Midland English Setter Society

Atopic Eczema

This shows itself as an intense itching and redness of the skin, often on the paws or inside the ears. The dog (or its' canine companions) will lick, scratch or nibble the affected areas, which will then provide the warm soggy conditions where infection thrives. The situation can escalate very quickly if not treated. Sadly there is no cure, but steroids prescribed by a vet can help. Medication is usually long-term. The emphasis has to be on keeping the skin intact (as then a barrier to infection is maintained), and on reducing the inflammation. Breaks in the skin can cause problems with yeast and bacterial infection. Use mild shampoo for cleaning the dog, and avoid exposure to strong chemicals (floor and carpet cleaners, biological washing powder etc.) It is advisable not to breed from infected animals, as there is a strong inherited tendency to suffer from this condition.

Deafness in English Setters is believed to be uncommon, though a unilaterally deaf dog will appear to hear normally. The recently available BAER test used to detect deafness is brief and painless, and will provide a definite diagnosis. Some litters are now screened at an early age, before they go to their new homes.

Deafness can take two forms - unilateral or bilateral. A pup that is bilaterally deaf will often not react normally to stimuli, and will be very difficult to train (with all the problems for both dog and owner that this can involve). With a great deal of patience some deaf dogs can be taught to respond to hand signals, but this really is a job for the very dedicated! Deafness is inherited, but the mode of inheritance is not straightforward.

Unilateral deafness also occurs - the dog can often respond apparently normally, but can pass the defect on to it's offspring. 

Hip Dysplasia (HD) occurs when hip joint is not formed correctly. In the perfect hip the head of the femur fits precisely into the socket, and the joint works efficiently. In a dog with HD the fit is less exact. As the dog gets older wear and tear will occur and the joint will wear unevenly, leading to arthritis and pain.

HD can be assessed - the KC and the BVA have worked out a scoring system that is now in general use in the UK. Dogs can be assessed from the age of one year (before then the joints are still developing.) The dog is anaesthetised and an X-ray is taken. The plate is then sent off to a panel of adjudicators, who give a score based on measurements taken of various parts of the joint. A dog with perfect hips would have a score of 0:0, total 0 (one measurement for each side). The score can be as high as 53 each side (53:53 =106), Breed averages are then worked out - English Setters have an average score of 18 as at November 2007. A total score of less than 18 would therefore be better than average. Scores are published quarterly in the Kennel Club's Breed Supplement, and also in the ESA magazine.

Breeders have to take many factors into account when planning a litter, and hip scores are only one of these. Breed type, temperament and other health factors must also be considered when choosing a sire or dam. However, lower-scoring parents from a lower-scoring line will have a tendency to produce lower scoring offspring. Again, this condition is influenced by many factors, and the genetic makeup of the dog is only one of these. Correct nutrition, careful exercise and chance all play their part.

Further information on the KC/BVA scheme is available here

Bloat is otherwise known as gastric torsion. It's exact cause is unknown, but it is a very serious condition. and skilled veterinary help should be called immediately if the dog is to be saved. The main symptom is the dog's stomach swelling up, caused by trapped gasses. An operation is required urgently to relieve this. If untreated the stomach can quickly twist, trapping the gas and also causing kinks in blood vessels. This stops the blood flow to the gut, and tissues then die very quickly. Shock is a major killer in a situation such as this, and even dogs that appear to be recovering can later die of shock. Fortunately bloat is relatively rare in English Setters. It can be avoided by keeping your dog quiet for an hour or two after feeds, so digestion can occur normally. Always ensure fresh water is freely available, especially if feeding dry food. Introduce changes of food gradually over a week or so, and be aware that bloat is a strong possibility if your dog's stomach looks distended. Do not delay getting veterinary attention for this condition.

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MESS offer the information on this website in good faith. However, neither the Society or it's committee can be held responsible for any errors or omissions.     Page last updated 16 December 2007