Dr. Rosie DVM

Clinical decision support tool. Does not replace professional veterinary judgment. Always verify recommendations with current references.

Havanese Dog — Clinical Risk Profile | VetTools | VetTools Clinical Intelligence

Havanese

DOG· SMALL· Lifespan: 14-16 years

Thinking about this breed for your home? Read the owner suitability guide

📋 Breed Predispositions

Condition	Prevalence	Onset	Severity	Screening
Congenital Portosystemic Shunt	Over-represented	Under 1 year, often under 6 months	SEVERE	Pre- and post-prandial bile acids in any small-breed pup with stunted growth, post-meal dullness, copper-coloured irises or a slow anesthetic recovery. Low BUN with microcytosis on a routine panel is the quiet tell.
Patellar Luxation	Elevated	4-6 months	MODERATE RISK	Orthopedic exam at 6 months and annually.
Cataracts (Hereditary)	Elevated	1-5 years	MODERATE RISK	Annual CAER exam from age 1.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease	Elevated (toy-breed pattern)	4-11 months	MODERATE RISK	Hip radiographs for progressive unilateral hindlimb lameness in a young dog.
Congenital Deafness	Elevated	Congenital	MODERATE RISK	BAER test where available, particularly in dogs with extensive white markings.
Chondrodysplasia (Short-Limbed Conformation)	Breed-typical conformation	Congenital	MILD	No screening needed for the conformation itself; it is noted because it changes the baseline for interpreting limb radiographs.

🏥 Anesthesia Considerations

⚠ Toy Breed — Hypoglycemia and Hypothermia

Fast no more than 4-6 hours, check blood glucose before induction, have dextrose available. Active warming from before induction; monitor core temperature continuously. Weigh in grams and calculate every drug precisely. Congenital portosystemic shunt is over-represented — screen bile acids before elective anesthesia if growth is poor or recovery from a previous sedation was slow.