Kalama Cavaliers

Tag: Reputable Breeder

  • Things don’t always go as planned

    Things don’t always go as planned

    How do you know if you chose a poor-health puppy? Are there signs and symptoms?

    In honor of Hannah:

    Donna Shelly and her 8 year old, Miss Hannah, 3 weeks before passing.
    “They are the best dogs, with the worst problems, but I loved my Cavie more than any other pet I have had in my life, and I’ve had several. “

    Part two of my “Puppy Mill” series (Part one is here: https://lifewithcavalierkingcharlesspaniels.com/puppy-mill-or-reputable-breeder-how-can-we-really-tell/) is to help open the conversation and importance of NOT giving time or $$ to those people who are not distinguishing themselves by doing the things it takes to have a HEALTHY dog. I met Donna (above) on one of our favorite Facebook groups, “The Healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel”. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567669240154735/ Quick to encourage others and praise their “beautiful babies”, Donna is now, herself, going through the recovery process of loosing her favorite fur-baby and in process of waiting for her next furry companion to join her. The following is some of the direct quotes from our conversations that I feel would benefit many of us who love our dogs:

    “Hannah’s MRI showed DM (Degenerative myelopathy) basically degenerative disks in her neck and improper alignment into the stem of her brain. The neurology vet stated that unfortunately it is becoming more common in many dog breeds not just Cavies… Hannah had been quite sickly all her life, with pancreatitis, various infections, including one in her mouth requiring major surgery.”

    Kalama Cavalier notes: Degenerative Myelopathy is an inherited genetic disease (shown through DNA) which frequently will not appear until around 8-10 years of age.

    Donna goes on to say, “Her recovery from the mouth surgery was really slow, and she had a lot of vomiting, which my Vet always thought was a “sensitive stomach”. 2 years later, I learned it was one of the DM symptoms. One evening, after having been to Vet the day before, and getting medication for the “sour stomach” she started losing use of her legs, and I could tell she could not see. She was glassy eyed, afraid to try to move, was falling over, and I could tell she could not see inches in front of her face. Immediately put her in car, and looked up emergency vet. Shortly after I arrived she started having seizures. I authorized an MRI for the next day, which is where I got the actual diagnosis.”

    “I literally watched by dog go from what I thought was healthy to a horrendous state in 3 days. Any hope that she could recover enough to be happy was worth the chance.”

    Donna Shelly

    “I did not have insurance (I will for my next dog !!!!) A Cavalier is definitely an expensive breed when it comes to health upkeep. That surgery was nearly 3 years ago had about a $3500 price tag, including her first cardiology testing, in prep for the surgery. The Vet bills for her last 6 weeks totaled about $6500. $600 for cardiologist annual visit/ ekg, etc. She had dental work about a month prior also. Then tests run by my Vet, who was going to do more tests following week (she did not make it). The MRI was $2500, which was included in the final summary at the Emergency hospital, a bill of about $5500. The first thing the the neurology Vet told me after the MRI was that Hannah had a congenital defect, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.

    “This was Hannah about 60 hours before she passed.
    This was sitting at my regular Vet waiting for results of blood tests.”

    “To complete my story, the neurology vet indicated that she was hopeful that she could treat Hannah, but due to fact that her heart was getting bad (cardiologist had just put her on Vetmeden a month earlier), a primary treatment was to incorporate steroids. She could not do that due to the heart issue.

    “Hannah had a treatment to reduce brain swelling with a drug that is a kin to a lose dose chemo drug. However, early the next morning she had 2 seizures in a very short period of time. The second left her in an irreversible coma. The question I had been asking for those last 24 hours, was “what would be her quality of life” if we got her through this. Bottom line, when they called me in when she lapsed into the coma, she was struggling for every breath. I spent some alone time with her, talking to her, telling her how much I loved her, and how she did not have to be brave for me, that it was ok to let go. I stayed strong for her during the process. I was at peace that she was no longer suffering, but I had, and still have all the horrendous feelings of grief.”

    When talking to Donna Shelly about the challenges of owning Hannah and what she will do differently with this new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that she is waiting for, she was quick to let me know that she looked for a reputable breeder who is adhering to all the “Club Standards” and more: testing heart, eyes and even DNA checking. I am certain that Donna would find solace if only someone can learn from Hannah’s early, untimely passing.

    A short internet search will show that the Cavalier’s life span is on the middle of the spectrum.

