Health Boykin Spaniel

a boykin spaniel adapted various weather conditions.

according statistics developed , maintained orthopedic foundation animals (ofa) since 1985, adult boykin spaniels have alarmingly high incidence rate (> 30%) of hip dysplasia, although rate declining in past 7 years due emphasis placed boykin spaniel foundation. canine hip dysplasia (chd) considered scientists both hereditary , acquired (due diet, strenuous exercise, spay/neuter.)

the breed has susceptibility toward inherited heart disease, eye disease , patella luxation. skin , coat problems exist , may linked thyroid or endocrine disorders; most, however, due mites , other vermin acquired puppies when raised in unsanitary conditions. elbow dysplasia, cushings disease , hypothyroidism known in breed.

in 2010 exercise induced collapse (eic) positively identified in breed university of minnesota s veterinary diagnostics laboratory. in 2013, boykin spaniel foundation in conjunction cornell university s optigen laboratory did random sampling of 180+ adult boykin spaniels collie eye anomaly, inherited disease of eye causes malformation of eye components , impaired vision, including partial-to-full blindness. year later, boykin spaniel foundation did 180-dog random sample degenerative myelopathy, inheritable disease causes adult dogs develop gradual, fatal deterioration of spinal cord , results in death when afflicted dogs middle age. dna testing of these 3 autosomal recessive diseases can absolutely identify genetic carriers (one copy of gene) , at-risk (2 copies of gene) individuals.

before being used breeding dogs should tested hips, hereditary eye disease, , heart/cardiac (specifically pulmunary stenosis), hereditary patella luxation, , hereditary eic, dm , cea. eye examinations should done annually.