Do Cavapoochons Have Any Health Issues?

Do Cavapoochons have any health issues? The short answer is Yes, they do.You came here today because you are considering getting a cavapoochon as an animal because they are friendly, playful and have gentle spirit, especially being around children. I mean, who doesn’t want a good companion that will make your night a lot easier and less of a hassle when you get home from a long, hard day from work?Although cavapoochons are wonderful animals to take care of and live in your home, you might be researching what their health problems are, and rightly so. They do not have as many health concerns that some other breed of dogs do, but it is most similar to the poodle, bichon and cavalier breeds. They can be prone to ear infections, eye disease, heart problems, loose knees and seizures.Thankfully there is not a lot to worry about for our tiny furry friends, but you as their owner want to make sure they are most well taken care of for a lot of their lives. If they wind up having an ear infection, how will they act and what kind of preventative measures should you take? These are all things to take into consideration, whether you already have one (or two), or are considering getting one for yourself.

Eye Disease

No one wants to ever see any of their animals suffer from diseases, especially ones from the eyes. It can eventually lead to blindness, which simply breaks our hearts for them. As most of you know, instead of dogs being upset over the fact that this happened to them, they always bounce back and live their lives cheerfully. It is something we as humans need to learn a lesson from! With that being said, what are the types of infections, causes and preventative measures we can take?CAUSES

• Bacteria: like leptospirosis, tickborne diseases, lyme disease, brucellosis or canine ehrlichiosis
• Viruses: such as herpes, hepatitis, canine influenza or distemper
• Irritants within the eyes
• Dirt, grass seeds or by their own hairs
• Traumatic occurrences
• Fungus
• Parasites
• By being scratched or cut on the cornea

TYPES OF INFECTION

• Inflammation of the cornea
• Abnormalities within the eyelids and tear glands
• Conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of this conjunctiva tissue
• Uveitis, which is an inflammation of one or multiple structures of the uvea, a circular structure behind the iris

PREVENTION

• Keeping your dogs face clean
• Protect the eyes with goggles or hats designed just for dogs
• Trimming hair around the eyelids so it does not irritate the skin
• Avoiding trauma to your furr babies eyes will help protect them from getting infected, such as keeping the windows closed while you are driving due to anything foreign in the air 

Ear Infections

The majority of ear infections in cavapoochons can easily be prevented by cleaning your pet’s ears out regularly. They occur due to their long hairs getting in the ear lobes, which can lead to a lot of irritation and eventually, an ear infection.Having your companion groomed often would be a great way to take preventative measures in order to ensure their ears will be taken care of more often. Not to mention they will look stylish in the end! Having all of that fur off, especially in the summertime, would feel great for your dog. Even in the winter, dog groomers will be more than happy to do their face and ears. Just make sure that you keep an eye out for any signs of inflammation or soreness inside their ears.

Heart Problems

Cavapoochons can have heart problems, but this is a really broad term, because a lot of conditions can interfere with the heart, so there will be different varieties of treatments, such as supplements, medicines, adjusting their diet or in some cases, surgery.Here are some signs to look out for if you are worried they may have this health problem:

• They are restless during the time they sleep
• Shortness of breath or elevated breathing
• Will have lost a lot of weight in just a few weeks
• May have a "beer belly" from fluid build up
• Constantly tired or fatigued
• May faint which looks as if they are having a seizure
• Has a dry cough after any physical activities or constant at night

Of course, you can always take precautions, but it is never guaranteed for a definite this-will-never-happen type ordeal. Thankfully, you can ensure that your pooch lives their healthiest of lives.

• Make sure your dog is on a healthy diet which includes amino acid and omega-3 fatty acids
• Giving proper exercise is one of the best things you can do for your canine as well 
• If they have been diagnosed with heart disease, always make sure to limit any taxing activities and make sure you monitor what they are doing

Loose Knees

A lot of small dogs have knee problems, so it would make a lot of sense for it to naturally occur in the cavapoochon breed. The technical term for it is called luxating patella, which is where their kneecap shifts out of alignment. This will gradually happen over time the knees may wear down and finally cave.Luxating patella is rated by a veterinarian from grade 1-4, with 4 being the highest and permanently dislodged. Fortunately, many grade 3 and 4 events are rare, but can still happen.Here is a brief description of each one:

• Grade 1: When the kneecap is dislocated but returned back into place

• Grade 2: The patella is continually disjointed until manually placed back into position

• Grade 3: It is constantly displaced & can be removed with help, but continues to leave proper position
• Grade 4: Where the patella is permanently damaged and cannot manually be placed back where it belongs

A lot of grade 1 and 2 loose knee syndromes can be helped by anti-inflammatory medicines as well as physical activity and weight management. You can always measure out how much food they get per day or do what I do, and divide their meals up into 2-3 servings. This way, your animal is not overeating their food. Another thing to keep in mind is muscle exercises, such as asking your pup to stand and sit multiple times a day or allowing them to swim. In some cases, physical therapy is a great option too.

Cavapoochons Can Have Seizures

Seeing a seizure, regardless if it is an animal or human, can be a very scary thing. You automatically want to panic, but that is the very last thing you need to do. In these instances, you must remain calm. Seizures can last from a few minutes to up to a few hours.TYPES OF SEIZURES

• Tonic: It is very brief and can cause a tightening in the muscles.  
• Clonic: Rhythmic muscle jerking that typically starts in one part of the body.
• Tonic-clonic: Where your dog stiffens suddenly and falls while standing. In the clonic phase, their muscles will continuously contract and relax. Most people are familiar with these kinds of seizures because it is the most common in dogs.
• Psychomotor seizures: Your dog has weird behavior, like staring into space, not responding to your cues or bite into the thin air. Your pet is very unaware of their surroundings and does not know what is happening around them.
• Epilepticus seizures: When a seizure goes beyond just a few minutes. The dog’s body temperature will start to rise due to constant muscle contractions and they may have a heat stroke and their temperatures can go up to 110 degrees. Low oxygen to their brain can cause permanent damage. In these cases, always take them to the ER.

WHAT TO DO IF MY DOG HAS A SEIZURE?

• Track how much time the seizure was
• Take a video to show your vet
• Take note of their symptoms and what time of day the seizures are happening
• Stay away from their mouth
• Cushion the head and comfort them
• Keep your animal away from any stairs
• Make sure to call your vet afterwards

There are triggers that cause your canine to have seizures, such as eating something poisonous, liver or kidney disease, brain cancer or having a stroke, but we can always take the necessary precautions in order to prevent them as much as possible with CBD oil for dogs, essential fatty acids or by changing your dog's diet. Always make sure you consult with your veterinarian before giving them anything.

Final Thought

Although cavapoochons may eventually have health problems later on in their lives, it is good to know that we as their owners have the authority to prevent them as much as we can, and that you are doing your very best as their dog owner. The most important thing about all of this is the fact that you loved them and gave your pup a family to be in for the rest of their lives!