If the hip joints are not developing normally as the puppy is growing, the result may be a painful health problem for your Cockapoo known as hip dysplasia. This is another condition that may affect both the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, which means their cute Cockapoo offspring could inherit the issue as well.
Pain, limping, stiffness or unwillingness to go for walks are the usual signs to watch out for. Pain relief and carefully-planned exercise routines can be of great help in alleviating some of these symptoms. But in more severe cases surgery may be recommended.
Ear problems
The Cockapoo鈥檚 floppy Cocker Spaniel ears offer a clue to another common Cockapoo health issue - ear infections. These are often the result of bacteria or ear mites reaching the ear and multiplying causing all sorts of problems for our canine friends. Owners can sometimes figure out there鈥檚 something wrong straight away as their pets will start shaking their head and try to scratch their ears to find relief from their discomfort.
Medication will be able to stop the infection, but a good way to prevent the Cockapoo鈥檚 ear problems is by regularly cleaning their ears, and it鈥檚 best to follow your vet鈥檚 instructions on how to do this effectively and safely.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is the name of a condition that leads to sight loss due to the deterioration of the cells that make up 聽the retina. This is an inherited disease and unfortunately Cocker Spaniels seem prone to it which, in turn means this condition can be a Cockapoo health problem as well.
Unfortunately, this condition can lead to blindness, although blind dogs can cope very well as long as they鈥檙e not in pain.
Cataracts
Another vision problem that might affect Cockapoos due to their genetics are cataracts. The unusual cloudiness of the eye associated with cataracts gets worse over time, with vision becoming less and less clear until eventually it is completely lost.
Cataracts can be removed through surgery, but the vet will usually evaluate how well the dog is coping with the partial loss of sight before recommending this step.
Glaucoma
A common Cockapoo health issue is glaucoma. This is caused by pressure in the eye as a result of fluid accumulating and being unable to drain due to a blockage. The retina and even the optic nerve can get damaged in the process, eventually leading to blindness if left untreated.
In order to stop the pressure from building up, emergency surgery should be expected in severe cases of glaucoma, with on-going treatment being prescribed to keep the pressure under control. Owners should also expect regular visits to the vet for eye examinations to make sure the condition doesn鈥檛 get worse over time.
Allergies