Havanese Fanciers

While some health conditions occasionally occur, the Havanese remains a healthy little breed with a life expectancy of approximately 12 to 15 years.  

The majority of Havanese experience few significant health issues. The health testing requirements for a CHIC number for Havanese (patellas, eyes, hips and hearing) are only the first step to maintaining Havanese health for the future. Other health tests, which some breeders have found of benefit, are checking against elbow displaysia, cardiac issues, thyroid disease and liver disorders. 

At first glance all these tests and conditions which may affect Havanese may appear alarming but one must not lose sight of the fact that ALL breeds have heritable disorders and that some are more serious and widespread while others are much more limited in their occurrence. Think of all the diseases which can potentially affect mankind; just because they exist and have been diagnosed in man does not mean they will manifest in any given individual and no one person can possibly get every condition known to mankind. The same is true in dogs. There can be any number of conditions diagnosed in Havanese which may have a genetic component and may be heritable; however, one must also keep in mind that some of these conditions can be caused or aggravated by environment, lack of education and lack of care. A blow, serious tumble or head trauma can lead to Epilepsy. Other types of seizures can be caused by chemicals, poisoning etc. Luxating patellas can be caused by injury or by unlimited jumping before the growth plates are closed. Hip dysplaysia will be aggravated by obesity and lack of exercise. Poor diet can contribute to Diabetes as well as allergies. Allergies can also be due to chemical products used in the house and yard. Getting a puppy from a reputable breeder is only the first step. Care and attention to training, activities and feeding are just as important in keeping your puppy in as good health as possible. Health testing is not to search for disease, it is to search against and to help ensure the health of our breed for generations to come. While some health conditions can and do occur, the Havanese remains a relatively healthy little breed with a life expectancy of approximately 12 to 15 years. The majority of Havanese experience few significant health issues.

Research thoroughly and choose a breeder with care to ensure that you are getting a quality puppy from a reputable ethical breeder who tests their breeding stock regularly against heritable disorders. Though these cannot be eliminated completely, careful breeding practices help to minimize problems. 

CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) A CERF eye exam should be done yearly, the reason being that some eye diseases can occur at different ages. It’s recommended that you CERF your Havanese until 9 yrs of age. This exam is done by instilling drops into the eye to dilate them prior to a certified veterinary ophthalmologist examination. Eye certification (CERF#) is only valid for 1 year from date of examination, another reason why this test needs to be done annually. Should your Havanese be shown to have a genetic eye disease you would want to remove them from a breeding program. Oftentimes local dog clubs put on CERF clinics or visit your local veterinarian ophthalmologist to make an appointment. For further information visit the CERF website: http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

Patellar Luxation – The patella or knee cap is part of the stifle joint and during patella luxation the knee cap will pop out of place. Patella luxation can be diagnosed as early as 8 weeks old however may not be present at birth but the anatomical deformities that cause these are present. There may also be other cause for the development of luxations. A patellar examination is done by your veterinarian while your Havanese is awake. The luxation could be bilateral or unilateral (showing up in either the right or left leg or both). There are four grades of patellar luxation, from grade 1 to a grade 4. With Havanese that are going to be used in a breeding program you would want “Normal” results on both right and left legs. Patellar Luxation is considered an inherited disease therefore any dogs that have patella luxation should be removed from a breeding program. Patella luxation can be checked by your veterinarian and results can be sent into OFA for certification. For more information visit the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) website: http://www.offa.org/index.html

Below is a list of health tests that will allow your Havanese to get a CHIC # Canine Health Information Centre “CHIC” is breed specific and for each breed it is customized for specific health testing. In order to get a CHIC # through OFA for the Havanese the following testing is required: 1)Hip Dysplasia – OFA,PennHip,OVC,GDC evaluation 2) CERF – Eye Clearance – CERF evaluation 3) Patellar Luxation – OFA Evaluation 4) BAER Test for Congenital Deafness. For further information regarding the CHIC program visit the website at: http://www.offa.org/index.html

The HFC’s goals are to educate and promote healthy, happy, sound Havanese. With proper health screening we will reach these goals! Written by Penny Will – previously published in Dogs In Canada Breedlines Nov 2008

Hereditary Deafness

Hereditary deafness in Havanese, while only mentioned recently, is not a new problem. Deaf Havanese have been appearing sporadically for years, but breeders… thinking it was an isolated incident, rarely shared the information. This heritable disorder has a complex mode of inheritance . It is not known at this time whether it is colour/ pattern linked as in other breeds with hereditary deafness.

