Everyone has their special love and adoration
for a specific breed. My fondness is for the Spaniels. The
well-bred, trained English Cocker Spaniel is happy, playful,
gentle, loyal, trusting and affectionate toward everyone. They
desire to be included in all activities. Eager to please they
usually do well in obedience training. These dogs are good with
children and socializes well with other animals with the exception
of some males becoming aggressive with other males. Some females
are aggressively possessive with their owners. They bark to alert
the family of a visitor. Cockers that are left alone too much may
retaliate becoming aggressive and relieving themselves in places
unknown.The English Cocker requires
special grooming needs. The medium length coat can be flat or
wavy; their coat color can be black, buff, liver or a combination
of markings. Their ears are long and silky requiring daily
cleaning from ending up in the food bowl. Their muzzle is longer
than most spaniels. Their statue is more elegant than the other
species of the breed. They should be brushed and combed at least
two to three times per week to avoid matting on the ears, chest
and legs. They appreciate and enjoy long vigorous walks daily.
Special attention must be given to their ears; this species is
more prone to ear infections.
The English Cocker originated in the 19th
century in England. They were utilized to flush and retrieve birds
from densely wooded areas for the hunters. This Cocker breed is
between 15-17" in height. Their weight ranges 26-34 lbs.. Their
life span is usually 10-14 years.
There are definite health concerns related
to their breed. Glaucoma, cataract, deafness, ear infections, and
progressive retinal atrophy are some of the concerns with the
English Cocker Spaniels. Personally my older male cocker spaniel
has experienced bilateral glaucoma; unfortunately we had to have
both his eyes removed.
Glaucoma is hereditary among this breed as
they are predisposed to this condition. Rubbing and squinting of
the eyes secondary to pain; a cloudy cornea, a dilated pupil when
there should be constriction, noticeable blood vessels in the
eyes, poor vision and an enlarged eyeball are symptoms. When my
male cocker first presented these symptoms in his left eye, I
immediately took him to the vet. Once the eyeball becomes enlarged
recovery is difficult. The pressure inside the eye was off the
charts so to speak. With glaucoma they experience pain as we would
feel the pain of a constant migraine. His left eye became so
swollen and he was constantly bumping into objects that our only
recourse was to have this eye removed to relieve the symptoms as
well as the intense pain. Part of the post op recovery stage was
to wear one of those Elizabethan collars; I despised those
collars, but I realized the importance of them and had to deal
with the inconvenience for his sake.
For the next several months we had his
remaining eye constantly observed by the vet; we administered two
different eye drops each day; eye pressure was measured weekly.
But unfortunately all our efforts failed. In time the right eye
became slightly enlarged and I could tell his remaining sight in
that eye was decreasing. We immediately contacted the vet and went
through the procedure of the Mannitol IV but it was too late. His
prognosis with his sight was grave. We were now faced with the
realization of him losing his other eye. I felt like...here we go
again? At first I personally didn't know if I could deal with "no
eyes"? The vet suggested to implant animal testicles; yes you read
it right! It was more of a vanity issue with me. They convinced me
that over time I would adjust to the situation. He appears to be
sleeping all the time. But don't let the loss of sight fool you as
when that happened his other senses took over; it has been 4 years
since both procedures and he is now 13 years old; you try to sneak
by him with any food and his head raises and his smell instincts
are amazing! I have adjusted and I've accepted his condition. His
quality of life is still good. His loss of sight has not hindered
his life.
Cataracts are white opacities in the lenses
of the eyes that impair vision or cause blindness. Cataracts is
the most common kind of hereditary problem with many of the breeds
of dogs. Some of the causes of cataracts can be from a direct
injury to the lens, diabetes, nutritional deficiency, toxic
effects of certain drugs, an inflammation of the eye...just to
name a few. The extent of the cataract determines the degree of
visual loss or impairment. The lens can be removed via surgery.
The removal of the cataract can prevent further complications such
as glaucoma that we just discussed. One of the normal occurences
in aging dogs is senile cataracts in which a bluish gray haze is
presented over the eye; this does not have to treated with surgery
and their vision is not hindered.
Deafness may be congenital or caused by ear
infections, drugs, or aging. The most noticeable sign of deafness
is a lack of response when you call your pets name or any
stimulation. Another problem of my 13 year old male cocker is
deafness associated with the aging process. Ear infections can
cause destruction of nerve cells. Some drugs used to treat
inflammation of the ear can cause deafness. Consult your vet for
the proper drug for an ear infection. Patience from you is needed
when your pet has lost his hearing.
Progressive retinal atrophy is usually
hereditary. It is caused by a degeneration and a loss of retinal
tissue. Late onset of this health problem usually involves Cocker
Spaniels after one year of age. Night blindness is one of the
first signs and symptoms. There is no effective treatment for this
problem as eventually the dog will go blind. The dog will be
reluctant to go outside or up and down poorly lit steps or
hallways during the early stages of the PRA. The only way to
prevent PRA is to make sure the affected dog does not breed.
Every breed has health concerns. It is your
choice which breed you love and adore. Be a responsible pet owner
and be informed of each health concern of your specific dogs
breed. Most important just love your pet by providing the best
medical care for a long quality of life that you possibly can for
your friend.
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