People‑oriented toy breed; owners may report clinginess or distress when left alone (vocalizing, shaking, house‑soiling), so clarify if signs occur only around departures/returns. Small‑breed airway sensitivity can present as a brief “honking” cough after excitement, leash/collar pressure, or being picked up, and reverse‑sneezing that sounds like rapid snorts and may be described as choking. Noise events (thunder/fireworks) and car travel can trigger panting, drooling, pacing, or trembling. Front desk should note onset, duration, frequency, and triggers (excitement, leash pressure, noises, travel) and whether a video is available. Escalate immediately if there is constant effort to breathe, blue/gray gums, fainting/collapse, or the dog is turning blue during an episode.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Havanese can be very people‑focused and some small dogs have airway sounds that vary with excitement or leash pressure. When does the sound or behavior happen (during excitement, after pulling on the collar, only when you leave)? About how long does it last and how often? If you can safely capture a short video, that helps our doctor. If you’re seeing blue or gray gums, continuous labored breathing, or collapse right now, please go to the nearest emergency hospital immediately.
Havanese are a toy-size breed with several recognized predispositions: small‑breed knee/hip problems (patellar luxation and the juvenile hip disorder Legg‑Calvé‑Perthes) that may show up as intermittent “skipping” or hind‑limb lameness; inherited eye conditions (notably cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy) that can cause eye cloudiness or night‑vision changes; and a higher‑than‑average rate of congenital portosystemic liver shunts in young dogs, which can present as poor growth or odd behavior after meals. Like many small breeds, they’re also prone to periodontal disease with age. If clients report a goose‑honk cough with breathing effort, sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, marked eye pain/vision loss, or neurologic episodes in a young Havanese, escalate promptly.
Front desk script: Thanks for letting us know you have a Havanese—this breed can be prone to small‑dog knee/hip issues, inherited eye changes, and, in young dogs, congenital liver shunts. If you notice a honking cough with breathing trouble, collapse, or blue/pale gums, this is an emergency—please come in now or go to the nearest ER. If a young Havanese has confusion, head‑pressing, or seizures after meals, or if there’s sudden non‑weight‑bearing lameness, we recommend a same‑day appointment. Otherwise, we’re happy to schedule the next available exam to document any limping, eye cloudiness, or dental concerns.
Havanese are small, people‑oriented, low‑shedding dogs that do best with daily attention, regular brushing/grooming, short walks and play (about 30 minutes total), and typically live 14–16 years. Common issues to ask your vet about include kneecap slips (patellar luxation), Legg‑Calvé‑Perthes in young dogs, inherited eye problems (e.g., PRA/cataracts), and small‑breed dental disease. Call us promptly for limping, squinting or eye cloudiness, noisy/coughing breathing, or worsening mouth odor; go to an emergency clinic now if there’s trouble breathing, collapse, pale/blue gums, repeated vomiting/diarrhea (especially with blood), or suspected toxin exposure.
Front desk script: Havanese are affectionate, low‑shedding companions that need consistent grooming and short daily exercise. They’re generally healthy and live around 14–16 years; we commonly screen for kneecap issues, Legg‑Calvé‑Perthes, eye disease, and dental problems. If you’re seeing limping, eye squinting/cloudiness, or strong mouth odor, we can book a same‑day/next‑available exam. If there’s trouble breathing, collapse, pale/blue gums, nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, or a possible toxin, please head to the nearest emergency hospital now.
Front desk commonly sees Havanese for coat/grooming tangles and eye discharge or tear staining related to their long coat. ([petmd.com](https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/havanese)) Bad breath or requests to schedule dental cleanings are frequent because small breeds are prone to periodontal disease. ([merckvetmanual.com](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/dentistry-in-small-animals/periodontal-disease-in-small-animals?utm_source=openai)) Owners also report intermittent “skipping” on a back leg (toy-breed kneecap issues are common) and a dry, “honking” cough when excited or pulling on a leash (toy-breed airway complaint). ([merckvetmanual.com](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/arthropathies-and-related-disorders-in-small-animals/patellar-luxation-in-dogs-and-cats?utm_source=openai)) Calls about scooting or rear‑end discomfort are also common, along with routine wellness, vaccines, preventives, and travel paperwork. ([petmd.com](https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/dog-scooting)) Escalate if breathing is labored or the cough is continuous, if an eye is suddenly red/cloudy or painful, if vomiting/diarrhea is repeated or with lethargy/blood, if gums are pale/blue, collapse occurs, or the pet won’t bear weight—advise urgent or emergency care; otherwise offer a same‑day exam.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Havanese commonly come in for eye discharge/tear staining, dental concerns (bad breath/cleanings), intermittent back‑leg “skipping,” a honking cough with excitement or leash pulling, and scooting, in addition to routine wellness needs. If you’re seeing breathing trouble, continuous coughing, a painful/red eye, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, collapse, pale/blue gums, or inability to bear weight, please proceed to emergency care now; otherwise I can reserve our next same‑day exam.