You cannot check hearing yourself. Most people with unilaterally affected Havanese are completely unaware that a problem exists. Hearing status can be positively ascertained by a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test (BAER) which detects electrical activity in the ear and auditory pathways in the brain . It is a very simple test and can be done anytime after a puppy is about 6 weeks old. It is a one time test. The ears should be clean and free of infection, wax build-up and hair overgrowth as these may affect test results.

The test takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Each ear is tested individually. Small ear phones deliver the stimulus and response data is collected through tiny electrodes with the results being displayed on a computer screen. A normal response waveform shows a series of peaks and valleys while the response from a deaf ear is essentially a flat line. Dogs show no evidence of discomfort from the electrodes though they may object slightly to the gentle restraint. Sedation is generally unnecessary in Havanese; even young puppies take the test in stride. At the end of the procedure, the recorded waveform is printed out.

BAER testing can be difficult to locate though is available at veterinary colleges. A test for a single dog may be expensive but prices are substantially lower if done with multiple dogs or at a hearing clinic. Some Veterinary colleges have recently acquired portable equipment which may make BAER clinics more easily accessible in upcoming years. At this time, there appears to be a small number of unilaterally and very few bilaterally affected Havanese, but incidence may rapidly rise as untested unilaterals are bred together. Caution should be exercised when considering breeding known unilateral deaf dogs as the likelihood of deafness may be significantly increased in litters with unilaterally deaf parent(s).

Until a test for this gene mutation is developed, BAER testing breeding stock and puppies prior to placement is one way to help minimize the incidence of deafness in our breed. Please see “BAER 2 – more information” for additional details about it.

BAER “Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response”  

Havanese, like any breed, can have congenital deafness. Baer testing is the only test accepted to confirm the hearing status of your Havanese. Baer is also one of four required tests for a Havanese CHIC number.  

 There are two types of deafness found in Havanese – acquired and congenital. Congenital (inherited) deafness occurs due to a defective gene that results in a malformation or non-functional ear; it may also result from viral or toxic damage to developing fetus. Congenital deafness in Havanese is permanent.

Acquired deafness occurs for any numbers of reasons. Some causes of hearing loss are head trauma, torn or ruptured ear drum, loud noises, excessive amounts of ear wax, dirt/hair plugging the ear canal; infections of the middle or internal ear; certain medications, liver disorders, general anesthesia and old age. Partial hearing loss and/or deafness are possible in these instances. Degeneration in aged Havanese is the most common cause of acquired deafness. Depending on the cause, acquired hearing loss may be reversible ( ie. Earwax or ear infection).

The main argument in support of BAER testing is that you cannot test hearing yourself. While it may be very obvious if a dog is totally deaf, it can be surprising at how well a deaf or partially deaf dog can learn to compensate.  Many owners living with unilaterally deaf dogs are completely unaware of the condition. You would likely not notice anything abnormal if your Havanese had unilateral hearing, especially if your Havanese is in a group with other canines or is a young puppy amongst littermates. Since most canines follow the response of others; this could be true with a Havanese that has unilateral hearing and they may function day to day very normally. Bilateral hearing loss would be more noticeable but your Havanese may still function fairly normally if in a multi canine home especially if it was raised from birth in the same home.  Bilateral hearing loss does not necessarily mean that your Havanese would be completely 100% deaf. Some may retain some degree of residual hearing.

