Common Ailments in English Pointers

English pointers have even tempers and calm dispositions. Although originally bred for hunting, they are good with children and make excellent family pets. Due to many years of controlled breeding, they have fewer genetic problems than some breeds, but there are a few. They also may suffer from the same common ailments that plague all dogs.

  1. Avoided by Immunization

    • Avoid several common and contagious ailments with regular immunizations. These include coronavirus, distemper, heartworm, Lyme disease, rabies and parvovirus. Most veterinarians recommend early and periodic vaccination to protect against all of these.

    Allergies

    • An English pointer may inherit the tendency to suffer from allergies. Your dog will scratch or bite to relieve the itching from food allergies. Allergies may also cause recurring ear infections. Work with your vet to determine and eliminate the cause.

    Parasites

    • Intestinal parasites or fleas can infest any dog. Fleas cause obvious itching. Symptoms of roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms include vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Your veterinarian can provide simple remedies for any of these.

    Hip Dysplasia

    • Hip dysplasia, a genetic condition, occurs when the thighbone does not fit the hip socket properly. Over time, this creates stress on the joint, often crippling the dog. Normally you will not notice symptoms until middle age. Your English pointer will begin to rise stiffly and hesitate to take the first steps. He may also begin to avoid normal exercise and play. According to Kansas State University, several possible treatments range from medications that control inflammation and pain to surgery. Control the dog's weight to ease symptoms.

    Prolapse of the Nictitans Gland (Cherry Eye)

    • In dogs, a third eyelid slides over the eye surface as a shield. Cherry eye happens when the tear gland of the third eyelid moves out of its normal position. The eye may become dry and develop a thick yellow discharge. Cherry eye is painful for the dog and can cause loss of sight over time. Veterinary Partner states that the best solution is to surgically restore the gland to its proper position. This procedure may cause complications, so they recommend seeing a specialist.

    Epilepsy

    • When idiopathic epilepsy occurs with no obvious cause, it is assumed that the dog inherited the condition. Seizures can be very mild and possibly overlooked, or they can be grand mal seizures with thrashing, drooling and/or loss of consciousness. Your veterinarian will treat the dog with one or more medications to control the seizures. Pet Education advises that the most common medication used is phenobarbital. Often an epileptic dog can live a long and comfortable life on these medications.