Havanese have a long, silky double coat (wavy to curly, sometimes corded) that sheds little but mats easily—especially in friction and moisture‑prone areas—so mats can trap moisture and hide painful skin lesions. Set expectations for frequent at‑home brushing several times per week and regular professional grooming; short “puppy” styles typically need salon visits about every 6–8 weeks, while long or corded coats require more intensive maintenance and an experienced groomer. Advise owners to pre‑book recurring grooms and note that severe matting may require a medical assessment before grooming; escalate same day if raw, oozing, foul‑smelling skin or marked discomfort is reported.
Front desk script: Havanese coats are low‑shedding but high‑maintenance. To stay ahead of matting, we recommend scheduling regular grooming—shorter cuts usually need visits about every 6–8 weeks. If you see red, oozing, foul‑smelling skin under mats or your dog seems very uncomfortable, we’ll book a same‑day medical exam rather than a routine groom. Would you like us to set a recurring grooming schedule and, if needed, refer you to a groomer experienced with Havanese/corded coats?
Havanese (toy, small-breed) commonly trigger intake for harsh “goose‑honking” cough with excitement/pressure on the neck (toy‑breed tracheal collapse pattern), brief hind‑limb “skipping”/intermittent lameness (patellar luxation/Legg‑Calvé‑Perthes risk), progressive eye issues (e.g., cataracts/PRA), and toy‑breed dental crowding/periodontal disease. During calls, first screen for red‑flag signs: breathing effort/noisy breathing, blue/grey/purple gums, collapse, or an eye that is red, painful, squinting, bulging, or vision changed suddenly—if present, direct to emergency immediately. Absent red flags, route new persistent cough or non‑weight‑bearing lameness for same‑day evaluation; schedule next‑available for brief “skipping,” halitosis/dental concerns, or gradual vision changes. Note the breed club’s emphasis on eye, hip, and patella checks when planning follow‑up documentation and potential referral routing.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Havanese. Is the cough a harsh “honking” sound, or is your pet having trouble breathing, blue/purple gums, collapse, or an eye that’s red, painful, squinting, bulging, or with sudden vision change? If yes to any, this is an emergency—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now and we can call ahead. If the cough is new and persistent today or your dog won’t bear weight, we’ll book a same‑day exam; for brief ‘skipping,’ dental odor, or gradual vision concerns, I’ll schedule our next available visit and note this for the veterinarian.
Havanese owners’ questions and scheduling needs shift by life stage: Puppies (birth–~12 months) need frequent visits every 3–4 weeks through ~16–20 weeks for exam checklists, core vaccine series, parasite prevention discussions, growth/behavior guidance, microchip, and spay/neuter planning; front desk should also screen for toy-breed red flags like poor appetite, marked lethargy, or wobbliness between meals. Adults (~1–9 years for toy breeds) generally move to annual wellness with vaccine updates per risk, dental cleanings planning, weight/BCS checks, and monitoring for breed‑tendency issues discussed by the veterinarian (knees, eyes). Seniors (~10+ years for toy breeds) typically shift to twice‑yearly wellness with doctor-directed screening labs and mobility/cognition/vision–hearing check‑ins; ask about coughing or exercise intolerance, as small breeds can develop airway changes. Escalate immediately if the client reports blue-tinged gums, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or unresponsiveness—advise emergency care now.
Front desk script: For Havanese puppies, we’ll book vaccine-and-growth visits every 3–4 weeks until about 16–20 weeks, then schedule the spay/neuter discussion and your next wellness. For adults, plan yearly wellness and vaccine updates; for seniors, we’ll schedule checkups about every 6 months with any screening the doctor recommends. If you notice blue gums, severe breathing trouble, collapse, or your dog is unresponsive, go to the nearest emergency hospital now and call us on the way.
Havanese are friendly, people-oriented toy dogs with long coats that mat easily, so set expectations at check-in around grooming history, ear care, and home dental habits; ask about brushing/comb frequency, last professional groom, any mouth odor/sensitivity, and whether brief separation triggers barking so the team can plan low‑distraction, reward‑based handling; if a caller reports sudden difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, or nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, direct them to the nearest 24/7 emergency clinic immediately and ask them to call us on the way. ([vcahospitals.com](https://vcahospitals.com/animal-care-center/know-your-pet/dog-breeds/havanese?utm_source=openai))
Front desk script: To keep your Havanese’s visit smooth, I’ll ask a few quick questions about coat care, ear cleaning, and toothbrushing—when was the last brush-out or groom, and have you noticed any mouth odor or discomfort? Many Havanese are very people-focused; if being separated is stressful, we’ll note that and use calm, low‑distraction handling. If you ever see sudden trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, or nonstop vomiting/diarrhea, please head to the nearest emergency clinic now and call us on the way.
Havanese (toy breed) benefit from early dental planning—book a baseline anesthetic dental evaluation/cleaning with full oral radiographs around 12 months and discuss home care, then recheck/clean as advised. At wellness visits, ask about intermittent “hind‑limb skipping” and be sure knees are palpated, as small dogs are prone to patellar luxation. For puppies, be alert to red flags consistent with congenital liver shunt seen in toy breeds (stunted growth or episodic disorientation after meals, vomiting, or seizures): if reported, schedule a same‑day doctor exam; if an active seizure is occurring, direct the client to the nearest ER immediately.
