Papillons are known as a healthy and long-lived breed. Most remain active and youthful well into their teens. Although they have few hereditary/congenital diseases, problems common to small dogs (such as patellar luxation, "open" fontanels, and bite or palate defects) do occur. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a hereditary eye disease that affects many breeds, has recently been found in Paps. Conscientious breeders now have their breeding stock tested for PRA, and registered with CERF (the Canine Eye Research Foundation). The Papillon Club of America has received much positive recognition for its efforts at halting this problem while it is still rare in the breed.

Papillons are among the more anesthetic-sensitive breeds, and owners should always discuss this with their veterinarians before scheduling surgery or dental procedures. Use of the newer safer (albeit more expensive) anesthetics such as isoflurane is strongly recommended

Inherited retinal degenerations (generalized progressive retinal atrophy [PRA]) are a group of progressive retinal diseases that can be subdivided into photoreceptor degenerations, which begin after the retina matures, and photoreceptor dysplasias, which begin before the retina fully develops (less than 12 weeks).

Genetics: autosomal recessive in most breeds.

Prevalence: More prevalent in dogs than cats. Early onset PRA (3-4 months to 2 years) more common in Irish Setter, Collie, Norwegian Elkhound, Miniature Schnauzer, Belgian Shepherd. Late onset PRA (later than 4-6 years) more common in Miniature/Toy Poodle, American and English Cocker, Labrador Retriever, Tibetan Terrier, Miniature Longhaired Dachshund, Akita, Samoyed. Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARD) occurs primarily in Brittany Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers and Dachshunds.

Signs: A gradually progressing night blindness that ultimately affects vision in bright light. Owners may notice dilated pupils or brighter tapetal reflex at night. Many affected dogs develop cataracts. SARD dogs lose vision in 1-4 weeks, have increased thirst and urination, show increased hunger and may have slow or absent pupillary light reflexes. Affects both eyes symmetrically.

Causes: Genetic; retinal and optic nerve atrophy occur in animals with chronic or uncontrolled glaucoma. Retinal degeneration can occur secondary to scarring from previous multifocal or diffuse retinal detachment or inflammation. Severe deficiency of Vitamin E or A may cause partial or complete retinal degeneration in dogs and cats. SARD may be idiopathic.

Diagnosis: Opthalmic examination required to differentiate PRA from other conditions.

Treatment: The condition is irreversible, but painless. Most blind animals function very well. No effective medical treatment is known.

Prevention: Dogs suspected of having PRA and known carriers should not be bred.

Source: Tilley, Larry P., DVM, and Francis W.K. Smith Jr., DVM. The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is an important structure which connects the throat to the lungs. It is composed of 35- 45 C-shaped rings of cartilage that are joined by muscle and ligaments to create a tube-like structure. It serves the purpose of directing air into the respiratory tract.

When the cartilage rings are flattened from the top to the bottom, the trachea is said to be collapsed. Rapid inhalation of air can cause the trachea to flatten and make it difficult for air to enter the lungs, much like a soda straw being drawn on too vigorously.

We do not completely understand how this condition develops. However, we know that these dogs have an abnormality in the chemical makeup of their tracheal rings. The rings loose their stiffness so they are not able to retain their circular shape. We also know that it occurs in certain breeds of dogs, notably Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers. Because of that, it is suspected that there is a genetic factor involved.

What are the signs?
Collapsing trachea or Reverse sneezing

With reverse sneezing the pharynx (back of the throat) goes into spasms. The dog finds it difficult to draw in air through the spasms, so it stands still, stretches out her neck, and thrusts its elbows out (like a bowlegged bulldog) as it honks, wheezes, or snorts. Often eyes open wide. The spasms will stop if she swallows a couple of times.

Young puppies can reverse sneeze, but the first episode typically occurs in late adolescence. Stay calm and get it to swallow with one of the methods described above. In a few seconds to a minute, it will run off to play. Reverse sneezing is a harmless phenomenon which needs no vet consultation and no medical treatment whatsoever. It is very common in toy breeds.

