Reptigirl
Well-known member
Hi everyone!
I'm wondering if anyone would have information on where I find a specialist for my Cavalier Puppy? I live in the USA... specifically Texas.
I have a 4 month old Cavalier Puppy that I acquired about 4 weeks ago. When I got him he seemed healthy as could be. He got a full check-up by the vet and was found to be "in good health". One odd thing I noticed when I brought him home and put a collar on him he began scratching intensely! I figured it was just because he had never had a collar on before. After 2 weeks I took him into the vet because he had scratched a patch off by his left shoulder AND was biting the fur off his hindquarters. After a skin scraping and exam to rule out parasites it was assumed that is was a food allergy.
I changed foods and to some degree his coat "quality" seemed to improve. He still scratches the same spot several times a day & he still chews mildly at his hindquarters and back feet. (He is still missing a small patch of fur near his shoulders and on his back legs) Now the last 2 weeks he has started "digging" in the carpet.. often... I'd say at least 10-15 times a day I find him digging randomly.
I don't know if I'm being overly worried about him or not. My vet is not very familiar with the breed and the other vet in the clinic who said "She has many years experience with Cavaliers" said she has never seen a Cavalier with SM... So I'm at a lose as to where to go now. From what I'm reading 4 months is REALLY young for a puppy to be showing signs of SM. I'm hoping these odd behaviors go away on there own but I would like to be prepared if they don't go away or get worse over the next few months.
Another question I have is about Pet Insurance. He has 2 months of free insurance right now and I was planning on continuing & upgrading his plan... BUT... it states that they do NOT cover:
*Congenital, pre-existing or inherited conditions
Would SM count as a congenital or inherited condition? I would think that it would... If so then Insurance really wouldn't help me would it? It also says they don't cover heart conditions (including murmurs ), eye conditions such as cataracts, any kind of dysplasia and many other things. (This is one of there more expensive plans). I have no experience with pet insurance... is this normal for pet insurance to not cover these things?
Sorry this is so long! I just have so many questions! Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I'm wondering if anyone would have information on where I find a specialist for my Cavalier Puppy? I live in the USA... specifically Texas.
I have a 4 month old Cavalier Puppy that I acquired about 4 weeks ago. When I got him he seemed healthy as could be. He got a full check-up by the vet and was found to be "in good health". One odd thing I noticed when I brought him home and put a collar on him he began scratching intensely! I figured it was just because he had never had a collar on before. After 2 weeks I took him into the vet because he had scratched a patch off by his left shoulder AND was biting the fur off his hindquarters. After a skin scraping and exam to rule out parasites it was assumed that is was a food allergy.
I changed foods and to some degree his coat "quality" seemed to improve. He still scratches the same spot several times a day & he still chews mildly at his hindquarters and back feet. (He is still missing a small patch of fur near his shoulders and on his back legs) Now the last 2 weeks he has started "digging" in the carpet.. often... I'd say at least 10-15 times a day I find him digging randomly.
I don't know if I'm being overly worried about him or not. My vet is not very familiar with the breed and the other vet in the clinic who said "She has many years experience with Cavaliers" said she has never seen a Cavalier with SM... So I'm at a lose as to where to go now. From what I'm reading 4 months is REALLY young for a puppy to be showing signs of SM. I'm hoping these odd behaviors go away on there own but I would like to be prepared if they don't go away or get worse over the next few months.
Another question I have is about Pet Insurance. He has 2 months of free insurance right now and I was planning on continuing & upgrading his plan... BUT... it states that they do NOT cover:
*Congenital, pre-existing or inherited conditions
Would SM count as a congenital or inherited condition? I would think that it would... If so then Insurance really wouldn't help me would it? It also says they don't cover heart conditions (including murmurs ), eye conditions such as cataracts, any kind of dysplasia and many other things. (This is one of there more expensive plans). I have no experience with pet insurance... is this normal for pet insurance to not cover these things?
Sorry this is so long! I just have so many questions! Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!