Sussex Spaniel Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Start your Sussex Spaniel off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early.
Jump down to this list of
Sussex Spaniel Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Sussex Spaniel puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Sussex 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 Sussex Spaniel are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex Spaniel health problems
This breed is deliberately bred to have a deformed build – short legs, long back, wrinkled folds of skin, all of which are associated with health problems.
The rates of hip dysplasia (nearly 40%) and elbow dysplasia (over 20%) are terrible. Luxating patella (loose knee joints) also occurs in Sussex Spaniels, along with intervertebral disk disease. All of these orthopedic problems cause chronic pain and lameness and lead to arthritis.
The most serious health problem in Sussex Spaniels is heart disease – especially tetralogy of fallot, which kills Sussex puppies before weaning. Other heart diseases in the Sussex are cardiomyopathy, patent ductus arteriosus, and pulmonic stenosis.
Eye diseases in Sussex Spaniels include cataracts, retinal dysplasia, eyelash abnormalities, eyelid abnormalities (entropion and ectropion), and occasionally progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Skin problems and ear infections are common. Chronic allergies cause itchy skin and scratching, which can lead to bacterial infections.
An inherited metabolic/neuromuscular disorder in Sussex Spaniels has a tongue-twisting official name (pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate deficiency) but is usually, mercifully, shortened to PDP1. Affected dogs may suffer episodes of sudden collapse during exercise, brought on by severe metabolic acidosis.
Hypothyroidism and bloat also occur in Sussex Spaniels.
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 Sussex Spaniel in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website
Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.