Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health: Why the Heart Comes First
Almost a third of Cavaliers in an English records study had a heart murmur noted. What else was common, and why the study's heart figures need care.
Written by thecanineledger
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A study of vet records from England found a heart murmur noted in 30.9% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The authors conclude that “cardiac disease (and MVD in particular) continues to be of particular concern in this breed.” (Summers et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2015). MVD is mitral valve disease, where a heart valve thickens and leaks.
While the heart stands out, the authors also say that “many of the disorders commonly affecting CKCSs are largely similar to those affecting the general dog population presented for primary veterinary care in the UK.” This page sets out both findings.
1. The study
The dogs. Researchers used VetCompass, a database of anonymised primary-care records. They found 3,624 dogs recorded as Cavaliers between September 2009 and July 2013, and reviewed 1,875 at random. 1,749 had clinical records in that time.
Old data. The records are more than a decade old.
Pedigree status. Only 3.9% of the Cavaliers could be confirmed as Kennel Club registered through their microchips.
Funding. The Kennel Club Charitable Trust funded the work and helped match the dogs’ identities. One author was working on a project the trust funded.
Our note: The data are from 2009 to 2013.
2. The heart
Murmurs. A heart murmur was the most common diagnosis, in 30.9% of the dogs. Murmurs made up 71% of the heart problems recorded.
Diagnosed disease. Mitral valve disease was recorded in 5.0%, and heart disease of unspecified type in 7.3%.
A murmur isn’t a diagnosis. A murmur is a sound the vet hears. It often points to mitral valve disease in this breed, but the records didn’t always say.
Our note: “A murmur isn’t a diagnosis”, “often points to mitral valve disease in this breed” and our one-line definition of MVD are ours. Ask your vet what tests should follow a murmur.
→ Heart Failure at Home: Counting Your Dog’s Sleeping Breaths
3. Pedigree and murmurs
“Far fewer KC registered dogs had reported murmurs compared to dogs of unknown registration status.” But only 75 registered dogs were in the sample.
The authors offer two readings. Registered dogs may truly have fewer murmurs. Or the gap may reflect bias, including “the comparative willingness of breeders to screen for heart murmurs in animals intended to produce puppies for KC registration”. They couldn’t tell which.
4. Everything else
After murmurs, the most common diagnoses were:
| Disorder | Share of Cavaliers |
|---|---|
| Diarrhoea, cause not stated | 11.0% |
| Dental disease | 9.5% |
| Outer ear infection | 9.2% |
| Conjunctivitis | 7.4% |
| Anal sac infection | 7.4% |
Syringomyelia, a condition where fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord, ranked 28th among specific diagnoses.
Our note: Syringomyelia is a major concern in the breed but ranks low here. It may be under-diagnosed in general practice. The one-line definition is ours.
5. If you have, or want, a Cavalier
- Ask your vet to listen to the heart at every check-up.
- If a murmur is found, ask what it means and what monitoring is needed.
- Ask a breeder about heart screening of the parents.
Our note: These points are ours.
→ Choosing a Breed or a Mix: The Health Data Breeders Don’t Lead With
6. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Most Cavaliers get heart disease” | A murmur was noted in 30.9% over the study period. The study didn’t follow dogs for life. |
| “Kennel Club Cavaliers have healthier hearts” | Not shown. Fewer murmurs were recorded, but in only 75 dogs, and bias may explain it. |
| “Cavaliers are sickly in every way” | No. Apart from the heart, their common problems looked like those of dogs generally. |
Sources
- Summers JF, O’Neill DG, Church DB, et al. Prevalence of disorders recorded in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Canine Genet Epidemiol 2015: VetCompass study, 1,875 Cavaliers sampled, 2009 to 2013. Funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.