You can Baer test your Havanese as young as 35 days old. BAER tests are administered by veterinary neurologists using specialized equipment. BAER is a relatively simple procedure and is completely harmless to your Havanese. It can generally be done without sedation. With a bit of time and patience, even resistant older dogs and wiggly young puppies that don’t like to be restrained can usually relax and settle enough for the procedure to be done. Very rambunctious or uncooperative dogs may require mild sedation though this is very uncommon in Havanese. The test procedure lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. The test is done by placing small electrodes under the skin of the skull. These electrodes are connected to a computer that monitors electrical activity in the brain as it responds to sound stimulus. Sound stimulants are played through small ear plugs inserted into your dog’s ears. Clicking sounds produced by the computer are recorded to monitor the brains’ response.

Each ear is tested separately to confirm that your Havanese has bilateral hearing.  Should your Havanese show unilateral or bilateral deafness, it will fail the Baer test; only those having normal bilateral hearing will pass. Once the testing is complete, you will be given a computer print out that can be mailed to OFA for certification.

If the fail is attributed to a correctable problem such as excess ear wax, infection or other such reasons, your Havanese should be retested at a later date once the problem is resolved. Other than correctable transient hearing loss, or loss identified with cetainly as being non-heritable(ie: such as hearing loss resulting from trauma), any Havanese with a failed result should be spayed or neutered and removed from a breeding program as congenital hearing problems are heritable.

There have been some reports of unilateral deafness and a few of bilateral deafness in the Havanese. At this time, it is unknown whether hereditary deafness in Havanese may be linked to colour and or coat pattern as in some other breeds. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) on-line breed stats from February 2009 report 99.6% bilateral normal hearing out of over 3000 Havanese tested.  A Baer clinic held at the Havanese Fanciers of Canada National Specialty in 2008 tested 26 Havanese, all with normal results. These wonderful results are reassuring; however do not mean we can be complacent. While bilaterally affected dogs are usually quite noticeable, unilateral deafness is next to impossible to discern without testing. Rates of deafness could rise very rapidly if untested affected dogs are bred. Testing is a simple and easy way to make strides towards reducing congenital deafness in Havanese.

Penny Will

(Condensed version previously published in Dogs in Canada May 2009)

To TEST or Not To TEST? – That is a very good question. What is it and why do it?  A certified eye exam is done by an ophthalmologist and checks for eye problems. Of course everyone knows that genetic testing is important in breeding stock but what about all the others and what about all the pets? At this time, heritable cataracts is a common genetic disorder in the Havanese. This is a somewhat unusual cataract. It cannot be defined as a Juvenile cataract; though it may appear as early as 10-12 months of age, it may also appear as late as 7 years of age. The most common age of diagnosis is 3-4 years of age. Therein lies the problem, as by that time an affected dog may have been bred a number of times and perhaps even to a second and third generation.

The very early onset form of cataract is the most disabling as it grows rapidly and may contribute to significant loss of vision, though it has been noted in many Havanese, that these cataracts progress quickly and then may break up and improve somewhat. A middle onset cataract shows up between 4-7 years of age. This type tends to be slower growing, it can progress, though usually quite slowly but it also can break up in subsequent years. This type is much less likely to cause blindness and minimally impacts the vision. This heritable cataract is not a senile cataract. Senior cataracts occur in most breeds in old age. In a long lived, slow maturing breed like the Havanese, these are unlikely to show up before 9-10 years of age.

The heritable cataract that affects Havanese appears to be a recessive gene where a dog must get the defective gene from both parents in order to become affected. At this time there is no test. Renowned ophthalmologist Dr Kirk Gelatt from the University of Florida is heading an on-going research study to isolate the gene, determine mode of inheritance and hopefully develop a test.

Until such time as a test is available, these heritable cataracts remain a risk for any Havanese. Eye testing remains the best means for us currently to identify this problem. Results of eye tests performed by Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologists can be registered with the  Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Until recently, eye tests were mainly certified by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation – CERF.  Since June of 2014, eye certifications are through the OFA as CERF is no longer active in this capacity. Even though the Canine Eye Registry Fundation is no longer the main registry, you will continue to hear of an eye exam refered to as a CERF exam. 

