The English Cocker Spaniel is a very intelligent breed, sociable and therefore very close to the family.They are docile dogs, perfect with children, and therefore one of the favorite breeds to have as a family dog.
The medium-sized Cocker Spaniel was used in its day for hunting for its cunning and obedience, its long fur requires care and, therefore, one of the most common diseases that can affect this breed of dog is otitis, which is an inflammation of the ear.
- For more information about this and other common Cocker Spaniel diseases.
- Animal Expert has prepared this article for you.
Due to the clandestine breeding of dogs, many genetic and inbreeding problems can appear in puppies, and which will be passed down from generation to generation, if no appropriate action is taken with the castration of puppies.
The most common diseases that can occur in Cocker Spaniel are diseases that reach the eyes such as:
Other diseases also common in cockers include otitis and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Skin diseases are often not related to inheritance, although there are dog breeds more likely to develop certain skin diseases, due to a genetic defect in their immune system; However, most of the time, the main skin diseases that can affect the cocker spaniel are related to a handling error, that is, because the coat of the Cocker is long and wavy, dogs require frequent baths and brushing.
Keeping the fur of your Cocker Spaniel always very clean, brushed and knot-free prevents a number of fungal and bacterial skin diseases, bacteria and fungi can cause what is called piodermis, dermatomycosis or traumatic dermatomycosis, which are skin inflammations caused by these microorganisms and cause severe itching in dogs, can cause faeces, skin redness and even injury.
Brushing should be done daily to remove dirt from the hair, and the ears should also be carefully cleaned regularly by the keeper.To help you, Animal Expert has prepared this article on dog brush types, to help you in the ideal brush.
Always consult a veterinary ophthalmologist regularly, as eye problems can blind your Cocker Spaniel and be aware of any signs that your dog does not see well, for this Animal Expert has prepared this other article on How to know if my dog is blind, with tips on how to identify if your dog has eye problems.
Cocker Spaniel’s most common eye diseases include
Glaucoma: This is a serious eye problem that can cause irreversible blindness if left untreated.Glaucoma is a disease that causes increased pressure in the eyes.It’s an inherited eye disease, so if you know your cocker spaniel’s parents have or if you’ve had glaucoma, take your dog for review every 3 months to check your eye pressure.Treatment is performed by eye drops that help reduce eye pressure, or depending on the degree of the disease, surgeries may also be indicated by the veterinarian.
Cataracts: Although it is a common disease in dogs of all older breeds, the Cocker Spaniel has a high predisposition to the development of cataracts, which is also hereditary.Dogs are not blinded at the same time, because it is a silent disease and when the Guardian notices it, the dog’s eyes are quite opaque and almost blind.Treatment may be surgical, depending on the degree of the disease.
Progressive retinal atrophy: It is a genetic and hereditary disease, affects the cells that make up the retina of the dog, which is responsible for capturing the brightness and the forms that make up the image captured by the eyes, just as the cataract is a silent disease, since it does not cause signs easily perceptible by the tutor, however , one of the first symptoms is the dilation of the pupil in front of the stimuli of light, and the dog “loses” in the dark, until someone turns on the light.
Cocker dogs are considered champions in the development of otitis, a disease that affects the ears and causes inflammation of the ear canal.
This greater predisposition is due to the fact that the breed has long, drooping ears and, as they bathe frequently, their ears eventually become wet and hot, making it a perfect environment for bacterial proliferation.and treatment, Animal Expert has prepared this other article for you.
As this is a very common problem, it is important to clean the ears regularly and dry them properly after bathing.Some Cocker Spaniel breeders are used to gently tying Cocker’s ears during meals and after bathing.
This disease usually affects more large dogs, but among the small breeds that are most commonly diagnosed are the Cocker Spaniel, both American and English, and it seems to affect more males than females.
It is not yet known why the disease occurs, but it is a heart disease that affects the heart muscle, thins and weakens and does not contract properly.The disease can lead to congestive heart failure and fluid buildup in the chest cavity and lungs, causing other problems.
As there is no cure for dilated cardiomyopathy, treatment only aims to improve symptoms of heart failure and blood pumping, reducing the negative consequences of this failure, which can increase the life expectancy of the puppy.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We suggest that you take your pet to the vet in case of any ailment or discomfort.
If you would like to read similar articles about Cocker Spaniel Common Diseases, we recommend that you visit our Hereditary Diseases section.