Canine Medicine and Genetics · 5 authors, 3 centres
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This large UK study found that English Cocker Spaniels have significantly higher odds of ear disorders (especially aural discharge, OR 14.66) and ocular disorders (especially keratoconjunctivitis sicca, OR 7.64) compared to other dogs, while being protected from hypersensitivity disorders like atopic dermatitis and allergy (OR 0.14). These findings can help owners and veterinarians monitor breed-specific health issues and guide breeding priorities.
**Background:** The English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) is a popular breed in the UK, but comprehensive data on disorder predispositions and protections are lacking. This study used anonymized electronic patient records from the VetCompass™ Programme to compare disorder risk between ECS and non-ECS dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016, controlling for confounders such as age, sex, bodyweight, insurance status, and veterinary practice group.
**Methods:** A retrospective cohort design included random samples of 2510 ECS (24.3% of 10,313) and 7813 non-ECS (2.39% of 326,552). Data were extracted from clinical notes for all disorders diagnosed in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for 43 fine-level and 33 group-level disorders, adjusting for age, bodyweight relative to breed-sex mean, insurance status, sex-neuter status, and practice group.
**Key Results:** ECS had 1.12 times the odds of having at least one disorder compared to non-ECS (95% CI 1.02–1.25, P=0.023). At fine-level precision, ECS showed significantly increased odds for 21/43 (48.84%) disorders and reduced odds for 11/43 (25.58%). The highest odds were for aural discharge (OR 14.66, 95% CI 7.73–30.80, P<0.001), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (OR 7.64, 95% CI 4.33–14.14, P<0.001), and musculoskeletal pain (OR 7.06, 95% CI 3.74–14.08, P<0.001). Other predispositions included subcutaneous mass (OR 4.92), ear disorder (OR 3.59), hair coat disorder (OR 2.86), post-operative complication (OR 2.64), mammary mass (OR 2.60), foreign body (OR 2.60), papilloma (OR 2.27), ocular discharge (OR 2.03), cataract (OR 1.90), periodontal disease (OR 1.89), anal sac impaction (OR 1.82), aggression (OR 1.80), dental disease (OR 1.59), conjunctivitis (OR 1.49), diarrhoea (OR 1.43), obesity (OR 1.41), otitis externa (OR 1.40), and skin mass (OR 1.38). The lowest odds were for atopic dermatitis (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05–0.31, P<0.001), allergy (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06–0.28, P<0.001), alopecia (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.67, P=0.003), pododermatitis (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.19–0.59, P<0.001), osteoarthritis (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22–0.59, P<0.001), and patellar luxation (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26–0.82, P=0.012). At group-level, ECS had increased odds for 13/33 (39.39%) disorders, highest for oral cavity disorder (OR 5.04), foreign body (OR 2.60), and complications of clinical care (OR 2.26); reduced odds were seen for claw/nail disorders (OR 0.43), incontinence (OR 0.44), hernia (OR 0.52), and skin disorders (OR 0.70).
**Clinical Implications:** The strong predisposition to ear and ocular disorders (especially aural discharge and keratoconjunctivitis sicca) highlights the need for vigilant monitoring by owners and veterinarians. The protection from hypersensitivity disorders suggests different underlying mechanisms for otitis externa in ECS compared to other breeds. The high odds of periodontal disease (OR 1.89, prevalence 20.12%) emphasize the importance of dental care. These findings can guide breeding organizations to prioritize health reforms, improve early diagnosis, and enhance prognosis for ECS.