The Cost of Irresponsible Cavalier Breeding - Heartbreak and $25,000

Trisha passed away on November 11, 2017 before her 8th birthday. Crossing the rainbow bridge before or at middle-age is all too common in the Cavalier breed. For the past few weeks, I've been following Cavalier owners online through various Facebook groups. I've read about the many joys these dogs bring. They are so very wonderful. I've also bonded with the many heartbroken owners around the world who have lost their pups prematurely. The grief is immense and can't be measured.

The Cost of a Chronically Ill Dog

What can be quantified is the hard dollar cost of keeping a dog with a major disease or multiple diseases comfortable and alive. I don't believe that most buyers of Cavaliers have a clue that this is a breed in distress, riddled with heart, neurological, eye, skin issues and more. Treating these ailments are expensive. Owners who have limited budgets - like most of us - will face excruciating decisions about how far they can and are able to go with medical care.

Not including food and routine vaccinations, Trisha's care cost me in excess of $25,000 over a five year period. She had SM (syringomeylia), MVD (Mitral Valve Disease), skin infections (related to medicines to alleviate pain from SM), and eye issues (fat deposits and eye ulcers). The estimated costs for her medical care, including surgeries, scans, and medicines are below:

How to Avoid Heartbreak and Financial Burden

I share this information only to raise awareness that buying a Cavalier is not a decision to take lightly. I didn't have any idea that the Cavalier breed had major issues and was a very uninformed buyer. Would I trade Trisha for the world -NEVER! I loved her like a child. My goal is to help educate potential owners so they seek out responsible breeders who test for MVD and SM (through MRI scanning). That way, they won't experience the heartbreak I share with many other owners and the financial burden of caring for a chronically ill dog.