Other signs, however, will help you distinguish the two conditions:
If it makes these sounds when excited or after eating or drinking, or turns her elbows outward and extends its neck and gasps inward with a rhythmic snork! snork! snork!, this is reverse sneezing.
If it breathes through the mouth sometimes, or breathes with a raspy sound, or coughs reflexively when you simply rub its throat, it could have a collapsing trachea. If the cough is one or two expulsive outward bursts (forcing air through the trachea to open it), typically with a gag or empty retch at the end, she could have a collapsing trachea.

The most common clinical sign of collapsing trachea is a chronic cough. It is often described as dry and harsh and can become quite pronounced. The term "goose honk" is often used to describe it. Coughing is often worse in the daytime and much less at night. The cough may also begin due to excitement, pressure on the trachea (from a leash), or from drinking water or eating.

Many times, very light pressure placed on the trachea during the physical examination can raise a suspicion of collapsed trachea in a small dog with a persistent dry cough. While the information gained from the physical examination is helpful, other tests are needed to confirm this condition.
X-rays of the chest can identify the trachea and its shape. However, a collapsed trachea changes its diameter during the respiratory cycle. It is usually collapsed during inhalation and normal during exhalation. Therefore, attempts to make radiographs during both phases of respiration should be made.
Endoscopy is another way to see the trachea. An endoscope is a tube that is small enough to be inserted into the trachea. By watching the trachea during inspiration and expiration, abnormal collapsing can be seen. Unfortunately, tracheal endoscopes are expensive and not available at every veterinary hospital.

Collapsed trachea can be treated medically or surgically. Some dogs respond well to:

Because medical therapy only treats the symptoms and not the problem, these dogs are always subject to recurrences of coughing and breathing difficulty.

Natural ways to treat your Papillon:

Sources
•Animal Clinic Collapsing trachea in the dog Retrieved February 1998 from the WWW http://www.animalclinic.com/colltrac.htm
•Potter, Clayton Dr. Heartland Veterinary Hospital Retrieved February 1998 from the WWW http://www.hcis.net/heartlandvet/trachcol.htm
•Chihuahua Kingdom Retrieved February 1998 from the WWW http://3lbdogs.com/wellness/
•Richard, Michael, DVM Q&A-Dr Mike Retrieved February 1998 from the WWW http://www.vetinfo.com/Q&A.html
•Seranne, Ann (1980) The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog New York Macmillian Publishing Company.

Luxating is a fancy word for dislocating. Patella is your dog's "knee", the joint on the front of her hind leg. So a luxating patella is a dislocating knee or trick knee, a knee that keeps slipping out of its socket. This can happen in toy breeds with weak ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles. It can also happen in pups whose kneecap groove is too narrow or shallow. The knee usually slips inwardly, toward her body, and locks so that your puppy can't bend her leg.
Suspect luxating patella if your papillon sometimes lifts one hind leg while she is running, or if she often moves both rear legs at the same time, like a hopping bunny.
Sometimes the knee slips only for a few moments, then slides back into place. Sometimes the knee slips out and stays out, and your papillon will hold her leg off the ground and limp, perhaps tucking her thigh into her body. Luxation may occur in one knee, or in both. It is seen in many other toy breeds, and in both sexes, though it seems to be more common in females. No matter how firm the knees seem as puppies, toy dogs are liable to injure their knees.

Is luxation serious?
There are four degrees (grades) of luxation:

Natural ways to treat your Papillon:

What causes luxating patella?

Occasionally it's caused by an injury, but in the absence of such proof, the weak tendons and/or shallow kneecap groove of luxating patella is considered hereditary. Never breed a papillon with any degree of luxation (even a "wiggly" knee), whether it has been repaired or not. Fixing the knee doesn't fix the genes that caused the problem.

Sources
•Chihuahua Kingdom Retrieved February 1998 from the WWW http://3lbdogs.com/wellness/
•Shumsky, Terri (1993) How to buy your Toy Dog, and Raise it Expensively California Creations by Terri.