    Not a day goes by that I don’t see the sad stories, the stories that I believe could be changed, the reason I am committed to sharing my knowledge with the world of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lovers. I want to see these compassionate souls on the right side of the spectrum, hearing stories of them living 17+ years – here are a few from today’s Posts:

    ” My 7 yo Ruby has bad arthritis. Vets wanted Rimadyl but I have not started yet giving Cosamin for now. Any other suggestions?”

    “My poor Ben had to say goodbye to yesterday from his first day nearly 11years ago to his last day sitting on our door step looking out I just know yesterday he was giving up he put his paw on my hand and his head on my shoulder and gave me a lick like he was saying goodbye his heart was under a lot of pressure he was gone off food and lungs full of water I could not let him suffer i knew what was coming 2008 to 2019 such a loyal buddy ðŸ’”💔💔”

    ” Our little Maddie sleeps most of the day now. It’s been a little over a year since the dreaded MVD diagnosis…”


    ‎”I wanted to share the importance of buying your Cav though a reputable breeder. I bought Blue four years ago and took him to the vet due to pain he was feeling. He was diagnosed with front elbow problems due to splitting of the joints. Both front legs have now been pinned. He also requires surgery to his back knees and has hips dysplasia. The worst condition is a narrowing of the opening of his skull where the spine connects. This is potentially terminal due to the amount of pain he feels. He is now on daily medication to reduce the amount of cerebral fluid allowing normal movement. He’s doing ok but I fear for his future years.
    Always do your research and beware of back yard breakers. I made this mistake.” Rob Harty on September 8, 2019

    This article describes many of the common Genetic issues Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s may develop: https://www.caninejournal.com/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-health-problems/ But if you dig a little deeper you will note that nearly every one of the issues can be TESTED to show whether the parents have had the genetic health problems. After studying the 4+ line generations (to ensure there is a proper space from in-breeding), I then look at all of the (required) tests https://embarkvet.com/health-list/

    I have to go through the same channels anyone else does when finding a good, healthy puppy and I am quick to share these “tools” with those who are looking for healthy puppies. After interviewing a Breeder (these are great questions to start with: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/questions-to-ask-your-potential-breeder/), I want to find out how many generations this breeder has owned from the puppy (or dog) they are selling. The longer the heritage, the better chance they would know whether there are problems from the line that this breeder is using. I just spoke to yet another Breeder who thought her lines were “clear of DM, but was frustrated to see that the last dog they tested showed a carrier for DM”. As a Breeder who is weeding these issues out, I will continue to strive to Breed ONLY HEALTHY (health-tested) dogs. It’s hard. I just retired my 8th dog (prematurely) in just over 8 years. Every one of these dogs were less than 5 years old. As soon as there is a problem (genetic or other), I will look for a family for this dog to grow old with. S/he will not be a Breeding dog if there are possible inherited issues. Just this week I had to make that very hard decision to place one of my sweet girls in a different home because of some mysterious issues that has removed her from my breeding program. It all boils down to the health and wellness of the puppies I am responsible for.

    Me with sweeties: Tucker & Daisy tonight.

    If you follow my Instagram https://instagram.com/kalamacavaliers/ you will only see HAPPY, sweet, beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I adore each and every one of them. So, you might wonder, why would I write such a “downer” blog? Well, I really want you to know that I will research and I will report as balanced and unbiased as humanly possible. Before Posting (and even afterward) I welcome a select group of Editors to critique my writings. I want to help YOU, the public know, ultimately, how to raise a healthy, happy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I hope this blog will show you how!

    Post Script: As I was finishing the edits on this blog my friend, Julie and I were talking about her precious 9 year old Sadie who crossed the Rainbow Bridge, far to young, yesterday. We cried together and shared memories of her beautiful girl. I pray this blog as well as those in the future will help give our dogs a longer, healthier life. RIP Sadie Girl

  • Puppy Mill or Reputable Breeder? How can we really tell?

    Puppy Mill or Reputable Breeder? How can we really tell?

    There are many ways to bring a new furry four-legged friend into our family: going to the Humane Society and choosing a dog (“rescuing”); the local Pet Store usually has an Adoption Day; there’s always the online Marketplaces and Word of Mouth. So, what’s the big deal and why should we care?

    Mercy and I, playing and snuggling in the Puppy Nursery this past February.

    Looking into those sweet eyes and digging your fingers into that clean, soft fur, it’s hard to fathom the life before this “moment of decision” when you decide whether you will bring him home to be part of your fur-ever family. I want to help shed light on terrible practices, as well as offer solutions to bringing a happy, healthy dog/puppy into your life.

