Seizure Disorders:
Hereditary seizures may occasionally occur in English Springer Spaniels. A familial pattern to the disorder exists in some pedigree lines, and some cases of seizures in English Springers are not controlled with treatment. Seizures usually begin before the age of five years. In many cases, seizures can be controlled with medication. You should ask your puppy's breeder for full and complete disclosure of any seizure disorders within your puppy's pedigree.
Skin Disorders:
As with any breed of dog, skin issues may occur. Typical signs of skin disease include scaliness, greasiness, itching, pyoderma (infection), and occasional hair loss. There may be genetic as well as other factors involved in the development of skin diseases.
Seborrhea is a condition in which flakes of dead skin are shed from the epidermis and hair follicles. These flakes may be dry and dandruff-like, or oily and greasy. Oily seborrhea is due to excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is responsible for the rancid doggy odor that accompanies oily seborrhea. Seborrach may be local, or may occur over large parts of the body. It usually results in scaly, thickened, itchy skin with a greasy feel and an associated odor. Secondary skin infections are not unusual. Treatment may include medicated baths, topical medications, and antibiotics.
Allergies:
Allergies occur in all breeds of dogs, and are becoming a more prevalent issue. Canine allergies usually cause symptoms associated with the skin. The primary symptom is itching, but seborrhea, skin infections and hair loss are also common.
Inhaled pollens or house dust, certain types of food, flea bites and other materials can trigger allergic reactions in the skin. Symptoms may be seasonal (which would potentially indicate a higher probability of them being pollen / outdoor related) or occur year round. While there is no cure for allergies, treatment may involve eliminating contact with the offending allergen (a diet change, for example, if the allergy is to a food substance), allergy medications to relieve itching and other symptoms, allergy testing and injections.
Ear Infections:
Ear infections are common in English Springer Spaniels due to their pendulous ear flap, which decreases air circulation within the ear canal. The resulting environment contributes to bacterial and yeast infections. Most can be prevented with an ear care program that keeps the ears clean and dry. There are several very good ear care products available from your veterinarian. All Springers should get regular ear care. Simple things such as allowing air to circulate by trimming some of the hair under the ear, absorbing excess moisture after swimming with cotton balls, preventing water for entering the ears during a bath will all help to keep the ears clean. Simple things may help prevent bigger issues later.
Acute and chronic infections (if they occur) should be treated by your veterinarian.
Bloat (Gastric dilation or gastric torsion):
Bloat results from a build-up of gas or fluid in the stomach. This condition can be life-threatening, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from bloat you should consult a veterinarian immediately. Some breeds of dog, particularly larger, deep-chested breeds, are suspected of having genetic susceptibility to bloat.
For more information about Canine Health Issues go to the Health Links below:
Hip Dysplasia, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals – http://www.offa.org/
Canine Influenza: An Emerging Concern –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/canine-influenza/
Epilepsy - "Maddie's Story" –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/maddies-story/
Epilepsy (Inherited) can be Devastating in English Springer Spaniels –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/
Fucosidosis – http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/fucosidosis/
Lyme Disease – http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-K9Lyme.htm
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency -
http://www.englishspringerfoundation.org/phosphofructokinase-deficiency-in-the-english-springer-spaniel
http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_pfk.html
http://www.sesss.org/#/pfk/4535543731
Seizure disorders - http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/
http://www.sesss.org/#/epilepsy/4535543678
English Springer Spaniel Foundation: http://www.englishspringerspanielfoundation.org
Hereditary seizures may occasionally occur in English Springer Spaniels. A familial pattern to the disorder exists in some pedigree lines, and some cases of seizures in English Springers are not controlled with treatment. Seizures usually begin before the age of five years. In many cases, seizures can be controlled with medication. You should ask your puppy's breeder for full and complete disclosure of any seizure disorders within your puppy's pedigree.
Skin Disorders:
As with any breed of dog, skin issues may occur. Typical signs of skin disease include scaliness, greasiness, itching, pyoderma (infection), and occasional hair loss. There may be genetic as well as other factors involved in the development of skin diseases.
Seborrhea is a condition in which flakes of dead skin are shed from the epidermis and hair follicles. These flakes may be dry and dandruff-like, or oily and greasy. Oily seborrhea is due to excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is responsible for the rancid doggy odor that accompanies oily seborrhea. Seborrach may be local, or may occur over large parts of the body. It usually results in scaly, thickened, itchy skin with a greasy feel and an associated odor. Secondary skin infections are not unusual. Treatment may include medicated baths, topical medications, and antibiotics.
Allergies:
Allergies occur in all breeds of dogs, and are becoming a more prevalent issue. Canine allergies usually cause symptoms associated with the skin. The primary symptom is itching, but seborrhea, skin infections and hair loss are also common.
Inhaled pollens or house dust, certain types of food, flea bites and other materials can trigger allergic reactions in the skin. Symptoms may be seasonal (which would potentially indicate a higher probability of them being pollen / outdoor related) or occur year round. While there is no cure for allergies, treatment may involve eliminating contact with the offending allergen (a diet change, for example, if the allergy is to a food substance), allergy medications to relieve itching and other symptoms, allergy testing and injections.
Ear Infections:
Ear infections are common in English Springer Spaniels due to their pendulous ear flap, which decreases air circulation within the ear canal. The resulting environment contributes to bacterial and yeast infections. Most can be prevented with an ear care program that keeps the ears clean and dry. There are several very good ear care products available from your veterinarian. All Springers should get regular ear care. Simple things such as allowing air to circulate by trimming some of the hair under the ear, absorbing excess moisture after swimming with cotton balls, preventing water for entering the ears during a bath will all help to keep the ears clean. Simple things may help prevent bigger issues later.
Acute and chronic infections (if they occur) should be treated by your veterinarian.
Bloat (Gastric dilation or gastric torsion):
Bloat results from a build-up of gas or fluid in the stomach. This condition can be life-threatening, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from bloat you should consult a veterinarian immediately. Some breeds of dog, particularly larger, deep-chested breeds, are suspected of having genetic susceptibility to bloat.
For more information about Canine Health Issues go to the Health Links below:
Hip Dysplasia, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals – http://www.offa.org/
Canine Influenza: An Emerging Concern –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/canine-influenza/
Epilepsy - "Maddie's Story" –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/maddies-story/
Epilepsy (Inherited) can be Devastating in English Springer Spaniels –
http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/
Fucosidosis – http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/fucosidosis/
Lyme Disease – http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-K9Lyme.htm
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency -
http://www.englishspringerfoundation.org/phosphofructokinase-deficiency-in-the-english-springer-spaniel
http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_pfk.html
http://www.sesss.org/#/pfk/4535543731
Seizure disorders - http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/health-genetics-and-research-faq/epilepsy/
http://www.sesss.org/#/epilepsy/4535543678
English Springer Spaniel Foundation: http://www.englishspringerspanielfoundation.org
Copyright © 2003-2022
Site Designed and Maintained by Christine Remme
