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The following health problems
have been identified by IWSCA members over the past 15 years. Some of
these health problems occur only rarely. The genetic contribution to some
of these problems is strong; for others, it is unproven and thus debatable.
Environment plays a strong role in the dogs' health, too. None of the
problems listed below are unique to Irish Water Spaniels.
Adverse, life-threatening
reactions to drugs:
Ivermectin
Sulfa Drugs
Note: Many owners alert their vets and place
BOLD RED NOTICES on all health charts NOT
to use these drugs on their IWSs. Owners must also be alert for
prescriptions that may be written in error. The following are based on
Potentiated Sulphonomides for veterinary use:
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Co-trimoxazole Sulphamethoxazole
TrimethroprimTribrissen/Di Trim
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Delvoprim
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Dulphatrim Sulphadiazine
Trimethroprim
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Norodine
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Scoprin
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Borgal Sulphadioaxine
Trimethroprim
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Zaquilan Sulphadimethoxine
Baquiloprim
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NB Septrim and Bactrim
are brand names for Co-trimoxazole
Adverse, Life-Threatening Reactions to Vaccines
Especially the
leptospirosis component.
Alopecia: hair loss; due to many different conditions.
Bloody tail tip: sometimes a problem due to rat tail.
Cancer: has an immune component, see below
Ear infections and excessive ear wax: related to the artificial, droopy
ear shape
Entropion: the condition where the eyelid turns inward and the lashes can
scratch the cornea; visible to the naked eye.
Hip dysplasia: x-ray, OFA or PennHip
Hypothyroidism: low thyroid production; can be checked with a blood test,
reliability debated; often autoimmune in nature
Immune dysfunction: due to many different conditions, including
stress.
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Allergies: skin or diet
test
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Autoimmunity: some
blood tests available
-
Immune deficiency:
some blood tests available
Megaesophagus: condition where the esophageal muscles weaken and
the esophagus becomes enlarged; congenital or secondary to other diseases
Nail bed disease: also called paronychia; cause is unknown
Seizures: can be due to many different conditions
Temperament problems: due to many different conditions
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Aggression: fairly
rare
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Spookiness
Rumored diseases that have NOT been
conclusively identified in Irish Water Spaniels to date include:
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Progressive
Retinal Atrophy (a disease of the inner eye)
-
Sebaceous Adenitis (a skin
disease)
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Willebrand's Disease (a blood clotting disorder).
Canine DNA Research on Epilepsy
The IWSCA has entered a study on Epilepsy being done by a consortium of
researchers at the University of Missouri, the University of Minnesota, Ohio
State University, and the Animal Trust of England. This study will allow our
small group of breeders and our club's limited funds to support research that
will focus on Irish Water Spaniels. Blood samples are being sent to Dr. Gary
Johnson at the University of Missouri. These samples will allow
researchers to continue discovering and mapping the genes controlling certain
traits in our breed.
The goals of DNA
researchers working on canine epilepsy are:
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to identify the gene or genes
responsible for the various forms of canine epilepsy;
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to characterize the
responsible mutations within the epilepsy genes; and,
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to devise and validate
DNA marker assays that can detect the epilepsy-causing mutations.
These
DNA marker assays should enable breeders to produce epilepsy-free puppies.
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