    The Humane Society (HSUS) defines a puppy mill as “a dog breeding operation, which offers dogs for monetary compensation or remuneration, in which the physical, psychological and/or behavioral needs of the dogs are not being fulfilled due to inadequate housing, shelter, staffing, nutrition, socialization, sanitation, exercise, veterinary care and/or inappropriate breeding.” The PROBLEM with purchasing from a Puppy Mill is that we are exasperating the issue and those behind the veil of online and Pet Stores will continue.

    “It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the United States…25% of the puppys are sold to Pet Stores.” https://www.humanesociety.org/puppy-mill-research

    Let me share with you what happened two and a half years ago. I didn’t know what the conditions of the puppy’s home was from the pictures; I was lured in by the puppies. I was in contact with the Breeder for a few months, asking for parent’s health (OFA testing, proof of parents lineage, etc.) and a few phone calls, but I hadn’t decided what I would do. I found her website full of testimonies and pictures. When I was suddenly called by the husband, asking if I had made up my mind, my red flags started waving. He let me know he was desperately in need of help from “someone like me” because his wife just passed away (literally the night before) and he was overwhelmed.

    Rallying the troops, I called and e-mailed every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeder that I could reach and let them know of this desperate situation, hoping SOMEONE would help this poor man! A few days later my husband and I were on the road, driving the 15 hours it took to reach this man, more importantly the dogs and puppies that I just “knew” needed to have some help. I had NO idea what we were facing, I just knew there were a LOT of dogs and puppies who needed homes immediately.

    Luckily, I found a CKCS breeder a few miles from this mans home and she agreed to meet me there. We were greeted and had a “preliminary meeting” outside the home to discuss the “situation”. Again, when pressed, he had NO idea how many dogs or puppies there were needing adoption, but he was willing “to do whatever needed” to liquidate his kennel immediately. I had 4 breeders from all over the United States and Canada awaiting to hear what was going on and who bred the dogs that were living in the home. I was hoping to send many dogs back to the Breeders who had originally sold to this couple.

    As soon as I opened the door, I was aghast! I had NO IDEA people lived like this, much less, the many, many dogs! There were quite a number of dogs running around the house, but, the worst part was the double-stacked, hard plastic carrier crates that were lined up along the hallway with about a dozen dogs. Apparently I only saw the females, I have no idea how many males lived “outside in the garage” and there were a few litters of puppies in the main bedroom and bathroom, closed up, zip-tied to the area. I was mortified! I couldn’t stand to be IN the house. I wanted out, and I wanted the dogs and puppies in another, better condition. Our heart wasn’t so much in it to adopt any of them (is it ever?) but at this moment I was wishing I had a bus and the ability to take them ALL (and rehome them to the amazing people I have met over the years). The filth, the stench, the conditions…were completely inhumane.

    Within just a few minutes of arriving with the other Breeder, a relative of the woman who passed walked in and shouted, “Uncle, get your things in order. All the animals will be removed from the premises within a half-hour.” ASPCA was en route and the dogs and puppies were leaving, the last count that I heard was 22 adult dogs and 9 puppies removed, not to mention the exotic birds and horses that were (un)kept on the property. I was ecstatic, and completely mortified. I hated the situation these dogs and puppies were living in, but being RESCUED meant there was hope for a healthy, happy life afterward. This, ugh, is the picture of disdain that so many have in their minds when they (unfortunately) think of any type of animal breeders; thanks to the news and other forms of media. This is also why I am writing this blog post…and why I want to reform our thinking about what “Purebred Breeders” (of any sort) could/should be!

    We drove home, slowly, after speaking with the very upset Breeders across the country, not knowing where the dogs/puppies came from, and where they would be going. I had no idea WHY I made this trip, but if, for nothing else, I wanted to see this “Puppy Mill Practice” and never, ever come anywhere near identifying myself as “that”.

    My daughter, Emily, is a Certified Nurses Assistant. Weekly she tells me of the sad conditions of one of the houses where she cares for an elderly woman, nearly blind, who breeds dogs in her tiny apartment. She keeps and raises the puppies in a baby playpen their entire life and sells them between 6-7 weeks old. They run and roll in their filth all day long. Her client sells the puppies to Pet Stores as well as people on line, who will never meet the parents or see the conditions of the home that the puppies have been bred into. I give her advice of calling the local Humane Society (1-877-MILL-TIP ). Apparently there are so many of these “backyard breeders” that 20,000 puppies annually are sold through these types of systems with no accountability or measures for improvement. As long as people continue to purchase through illegitimate means, there will be pound puppies and sick dogs in society. HSUS defines a puppy mill as “a dog breeding operation, which offers dogs for monetary compensation or remuneration, in which the physical, psychological and/or behavioral needs of the dogs are not being fulfilled due to inadequate housing, shelter, staffing, nutrition, socialization, sanitation, exercise, veterinary care and/or inappropriate breeding.”