Unlike many other one-time genetic tests, eye test results are only valid for a period of one year after which time the dog must be re-examined. When purchasing a Havanese, it is wise to choose a breeder who has all their dogs eye-tested yearly and to get a puppy only from two adult dogs that have current eye certifications.  Certified results of eye exams are not only for breeding stock and for show dogs. Havanese owners are urged to eye test any and all Havanese on a yearly basis including pets and companion dogs. The earlier any eye problem is diagnosed, the better chance there is of being able to treat it before blindness and/or eye damage occurs.

So what if one of your dogs fails? The more you know about this problem the better equipped you will be able to deal with it if it happens. Age of onset may matter as dogs afflicted at a younger age seem to have faster more aggressive conditions. Location of the cataracts is also important. While some do progress rapidly and may lead to blindness, others progress slowly with less visual impairment. Surgical intervention may be an option for more severe conditions. The earlier you become aware of any problem the better you can take steps to monitor progression and prevent/treat other associated problems that may develop. The importance of eye testing for all Havanese cannot be over-stressed. CHOOSE SIGHT! Eye-test your Havanese annually. Every Havanese that is tested adds to the genetic data base and knowledge we have about this serious hereditary condition and leads us one step closer to finding a solution so we can eliminate it from the breed.

The Havanese is generally a healthy long lived little dog. This does not mean he is perfect. Just like every other dog breed, the Havanese is prone to some genetic hereditary disorders. Like other breeds with a very small gene pool, some of these issues may be compounded and widespread. As the breed is still quite young in its rebuilding, some disorders are just now coming to light. If you take into account the other breeds that played a factor in the development of the Havanese, it stands to reason that the Havanese may have hereditary problems that are encountered in these and other similar breeds.

Of those we currently know about, Heritable Cataracts is the most significant hereditary disorder in the Havanese. Other heritable disorders that have been diagnosed in the Havanese include eye problems such as heritable cataract, cherry eye and excessive tearing; Mechanical, movement and structure related problems include Hip Dysplasia, Patella luxation, , Chondrodysplaysia , disk problems and Legg Perthes Disease. Problems of the major organs that have been identified are liver shunt and heart disease; Other heritable disorders are neurological disorders, thyroid deficiency, allergies, deafness and a short hair gene.

HERITABLE CATARACTS – At this time heritable cataracts is the most widespread of the genetic disorders in the Havanese. There is no clean line; all lines are affected. This is a somewhat unusual cataract. It cannot be defined as a Juvenile cataract though it may be early onset; it may also appear as late as 7 years of age. The most common age of diagnosis is 3 – 4 years of age. This cataract can show up in different forms. The most serious of these can show up as early as 10-15 months of age. While this type of cataract has the potential to progress to vision impairment or blindness; oftentimes, it has been noted in many Havanese, that these cataracts progress quickly and then may break up and improve somewhat.

A later onset cataract shows up between 4-7 years of age. This type tends to be slow growing, it can progress, though usually quite slowly but it also can break up in subsequent years. This type is much less likely to cause blindness and minimally impacts the vision. This heritable cataract appears to be a recessive gene where a dog must get the defective gene from both parents in order to become affected. At this time there is no test. Until a test becomes available, it is a wise precaution to get a puppy only from parents who have current certified eye exams. All Havanese owners are encouraged to annually eye test and certify their dogs whether they have companions or show dogs. The earlier the problem is diagnosed, the better chance there is of being able to treat it before blindness occurs. Senior cataracts occur in most breeds in old age. In a long lived, slow maturing breed like the Havanese, these are unlikely to show up before 9-10 years of age.

CHERRY EYE – is a swollen or prolapsed gland of the third eyelid. The gland protrudes and becomes irritated and inflamed. It is strongly suspected that Cherry Eye is due to a weakness of the connective tissue. Cherry eye itself is not heritable but the weakness that allows it to develop may be. If one eye develops cherry eye, then the other eye may also be predisposed. Sometimes the gland can simply be tucked back in but it may prolapse again. The most common treatment is to reposition the gland and surgically tack it into place.

