Do Havanese have health problems?

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Havanese, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

• Legg-Calve-Perthes: This condition causes the head of the femur (located in a dog’s hind leg) to spontaneously degenerate. Over time, this will lead to erosion of the hip joint and arthritis. Havanese suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes will become lame, limp while walking, and experience pain when moving the hip joint. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.

• Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place, which can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases, although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

• Heart problems: The Havanese sometimes develop heart murmurs, heart vibrations caused by a disturbance in blood flow that indicate disease, and mitral valve insufficiency, where the valve directing blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle begins to fail, which can lead to heart failure.

• Eye disorders: The Havanese is prone to glaucoma, a condition causing excessive pressure on the eye and making fluid drainage difficult; cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision; and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness. The lighter-colored Havanese are also prone to aquiring tear stains beneath their eyes.

• Portosystemic liver shunt: Portosystemic liver shunt (PSS) is a hereditary issue that obstructs proper blood flow to the liver. Since the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, PSS sends the toxins in unfiltered blood to the heart, brain, and other body parts. Signs can include but are not limited to behavioral changes, loss of appetite, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), jaundice, urinary tract problems, vision problems, and stunted growth. PSS can be life-threatening if not treated early. Antibiotics and diet changes can help in the short term, but surgery is the only permanent treatment for the problem.

• Hypothyroidism: A thyroid malfunction resulting in poor hormone production

• Chondrodysplasia: A genetic disorder that causes abnormally short limbs.