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Cocker Spaniel - Specific Wellness Program |
Cardiovascular Conditions
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
About the condition:
- A condition in which the heart walls are thinner than normal and the heartbeat is not as strong.
- Increased prevalence with age and is more common in males
How to detect this condition:
- An ultrasound/ECG is recommended.
Neurological Conditions
Inter-Vertebral Disc Disease
About the condition:
- Very common in Cocker Spaniels
- Degeneration of the inter-vertebral discs that can lead to pressure on the spinal cord, which leads to pain and/or partial paralysis.
How to detect this condition:
- Let us know if your pet seems to be in pain and is reluctant to move around. Holding the back in an arched position is another common sign.
- X-rays are important in detecting this condition as they will show any disc irregularities.
Oral Health Problems
Periodontal Disease
About the condition:
- Inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around the tooth.
- Bacteria accumulate in the mouth forming plaque and harden into tartar, which becomes a constant source for infection.
- Crowding can occur in short-faced breeds as there is not enough room for all 42 teeth to reside.
- Progressive stages can lead to tooth loss.
How to detect this condition:
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Yellowish/brown deposits on teeth
- Red or swollen gums
- Discomfort when mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite with difficulty chewing
Endocrine Conditions
Hypothyroidism
About the condition:
- A deficiency in the secretion of thyroid hormone
How to detect this condition:
- A blood test can determine whether your pet is within the normal range of thyroid hormone.
Ocular Conditions
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
About the condition:
- This is a common disease characterized by reduced tear production resulting in drying and inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea.
How to detect this condition:
- Checking the tear production of your pet's eyes will help diagnose this condition.
Hematological/Immunological Conditions
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia/Thrombocytopenia
About the condition:
- This condition causes mild to severe anemia (occurs when there are too few red blood cells present in the bloodstream to carry enough oxygen through the body) which can have very serious consequences for the overall body function and well being of your pet.
How to detect this condition:
- A complete bood count (CBC) can determine whether your pet is within the normal ranges.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Cocker Spaniels, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let us know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
We recommend six month wellness exams for the life of your pet since they age so much faster than humans do. Frequent visits allow us to discuss recent changes, detect potential problems, tailor diagnostic recommendations, and initiate therapy that will benefit your pet long term.
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Your Pet's Age in Years
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Cocker Spaniel
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Numbers within the chart are your pet's age in human years
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Juvenile
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Adult
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Senior
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A series of wellness consultations and vaccines are required as a puppy develops. Problems can be addressed early based on a breed's disposition. Early findings may dictate the path of future wellness.
The primary wellness consultation is scheduled for routine vaccines, the first line of prevention. The second wellness consultation is meant for vaccine boosters and basic wellness blood work. Wellness blood work is essential in early detection and treatment of medical conditions. Each consultation allows us to spend time with you to discuss any changes that may have occurred as your pet ages and make recommendations accordingly. Factors such as size, sex, age, lifestyle, and breed will dictate a patient's recommendations. Radiographs may be recommended for some patients as baseline evaluations for future comparisons.
Adult wellness blood work includes a basic chemistry (8), a complete blood count, and a heartworm test. We recommend evaluating wellness blood work annually for the lifetime of the pet.
With senior patients, each wellness consultation is for routine vaccines and boosters, along with a physical examination. Changes for seniors can be subtle, so maintaining a healthy senior pet requires an owner's observations along with twice a year physical examinations to evaluate these changes. The doctors recommend annual comprehensive wellness blood work and urinalysis for all of our seniors. Doctors rely on blood and urine tests to provide important information about a pet's health to determine appropriate therapy. Radiographs may also be recommended as these changes occur to again ensure appropriate therapy.
Senior wellness blood work includes a comprehensive chemistry (25), a complete blood count, thyroid hormone level, urinalysis, and a heartworm test. Depending on medications, some prescriptions require frequent blood monitoring in addition to routine wellness.
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FAX: 480-551-1738
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