EPISODIC FALLING (EF)
Episodic Falling (EF) is a neurological disorder that affects the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed. Typically, symptoms are observed starting at approximately 14 weeks to 4 years of age but have been observed in younger and older dogs. Symptoms can range from occasional falling to freezing or seizure-like episodes that can last from minutes to hours. The episode severity can vary as the dog ages and the attacks appear to have no standard pattern. Symptoms are typically triggered by excitement, exercise or stress and are observed as an increase in muscle tone or stiffness in the dog’s limbs which can cause the dog to collapse during an episode. The disease can also be referred to as Exercise-Induced Paroxysmal Hypertonicity, Falling Cavaliers and Collapsing Cavalier Syndrome.
DRY EYE CURLY COAT (CKCSID)
Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome (CKCSID) is a genetic disorder that affects the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed. Symptoms of the disease can be seen at birth and includes abnormal hair, eye and nail development. The dog’s coat will appear curly and rough and a severe reduction in the amount of tears will be observed. The dog’s skin and footpads can appear thickened also known as hyperkeratinization and there is an increased risk for dental disease. CKCSID may also be referred to as Congenital Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or Ichthyosiform Dermatosis.
S LOCUS (S LOCUS)
A mutation in the MITF gene is responsible for the disruption of pigment production which results in white or non-pigmented areas within a dog’s coat. The white coat coloration that results from this mutation can be observed in a number of different patterns that are often referred to as piebald, particolor, extreme white, landseer, flowered or Blenheim. Dogs that carry one copy of the mutation will typically show limited white spotting across their coat while dogs that carry two copies of the mutation will have nearly solid white coats with limited or no spots of additional coloring. It is important to note that the S Locus mutation will not identify a pattern of white spotting known as “Irish White Spotting” which is due to another unknown mutation.
