
Originally Posted by
rubles
This is a very interesting thread.
The other day, having time on my hands, I searched for information about my cav's relatives. What I found is distressing. My cav has SM.
One of his litter mates is a successful show dog and is the father of other successful show dogs being used as studs by their proud owners. There are probably show quality bitches being bred as well.
Websites seldom show MRI results along with other health test results..
Websites don't show MRI results because the breeders don't do them despite knowing that there is now a greater than 50% chance of producing cavaliers that have SM before they are 2.5 years old.

Originally Posted by
rubles
Hopefully his litter mate does not have SM..
If he does they may, like other top breeders, ignore the symptoms while they can, even medicate to suppress them so he can still be shown. When the symptoms become too obvious he will disappear into a pet home.
Whether the new owner will be fully informed of the extent of the problem they are taking on is anyone's guess.
Last year a young Champion was seen to be limping at two shows. It is said he has now been rehomed. He was used at stud at a young age, no wonder more and more SM cases are being identified.

Originally Posted by
rubles
Charlie's breeder was made aware of his condition when I sought information about his SM and how to take care of him. She doesn't MRI her dogs but I was expected to provide a copy of Charlie's MRI proving he is affected. He was not MRI'd. This probably means Charlie doesn't have SM to his breeder. And so it goes.
As I wrote earlier in this thread owners are now getting angry when they find out breeders are playing Russian Roulette when mating their cavaliers. Crossing fingers is no substitute for getting a breeding dog properly tested.
There is a lot of information about irresponsible breeding now emerging. Perhaps what is also needed is an open register of SM dogs with breeder and pedigree details?
Margaret C
Cavaliers......Faith, The Ginger Tank and Woody.
Japanese Chins.... Dandy, Benny, Bridgette and Hana.
Remembered with love......... Tommy Tuppence and Fonzi
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