CockersOnline - Health


	Cocker Health and Welfare

Health & Welfare. Caring for your Cockers health and medical needs is vitally important to his present and future well-being. Arrange and keep regular veterinary appointments, be sure to go for booster injections, if you are in any doubt about your dogs health, don't leave it hoping the symptoms will disappear, make that appointment, most illnesses even the more serious ones are much easier to treat if caught at an early stage. Having said this, use common sense, if you know that all that is required is simple first aid, and you are willing and prepared to treat simple cuts and grazes yourself, do so. Vets are usually extremely busy and by calling him out for a minor ailment may delay him in attending an emergency elsewhere.

BUT IF YOUR DOG IS DISTRESSED OR YOU ARE IN DOUBT, SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Vaccinations and boosters are vitally important, not only do they keep your dog healthy but also many boarding kennels will not (and should not) accept unvaccinated dogs. Also you may well need to show your vaccination card if you join a training club or attend puppy/dog training classes.

When playing or grooming your Cocker, is a good time to examine for anything out of the ordinary which may require further investigation. Whilst running your fingers through the dogs coat check for lumps and bumps on the skin and under it. Check the ears for wax, mites and other infections, you will soon know if the dog has an ear problem as the ear canal will often have a distinct putrid smell. Check the eyes for discharge and that the mouth and teeth are healthy.

A dogs temperature is often a good sign of it's health. A normal temperature for a dog should be 38.6 Celsius (101.5 Fahrenheit). The best way to take a dogs temperature is by inserting a thermometer into the anus and angling it down slightly where it will touch the rectal wall. Don't attempt to take a dogs temperature if you are at all unsure, thermometers are easily broken. Also don't jump to conclusions on reading the temperature, the result needs expert interpretation, as even slight excitement can cause the temperature to rise by 2 or 3 degrees.

It is good to get know your dogs anatomy and the basics of first aid. This will enable you to assist the vet if he asks you questions. Also if your dog is ill, make a note of things like: last meal, vomit content, thirst level, behaviour, do you know of anything poisonous the dog may of eaten. All these things may help your vet to diagnose quickly.

The Major Infectious Diseases.

Canine Distemper
Transmission from dog to dog by airborne particles
Major signs: Initially a cough with high temperature, lethargy, lack of appetite, reddened eyes, runny nose, noisy breathing, possibly diarrhoea and vomiting. Subsequently, generally after a few weeks - a nervous twitch, fits or paralysis may occur, often with thickening of the pads and the the nose.
Get veterinary consultation immediately. But do not take the dog into the surgery, phone ahead and make special arrangements for the vet to see the dog.
Prevention - By vaccination at 6-12 weeks then yearly boosters.

Infectious canine hepatitis (Or Rubarth's disease or canine viral hepatitis)
Transmission from dog to dog by swallowing of contaminated faeces, saliva or urine.
Major signs: Generalised illness, lack of appetite, pale conjunctivae and gums, very high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and yellowing of the eyes. Get veterinary consultation immediately. But do not take the dog into the surgery, phone ahead and make special arrangements for the vet to see the dog.
Prevention - Early vaccination of puppies then boosters.
Note. This is disease is caused by a canine adenovirus (CAV-1) and has no connection with hepatitis in man.

Leptospirosis icterohaemorrhagiae
Transmission from rats. Dogs which kill rats or play with dead vermin may be infected. Or from rat urine on the ground, in ponds or water bowls or from fallen fruit. More prevalent in dogs on farms, at ports and in mining areas.
Major signs: High temperature, severe thirst, increase in frequency of urination, abdominal pain, depression, possibility of ulceration of the mouth, diarrhoea containing blood, jaundice, coated tongue, persistent vomiting.
Get an accurate and quick diagnosis by vet.
Prevention - Do not allow dogs to play near rat infested water, do not leave water bowls out overnight. Try to rid premises of rats. Vaccinations and annual boosters. Note. This disease can passed to humans (Weils disease). Care must be taken when attending to a sick dog, particularly when cleaning up infected urine. The bacteria can be present in the dogs urine months after apparent recovery from the disease.

Kennel Cough (infectious canine tracheobronchitis)
Transmission from dog to dog via various airborne viruses - similar infection methods as human influenza.
Major signs: protracted harsh cough - as if the dog has a bone stuck in the throat. Adult dogs usually continue to behave and eat normally. In young puppies however the disease may be complicated by the onset of pneumonia which can prove to be fatal.
Consult your vet, avoid taking the dog into the waiting room though. Cancel any plans you may have for shows, training classes etc for 6 weeks.
Prevention - Do not let your dog come into contact with dogs which are heard to be coughing. See your vet about vaccinations which are available, particularly if you are going to use boarding kennels or planning a litter in the summer.

