English Cocker Spaniel Diseases: Diagnosis and Prevention

The English Cocker Spaniel is currently enjoying a surge in popularity: this beautiful medium-sized dog is truly becoming popular worldwide.

Its origin is uncertain, but it appears to have been introduced to Europe by the Crusaders, first arriving in Spain before being exported to France.

However, it is in England, the country that has been perfecting its standards since 1897, that the Cocker Spaniel has become the dog we all know.

This is precisely why the European variant is known as the English Cocker Spaniel. The American version, on the other hand, is known as the American Cocker Spaniel.

It has a gentle nature and is very intelligent. It is extremely attached to its owner, never leaving their side even for a minute.

It is perfect for those looking for an aristocratic and good-looking dog, but also for active owners who love long walks. It is also ideal as a hunting and truffle dog.

But all that glitters is not gold, and the English Cocker Spaniel suffers from some diseases that, if not diagnosed promptly, can be very dangerous.

But what are the diseases of the Cocker Spaniel? Let's take a closer look at them, and understand how to recognize the symptoms and what the possible treatment is.

The genetic diseases of the English Cocker Spaniel

Genetic disorders are caused by errors in the DNA, in sequences called "genes" or in chromosomes, which are large groups of genes.

These are disorders that originate in a gene mutation, and can be hereditary or not.

The most common diseases are as follows:

Progressive retinal atrophy
Familial nephropathy
Hip dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Von Willebrand's disease
BSS
Patellar luxation
Primary glaucoma

We will try to briefly explain them in the following paragraphs.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA or prcd-PRA) is an eye disease common to many breeds that leads to the degeneration and then death of the retinal cells.

Initially, these appear to develop normally, and the puppy seems unaffected, but over time they lose the function they are predisposed to, leading to a gradual worsening of vision.

The disease is progressive, affects both eyes, and results in total blindness. It begins with a degradation of night vision, and may be accompanied by cataracts.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment, and there is also no way to prevent the atrophy: if the dog carries the genes responsible for the mutation, it will develop regardless.

It should be noted that dogs adapt quickly to blindness and the condition does not cause pain, but obviously, it will cause distress and sorrow for the owner, more than for the animal.

If the unfortunate event occurs, the only thing you can do is to help your dog with a lot of patience and kindness as it adjusts to its new condition.

Familial Nephropathy

Familial Nephropathy is an autosomal disease (that is, it concerns genes hosted by autosomes, or non-sex chromosomes).

It is a recessive and hereditary condition that causes chronic and incurable kidney degeneration, fatal within about two years.

Symptoms in the English Cocker Spaniel appear in puppies between 4 and 6 months of age. The most common symptoms include:

General malaise
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Thirst
Excessive urination
Eye lesions
Bone deformity
Ammonia smell in the mouth and ears
Primary Glaucoma

This kidney failure makes the kidneys unable to eliminate urine, so waste remains in the body, slowly poisoning the animal.

Before purchasing a Cocker Spaniel, it is crucial to ensure that the breeders have been tested for Familial Nephropathy and are not carriers of the gene.

A responsible breeder will therefore carry out a DNA test in a laboratory, necessary to guarantee receiving a healthy puppy.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint, the connection between the femur and the pelvis, is not properly shaped.

It presents as a malformation of the joint surfaces, which, in their normal state, are two hemispheres that fit perfectly into one another.

When this does not occur, the two surfaces rub against each other during movement, leading to inflammation and osteoarthritis.

It is a condition that can be very painful depending on the degree of malformation of the femoral head and can limit the functionality of the limbs, causing significant discomfort to the Cocker Spaniel.

Generally, it manifests with the following symptoms:

Weakness in the hind legs
Mobility difficulties
Stiff joint
Inability to rise
Limping at a young age (even in puppies, from around 4 months of life)

For diagnosis, a radiograph of the femur is needed, often under general anesthesia.

There is no cure for dysplasia, and the only solution is surgical intervention, which, however, is not always conclusive.

In some cases, surgery has produced excellent results, while for others, it has been a completely futile and painful process.

In milder cases, the vet may recommend medications or supplements to combat pain and inflammation.

If you're also interested in another type of dysplasia, read here:

Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs: A Complete Guide to the Disease

Von Willebrand Disease

Von Willebrand Disease, or Von Willebrand Factor, is a hereditary genetic disorder common to many dog breeds, but is predominantly present in the Doberman breed.

