Havanese Health Problems and Raising a Havanese Puppy to be
Healthy By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2013 The most common
health problems in Havanese: The most serious eye disease in the
Havanese is cataracts, which can appear in young Havanese
puppies or later in life, and which can progress to blindness.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), retinal dysplasia, and tear
duct disorders also occur in the breed. According to the
Michigan State University Thyroid Database, Havanese have the
2nd highest rate of hypothyroidism of 140 breeds (up to 26%
affected). Liver shunt and deafness (inherited deafness) are
serious concerns in the breed. Heart disease (especially valve
disease) is occurring more frequently in Havanese. Orthopedic
diseases include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating
patella (loose knees), and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The
Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of
over 700 Havanese and found 6% dysplastic. Elbows are worse,
with 7% of 295 elbow X-rays rated dysplastic –