Canine parvovirus infection (CPV)
Transmission from dog to dog via the virus carried in faeces, can also be carried on human clothing and footwear and other objects which have been infected by a contaminated dog.
Major signs: There are two forms of CPV - Canine parvovirus myocarditis and Intestinal form of CPV. The former type can be present when the dam of a litter has never been vaccinated or has not been infected by the disease, she therefore will have no protection to pass on to her puppies. The virus seeks out the cells which are multiplying most rapidly - the heart muscles in puppies. The virus then destroys or weakens the heart muscle. This is usually not seen until the puppies are about 4 - 10 weeks old, apparently healthy puppies can just suddenly collapse and die after eating or playing. The whole litter is usually infected. This form of CPV is becoming more rare now due to most breeding bitches having some antibody - due to already being exposed to the virus or through vaccination. The latter form of the virus (Intestinal) is the more common. The warning signs are depression, severe protracted vomiting, abdominal pain, profuse diarrhoea (often with high blood content), refusal of food and water.
Get immediate veterinary attention, isolate the infected dog(s)
Prevention - Vaccination and annual boosters. If a dog is suspected of having CPV not only should the dog be isolated, but family members should avoid other dogs to prevent infection via clothes and shoes. CPV is very difficult to eradicate, where a single puppy has died of CPV it is wise to wait at least 6 months before introducing another.

Rabies
Transmission through the saliva of many animals. Foxes are the main carrier of the infection in Europe followed by dogs , cats and small rodents. The virus is present in the saliva of infected animals and can be transmitted from a bite or through an open wound on the skin. It can be transmitted to humans.
Major signs: Rabies in animals takes on two forms - dumb and furious rabies. Both are apparent by the obvious personality changes which occur. Wild or furious animals may become affectionate and seek out human company whilst normally placid animals will turn aggressive and extremely savage. The eyes become staring, the jaw fixed whilst drooling copious amounts of saliva. Death is usually preceded by paralysis and coma. Dogs rarely survive more than fifteen days after the signs have been spotted.
There is no cure for rabies. If a dog is suspected of being infected, barricade it in somehow. And inform the police or your vet immediately, no matter what time, day or night.
Prevention - In Great Britain we are fortunate in that due to our island status we can take effective measures to keep rabies out of the country. If you suspect that someone may have illegally imported dogs or other animals into this country, it is your duty to report them. No dog in this country will exhibit the signs of rabies UNLESS it has been bitten or licked by an illegally imported dog.

Parasites

External Parasites
Fleas - now an all year round problem, with most houses having good central heating, ideal living conditions for fleas.
Mange - Demodectic and Sarcoptic - very irritating for the dog, results in bad hair loss, seek veterinary advice.
Ticks - Often from sheep, look like little greyish beans, they attach to the dogs skin and suck blood. Try smearing with Vaseline, this will kill the tick and enable you to pick it off.
Lice- Two varieties, one sucks blood the other bites, easier to treat than fleas, as they live and breed on the dog. There are many effective shampoos available.
Ear Mites - Minute parasites living in the ear, usually causing a persistent shaking of the head and brown wax. Ear drops from your vet.

Internal Parasites
Roundworm, Tapeworm, Hookworm and Whipworm are all a problem in this country, fortunately there are many good worming tablets and liquids available which mean your dog need not suffer, you can even buy worming preparations at the supermarket these days. Although check the labels first and if you do purchase, follow the instructions carefully. If you prefer a better preparation, go and see your vet. A note on Whipworm though, they are notoriously difficult to treat, seek veterinary advice, some dogs will not show symptoms but some may suffer diarrhoea.
Generally you can tell if your dog has worms, if you see anything worm like in the dogs faeces or vomit. Tapeworms though are shed at intervals and will look like grains of rice in the animals faeces or around the anal area.
It is a good idea to treat for worms at regular intervals, whether you suspect the dog has them or not.
Heartworms - heartworms are not found in Britain, it may be encountered though in imported dogs. Symptoms include, coughing, fatigue and loss of condition, seek veterinary advice.

Genetics
Cockers are generally a healthy breed but occasionally hereditary problems crop up. They are as follows:

PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA) - This is a rare condition but can cause blindness, the condition causes the back of the retina to dry up. It can be a problem to dogs of any age. Unfortunately there is no cure. If you have a cocker who is diagnosed as having PRA, then the secretary of the Cocker Spaniel Club should be informed, they are monitoring the condition. Also the afflicted dog, it's offspring and it's parents should not be bred from. The condition does require that both parents carry the gene in order for their offspring to inherit the condition. A dog or bitch which is likely to be bred from should be eye tested to check for PRA.

FAMILIAL NEPHRITIS - A rare condition affecting the development of the kidneys of young dogs (usually proves fatal by 18 to 24 months of age). Again there is no known cure. As above the Cocker Spaniel Club should be informed and if tests prove a dog may be carrying the gene, it should be withdrawn from breeding plans. A clinical test is available to determine whether a puppy has the disease or not, but as yet no test is available to test whether a dog carries the gene.

TEMPERAMENT PROBLEMS - As mentioned previously, Cockers are usually one of the most mild mannered of breeds. However on occasion, a dog may take on a dazed look, become aggressive or possessive, the eyes may become glazed. This may only last half an hour or so, then he/she will be back to being affectionate and loving. It is not known (yet) what causes this, and indeed is only seen a small percentage of Cockers. One theory links it to a form of epilepsy. It is not thought to be an hereditary problem at this time.

For further information regarding PRA, Hip Dysplasia and other hereditary conditions please check out the Cocker Spaniel Clubs' Health and Welfare Pages.

Check out the Cocker Rage site for more info on temperament problems