A study has shown that in this breed, well over 70% of the subjects were carriers of the disease, but it is also widespread among Cocker Spaniels.

It is an autosomal recessive disorder, caused by a deficiency of a protein essential for blood clotting.

Dogs affected by this disease may experience excessive bleeding from any injury or may have spontaneous internal hemorrhages.

In most cases, subjects do not show symptoms, and the disease is not detected. However, in more severe cases, symptoms can include:

Spontaneous bleeding from gums, mouth, nose, vagina
Gastrointestinal bleeding (visible through feces) and bladder bleeding (visible through urine)
Skin bruises, ecchymoses, lesions
Bleeding from minor wounds or post-operative
Anemia

There is no treatment, and prevention consists of avoiding the possibility of injury. Care must also be taken with simple things such as cutting nails or hair.

Teeth and gums should be protected by not giving too hard snacks, and fights with other dogs, or too rough play should be avoided.

In case of accidents, a blood or plasma transfusion can be performed, while drugs with anticoagulant effects or anti-platelet properties should not be taken.

In this case, too, DNA testing of the breeders is necessary to ensure that the English Cocker Spaniel puppies purchased from breeders are free from the disease.

Bernard-Soulier Syndrome

Also known as BSS, this is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder.

It is caused by a defect in a protein found in platelets and is related to Von Willebrand Disease.

In affected individuals, platelets are fewer than normal and larger in size.

This leads to clotting difficulties and, as a result, excessive bleeding even from minor injuries.

The symptoms are the same as those of Von Willebrand Disease, and in severe cases, it can lead to the death of the Cocker Spaniel.

It's crucial that this condition is not confused with other disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia, whose treatment is completely ineffective for BSS.

The usual test is required, which breeders typically perform on their breeding stock.

Patellar Luxation

Also known as knee dysplasia, this hereditary condition is caused by the displacement of the kneecap from its correct position.

If the kneecap moves out of place during knee extension, it reduces the ability to straighten the leg, resulting in a bent knee.

The affected dog displays a hopping gait, where the rear leg remains bent for a few seconds before returning to normal placement.

The dog doesn't appear to be in pain when it resumes walking normally.

This alteration can be genetic or traumatic in origin. When patellar luxation occurs as a result of trauma, the limp is constant and very painful.

An X-ray examination is needed to determine the degree of luxation. Complications arising over time can significantly undermine the dog's health and worsen its quality of life.

Dogs with 1st and 2nd degree luxation can be managed by monitoring the situation and avoiding invasive procedures.

For dogs classified as 3rd and 4th degree, surgical intervention is required.

Primary Glaucoma

Also known as the "silent death of the eye," it is among the most widespread ocular diseases in the English Cocker Spaniel breed and is a neurodegenerative syndrome that leads to total blindness.

Intraocular pressure can cause severe pain in the animal, but unfortunately, by the time symptoms are noticeable, glaucoma is already present, making it very difficult to determine its onset.

It's crucial to check for the presence of glaucoma as soon as possible to intervene with appropriate therapy, which can vary from the use of specific medications to surgical intervention.

Conclusion

The English Cocker Spaniel is naturally a healthy dog, but since the diseases that affect this breed can be very serious, if you decide to buy a dog instead of adopting a stray, ensure that the breeders have conducted all necessary tests.

Determining factors that could cause future issues in the puppy is very important.

While it's true that a puppy bought from a private seller may have an attractive price, the risk of facing certain health problems can have a much higher cost than the initial savings on the purchase.

It's important to recognize these diseases to intervene as soon as possible if there are treatments that can improve or save the animal's life.

And finally, the best advice: always do your research, but when you notice something abnormal in your Cocker Spaniel, always turn to your trusted veterinarian immediately.

Tests for hereditary diseases and veterinary visits when necessary are the best way to keep your four-legged friend healthy.

Take the best care of them, and your Cocker Spaniel will stay with you for many years.

Author's Note

I invite all readers to share their experiences on this topic in the comment section.

Any information you wish to share about health, temperament, products, and tips on training or diet will help us create a great community of owners who not only love dogs but also know how to manage them at their best.

From the Staff of Khani.co.uk

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Disclaimer

The information on our site is of a general nature and does not replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts in any way. For any doubts, always consult a veterinarian.