Havanese Health Concerns Overview: The Havanese breed is a relatively healthy breed, with a lifespan of approximately 15 years. Because of the small number of dogs in existence, there is a limited gene pool available for breeding, In an effort to help protect that pool while it is still of manageable size, many Havanese breeders are voluntarily participating in health testing to try and weed out any possible hereditary diseases that might occur. The Havanese Club of America, in an effort to encourage these actions has initiated the 4-Star Havanese program, which recognizes dogs over the age of two that have both passed and remain current, on the HCA's recommended tests. The 4-Star Award program requires annual Cerf Testing, as well as one time BAER testing & OFA testing on hips and patellas. Information on the breed and its health concerns is available on The Havanese Club of America Website. Another organization supporting research on the breed is H.E.A.R.T., the Havanese Eye Angels Research Team. Founded in 1999, this group originally began researching into heritable eye disease. They have since expanded to include research on other diseases affecting the Havanese breed. H.E.A.R.T. Website. Areas of health concerns in the Havanese Breed currently include: EARS ·Deafness Many breeders test their puppies before they go to their new homes to determine a baseline on hearing. BAER Testing (Brain Audio Evoked Response) helps in identifying the source of problems if deafness arises later in the dog's life. A few puppies have been found to have partial or total hearing loss at the time of testing. Normally testing is only done once in the dog's lifetime unless hearing loss is suspected. 4 electrodes (teeny-tiny needles) are inserted under the skin on the dog's scalp, and a foam plug is placed in each ear. Sound waves are generated in each ear separately, and the brain waves are measured through the electrodes as the dog's brain responds to the sounds. It is a fairly simple procedure and most dogs do not even require sedation. OFA Deafness Information Site. EYES ·Cataracts The Havanese can develop cataracts. They may have a juvenile onset, or appear at any time throughout the dog's lifetime. It is not unusual for cataracts to appear in an older dog of 8 years or older. Surgical removal of cataracts can be successful if it takes place before the cataract is mature. The best way to ensure this is to catch the cataract in its early stages through annual CERF Testing after the age of twelve months. Cerf testing is very much like a human eye exam. The dog's eyes are dilated, and then examined for any abnormalities upon or within the lens. The test is quite inexpensive, normally less than $30.00. Frequently Dog Shows and Matches offer CERFing in conjunction with their activities for a discounted price. Canine Eye Registration Foundation. ORTHOPEDIC ·Chondrodysplasia The foreleg of the dog is made up of two bones, the radius and the ulna. These two bones work in tandem literally rotating around each other as the wrist moves in and out. In chondrodysplastic dogs, the foreleg bones fail to grow at the same speed. If the growth plates on one of the bones close prematurely, prior to the growth plate on the other, the longer bone will eventually begin to bow from the resulting stress. This can occur to one or both legs, and the degree varies from dog to dog. Radiographs can help the orthopedist diagnose this condition, which frequently does not appear until the dogs are 2 or 3. Surgery is possible to lengthen the shorter bone, hopefully preventing many of the problems that can occur later in the dog's life such as debilitating arthritis. ·Luxating Patellas Unstable kneecaps are referred to as luxating. Because this is considered a heritable disease, most reputable breeders will have this checked on their puppies prior to releasing them to their new homes. The procedure is non-invasive and consists of palpation and flexion of the area. Rechecking the dog at one year of age, allows the owner the option of officially registering the results in the OFA database where they are used by breeders and buyers alike to evaluate genetic diseases in pedigrees. The most severe Grades of LP can cause painful arthritis and reduction in range of motion over time. Surgery is an option to aid your dog in coping with LP. OFA Patellar Luxation Information. ·Legg-Calve-Perthes LCP results when blood is cut off to the head of the femur. Without a blood supply, the bone cells die, leaving the bone vulnerable to fracture and abnormal wearing. This painful condition can be partially corrected by surgically removing the femoral head. This condition is believed to be inherited and dogs affected are not good candidates for any breeding program. OFA Legg-Calve-Perthes Information. ·Hip Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia can become a horribly debilitating genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis or degenerative joint disease it can produce. HD is the result of an abnormally developed hip joint, and resultant damage because of the malformation. Dysplastic dogs do not always show clinical signs of lameness. Therefore many are not diagnosed until displaying severe pain. There seems to be no consistent display of symptoms. For that reason it is recommended that dog's after the age of two be radiographed for HD prior to being used for breeding. Havanese can frequently be radiographed without sedation. OFA Hip Dysplasia Information. ·Elbow Dysplasia Elbow Dysplasia has three primary causes that can occur separately or in combination with each other. In the Havanese they appear to be most often associated with chondrodysplasia, probably the result of abnormal stress on the joint due to malformation of the forelegs. OFA also maintains a database for ED, and the results of a radiograph after the age of two years may be placed on file with them. There are surgical treatments for elbow Dysplasia dependant upon the situation presented and the severity. OFA Elbow Dysplasia Information. Other health issues of concern in the Havanese breed include: Liver Shunts, Heart Murmurs, Seizures, Kidney Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism and skin problems, including Sebaceous Adenitis. It is very important that anyone looking to acquire a Havanese request health screening information on the sire and dam of the dog they are acquiring, and research that information thoroughly. CHIC, the Canine Health Information Center has put together a very useful database of virtually all testing, to help breeders and buyers better research pedigrees on their dogs.