English Springer Spaniels are not troubled in general by serious health problems, other than some of the usual illnesses and infectious diseases that can affect the canine population.
The following have been reported………….
Glaucoma – a disease of increased pressure within the eye that can lead to Blindness
Hypothyroidism – when the thyroid organ does function normally.
Epilepsy – characterised by seizures
Retinal dysplasia – an inherited eye disorder that results in a malformation of the tissues of the retina.
Bloat – caused by excessive build-up of gas and fluid in a dog’s stomach. This is extremely painful & can lead to death (see our blog)
Hip dysplasia – a malformation of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis (see our blog)
Cutaneous histiocytoma – benign tumour of the skin that is usually seen in younger dogs
Otitis Externa – an ear infection common to breeds with long floppy ears and caused by fungus, bacteria or parasites.
Rage syndrome – where the dog has uncontrollable aggression. An affected dog will suddenly attack the closest person or animal, seemingly without provocation. The exact cause of this behaviour is not yet known.
Less frequently, the following are also noted
Entropion – Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball
Ventricular septal defect – a congenital heart defect
Malassezia – yeast infection of the skin
Pannus – a disease resulting in inflammation of the eye – The Vets Says…Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
