Yes, deafness is common in some lines of cavaliers, even prior to age 5. There was a bulletin article on it a few years back. We had a neurologist offer a BAER clinic at the specialty in Columbus, Ohio -- the one before last.
Coincidentally, I recently wrote an article for Top Notch Toys, discussing George Padgett's hierarchy of disagreeable traits, and adapting it to our breeds. The hierarchy is below, and Dr Padgett's excellent article is at http://clubs.akc.org/fcra/healthmanual/defects.html Definitely worth reading a few times a year. Leanne HIERARCHY OF DISAGREEABLENESS OF A GENETIC TRAIT Severe Traits 1. DISORDERS THAT CAUSE PAIN TO THE ANIMAL (examples: glaucoma, cranial mandibular osteopathy, hip dysplasia, entropion, portocaval shunts, dermatomyositis, cancer) 2. DISORDERS THAT DISFIGURE, MAIM OR OTHERWISE RENDER AN ANIMAL NONFUNCTIONAL (examples: English Pointer dwarfism, cataracts, retinal dysplasia and detachment, Malamute chondrodystrophy, PRA, deafness) 3. DISORDERS THAT KILL (examples: malignant histiocytosis, inherited kidney disease, Anasarca, globoid cell leukodystrophy, osteosarcoma, Portuguese Water Dog storage disease) 4. DISORDERS THAT REQIRE TREATMENT FOR THE LIFE OF THE ANIMAL (examples: Grey Collie syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, copper toxicosis) 5. DISORDERS THAT REQUIRE SURGICAL CORRECTTION FOR THE ANIMAL TO SURVIVE OR LIVE A RELATIVELY PAINLESS LIFE (examples: esophageal achalasia, ventricular septal defects, elbow dysplasia, distichiasis) 6. DISORDERS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL (examples: multigene traits, late onset traits such as sebaceous adenitis, subaortic stenosis, osteochondritis dissecans) Mild Traits 7. DISORDERS THAT ARE READILY TREATABLE AND RESPOND WELL TO THERAPY (example: hypothyroidism) 8. DISORDERS THAT REQUIRE ONE TIME SURGERY THAT IS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND PRINCIPALLY COSMETIC (examples: inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, mild tooth disalignment - these are equivalent to tail docks and ear clips, unilateral cryptorchidism) 9. DISORDERS THAT PREVENT AN ANIMAL'S USE FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS BRED (examples: Samoyed albinism, correct color, mild bite, dentition and gait abnormalities) ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
