www.roanoke.com

Paws & Claws

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas. She lives in Blacksburg now, and answers local pet owners' questions every week in The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com.

Recent columns

• Bacteria can cause ear infections in cats
• Chiari is a malformation of the back for some spaniels
• Your plant smells like a great spot to ...
• Sting salve: meat tenderizer

Q: My husband and I are considering purchasing an 8-month-old cavalier King Charles female Blenheim that a breeder has offered us after she discovered the dog may have a reverse scissor bite. The breeder states that this is not a problem in a pet, but may be considered one if she attempted to show the dog. Is this a tooth health problem that will cause pain or trauma for the dog when she's eating or chewing toys, etc.? Would this condition require dental intervention or correction with a vet?

A: The breed standard for the cavalier King Charles spaniel states that the breed should have a "perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square into the jaw." It is considered a serious fault if the dog has a reverse scissor bite (also known as an undershot jaw, underbite or prognathism), especially if the teeth are weak or crooked or if the jaw is also weak or crooked. This is the reason the breeder cannot show this dog.

Depending on the degree of malocclusion, most dogs with an underbite are fine. Some breeds such as bulldogs, boxers and pugs have an underbite where the lower jaw protrudes in front of the upper jaw. The teeth and jaw do not stop growing until the puppy is 10 months old, and oral intervention isn't usually considered until the dog is fully mature.

In many cases the condition resolves itself or at least becomes less noticeable when all the permanent teeth have grown in. It is usually only in really severe cases of malocclusion that dental corrections are undertaken. This can be difficult, expensive and uncomfortable for the dog, especially because the results are unpredictable.

Dogs whose teeth are not in perfect alignment are considered to be more at risk for tartar and plaque buildup, as well as periodontal disease, and should be monitored closely. Weekly teeth cleaning at home is important as the dog ages or the plaque increases. They also need regular dental checkups at your veterinarian.

Malocclusions are considered to have a genetic origin, and therefore dogs with these conditions should not be allowed to breed.

I suggest that before purchasing this dog, you have her checked out by your veterinarian, not only for the degree of malocclusion present, but also for a number of other serious congenital and hereditary conditions that cavalier King Charles spaniels are known to suffer because of inbreeding. For many years we had a dog with a mild underbite, which caused no problems and did not require any special treatment. In fact, she lived to a very happy old age.

***

Q: I watched the Westminster dog show recently and was curious about the winner. I had never heard of a Sussex spaniel before. Are they common in England? What are they like?

A: The Sussex spaniel is a relatively rare gundog breed even in Britain, where it originated in the southeast county of Sussex, England, in the 1800s. The color is important and should be a rich, golden liver shading to gold. The coat is a thick double coat with no curl and plenty of feather on the legs and abdomen, while the ears have soft wavy hair. This type of spaniel sheds about twice a year.

Sussex spaniels normally stand about 15 to 16 inches high at the withers (the highest part of the shoulders) and weigh about 50 pounds. They have a distinctive rolling gait and are a strongly built, energetic dog that loves retrieving and flushing game, working well in dense cover. Their temperament is both kind and passive. The mouth is described as "soft," excellent for picking up game, but with a tendency to slobber at the sight or smell of food. They do need plenty of exercise.

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas and has taught at Texas A&M University. She lives with her veterinarian husband and two cats in Blacksburg. If you have a question, please write to her in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, VA 24068, or send an e-mail to bowen508@verizon.net.