We have been offering visitors to the site the
opportunity to take part in a short survey about cavalier health. Nothing too
scientific, just our own ideas and with no connection with any Cavalier Club,
health organisation or official body. Neither do we claim to be analytical
experts when it comes to looking at the replies we received.
There were 350 responses to the questionnaire of which 5
were damaged in transit, none have been removed and whilst a few looked as if
they may have been entered by the same source it did not affect the overall
figures to warrant removal.
56% of the replies stated there were in the UK
16% of the replies stated they were in USA
We also had replies from Europe and Australasia whilst
16% did not declare which country they came from.
The combined experience of those taking part is likely
to be in excess of 5500 years of owning Cavaliers with 64% stating they had
been in the breed for over 10 years and by far the largest number of replies (
137 ) had been in the breed for over 20 years. Between them they currently
owned over 2600 dogs.
Number owning between 0 -5 Cavaliers 155
Number
owning between 5 -10 Cavaliers 99
Number owning between 10 -20 Cavaliers 68
Number owning more than 20 19
No response 9
When asked where their dogs came from 20% didn't answer
but 74% said from a reputable or occasional breeder i.e. a breed club member,
with less than 2% from a Puppy Farm.
Of the replies 220 (62%) said they showed and 199 (56%)
that they bred so we received a fair number of responses from people less
associated with the main stream activities of Cavalier breeders which suggests
site visitors got their Cavalier owning friends or pet buyers to complete the
survey as well, so we feel we had a good cross section of cavalier owners.
Asked how many litters a year 38% didn't respond although that could mean they
had no litters whilst 45% said 1-2 per year (we should have worded the question
better)
The participants in our survey roughly reflect the
geographical split of Cavaliers worldwide with about two thirds of the
responses from Breeders and Show people with a vast amount of experience in
owning the breed. There was only a tiny percentage of Puppy farmed dogs but a
respectable percentage of non show pet owners.
Specific Health Questions
When asked if they had any dogs MRI scanned, 209 (59%)
said No and 124 (35%) said Yes.
When asked if they think they may have bred a dog
suspected with SM 44% said Yes, however when questioned as to how many over 50%
didn't answer which could indicate they didn't think they had. Of those that
did respond:
83 Had bred 1 Dog suspected SM
38 Had bred 2 Dogs
suspected SM
37 Had bred more than 2 suspected SM
When asked about confirmed cases (presumably as a
result of an MRI scan) but with no symptoms the numbers were
28 Had bred 1 Dog with SM
16 Had bred 2 Dogs with
SM
11 Had bred more than 2 with SM
We asked if any of the relatives had SM and 75% or more
in both cases said No
So whilst breeders acknowledge that SM exists and
over the years they may well have suspected cases the actual number that have
been confirmed is quite low.
Only a small number, 55 (16%) had bred or owned a
Cavalier with SM and no symptoms, the majority 255 (72%) had not.
When asked about owning or breeding a Cavalier than has
scanned clear, 90 respondents said they had which is 25%, those saying No were
those that had not passed plus those that have not scanned so again it is
difficult to accurately forecast the success rate of scanned dogs
More interestingly 296 (84%) felt their Vet was aware
of SM but when asked if the Vet had seen any cases 40% had not and only 5% had
seen more than 3, indicating that a large number of vets, who are aware of SM,
have still to see any large numbers of affected dogs.
The final questions were to see if there was any link
between SM and a specific environmental issue but no conclusion could be made.
It was almost 50:50 as to whether dogs had annual booster inoculations and 38%
fed fresh food as opposed to 55% feeding dry. 47% didn't use any additives on
pregnant and nursing bitches.
55% believe that less than a third of Cavaliers may
have SM whilst 34% believe it is more.
The experience level of breeders responding was very
high and well split geographically. A third of breeders currently scan and just
under half accept that they may have bred or owned a Cavalier with SM, 84% of
Vets are aware of SM but the numbers actually seen by them is still very low
and 40% had not seen any cases.
There is no apparent link to the type of food fed or
vaccinations given.
There is still a lot to be learnt but this survey does
suggest that the long time experienced Cavalier breeders can contribute to the
discussion and provide a good indication of the instances of SM seen in dogs
bred by them.
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