EXCESSIVE TEARING AND STAINING – Also known as Poodle Eye. There are few things more unsightly than rusty tear stains marring the appearance of an otherwise beautifully groomed Havanese. This will of course be most noticeable on white and other light coloured Havanese. Stains are not the only problem, you should take note of tearing and/or eye discharge regardless of the colour of your Havanese. There are a number of reasons for eye discharge and excessive tearing and the unattractive stains that may result. Excessive tearing, blocked tear ducts, acidity or pH of the tears, bacterial or yeast infections, genetics, teething, irritation, allergies, hair in the eyes, environment (smoke & other pollutants) , shampoo and chemicals, diet, food allergy/intolerance are all potential culprits. Camouflaging the stains is a popular option, but in truth, understanding the causes, prevention, and controlling the tear staining are more important than simply covering up.

LIVER SHUNT – is the most common congenital liver problem. Most often this is the result of blood bypassing the liver and flowing directly into the system. This bypass of the liver is normal during fetal development. The bypass normally closes off shortly after birth. The liver has many functions including metabolism, temperature regulation, circulation, detoxification and waste removal. In the case of a dog with a shunt, the liver cannot do its job properly and resulting in non-detoxified blood circulating freely through the body slowly poisoning the body’s tissues and cells. This poisoning may be expressed as failure to thrive, poor weight gain, sleepiness, vomiting, blindness and seizures. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment offer the best outcomes. The success of surgery depends on the severity and the location of the shunt. Medical management may be tried for inoperable shunts but can be difficult and very expensive with limited success. Responsible breeding can drastically reduce/eliminate this problem. Most serious liver shunts are diagnosed in early puppy development but some less serious shunts may not be discovered till 3-5 years of age.

HEART DISEASE – Cardiomyopathy occurs when one or more diseases cause inflammation and scarring of the heart muscle which becomes less efficient in supplying the body and organs with blood. The heart eventually weakens leading to congestive heart failure and death. Heart disease appears to be genetic. Though the disease may start at an early age ( 2-5 years) the signs may not appear for several more years (9-12 years of age) when the disease becomes severe and signs appear rapidly over a matter of days. By then, the dog may already be in the stage of severe heart failure. Symptoms of unexplained lethargy, sudden weight loss, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath may be signs of a dog developing a heart problem. Congestive Heart failure is life threatening; a visit to the veterinarian is essential to diagnose the problem and begin treatment.

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS – such as epilepsy have been diagnosed in the Havanese but are relatively uncommon at this time. The most evident symptom of epilepsy is seizures. Seizures can be inherited or they may be caused by medical diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, etc.  They may be seen as spells in which the dog demonstrates repeated jerking of the entire body or just one part, followed by a period of disorientation. Multiple seizures are usually required to make a correct diagnosis Determining the cause is essential to make appropriate treatment choices as well as future breeding decisions. Not all seizures are due to epilepsy. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar – is a common cause of seizures in toy breeds. Dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, kidney or liver disease may also produce seizures as can internal parasites, infections, food allergies and chemical toxins. If no other reason can be found, then epilepsy is the likeliest cause of the seizures. Treatments for epilepsy include medications to prevent and control seizures.

THYROID DEFICIENCY – Hypothyroidism, a low thyroid is a common cause of skin and hair problems. Some dogs with low thyroid will show no symptoms at all or only a few symptom, while others show numerous symptoms. Possible symptoms include dry brittle hair, thinning coat and hair loss, dry flaky skin, cool skin, skin infections, weight gain with low food consumption, lethargy and fatigue, irregular heat cycles, infertility, inconsistent bowel movements, heat and cold sensitivity and excessive skin pigmentation. A blood test is the only way to determine a thyroid deficiency. Thyroid replacement therapy is very effective; treatment, once started must continue for life.

