Field Spaniel Health
All breeds of dogs have certain health issues that they are genetically prone to. Even the healthiest of breeds will have some health conditions that they are more likely to encounter during their lifetimes than others. The following are some of the most common among Field Spaniels.
*Hip Dysplasia–This breed is susceptible to this problem with the joints. It occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, resulting in a great deal of pain and possibly limited movement for the dog. The cartilage around the joint becomes thin and loses its elasticity, causing inflammation, as the top of the femur bone rubs against the hip.
*Elbow Dysplasia–This breed is susceptible to this problem with the joints. It occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, resulting in a great deal of pain and possibly limited movement for the dog. The cartilage around the joint becomes thin and loses its elasticity, causing inflammation.
*Patellar Luxation-This is the dislocation of the kneecap that occurs when the knee slips out of its normal groove. It occurs in many miniature breeds and can typically be seen from birth. Surgical correction can be performed or the condition can be treated with steroid injections if it is not overly severe. Occasionally, the dog will have to have the leg removed, but can function quite well on the other three.
*Progressive Retinal Atrophy–This is a genetic eye disease that affects the rods and cones (nerve receptors) of the retinal tissue. The rods are typically affected first, which makes it difficult for the dog to see in the dark or dim light. The cones are often affected later, causing the dog to have vision problems even in the daylight.
*Epilepsy–This disease typically is seen by the time the dog is three years of age. It is very frightening for owners to witness their beloved animal in the seizures that epilepsy brings on, but there are treatments available that may help to control them in some cases. In other cases, however, the animal will not live for long. There are not currently any tests that can screen for this condition.
*Cataracts of the Eyes-Dogs with cataracts will be apparent because of the cloudy film that will cover the lens of the eye. There can be minor cataracts that won’t affect the dog’s vision entirely or they can get so severe that they will completely block any light from coming in at all.
*Cherry Eye-Cherry eye is a prolapse of the third eyelid and can affect tear production. The gland can become irritated and begin to cause discharge and/or swelling. If the third eyelid becomes infected, conjunctivitis will ensue and surgery will be necessary to put the third eyelid back in place to prevent further irritation.
*Ear Infections–Those same silky ears that you may think are adorable are also an area that owners must take preventive care of in order to prevent them from becoming infected. Their length allows them to drag along the ground when the head is lowered, picking up debris along the way. They also hold in moisture if they are not kept dry inside. Chronic ear infections, or one that is not treated soon enough, can lead to permanent hearing damage for your dog. Check the ears regularly for signs of infection, including a foul odor coming from the ears, scratching at the ears, shaking the head, or tilting it to one side or the other. If you notice any of these things, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
*Aortic Stenosis–In a dog with aortic stenosis, the flow of blood is obstructed as it passes through the left ventricle to get to the aorta and on to the rest of the body. This is a genetic disease.
Every animal deserves to be well-cared for when they are acquired by humans. Dogs are especially wonderful animals that deserve nothing less than to be given happy and healthy lives by responsible owners. The first step in ensuring this is to educated oneself regarding the health issues common among particular breeds so that owners can watch for signs and/or symptoms and be prepared to provide the appropriate treatment for the dog.
No Comments