There are a number of other health issues that can affect cockers spaniels, however it should be noted that many of these health problems are not common or indeed breed specific in many instances i.e. many breeds of dog (including crossbreeds/mongrels) can suffer from these conditions [many of these conditions are also found in humans!] Health issues are listed in alphabetical order.
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Please see these external links:
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA):
Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia by Michael Richards, DVM
Autoimmune Diseases-Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia by Kathleen R. Hutton, DVM
Cushing's Disease:
Cushing's Disease-Hyperadrenocortism by Columbia Animal Hospital
Veterinary Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome
Hypothyroidism:
Thyroid Testing In Dogs: A Reference for Dog Breeders and Owners by Karen J. Wolfsheimer, D.V.M., Ph.D. and Colleen Brady, B.A.
Hypothyroidism and Dogs by Columbia Animal Hospital
Hypothyroidism Information by Provet. You can do a search and find an article on drugs that depress Thyroxine (T4) concentrations and may confuse the diagnosis of hypothyroidism
Lupus (SLE):
Autoimmune Diseases-Systemic Lupus Erythematosis by Kathleen R. Hutton, DVM
Whilst autoimmune diseases are not common there has been an increase noted, in general autoimmune related problems are increasing across many species including humans.
Please see these external links:
Cataracts with information on lens anatomy
Nutritional Cataracts by Dr. Lisa Meek, Member ACVO
Cataract from Veterinary Vision
This condition is usually picked up at the time of routine KC/BVA eye testing. A dog with cataracts will usually show some cloudiness to the eye, if you see a photo of the dog, the eyes will not reflect a fluorescent green circle over the eye in the photo as the opaqueness to the lens prevents the camera flash light being fully reflected back from the retina.
Please see this external link for further information:
Please see this external link for further information:
Please see these external links:
Ectropion from ProVet's Health Care Information
Entropian from ProVet's Health Care InformationThese two conditions are usually picked up at the time of routine KC/BVA eye testing. Ectropian is usually quite obvious as the eyelids roll outwards and the dog appears to have very saggy eyes.
Please note, in parti-coloured cocker spaniels it is fairly common for the lower eye lids to be unpigmented (sometimes it is only one eye) and therefore the lower eye can be pink coloured. The depth of pink should be pale but this can deepen to a more reddish colour if the dog is teething/tired or has been pulling on the lead.
Unpigmented eyelids can be mistaken for ectropian, however if the lower eyelids are tight (not sagging/drooping) the dog does not have ectropian!
Please note, a dog can develop ectropian as he ages and his skin looses some elasticity and it is quite common to see elderly cockers with saggy eyes (which were previously tight during the dogs younger years.)
Please see these external links:
Canine Epilepsy Resource Centre
To my knowledge there are no health screening tests available to breeders to determine whether their dogs are carrying hereditary epilepsy.
Often epilepsy in the dog is not hereditary, however there are cases of hereditary epilepsy. If you are concerned about the incidence of epilepsy in the family tree relating to a puppy it would be prudent to ask the breeder.
Reputable breeders maintain contact with most if not all of the dogs they have bred. They will have noted any health irregularities in the pups and should be able to advise you accordingly.
Please see these external links:
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - VetBase
Please see this external link for further information:
Please see these external links:
Hyperparathyroidism - Merck Vet Manual
Please see these external links:
Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia
Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia - Mar Vista Vets
Please see these external links:
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - Pet Education
Please see these external links:
Neoplasia (Anal Sac Gland Carcinoma)
Neoplasia (Anal Sac Gland Carcinoma) - Cold River Vets
Please see these external links:
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - Lymphoma Info Net
Please see these external links:
Otitis Externa - Pet Education
Patellar luxation is the dislocation (slipping) of the patella (kneecap). In dogs the patella is a small bone that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella slides in a grove in the femur (leg bone).
The kneecap may dislocate toward the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs.
The most common occurrence of luxating patella is the medial presentation in small or miniature dog breeds. Shallow femoral groove, weak ligaments and malalignment of the tendons and muscles that straighten the joint are all conditions that will predispose a dog toward luxating patella's.
Indications of patellar luxation are; difficulty in straightening the knee, pain in the stifle, limping, or the tip of the hock points outward while the toes point inward.
The diagnosis of this condition can usually be confirmed (by a veterinarian) by manipulating the stifle joint and pushing the patella in and out of position.
Patellar luxations fall into several categories:
- Medial luxation; toy, miniature, and large breeds.
- Lateral luxation; toy and miniature breeds.
- Lateral luxation; large and giant breeds.
- Trauma induced luxation; various breeds
Beyond the categorization of patellar luxation there are 4 grades of deviation for this condition:
Grade 1: Intermittent patellar luxation - occasional carrying of the affected limb. The patella can easily be manually luxated at full extension of the stifle, but returns to proper position when pressure is released.
Grade 2: Frequent patellar luxation - in some cases luxation is more or less permanent. The affected limb is sometimes carried, although the dog may walk with the stifle slightly flexed.
Grade 3: Permanent patellar luxation - even though the patella is luxated; many animals will walk with the limb in a semi-flexed position.
Grade 4: Permanent patellar luxation - the affected limb is either carried or the animal walks in a crouched position, with the limb partially flexed.
Categories 1, 2, and 3 are either hereditary or strongly suspected of being inheritable.