Havanese Age Calculator

A condition where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position in the femoral groove, causing intermittent or persistent lameness. Havanese are among the toy breeds most commonly affected by this genetic condition. It is graded from I (mild, manually luxatable) to IV (permanently displaced). Bilateral involvement is common. Without intervention, chronic luxation leads to progressive arthritis, cruciate ligament damage, and cartilage erosion in the stifle joint.

Prevention: Source puppies from OFA-certified parents with normal patella evaluations. Maintain a lean body weight to minimize joint stress. Avoid excessive jumping from heights (furniture, stairs). Provide ramps for regular furniture access. Low-impact exercise such as walking and swimming supports joint health without excessive strain. Joint supplements may provide benefit for dogs with mild luxation.

Symptoms: intermittent skipping or hopping on one hind leg, sudden leg lifting during walks, bowlegged stance, reluctance to jump or climb, clicking from the knee area, stiffness after rest

A degenerative condition where the head of the femur (thigh bone) loses blood supply and gradually disintegrates, causing pain, lameness, and eventual collapse of the hip joint. It typically affects young toy breed dogs, with Havanese being one of the predisposed breeds. The condition usually affects one hip, though bilateral cases occur. Surgical treatment (femoral head ostectomy) is the standard of care and typically results in excellent functional outcomes in small breeds.

Prevention: There is no reliable prevention, as the condition is believed to have a genetic component. Responsible breeding from health-tested lines reduces risk. Early recognition and prompt veterinary evaluation are critical — radiographs can confirm the diagnosis. Surgical correction (femoral head and neck ostectomy) provides excellent outcomes in toy breeds due to their light body weight. Physical rehabilitation after surgery optimises recovery.

Symptoms: progressive hind limb lameness developing over weeks, pain when the hip is manipulated, muscle wasting in the affected leg, reluctance to bear weight on the affected side, decreased activity, irritability when touched around the hip

A group of inherited degenerative diseases that cause progressive deterioration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, eventually leading to blindness. The prcd (progressive rod-cone degeneration) form is documented in Havanese. Night blindness typically develops first, followed by gradual loss of daytime vision over months to years. The condition is painless but irreversible. DNA testing is available for the prcd mutation.

Prevention: DNA testing for prcd-PRA should be performed on all breeding stock. Carrier-to-carrier matings should be avoided. Annual ophthalmologic examinations (CERF/OFA) can detect early retinal changes before clinical blindness develops. There is no cure for PRA, but affected dogs adapt remarkably well to vision loss in familiar environments. Keep furniture arrangements consistent, use verbal cues for navigation, and avoid startling the dog.

Symptoms: night blindness (bumping into objects in dim light), dilated pupils, increased eye shine (green glow), reluctance to navigate in darkness, bumping into objects as vision declines, anxiety in unfamiliar environments

Havanese can carry genes for chondrodysplasia, a condition affecting cartilage and bone development that predisposes dogs to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Dogs with CDDY have an increased risk of disc herniation due to premature disc degeneration. While many affected dogs live without clinical signs, those who experience disc herniation can develop sudden pain, weakness, or paralysis. DNA testing can identify carriers and affected dogs.

Prevention: DNA testing for CDDY/CDPA is available and should be performed on breeding stock. Dogs identified as at-risk should avoid high-impact activities such as jumping from furniture. Use ramps for bed and couch access. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce spinal load. Support the full body when lifting the dog. Early veterinary intervention for any signs of pain or weakness is critical for the best outcomes.

Symptoms: sudden onset of back or neck pain, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, crying out when picked up, hunched posture, wobbly gait or weakness in hind legs, in severe cases, paralysis

A progressive degenerative condition of the mitral valve in the heart, causing it to leak and eventually leading to congestive heart failure. While common in many small breeds as they age, Havanese can develop early-onset murmurs that should be monitored. The condition typically progresses slowly over years, and many dogs with mild murmurs live full lives without developing heart failure. However, monitoring progression is essential for timely medical intervention.

Prevention: There is no prevention for genetic mitral valve disease, but regular cardiac auscultation at annual veterinary visits allows early detection of murmurs. Source puppies from breeders who perform cardiac screenings on breeding stock. Once a murmur is detected, echocardiography can stage the disease and guide treatment decisions. Early medical intervention with pimobendan (when appropriate) has been shown to delay onset of heart failure.

Symptoms: heart murmur detected at veterinary exam, coughing (especially at night or after exercise), exercise intolerance, rapid breathing at rest, fainting episodes, abdominal distension (fluid buildup), decreased appetite