What causes the Papillon breed to outlive most all other breeds, often by 10 years? It happens because responsible breeders utilize science and better breeding techniques which result in little or no inherited or congenital diseases. Also included in a specialized breeding plan is nutritionally rich meal plans, exercise and environmental and lifestyle issues.

It is not my intention to be a veterinary resource to resolve health related problems. I am not nor do I pretend to have a veterinary licensee. However, experience and time researching Papillon health concerns has given me an awareness of medical conditions. These topics deserve discussion: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a disease which causes loss of vision; patella luxation, a slipping kneecap; open fontella, a soft spot on the head which does not close even in adulthood; hernias, both umbilical and inguinal.

Generally in Papillons, you'll find these problems few and far between. A reputable breeder's breeding program goal is breeding out genetic defects. Capable breeders test all dogs used in their breeding program.

Chocolate contains theobromine (a compound similar to caffeine) which is poisonous to dogs. A dose of 50 mg/ can be fatal to a dog. Milk chocolate contains 45 mg of theobromine per ounce and unsweetened baking chocolate contains 400 mg per ounce. Just one ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate can kill a small breed dog. Theobromine when ingested by dogs, causes release of epinephrine (adrenaline) which causes the heart to race and serious cardiac arrhythmia to develop. Signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, hyperactivity followed by coma, seizures, and death.

Emergency care for a dog ingesting chocolate includes inducing vomiting and administering charcoal to reduce absorption of the chocolate remaining in the stomach and intestines. Drugs to stabilize the heart are needed as well as intravenous fluids and drugs to prevent shock. Mortality is high and care for these cases is intensive and expensive. Owners should be careful to prevent dogs from finding and consuming chocolate. Theobromine is also present in cocoa beans, cola, and tea. If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately. With their instruction you may be able to induce vomiting, greatly increasing the odds of your pet surviving. Time is of the essence in these cases - seek emergency care immediately if chocolate has been consumed. Keep chocolate and other products containing theobromine out of reach from your dogs. Instruct children and visitors to not feed your dog chocolate as a "treat". Keep your vets phone number easily accessible and know where your local pet emergency center is located.

The following occurrences may indicate a serious medical emergency. Call a veterinarian immediately.

Cars are the number one killer of dogs and cats in the U.S. If your pet has been hit, call a veterinarian immediately even if the animal's vital signs appear good. Remember not to give any pain killers such as aspirin without first taking your pet to the vet. If there is direct bleeding, control it by applying direct pressure to the wound. Your vet will instruct you on the proper transportation. In the meantime, keep the pet warm, quiet and still.

An umbilical hernia is a swelling in the center of the abdomen, caused be a small opening in the muscle where the umbilical cord was attached. Umbilical hernias are an inherited trait and it is recommended that any dog with it should be spayed/neutered. The umbilical hernia can also be caused by the mother as she tries to clean up the cord area on her new pup. If this happens a simple surgical procedure can correct the situation.

Inguinal hernias are found in the groin area and can be located on both sides of the groin. They can occur in both male and female dogs and your vet should be consulted regarding any surgical procedure. Dogs affected by an inguinal hernia should not be bred.

Toy puppies are predisposed to low blood sugar. The key to hypoglycemia is recognizing it. Hypoglycemia is a treatable condition usually effecting puppies at an early age because they become exhausted quickly.

Because of their size Toy puppies consume energy with incredible speed. One moment they're moving about happy and alert for their age, the next moment they have collapsed. These pups crash easily because they don't have a fat storage and their liver isn't developed enough to easily produce sugar. Classic signs of hypoglycemia are weakness (a drunken-like gait) which quickly gets worse, resulting in the puppy collapsing and finally having seizures. Sometimes, just like a small-sized, newly born baby who spends too much time sleeping. It must be wakened and fed so it gains weight.

Routinely a veterinarian will give a puppy suffering from hypoglycemia intravenous dextrose and then make sure it eats before releasing it. We recommend the services of a licensed veterinarian if any signs of hypoglycemia develop.

Liver shunts is a hereditary, genetic health problem in dogs which is normally seen in Yorkies. It is the most common liver problem seen in young puppies. Normally, blood flows from the intestines to the liver, where the by-products of digestion are metabolized. In the case of a shunt, blood bypasses the liver, usually resulting in a fatal outcome. Symptoms can range from dramatic to subtle with persistent vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss and seizures, increased urination, thirst and salivation. Oftentimes one of the first signals will be a urinary tract infection because minerals in the bloodstream are not being metabolized.

Several genes cause liver shunts, consequently affected dogs and dogs that are closely related to an affected dog should be excluded from breeding. Most liver shunts are operable, but not always successful.

You've been brushing and flossing twice a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year to maintain healthy teeth and gums. You know that bacteria from plaque and tartar build up on teeth and can causes serious illness. Dogs have the same need for proper care of their teeth. Perhaps you've heard that Toy breed owners have a much harder time taking care of those little teeth than the larger breeds. Still, caring for your dog's teeth and mouth in every way possible will insure its overall healthy life and well-being.