ALLERGY – This condition is a disorder of the immune system leading to hypersensitivity to assorted environmental allergens. The primary sign in most dogs is itching. This symptom can exhibit many forms, licking or chewing of the feet, and groin area; chewing tail, excessive rubbing and scratching the face, ears, and chest; and rubbing body along furniture or any thing else to scratch the itchy area. Dogs with allergies can also display reversed sneezing, coat discolouration, crusty, reddened weepy eyes, skin irritations, skin blisters, and hair thinning and hair loss. The most common environmental allergens are dander, pollens, dust and moulds. These can be seasonal and be much worse at certain times of year. Other allergies or intolerances can occur in response to food or chemical and artificial additives and preservatives. Food allergies can show up as the itching above but may also produce vomiting, gas, and loose and frequent stools. Ideally, avoiding the irritating substance is the best means of treatment. This can be achieved in some cases (particularly food), but in most cases of environmental allergens, this is not possible or practical. There are a number of medical treatments including specialty shampoos, herbal preparations, steroids and antihistamines.

SKIN DISORDERS – Problems of the skin are among the most troublesome and difficult to diagnose and treat. Among these is a perplexing condition called SEBACEOUS ADENITIS . In SA, the skin’s sebaceous glands which normally produce fatty secretions to help prevent drying of the skin, become inflamed and are eventually destroyed. Clinical signs vary with severity. In long-coated breeds like the Havanese, the condition develops as dry, scaly, flaky skin and silvery dandruff along with patches of hair loss. More severely affected Havanese will have extensive hair loss and a moth eaten look. They may also have areas of thickened skin (“hyperkeratosis”) accompanied by a rancid, musty odour and secondary skin infections. Sebaceous adenitis is primarily a cosmetic disorder as it affects the appearance of the dog rather than general health. SA affected dogs can be otherwise healthy and happy but are distressing to look at and unpleasant to smell and touch which make it a frustrating condition to cope with. SA cannot be cured. Symptomatic treatments are long term and can be extensive, time consuming and expensive. SA is best diagnosed by the examination of skin biopsies.

SHORT HAIRED GENE – A Havanese which inherits two copies of this recessive gene will appear as a short coated Havanese. The coat is smooth on the face and legs with longer fringes on the ears, body and tail. In appearance, it is very different from a typical long haired Havanese. This gene appears to have been a spontaneous genetic mutation several generations ago. The trait is genetic. Dogs with only one copy of the gene will be long haired though they still carry a copy of the short haired gene which can then be passed along to offspring. Coat differences within a litter can usually be discerned at about 6-8 weeks of age. A short hair is a serious deviation from the breed standard and should never be bred.

DEAFNESS – In recent years, deafness has been identified in Havanese. It is a heritable disorder but one with a complex mode of inheritance. It has not yet been determined if this may be color linked as it is in other breeds. A number of Havanese may be carrying these genes. You cannot check hearing yourself. Most people with unilaterally affected dogs are completely unaware that there is any problem until a bilaterally deaf puppy is produced. There is a test available to check hearing. It is the BAER test. It is a very simple test and can be done at anytime after a puppy is about 6 weeks old. Unlike CERF, the BAER test does not need to be repeated yearly. It is a one time test. It is a wise precaution to test breeding stock and test the pups if possible. Also very important not to breed the unilaterally deaf dogs. BAER testing clinics can be difficult to locate though are generally available at veterinary colleges. A single test may be expensive but prices are usually substantially lower if done at a hearing clinic. Some veterinarians recommend sedating the dogs to preform the test. In Havanese, sedation is generally unnecessary. At this time, there appears to be very few bilaterally affected dogs, but this number may  rise as untested unilaterals are bred and produce bilaterally affected offspring.

Review – At first glance all this appears alarming and certainly there is cause for concern but at the same time one must not lose sight of the fact that ALL breeds have heritable disorders and that some are more serious and widespread than others. The conditions mentioned here have all been diagnosed in Havanese and all have a hereditary component. Some are widespread like the cataracts while others like Legg Perthes are much more limited in their occurrence.

