How long do cavaliers live?
Cavaliers or the King Charles Spaniel is a small toy dog that is very popular in the United Kingdom and has been gaining fame in the United states for the past decade. However, one must be aware that this particular breed has an average life span of 10 years and is prone to a serious heart ailment. The leading cause of Cavalier death is a polygenic heart condition known as the Mitral Valve Disease or MVD.
This is when one of four valves in the dog’s heart stops any backflow of blood that is pumped through. As the mitral valve deteriorates, it loses its flexibility and blood pumped in will gush in and out. The valve then folds and inverts causing more blood to get trapped in the other chambers causing the heart to enlarge. When it gets too big, blood flow is stopped and then the dog can expire due to cardiac arrest. It is advised that owners have their dogs monitored by year 1. Medications will help but cannot stop the disease.
Avoid unnecessary vet bills! Do your dog’s basic health check!
