Eye Care for English Cocker Spaniel - Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment

English cocker spaniels are a medium sized dog breed with long ears and innocent eyes. They need daily exercise and they love to chase anything that moves. They are a healthy breed but do suffer from certain eye issues. As a pet owner you must take care of your pet’s expressive eyes which should be cleaned regularly to keep it dirt/mucus free. As your pet loves the outdoors, especially running into dense growth, there are chances of your pet getting an eye injury. Check his eyes every time they have been outdoors for any foreign particles. If it is superficial you can remove it before taking him to the vet immediately.

Eye Problems in English Cocker Spaniel

1. Cataracts - this is usually a degenerative eye issue which develops as your pet grows older. The lens becomes foggy or cloudy and appears blue or grayish, affecting your pet’s vision. Sometimes a cataract is caused due to trauma or injury. In most cases it is treated by surgery which restores the vision completely.

2. Glaucoma- when the pressure in the eye increases, it affects your pet’s vision. This should be checked by the vet during the annual checkup. It can be treated with drugs and does not require surgery in most cases.

3. PRA - progressive retinal atrophy is a condition where the retina detaches, causing total loss of vision. This is usually a genetically transmitted disease in canines. The canine loses vision during dim light as the rods in the eyes are affected. Eventually day vision is also affected. There is no cure and your pet can become blind.

4. Dry Eye - English cocker spaniels are prone to dry eye. The tear duct produces fewer or almost no tears which causes dryness, redness, and irritation in the eye. If you notice redness and constant itching, take your pet to the vet. This condition can be treated with some antibiotic solution and other tear producing drops. In some cases surgery may be required to correct the tear duct issue.

5. Entropion - is a condition where the eyelid turns inwards. The eyelashes cause scratching on the cornea which affects vision. This can be corrected by surgery thereby protecting the eyes of the cocker. If it does not irritate the eyes, this condition can be left untreated.

Symptoms of Eye Problems in English Cocker Spaniel

If your pet suffers from eye infections, these are the typical symptoms you must look out for to identify eye problems and to receive treatment:

• Constant squinting
• Rubbing the eyes with the paw, against the carpet or your leg
• Banging into furniture or doors
• Changes in behavior by hiding or cowering behind the owner
• Unable to directly access the food plate
• Cloudiness in the eye on the lens
• Redness and inflammation of the eye

If you see any of these symptoms, it is important to take your pet to the vet. Let the vet identify the issue and begin the course of treatment. In most cases if the cocker gets timely medical attention, his vision can be saved and you can enjoy their expressive eyes for years.