In the past veterinarians would pull extremely diseased teeth, but today modern dentistry for our dogs gives them a better and longer quality of life. Dentistry commonly known to humans such as, filling cavities, root canals and crowns, are now available to the four-legged members of our family. Fortunately, most dental diseases can be prevented with daily brushing and annual visits to the vet. Teeth cleaning removes tartar, plaque and bacteria which can harm the gums, bone structure and teeth. Keeping the mouth healthy keeps bacteria from entering the bloodstream and harming the heart, kidneys and liver. Consistent dental care impacts on your pet's overall health. There have been studies with dental disease and heart murmurs in which cultures of the heart valves revealed bacteria normally found only in the mouth.

Indications of a dental problem can be bad breath, a dog that doesn't want to eat hard foods, or a dog that drops food from its mouth. There may also be swollen cheeks or visible gum redness. If you see any of these signs with your dog, take it to the vet. Plaque and tartar buildup does not go away on its own. The longer you wait the worse the condition will get increasing the likelihood that your dog will loose its teeth to disease.

Today there are numerous products available to help your dog's mouth remain healthy. Products like dental-specific dog biscuits and food, rawhide chews, floss chews, "Greenie" chews, and additives for drinking water are available just about everywhere. While special diets and chews are helpful they are not a replacement for daily teeth brushing and regular visits to your vet. At Majestic Joy we know that healthy teeth can lead to a more enjoyable quality of life for you and your pet.

Congenital open fontanel is seen in Toys, but primarily seen in Chihuahuas. The fontanel is the area at the top of the skull where the bone plates merge. Usually this area closes when a puppy is about 4 weeks old, but sometimes they never completely fuse, leaving a hole in the top of the skull.

Special care should be taken with a dog that has an open fontanel. No treatment is prescribed for it and most dogs do just fine. However since it's hereditary, the pair that produced a puppy with an open fontanel should not be bred again.

Patella Luxation is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. It's most often seen in small dogs. Unfortunately, the cause of patella luxation is not yet known. There is no concrete evidence that the condition is genetic, and may feel it is a congenital condition. However, you have to wonder why so many Toy dogs are affected. Many small breeds are often born with this defect, although a fall or a twisting injury can cause patella dislocation or seriously aggravate the already exhausting condition. Some dogs have this problem for years and others may have it all their lives. Medically, little can be done other than treating your dog with anti-inflammatory medication when it flares up. However if a pet is seriously affected, surgery might be recommended. Today, because of the advances of veterinary science, different types of corrective surgery is available. Signs to consider: difficulty straightening the knee, leg pain, limping, or the tip of the hocks points outward while the toes point inward. Medical advances are being made everyday in all areas of veterinary medicine. Call your vet if you notice anything suspicious. Also, let your breeder know if one of their dogs develops this problem. If you don't he, or she will have no way to select against it in the future.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides a registry for patella luxation testing for all AKC registered dogs. The purpose of the registry is "To identify those dogs that are phenotypically normal prior to use in a breeding program and to gather data on the genetic disease..." Before a dog is released by a reputable breeder, an inspection should be performed on the kneecaps by a licensed veterinarian. Most breeding dogs (parents) have been inspected beforehand and this information can be certified and documented with OFA.

The College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca NY describes Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) as "A hereditary disease of the eye which causes blindness. The retina is the tissue lining the back wall of the inside of the eye and is composed of photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. The rods function in dim light, and cones in bright light. A PRA affected dog begins to have difficulty seeing in dim light then gradually loses the ability to see in bright light. Eventually the dog will become completely blind. As vision fails, the pupils become increasingly dilated and may take on a shiny or iridescent quality..." There is no way to test whether a dog is a gene carrier or not. However, in Denmark, numerous blood samples from Papillon family groups suffering from PRA have been collected and sent to Professor Gus Aguirre at Cornell. He's trying to find the causative gene of PRA.

Additionally, at Cornell's Center for Canine Genetics & Reproduction for Animal Health, researchers tell us "...PRA in all breeds so far studied is an autosomal recessive disorder. This means to be affected, a pup has to receive one copy of the defective gene from both parents. At Michigan State University-Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences another group is conducting a research program with the aim of developing a genetic test to enable the eradication of PRA. Michigan State has considerable experience in looking for gene defects in dogs. They have announced that this research project hopefully will give them the opportunity of discovering a blood test to enable the eradication of PRA.

A dog develops PRA with two copies of the gene: one from the dam and one from the sire, even if the parents appear to be normal. PRA in Papillons comes late in the dog's life. The first signs can usually be seen by a ophthalmic examination at the age of 3-5 and is sometimes recognized as late as 9-10 years old. Presently, there is no cure, no treatment and no way to stop the disease. PRA in Papillons develops very slowly and in such a way that Papillons can become totally blind-even at an old age. PRA is an unwanted defect in the breed and breeders make every effort not to spread the gene by not breeding dogs that are known to be gene carriers or are affected by PRA.