This information was presented to inform about both upsides and downsides of owning a Havanese and to stress the importance of researching a breed thoroughly before choosing to add a Havanese or any dog to your family. Please choose a breeder with care to ensure that you are getting a quality puppy from a reputable ethical breeder who tests their breeding stock for heritable disorders. Though these cannot be eliminated completely, careful breeding practices help to minimize problems. Do not choose a puppy on impulse.

Hip dysplasia is the hip disorder that most people are familiar with, but there are other conditions which can affect the hip area. One of these is Legg Calve Perthes Disease, a disorder of hip joint conformation.

HIPS: It has been a long held belief that Hip issues are exclusive to big dogs. While hip dysplasia most often occurs in medium, large and giant breeds, a number of small breeds, the Havanese included, can also suffer from hip problems.

Hip dysplasia, also sometimes referred to as HD, is abnormal looseness or laxity of the hip joints that leads to joint instability and degenerative bony changes. In a dysplastic animal, the normal tight fitting hip joint is much looser, allowing the femoral head to move around in the acetabulum (the socket portion of the ball and socket hip joint). This damages the joint surfaces and leads to degenerative changes and osteoarthritis which causes pain during movement and in extreme cases lameness. Hip dysplasia can severely curtail the activities and quality of life of a lively active dog like the Havanese that delights in running and jumping.

The only way to help minimize HD in our Havanese is to get all breeding dogs tested, and breeding only parents free of hip dysplasia. Puppies of dysplastic parents are more likely to develop HD than puppies of normal parents. Reputable breeders want to improve the breed; they do not want to breed unhealthy animals or cause unfortunate puppies and dogs long term effects and possible lameness. Testing for normal hips is a step in the right direction. Diagnosis for hip dysplasia requires pelvic radiographs and treatment can range from restricted exercise, changing diet to reduce weight, medication and possibly surgery depending on the severity. Hip dysplasia can occur in one or both hip joints.

Most veterinarians can do the x-ray required to diagnose HD. The Havanese, being a smaller breed, normally do not need to be anesthetized for the required diagnostic X-ray (which can be done by most veterinarians), although some veterinarians feel they get a better reading with light sedation as the dog can be positioned more easily. In order to get an OFA Hip certification number, the dog must be 2 years of age. Testing done on dogs prior to 2yrs. old will allow a preliminary reading. Hips are one of four health test requirements in order to get a CHIC # (Canine Health Information Centre) for the Havanese.

When the X-ray is sent in to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), a panel of 3 radiologists read and grade the x-rays. OFA has a grading system from excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate and severe. Ratings of Excellent, Good and Fair are considered normal. If your Havanese is over 2 years of age, you can get an OFA certification, if under two years of age, you will only get a preliminary reading. Dispelling the big dog myth, you might be surprised to know that the Havanese rank 91st for hip dysplasia according to the statistics kept by the OFA. From 1974 to December 2007, a total of 1522 Havanese hip evaluations have been done; 7.6 % received an excellent rating while 9.9 % received a dysplastic rating. This is a significant and worrisome number but may not give the whole picture as not all Havanese are tested. Although more and more Havanese owners and breeders are testing for hips and registering with OFA, this is still a relatively low percentage of tested dogs for the breed. It is entirely possible that the number of dysplastic Havanese is higher than this. The only way to help minimize HD in our Havanese is to get all breeding dogs tested and breed only parents free of hip dysplasia, as puppies of dysplastic parents are more likely to develop HD than puppies of normal parents. Reputable breeders want to improve the breed; they do not want to breed unhealthy animals or cause unfortunate puppies and dogs long term effects and possible lameness. Testing for normal hips is an important step in the right direction. Hips are one of four health tests required in order to get a CHIC # (Canine Health Information Centre) for the Havanese.

Penny Will Condensed version published in Dogs in Canada Breedlines Jan 2009

Patellar luxation is also commonly referred to as kneecap luxation, slipping patellas, slipped stifles or dislocation of the knee cap. Patella Luxation may be congenital (existing from birth) or acquired. 

