Irish Water Spaniel Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Irish Water Spaniel Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Irish Water Spaniel puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Irish Water Spaniel lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Irish Water Spaniel are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Irish Water Spaniel will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Irish Water Spaniel puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Irish Water Spaniel be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Irish Water Spaniel? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Water Spaniel suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Irish Water Spaniel health problems
The most serious orthopedic diseases in this breed are elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia.
In most breeds, hip dysplasia is the more common of the two, but the reverse is true in Irish Water Spaniels, at least according to the statistics.
The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the elbow X-rays of 600 Irish Water Spaniels and found 16% dysplastic. Of 1500 hip X-rays, 12% were dysplastic. Neither rate is good.
Irish Water Spaniels can have malformations of their eyelashes and eyelids that irritate the eyeball and can lead to corneal ulcers. Also cataracts that can lead to blindness.
The skin and coat are problematic in many Irish Water Spaniels. Chronic allergies cause itching and scratching that can lead to skin infections (hot spots). Follicular dysplasia causes hair loss. Ear infections are common. Irish Water Spaniels are also susceptible to a severe infection under their toenails.
Epilepsy is a serious concern in Irish Water Spaniels. Also reported are heart and thyroid diseases.
A fairly common injury in this breed is a damaged tail. Because it's so slender and hairless, it can split open when wagged against a hard object, or when chewed, or chapped in cold weather.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Irish Water Spaniel in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website