If there is a good place to
begin with the discussion of health for purebred
dogs, including the English Springer Spaniel, it
would be with choosing a breeder that you know will
have healthy, well-socialized puppies. This one
factor can mean the difference between years of
enjoying the company of your Springer and too many
trips to the veterinarian to take care of problems
that could have been avoided.
The English Springer Spaniel is a very healthy
breed and can be especially worry-free if given
the right diet and a good amount of exercise. Most
experienced owners give their Springer only the
freshest, lean meats, fruits and vegetables and
avoid sub-standard commercial foods altogether. This
system would allow your pet to have few health
problems while maintaining his beautiful coat and
happy personality.
Some English Springer Spaniels
have problems with hip dysplasia, a degenerative
joint disease that can lead to pain, difficulty
walking, and in the end may require surgery to
correct. However, a reputable breeder should prepare
for this condition by using parents that are
certified as free from this disease, as well as
having young dogs examined to make sure they are
also without the hip dysplasia tendencies. If you
find your pet developing this condition, pain and
inflammation medications might be used to help
unless serious at which time surgery may be the last
resort.
Springer Spaniels tend to gain weight easily,
especially if they do not get the proper diet and
sufficient exercise. Remember, this breed is meant
to be a working dog by nature, so plenty of outside
time and room to run will be best. Some owners have
experienced what is commonly called “rage syndrome”
with their English Springer Spaniel, a rare
condition that is also found in some other popular
breeds. Dogs with this syndrome could suddenly
become aggressive, even attack people. Rage syndrome
is considered a form of epilepsy and can bet
treated.
When visiting breeders, ask about this condition and
if they have had any experience with it in the
bloodlines of their breeding parents. Now, if your
pet shows what you might think is rage syndrome, do
not be too quick to say that is what it is. The
reason is that English Springer Spaniels also go
through what some owners and breeders call “teenage
years”, a time when they are less gentle and
friendly. During this phase, you would need to be
patient. However, if the behavior continues or
becomes severe, talk to your veterinarian about
proper testing.
A healthy Springer may live to be 12 to 14 years
old. You can help your pet reach this milestone with
good diet and exercise. It is best if you pay
particular attention to the ears of your Springer
because some floppy-eared dogs have problems with
ear infections. If you see something unusual, such
as a heavy brown wax, fungus, or mites, contact your
veterinarian. In these cases, prevention is very
important.
Additionally, some English Springer Spaniels also
have eye problems such as progressive retinal
atrophy (PRA), a degeneration of the eye that can
progress to blindness. The disease can appear as
late as seven or eight years and the best way to
avoid it is to buy your puppy from a reputable
breeder. Some other problems that you might want to
watch for and ask about are skin allergies,
hypothyroidism, and bloat. By using the right
breeder and giving your pet the correct care, you
should be able to enjoy many years with your English
Springer Spaniel.
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