Havanese Fanciers of Canada

Mechanical, Movement and Structure Problems

PATELLA LUXATION - Patellar luxation is the slipping of the kneecap. This may be as a result of injury or be a genetic predisposition. Patellar luxation can affect one or both legs. This condition is quite common in many small breeds including the Havanese. Some signs to watch for are difficulty straightening the leg, a hop I skip in the gait, limping or pain. Mild grades may be almost asymptomatic. Surgery is an option to correct the problem. In most cases the veterinarian can diagnose this condition by physical manipulation of the joint.

HIP DISPLAYSIA - Canine Hip dysplasia is joint malformation that occurs when the ball and socket are misaligned, loosely fitted, or misshapen often leading to arthritic changes, pain and limited mobility. Dysplastic dogs may need expensive corrective surgery as they age. Though many people associate this heritable disorder with large or giant breeds, it can and does occur in small and toy breeds like the Havanese as well. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition and diagnosis before breeding should be a priority to keep breeding stock healthy and limit the occurrence of the disease in offspring. Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed only by x-ray of the hip joint. OFA and PENN hip are two registries for hip certification.

DISC DISEASE - In between each vertebrae in a dog's backbone is a flexible cushion like disk. Aging and premature disc degeneration can cause the discs to dehydrate losing their cushioning ability. This occurs to some extent in old dogs of all breeds. Dogs with short legs or long bodies may prematurely develop degeneration of the disks. Problems happen when a portion or the entire disk is displaced from its normal position in the spine and may protrude into the spinal canal causing inflammation, pain and subsequent spinal damage. it can happen very slowly or be quite rapid in its development and can be the result of trauma, or have no apparent cause. The symptoms are dependent on the location and severity of the affected disk(s). Prompt diagnosis and treatment improve the prognosis. Surgical intervention may be necessary.

LEGG PERTHES DISEASE - also known as Calve-Perthes Disease, Perthes Disease and Avascular Necrosis of the femoral head is a hip malformation occurring mainly in small breeds, including the Havanese, in which the head of the femur (thigh bone) deteriorates and dies as a result of insufficient blood supply. Diagnosis is usually by x-ray where the vet can clearly see disintegration of the bone. Most often only one leg is affected. Usually this condition strikes young animals of 4-12 months of age. There does appear to be a hereditary component to this disease. Pain, limited movement, atrophy, limping, difficulty walking can all be symptoms. Treatment depends on severity. Some very mild cases can be treated with enforced rest while more severe cases may necessitate surgery. Early intervention is critical.

Havanese can be certified free of LCPD through the OFA registry. It uses the same X-ray as that needed for hip certification.

CHONDRODYSPLASIA - or CD - the most recognizable effect of Chondrodysplasia is "Dwarfism"This is often misunderstood as many people assume that all small breeds are dwarf breeds. True, some toy breeds are dwarfs; most are not but rather have been miniaturized or are just small. It is not the same thing at all. A miniature breed retains all the breed characteristics and body proportions of its larger counterparts. It has simply been bred down to its smaller size. For instance the toy poodle. Other toy breeds are simply small dogs and have always been so, like the bichon breeds. A midget is a well proportioned but very small example of any given breed. A dwarf breed is neither of these. In a dwarf breed the structure has been altered to produce shortened limbs while the body remains unaffected resulting in a dog with a normal to large body with disproportionately short legs. Chondrodysplasia has become a "normal" variation for breeds that man has manipulated, selecting FOR short legs, but medically....it is a disorder of the bone which may result in premature closure of the growth plates. For certain breeds, such as the Corgi, Basset and Dachshund, Chondrodysplasia is the correct build for their breed standard.  For most breeds, however,  this is a structural anomaly. As with other skeletal conditions, symptoms can be mild or moderate and not easily recognized or it can be quite severe and easily noticed. The growth plates of CD dogs close prematurely and sometimes unevenly. While some may have straight short legs, others may have bowed legs while others may have one straight leg and one bowed leg.