Phalènes & Papillons
Health
Phalènes and Papillons are generally healthy breeds, especially when bred responsibly. Ethical breeders carefully screen for health concerns such as cardiac disease and patellar luxation to ensure strong, healthy bloodlines. Regular veterinary checkups, preventive care, and parasite control play a vital role in maintaining their well-being, helping them live long, happy lives.
When possible, we have CHIC certificates issued as this indicates an individual Phalène's eyes, heart, and patella, were all screened as disease free, at a certain point in time.
Heart Murmurs
We have a board certified Cardiologist screen for heart disease which does not completely eliminate the possibility of a heart murmur; old age and poor teeth (which can be an issue in all Toy dogs) can certainly see an increase in murmurs. The hope is if we screen we eliminate the genetic predisposition.
Luxating Patellas
There is no genetic test and there are many reasons why patella issues may occur (including injury and even inadequate nutrition during growth) but in some cases it is inherited. It is a condition that exists in the breed and so it can occur in all bloodlines. Not all luxating patellas require surgery but when it does, it is expensive.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
There is a genetic test for PRA Type 1 and I have a board certified Ophthalmologist screen for other eye disease.
Genetic Tests
We also genetically test for PRA Type 1 (as mentioned above), Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (fatal in very young puppies), and von Willebrand’s (a bleeding disorder).