Caring for a dog is a big commitment, and one of the biggest concerns for owners is their dog developing a serious illness. For this reason, it’s very important that you know what symptoms to look out for, as early diagnosis is one of the best ways of helping your pooch to recover.
In this guide, we’ve taken a close look at some of the most common Cocker Spaniel health issues to get you up to speed.
Cocker Spaniels are generally very healthy dogs, but as with all other breeds, there are certain genetic health problems that they are susceptible to.
Just because they have a genetic predisposition to these illnesses doesn’t mean your Cocker Spaniel will definitely develop any of them during its life. Still, it’s good to know what they are so you can watch out for any symptoms and get your Cocker treated early if it does become ill.
Before buying a dog, it’s always best to be aware of the different health issues they might be predisposed to. This way, you can be prepared should anything arise and not be caught completely off-guard.
Here are some of the common health issues that might affect your Cocker Spaniel’s health.
Hip dysplasia is a health problem in which one or more of the Cocker’s hip joints form abnormally during growth and don’t fit properly into the socket. This can cause pain and limp and lead to arthritis.
Treatments for this usually include weight reduction, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and supplements aimed to strengthen your dog’s joints.
IVDD is a condition in which the discs in the dog’s spine gradually degenerate, and it can cause severe pain and, ultimately, paralysis. It is most common in older dogs.
If this disease is diagnosed early, it will usually be treated with steroids and anti-inflammatory medication, as well as rest.
Progressive retinal atrophy is where the photoreceptor cells in one or both of your Cocker’s eyes degenerate, and it can lead to full or partial blindness.
The symptoms of this condition include the eyes looking cloudy or grey. Although this is one of the more common eye diseases in dogs, there is currently no known cure for it.
The risk of your Cocker developing this disease can be calculated by examining their parents’ eye history, as it is often an inherited disease.
Cherry eye is where the dog’s third eyelid is visible, giving the eye a red and swollen appearance. This can be painful and obviously doesn’t look very nice, but it can be quite easily corrected with surgery.
Like other dog breeds that have long, floppy ears, the Cocker Spaniel’s ears are particularly prone to ear infections.
This is due to the fact that their long ears prevent air from circulating properly around the ear canal. This makes them vulnerable to ear mites, yeast infections and other types of infection.
Cocker Spaniels have big appetites, and they are particularly prone to obesity, especially as they get older. This can cause diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.
The best way to avoid obesity is to carefully monitor how much your Cocker Spaniel eats and to make sure they get enough exercise.
The Cocker Spaniel breed is susceptible to two forms of liver diseases, which are liver shunts and chronic hepatitis. In both illnesses, the liver stops functioning properly and doesn’t properly filter out toxins.
A vet will usually prescribe specific medications depending on the nature and type of illness.
Yes. If there’s anything you can do to prevent paying huge bills for your vet, it’s getting your dog insured. Even if there’s the smallest chance your Cocker Spaniel could experience health issues, it’s best to be prepared.
The best way of insuring your Cocker Spaniel is to take out the most comprehensive pet insurance plan you can find. However, this can, of course, be expensive, so always compare quotes from different providers to find the most affordable option.
Having pet insurance in place means you’ll be covered if your Cocker Spaniel does develop any health issues and should help to give you peace of mind that your furry friend is protected.
The Cocker Spaniel dog breed has an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. However, with the right diet, lots of exercise and regular checkups at the vet, your Cocker could very well exceed this.
Like all dogs, Cocker Spaniels are more prone to certain illnesses than others, but this shouldn’t worry you. They’re still most likely to live a long and healthy life as long as they’re given the right amount of care and love.
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