Front desk script: Because Havanese are toy-sized, we recommend a first dental cleaning with X-rays around 12 months, then on a schedule your doctor sets. During check-ins, may I ask if you’ve noticed any ‘skipping’ on a back leg? If a Havanese puppy seems wobbly or disoriented after meals—or has a seizure—please tell us right away so we can arrange a same-day exam; if a seizure is happening now, go to the nearest emergency hospital.
Havanese are people-oriented, gentle, and typically friendly with strangers, children, and other pets; they respond best to calm, reward-based handling and low‑stress lobby flow. Expect vocalizing if separated from owners; consider quick room placement when possible. Coat is long and prone to matting, which can hide skin/ear/eye issues—note visible mats or discharge for clinician review. Common breed priorities for visits: small‑breed dental buildup, knee issues (patellar luxation) or juvenile hip problems (Legg‑Calvé‑Perthes), and inherited eye conditions; ask about limping, skipping steps, squinting, or night-vision changes. Escalate immediately if the owner reports sudden non–weight‑bearing lameness, a painful or rapidly reddening eye, labored breathing, collapse, or repeated vomiting—flag as urgent on arrival.
Front desk script: Welcome! Havanese usually do best with a gentle, treat‑based approach—we’ll keep the visit low‑stress and can room you quickly if separation makes them barky or anxious. Their long coat can mat and hide problems; please let me know if you’ve noticed any mats, eye or ear discharge, or bad breath. If you’ve seen sudden limping or knee ‘skipping,’ squinting, or any breathing trouble, we’ll alert the medical team and fast‑track your pet today.
Havanese are small, social toy dogs that often arrive with long, matted coats and tear staining—flag for gentle handling and grooming follow‑up. As a toy breed, they are prone to early dental disease and may retain baby teeth; note halitosis or tartar for dental baselining post‑adoption. Small‑breed orthopedic issues (e.g., patellar luxation) can present as intermittent “skipping” on a hind leg; small‑breed airway disease (tracheal collapse) can appear as a dry, honking cough, especially with excitement or leash pressure—book same‑day for persistent cough or lameness. Toy‑breed puppies are at higher risk of hypoglycemia during transition; if an adopter reports extreme lethargy, disorientation/weakness, tremors, seizures, blue/gray gums, labored breathing, or collapse, instruct them to seek emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: Thanks for adopting a Havanese—let’s schedule a new‑pet exam within 1–2 weeks (sooner for very young or very small puppies). If you notice a honking cough or a back‑leg “skip,” we’d like to see them the same day. If there are emergency signs like blue/gray gums, severe breathing trouble, collapse, seizures, or a puppy that’s extremely sleepy or unsteady, direct the family to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now. We’ll also review dental and grooming needs and collect any shelter records at the visit.
Havanese are generally affectionate, playful, and very people- and dog‑friendly; they respond best to reward-based approaches at check‑in. For lobby flow, protect their small size by seating them away from large or boisterous dogs, maintain space from other pets, and room them promptly when possible; a non‑slip mat on the scale and allowing the dog to stay with the owner or on a lap can help. Offer clinic-approved treats (with owner permission) and use calm, low approaches. Watch for stress signals—trembling, panting, freezing, refusing treats, hiding/escape attempts, or out‑of‑context vocalizing—and notify clinical staff to bypass the lobby or room immediately; if growling, snapping, or inability to settle persists, alert a technician or doctor at once.
Front desk script: Havanese are typically very friendly and do well with gentle, treat‑based handling. We’ll seat you in a quieter spot away from larger dogs and try to room you quickly—may we offer approved treats today? Please tell us if you notice trembling, refusal of treats, or vocalizing so we can move you straight to a room. If your dog begins to growl or snap, I’ll alert our medical team immediately.
For Havanese (toy breed), immediately escalate to emergency care if a caller reports any of the following: breathing distress (rapid or labored breaths, goose‑honking cough, blue or very pale gums, fainting/collapse), seizures or extreme lethargy/unresponsiveness; repeated vomiting/diarrhea or any blood in stool/vomit; known or suspected toxin exposure (including xylitol); heatstroke signs (excessive panting, high temperature, weakness); eye emergencies (sudden redness/cloudiness, squinting, a bulging eye, or sudden vision loss); major trauma or uncontrolled bleeding; or urinary red flags—straining with little/no urine, vocalizing in pain, or bloody urine—as small breeds (including Havanese) can be at risk for stone‑related obstruction. If any of these are present, advise: “This is an emergency—proceed to the nearest veterinary ER now; do not wait for an appointment.”
Front desk script: Thank you for calling—based on what you’ve described, your Havanese needs emergency evaluation today. Please go to the nearest 24/7 veterinary ER now and keep your dog calm during transport. If a toxin may be involved, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 while en route. We’ll notify the clinician and can share records as needed.