Major Health Problems For Cocker Spaniels

Now that you are on the lookout for the best Cocker Spaniel puppies in India, it is important to know the health complications your pet can fall prey to. You can always ask questions related to your puppy’s health while purchasing it from a dog breeder. They will help you with its vaccination routine and keep you informed about the breed’s overall health.

Here are some of the most common health problems a Cocker Spaniel can encounter throughout its life:

Eye diseases

This is a common health issue that directly affects the eyes including the retina of the puppy. There should be a regular check-up for knowing the history of the eyes. Surgery is recommended in case of eyelid prolapses. Many Cocker Spaniels are prone to several eye-related problems, the most common being progressive retinal atrophy. The degenerative disease leads to the reduction of retinal cells, ultimately leading to blindness in your pet. Cocker Spaniels can also develop other conditions like glaucoma (pressure building up inside the eyeballs) and cataracts (a cloudy film covering the dog’s eye).

Hip Dysplasia

Canine hip dysplasia is a condition characterized by the abnormal formation of your Cocker Spaniel’s hip joint, leading to lameness and pain. Before you bring a Cocker Spaniel puppy home, make sure you ask the breeder if its parents have been tested for hip dysplasia. Most breeders get these tests done before letting you take the puppies home.

Hypothyroidism

Cocker Spaniels can also fall prey to hypothyroidism, a thyroid gland disorder that leads to complications like hair loss, epilepsy, lethargy, obesity, dark patches on skin, and more. The medical issue can be treated using medication and/or diet.

Primary Seborrhea

This is a skin condition caused due to overproduction of skin cells, including sebaceous cells. Here, your Cocker Spaniel’s skin will turn scaly and greasy, giving out a foul odor. You can tackle this issue through medicated baths and medication.

Allergies

Many Cocker Spaniels suffer from food, contact, and inhalant allergies. Food allergies should be treated by avoiding specific food items from your pet’s diet. Contact allergies are often caused due to dog shampoos, flea powder, bedding, and other allergens. Inhalant allergies can be tackled by keeping your pet away from allergens like dust, mildew, and pollen.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

The often inherited health complication leads to seizures (mild to severe) in dogs. However, it is important for a Cocker Spaniel parent to know that your dog may experience seizures due to many different reasons other than idiopathic epilepsy. Make sure you take it to a vet without any delay in case you notice any signs of abnormal behavior.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

AIHA is a health complication where your Cocker Spaniel’s immune system attacks its blood cells. Common symptoms of the disease include fatigue, pale gums, swollen abdomen (due to enlarged liver), and fatigue. While most dogs lead healthy lives with AIHA, they should not be bred any further.

Ear infections

The breed is susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. A regular check-up should be done for such a cause. The main causes are the poor circulation of air and moisture.

Bloat

The breed can also suffer from extreme gas problems. It can lead to twisting of the stomach and can result in internal infections of the stomach.