RHEGED | Health issues that can effect WSS
Welsh Springer Spaniels are generally healthy & very robust, but like ALL other breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. NOT ALL Welshies will get any or all of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you are considering this ancient breed.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club UK
For further information ~ RHEGED | Understanding Genetics & Test Results page
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma is an increase in fluid inside the eye, which leads to damage to delicate structures within the eye which may eventually lead to blindness, following swelling of the eye. In its acute form glaucoma is painful, but in all types it is the effect on sight through destruction of the optic nerve that represents its most important feature.
Two (2) forms of glaucoma are considered to be inherited in the dog: open-angle glaucoma (very uncommon in the dog) & angle-closure glaucoma. The latter form is considered to be inherited in the Welsh Springer Spaniel. In angle~closure glaucoma Goniodysgenesis ~ characterized by non differentiation of the Pectinate Ligament & a narrowed drainage angle ~ predisposes the patient to acute onset of the disease, usually in middle-age.
THE ONSET OF GLAUCOMA IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE?
Realistically, treatment is often unrewarding but if the pressure can be kept within normal limits, the progression of the condition may be halted for considerable periods. Medical treatment, in the form of eye drops applied daily, is usually the 1st choice but surgical procedures are also available. These procedures are aimed at increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye, but there may be complications which require further surgery. Research continues into appropriate & successful methods of controlling this distressing condition.
IS GLAUCOMA INHERITED?
CAN MY WELSHIE BE TESTED FOR THIS CONDITION?
The problem facing breeders & eye panellists is that we cannot at the moment predict with any certainty what degree of Goniodysgenesis places a dog at significant risk of developing clinical disease. The eye test allows only 2 categories ~ 'pass' or 'fail'. An objective method of assessing the angle is difficult & has led to apparent inconsistencies. The object of the investigations under way is to arrive at a practical consistent method of diagnosis & to be able to give rational breeding advice.
To put this into perspective there are very few known cases of Glaucoma currently in the Welsh Springer Spaniel, & it is very easy to have your dog tested for the condition as early as 6 months of age, when, if the animal is found to be pre~disposed, a decision can be made to breed or not to breed from it, which may help to reduce the incidence of the condition in the breed. It should be pointed out here that the pre-disposition DOES NOT MEAN that your dog will develop Glaucoma, in fact it really is quite unlikely bearing in mind the numbers currently known in the breed. However, it is known that pre~disposed animals may pass the condition on to their pups.
NB: A 'PASS' DOES NOT MEAN YOUR DOG WILL NOT DEVELOP GLAUCOMA
ANATOMY OF THE EYE & THE DRAINAGE ANGLE:
The drainage angle (or iridocorneal angle) is formed by the iris & cornea. Aqueous (the fluid inside the eye) is produced at a constant rate, & in a healthy eye drains out through this angle into the veins around the eye. In the normal eye, production & drainage of fluid occur at the same rate, keeping a constant pressure inside the eye. In the dog, abnormality of the pectinate ligament (which spans the angle) can lead to impaired drainage. This leads to an increase in pressure, as aqueous continues to be formed at the same rate. This abnormality can be detected by looking at the drainage angle through a goniolens, and is termed Goniodysgenesis.
(Beverly Cottrell 2010)
~ EPILEPSY ~
For further information ~ Canine Epilepsy Research
WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
WHAT CAUSES EPILEPSY?
- SECONDARY EPILEPSY: This describes those cases where a cause such as trauma, brain tumour, liver disease etc. is diagnosed.
- PRIMARY EPILEPSY: In cases where no apparent cause is found then the term ‘idiopathic’ or primary epilepsy is used. In these cases the dog’s genetic make-up is such that they have spontaneous seizures. In Primary Epilepsy, the ‘faulty’ copy of the gene must be inherited from the father & mother.
Control of fitting is by the use of drugs e.g. One commonly used is pheno~barbitone. The vet will endeavour to find a dose that will control the fitting but enable the dog to live a normal life.
HOW DO I ENSURE THE PUPPY I BUY WILL NOT 'FIT'?
Unfortunately ~ this is not possible at the moment. Primary Epilepsy is thought to be an inherited condition caused by a recessive gene or genes. At present there is no conclusive test for the presence of this gene or genes in individual dogs.
WHAT IF MY DOG STARTS TO FIT?
THE DOG WILL NOT SWALLOW ITS TONGUE, SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM ITS MOUTH.![]() ![]() Without a doubt, this is the most distressing time for the owner, as a seizure can often be both frightening to watch & emotionally overwhelming. |
INVESTIGATION OF PRIMARY EPILEPSY IN THE WSS:
BREED GUIDELINES:
For further information ~ Canine Epilepsy
~ HIP DYSPLASIA ~
WHAT IS IT?
For further information ~ Hip Dysplasia fact sheet (PDF)
WHAT CAUSES HIP DYSPLASIA?
- Feeding a correct diet that allows the puppy to grow at a steady pace. The puppy or dog should not be allowed to get fat. If a puppy is excessively heavy at a young age, it can lead to overloading of the soft cartilage of the developing joint & resulting deformation.
- Over exercise of dogs with unstable joints will exacerbate any wear & tear of the hips. Exercise should be restricted in young dogs, particularly those with hip problems.
- Floor surfaces should not be slippery, & puppies should not be allowed to climb stairs or steps.
IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?
There are many courses of action that your Veterinary Surgeon may take. Almost certainly, he or she will take an X~Ray of the hips to ascertain the degree of dysplasia in each hip (It may not be equal).
WHAT IF I SUSPECT MY DOG HAS HIP DYSPLASIA?
Contact your Veterinary Surgeon & the breeder of your puppy for advice & support.
- NORMAL HIP JOINT ~ (Picture ~ left) Showing smooth, rounded hip joint. Socket here is very shallow with more than 50% of the head of the & severe luxation is apparent. Thigh bone fitting inside the hip socket. This hip would score very well. Perfect hips would score 0/0.
- SEVERE HIP DYSPLASIA ~ (Picture ~ right) Socket here is very shallow & severe luxation is apparent. This hip would score a very high figure result ~ which is NOT good.
HOW DO I ENSURE THE PUPPY I BUY DOES NOT HAVE HIP DYSPLASIA?
WHAT ABOUT ROUTINE HIP X-RAYING?
Australian Veterinary Association practitioners can X Ray & 'hip score' dogs reliably ~ 18 months is a good time to do this. Each hip is scored under 9 predetermined criteria. An excellent pair of hips would score 0/0, and the worst possible score is 53/53 (total 106).
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