The PCA (Papillon Club of America) has entered into a research contract with Dr. Simon Petersen-Jones of Michigan State University. The PCA has donated $11,300 this year and that same amount is scheduled to be committed to this project next year. All research money for this project is matched by the AKC Canine Health Fund. If you are interested in knowing more about PRA, Genetic Research, or participating in this project in some way, please visit the PCA's website at http://www.papillonclub.org/PapillonHealth/praprojects.html

It's sometimes easy to misjudge summer weather conditions. Here are a few suggestions that might make summertime a little less stressful for you and your dog. If your life is active, a bag packed with doggie necessities would be a good thing to keep in your car. You could include a towel, wipes, a bowl, balls, an extra leash, a "Cool Mat", paper towels and plastic bag.

Leaving your Papillon, or any animal unattended in a car is NOT a great idea. A slightly open window only provides ample ventilation when the car is moving. A parked car, even with the windows open, quickly becomes a furnace even when the outside temperature is in the 50s and the sun is shining.

It's best to take that long walk in the early morning or late evening when it's not so hot and humid.

Since your Papillon is closer to the hot asphalt and concrete, and is not protected by shoes, their feet might burn and your little Papillon will overheat quickly. Pavement and tar absorb and retain that sun's heat well into the evening.

Be careful not to allow your Papillon to run loose. This is a good way for an animal to be injured, stolen or killed. In particular, make sure there are no open windows or doors for your Papillon to jump through when you're not looking.

Dog poisoning increases during the summer months when gardens, lawns and trees are usually sprayed for weed and insect control. Many of these chemicals can sicken or even kill animals. Try to keep pets away from these areas, and call your veterinarian if an animal begins to exhibit unusual behavior. If your Papillon has walked into something suspect, wash its paws thoroughly and rise with clear water. A little pad cream is a good thing too.

Be sure to have plenty of cool water especially if you are traveling. Find shaded areas for a little rest and checkout the "Cool Mats", the dogs love them.

If you keep your dog well-groomed, you'll have the opportunity to inspect for any problems; dry itchy skin and fleas. A clean coat also helps prevent other summer skin problems. Be sure to have nails trimmed and hair between pads cut short to prevent toes from separating.

Maintaining your spring veterinarian check-up helps to guard against heartworm, flea and ticks.

Automobile engine coolant is fabulously delicious to your Papillon and all dogs, but ingesting a small amount of antifreeze or coolant can cause death.

Spotting Trouble
If the "dog days" of summer bring on twitching, rapid panting, or uncontrollable barking call your veterinarian for a quick solution to counteract heatstroke. Do not immerse your pet in water or use ice packs to relieve your Papillon from the effects of heatstroke.

When the temperature drops, Papillons need special attention. Here are some tips:

Warm booties and a sweater or jacket just might be necessary for cold winter climates. Wonderful fleece fabrics are quick and easy to put on. Although your Papillon may not like it, will keep your dog outside till its duties are completed.

All short haired dogs, puppies and old dogs should never be left outdoors or inside an automobile for an extended period of time during cold winter days. If the temperature drops sharply, your Papillon will suffer. The wind chill factor, will threaten a pet's life.

Make sure your Papillon's sleeping area is free from drafts.

Using chemicals to melt snow and ice can be a hazard to any dog. It burns your Papillon's foot pads. Antifreeze tastes sweet but is poison to pets.

Traveling with your Papillon is fun, but can be harmful if sudden stops on slippery streets jolt your dog. Securing your Papillon in a traveling crate or harness attached to the seatbelt will do no harm and may save its life.

Some indoor and outdoor plants are toxic to pets including most plant bulbs. These are the ones to watch:

Arrowhead Vine/Nephthysis	Crown of Thorns	Pot Mums
Asparagus Fern	Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia	Red Princess
Azaleas	Elephant Ears Taro	Spider Mums
Bird of Paradise	Emerald Duke	Sperengeri Fern
Boston Ivy	Ivy (Hedra) all varieties	Umbrella Fern
Chrysanthemum	Jerusalem Cherry	Weeping Fig Ficus Benjamin
Creeping Charlie Pilea	Pothos	Mistletoe berries
Creeping Figs Fichus	Philodendrons	Poinsettia

This list is a collection of common toxic plants. It is not a list of all poisonous plants. In some types of vegetation, only certain parts of the plants are toxic. In others, all parts are poisonous. Ingestion causes a wide range of symptoms. If any of these symptoms occur, don't delay in getting your pet to a veterinarian. Even death can occur from nibbling any of the above plants. Some symptoms may include:

Mouth irritation
Drooling,
Vomiting,
Diarrhea,
Seizures and Coma.

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Majestic Joy Papillons 1249 Old DuQuoin Rd. DuQuoin, IL 62832 618-790-4750 Rita L. Koy majesticjoy@earthlink.net http://www.majesticjoypapillons.com