    This past July I was contacted by a local Portlandian who works closely with the Humane Society. As of such, she would “feel too guilty buying a dog when we see dogs put down due to overpopulation”, but wanted to let me know she would gladly accept a purebred Cavalier, should I know of one who needs to be rehomed. I find this thinking everywhere. In fact, having adopted several dogs from the local shelter, as well as being in a family who has adopted FIVE children from our local Foster System…I used to feel like I needed to constantly justify WHY I was BREEDING in the first place!!

    Falling in love with a breed doesn’t automatically give folks a license to be a Breeder. I have three very close friends (and relatives) who are Breeders of a variety of Dogs and I never wanted to do what they were doing. Truly, it was AFTER researching, seeing how HARD it was to find a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog that I decided to make this challenge MINE. I went to the local dog clubs and shows, chatting with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Owners all over the world (thanks to Facebook Groups like “Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Stomping Ground”, and meeting with and asking a million questions before launching into my “Breeding Career”. 7 years later, I am learning daily about the continuous needs and challenges that this breed holds…something I believe that can slowwwwly overcome together. In fact, it has become my goal of having the World’s Healthiest Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – world over! I KNOW this will not be an easy task. I have purchased about a dozen dogs, but have had to prematurely retire 7 of these due to anomalies within the individual dog that would not make this a great dog to use in my Breeding practices.

    Some of the dogs in my early years

    Having found the “Club” Standards (each pure bred dog has a Club) for the USA CKCS http://www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/breedinfo.html I then began looking for Breeders who were adhering to the Club and AKC’s Standard Policies. Easy? No, unfortunately. I was blinded by the lack of accountability and standardization with regard to the policies that do not seem hard to follow. Having purchased puppies as well as “teen aged” dogs, I go through the same process I would anticipate others to go through to find me (typically using the AKC Marketplace: https://marketplace.akc.org/breeder/kalama-cavaliers-kennel?source_breed=cavalier-king-charles-spaniel ). I ask about the varies testings the dog and his parents have been through and then I ask for a visit. These are important and, often, denied. Just as I, as a Dog Breeder will interview each potential Adoptive Family, I expect folks to interview me! AKC has a great “Questions to ask a Potential Dog Breeder” here: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/questions-to-ask-your-potential-breeder/

    Willy and son, Cody enjoying a romp through Old Colonial Williamsburg the first night we spent with our lovable Willy.

    If the breeder and puppies are too far away to visit while you are doing the research, ask for a full home/kennel video chat. Ask to see the Father and Mother and “look” for the dog’s normal living environment – where s/he eats, sleeps and plays. Insist on going ON SITE to see the condition of the parents, puppy and environment. Backyard Breeders often do not have Vet Records or Paperwork that shows they are upholding the standards and always improving the breed. Puppies should be frequently handled (immediately after they are born) and cared for and records for parents can be proven through the outside sourcing Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. I found Anna Button’s in South Carolina who had been breeding the CKCS’s 25 years and no known genetic issues to account for. She and I talked for months before I decided to fly out and pick out my 7 month old puppy Willy. Soon, thereafter I began to have Willy tested. I am an open book with my testing records, here is Willy’s Annual testing records: https://www.ofa.org/advanced-search quicksearch=Buttons%20Sir%20William

    For my purposes, and because it is so simple to do nowadays, I insist on seeing the parent’s DNA records hopefully showing some of the typical CKCS genetic diseases cleared (I use https://embarkvet.com/ ). If I am comfortable with all of the clearances and the environment that the pup/dog is coming from, I will send a Deposit (usually $500 or more) and prepare for the transportation home. If the travel is too far to drive, I always insist on meeting the Breeder at the local airport and NOT flying the pup/dog. The last thing I want is a dog/pup with PTSD (diseased or even dead) due to the flying conditions!

    Why is it so important to know the health of the parents? Besides telling you A LOT about the Breeders ethics, it will be an indication of what possibly is to come for your new puppy! I am an avid reader, researching constantly for ways to improve my Kennel and Breeding Standards. Today I can be found reading the 500+ page book “Epigenetics: The Death of the Genetic Theory of Disease Transmission”. I believe ethical breeders are always going to be pushing themselves into new territories.

    Part II of this Blog series will go into more detail with stories from people who have been duped…I want to help you avoid fiascos in your future. Have you ever been around a Puppy Mill? What did you do?