The breed is also predispose to a condition known as: patellar luxation (loose knee caps). Depending on its severity, this condition can render a Coton cripple in later years. All breeding stock should undergo an examination to diagnose a dog's knee condition and if whether it shows evidence of patellar luxation or not. Knee condition can be verified as early as 8 weeks from a physical manual manipulation performed in clinic by a vet, but a certification number by the "Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Inc." (OFA- click here for brief information on OFA) cannot be assigned and stored in their dysplasia control registry whether the dog in question shows evidence of patellar luxation or not before it turns 12 months of age.  Click on a thumbnail below to view a specimen copy of an OFA certification.

In addition to knee examination, all breeding stock should undergo an examination to detect the presence of hip dysplasia before a dog (male or female) is bred. Unlike PennHIP system (www.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip/) , the OFA system requires the dog (male or female) be at least 24 months of age before a certification can be issued whereas the PennHIP system does not require a dog (male or female) be 24 months before it is radiographed for the detection of Hip dysplasia with the results of the diagnostic, added in their registry. The X-rays submitted to Pennhip must however have been performed by a qualified and trained veterinarian for the PennHIP system. OFA will issue the owner of the examined dog a certification paper graded with either a "Fair", "Good" or "Excellent" or "Border Line" grading (whatever the diagnostic may be at the time the x-rays were taken) whereas the PennHIP system does not render gradings of the same fashion but rather states the laxity measurements.  Same age requirement as is for the Hips, applies to obtain an OFA certification for elbows whereas the age requirement for the Thyroid is 1 years old. Before a dog (male or female) is 24 months of age, these tests are considered "Preliminary evaluations" with the OFA system and no official certifications are issued by them. The OVC of Guelph (click here to  link to OVC home page) also certifies the hips, knees, etc... all certifications by the OVC (Guelph Animal Hospital) cannot be issued before the dog turns 18 months of age and the x-rays are read by only one radiologist rather than by a slate of 3 or 4 like the OFA.   The services provided by the OVC appears to be a lot more feasible to Canadian breeders than the services provided by the OFA due to the monetary exchange. L'Hopital des Petits Animaux in Ste-Hyacinthe in Québec also provides services for hip examinations etc...(sorry folks no web site found).

Some Cotons are predisposed to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), a condition that must be treated with antibiotics. Special diet throughout the dog's life helps reduce the potential effects of over consumption of proteins and minerals that may predispose the production of struvite uroliths. A preventive formula maintains a moderately acidic urine which helps reduce the formation of struvite crystals. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has UTI. It is not uncommon however, for a young female who is experiencing a first heat cycle to present similar UTI symptoms.

A few cases of pulmonic stenosis have been reported during the time the breed was still in its infancy, however, the detection of a faint heart murmur, graded from 1 to 6 in very young puppies (about 7-8-9 weeks), is common to many breeds. OFA also issues certification numbers for Cardiac Certified dogs who have passed the cardiac examination as per required by the OFA. A general veterinarian is not qualified to perform the test required by the OFA in Cardiac Registries. Faulty dentitions, such as missing teeth, undershot and overshot bites are rampant in this breed. Today, there are plenty good to excellent dogs in this breed to neuter/spay one with an undesirable bite in spite of its excellent conformation!

Thyroid testing through a simple blood test [more than one test is recommended and perhaps one of the most important test because an important thyroid hormone imbalance or deficiency is often at the source of unstable temperaments, excessive loss of hair coat, confusion [memory loss], difficulty in concentrating, stubbornness due to learning and concentration difficulties, weight gain in spite of irregular appetites and anorexia, irregularities in maintaining body temperature, irregular seasons, glassy-like swollen pupils or gaze, slips in  housetraining rules due to forgetfulness, tiredness, lack of joie-de-vivre, dull in behavior and more....) A simple prescription such as: Synthroid pills for hypothyroid condition (meaning the thyroid releasing hormone is releasing less thyroid hormone than valued normal in laboratory - [note that each lab has a slight different value for what it considers a normal diagnostic] in between normal range) and hyperthyroid (meaning that the thyroid releasing hormones are being released in the bloodstream by larger amounts than considered in normal range) which is more uncommon than hypothyroid.  In the latter case, the gland is referred to as being "overactive". Thyroid medication can also get bitches who are presenting irregular heat cycles back on track and/or prevent them from experiencing difficult labor (although no dog with an important thyroid hormone deficiency or condition should be bred). A complete blood panel is also essential for all breeding stock. OFA also issues certification numbers for OFA Thyroid Certified dogs. Hypothyroisdism has been long reported and associated to be of genetic origin. In humans, this condition seems to belong in families and the symptoms due to this condition can be very mild to quite prominent from one day to the next and with practically none on the next day. Nevertheless, a dog having an important thyroid disorder would show symptoms that would be unlikely missed by an owner, as the symptoms are likely to be consistent and persist until the dog is treated.  Nutrition can also play an important role on the well being of a dog who has a hypothyroid condition.  A well balanced diet with a "little salt" (the salt on ONE soda cracker is sufficient) and low in protein and fat, is good, if the condition of the gland is under active (hypothyroid). Click on the thumbnail below to view a specimen copy of a thyroid and elbow OFA certification.