> This is quite a significantly different > statement than what we have previously heard; that all cavaliers over 5 have > MVD.
Where did you hear this? Every study I've seen to date shows that approximately 50% of all Cavaliers have developed MVD by age 5 and that nearly 100% of all Cavaliers have developed MVD by age 10. Throughout my 22 years of breeding I have found that the older the parents were--on average--when they developed MVD, the older their offspring were--on average--when they developed MVD as well--totally consistent with the study done in Sweden. There are exceptions but they are few and far between. In my one disaster litter however most developed MVD before age 5 even though mom was clear till age 9 and dad clear until at least age 8. This litter was loaded with autoimmune problems and that may be the key to why they didn't follow the norm. The litter is 8 years old now and I believe none of them are in congestive heart failure or on medication. It is possible they have a slightly different genetic makeup from the typical Cavalier who develops MVD before age 5 and/or their early onset MVD may be linked to their autoimmune problems. Anyhow, due to my experiences, I have no doubts that breeding Cavaliers who do not develop MVD until age 7 or later will produce a very high percentage of puppies who also do not develop MVD until a similar age--especially if there are no noticeable autoimmune symptoms present. I love seeing a pedigree with lots of long lived dogs, especially of those known to be MVD clear till an older age. Laura Lang ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
