical and should be supplemented with periodic anesthetized dental cleaning and oral examination including dental radiographs.
Summary
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally healthy but may be affected by several potentially serious conditions. Many of these conditions can be avoided by obtaining puppies from responsible breeders who pre-screen potential breeding animals to prevent passing on undesirable traits. Weight management, home dental care and annual physical examinations to detect disease conditions early are important. Consultation with your veterinarian to develop a health care plan will help your dog live his happiest, healthiest life.