The patella normally moves up and down in a groove in the lower femur bone called the trochlear groove. The patella slides up and down in the groove as the leg bends and straightens. When the patella is in its normal position, its cartilage surface glides smoothly and painlessly along the cartilage surface of the trochlear groove with little or no discomfort. Patellar luxation is when the kneecap slips out of the groove. Sometimes, the groove is too shallow and thus prevents the patella from seating deep enough therefore predisposes it to dislocation. There may be other reasons as well. When there is a luxating patella, the kneecap luxates or pops out of place either in a medial position (to the inside of the knee) or lateral position (to the outside of the knee) position. This dislocation causes friction in the area, inhibits movement, can damage the joint tissues, and may cause discomfort, pain and lameness.

The congenital form of medial luxation (kneecap dislocated to the inside of the knee) is most common in toy breeds, not excluding Havanese, and is considered inherited although the exact mode of inheritance is not known. Laterally luxating patellas can be congenital but are generally the result of trauma. In Havanese, signs of congenital luxation may appear when a Havanese is quite young (less than 1 year of age) especially if the luxation is severe; lower grade luxations may appear later in life. Patellar luxation may affect one or both knees. Where both knees are affected, the degree of luxation in each may be different, where one may be affected more or less so than the other. To diagnose a patella problem your veterinarian will do a physical examination and palpation on your Havanese and it can be confirmed by x-rays. 

Patellar certification is done by OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals) and is also one of the tests required for a Havanese CHIC number. Testing may be done at any time, however only tests done after 12 months of age are eligible for certification. One reason to get the testing done prior to 12 months of age would be if a breeder wanted to be assured that their puppy had no apparent underlying patella problems. This can be especially important where performance events requiring jumping are planned for the future (such as agility) or if a puppy is being evaluated for potential for a show or breeding career. An early normal exam does not preclude the development of a future problem but it can identify an existing weakness. Havanese with a rating of 0 have normal patellas that do not luxate during the physical examination. OFA grading for luxation is from 1 to 4 with 1 being the most mild and 4 being the most serious. With grades of 3 or 4, your Havanese will generally show signs of lameness and surgical correction may be required. Luxation may be unilateral or bilateral. The OFA statistics as of May 2009 are 2278 dogs tested 2.9% affected and 97.1 % normal.  

Should your Havanese have a luxating patella it may show signs of lameness or refuse to bear weight on his/her knee.This may happen only occasionally or frequently depending on the severity of the patella luxation and also the activity(ies) your Havanese is doing at the time. Your Havanese may cry out and try and straighten the leg to pop it back in or may hold up the leg until the muscle has relaxed which allows the kneecap to reposition itself.

If your Havanese shows signs of patellar luxation early in life, the major muscle groups of the thigh pull toward the inside of the leg, putting abnormal pressure on the knee joint cartilage. The result is a bowlegged stance and an abnormal pull on the patella. Over time your Havanese may develop other degenerative joint changes such as osteoarthritis. This may occur whether or not corrective surgery is undertaken.

Depending on the severity of the problem, your Havanese may require surgical correction. Surgical correction is based on the degree of luxation, the age of your Havanese and how frequently the knee luxates. Surgical correction consists of deepening the groove in which the patella sits to better contain the knee cap. The tibia may also require repositioning and generally the bone is cut and pins are used to secure position. The surgery site needs to be shaved to the skin but your Havanese does not need to be trimmed or shaved all over. The coat grows back faster than you think and will start blending in within a short time. 

Following surgery, physical therapy may be recommended to facilitate use of the leg. There may be exercise limitations for 10-12 weeks after surgery, which can sometimes be a challenge with an active little breed like the Havanese. Should your Havanese require surgery on both patella’s the veterinarian will generally wait approximately 6 weeks in-between surgeries, though occasionally surgery may be done on both knees at the same time. Post-surgery, most Havanese are able to return to all their previous activities.

Affected Havanese and any Havanese that has had corrective surgery should not be bred; and extreme caution should be used before considering breeding parents or littermates.

Penny Will (condensed version previously published in Dogs in Canada breedlines Fall 2009)