American Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Information and Pictures

Health Problems

Some major concerns in American Cocker Spaniels are cataracts, glaucoma and patellar luxation. Some minor concerns are hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, cherry eye, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency and cardiomyopathy. Occasionally seen are gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia. Also IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). According to a few owners:

“Our Cocker never had a sick day in her life until she suddenly became lethargic and urinated blood. Six days later and $3000 in vet bills, she died. I know you can’t list every illness due to space limitations, but the internal medicine specialist that treated our dog said that IMHA is relatively common in Cockers, and almost always fatal. It’s a fast-acting, silent killer.”

Reported by Cocker Spaniel owner—”My American Cocker Spaniel dog died on 9/26/2011 of IMHA. She was given immunizations on 9/20 and showed first signs of a problem on 9/22. She was 6 1/2 years old in good health. Please pass on that owners of American Cockers need to be acutely aware of this disease and the possibility of their dogs contracting it. They should always have a blood test before immunization and at any sign of a problem afterwards should immediately seek treatment from a vet. We knew nothing of the disease and were never advised by the vet of the possibility in this breed. We have since learned it is common and needs to be looked for in this breed and age dog. Vets need to make sure owners are aware of it and the possible relationship with vaccinations. I just want to help get the word out.”

“My dog also died of this disease (IMHA). He was 7 1/2 years old. He showed no signs of being ill until two days before he died. The disease works rapidly. At the first sign of becoming ill the pet needs to be brought to the vet and will probably need a blood transfusion. Our vet decided to wait and see in the morning, by then it was too late. This disease does not always stem from vaccines; my dog was not due for shots for another two months.”