There are many different health issues that can affect your specific breed of dog. The best way to treat your dog’s potential health issues and avoid any unnecessary discomfort and pain is to research their breed and look out for common symptoms. Many of these health issues will come with age, and that’s okay, but even then, there are options to keep your dog comfortable.
Keep reading to learn what health issues can affect your cockapoo and what to look out for.
The 7 Most Common Cockapoo Health Issues
1. Joint Problems
Luxating Patella
The cockapoo can have issues with its bones, muscles, and joints. There are a couple of areas in the body where these issues are more common. One condition is called luxating patella, which is when a dog’s kneecap moves out of its original position in the joint. This can result in damage through tearing and inflammation. This is a big issue with cockapoos as the kneecap will sometimes completely pop out and is painful for your dog.
Hip Dysplasia
An additional joint problem that is common in cockapoos is hip dysplasia. This is a highly concerning joint issue in cockapoos as it can affect the cockapoo’s natural growth over time. In most cases, hip dysplasia can only be remedied through surgery. It can be avoided by promoting good joint health in cockapoos through breeding and attention to a healthy lifestyle.
- Injury or trauma
- Poor breeding practices
- Limping or skipping
- Sitting abnormally
- Walking slower
- Visible signs of discomfort
2. Ear Problems
Cockapoos are known to have issues with their ears due to their floppy nature. This makes them more susceptible to getting ear infections and may need extra attention in comparison to other dog breeds. While this occurs a lot across all dog breeds due to allergies or infections, the cockapoo is more likely to have ear issues as their floppy ears restrict airflow to their ear canal. These types of problems can be avoided with regular ear cleaning.
- Allergies
- Infection
- Itchiness
- Redness around the ears
- Discharge
3. Eye Problems
Cockapoos can have many different issues with their eyes, and this may be one of the top health concerns to look out for. A condition called Progressive Retinal Atrophy (or PRA) can affect the cockapoo’s ability to see. It affects the retina by deteriorating over time and eventually leads to vision loss.
Additional health issues that affect cockapoos eyes are cataracts and glaucoma. They are both common and related to their genetics and makeup. Cataracts can be recognized by cloudiness in a dog’s eyes and usually gets worse over time. Glaucoma is damage to the retina and other parts of the eye resulting from pressure and fluid buildup in the eyes.
- Genetics
- Aging
- Cloudiness in eyes
- Vision loss
4. Skin Issues
This breed will commonly have issues with their skin due to their thick coats, including irritation, redness, and itchiness. They can get hot spots because of a reaction to something they are in contact with when outdoors or caught from other dogs. You will notice that cockapoos can have issues with their skin throughout their whole body. In relation to their eye and ear health issues, the skin around these areas can also become irritated.
- Allergic reaction
- Fleas or ticks
- Sensitivity to outside factors
- Itchiness
- Redness and swelling
- Scabbing from scratching
5. Dental Problems
Like many other dog breeds, cockapoos can encounter dental health issues caused by many different factors. Sometimes a build-up of plaque or eating kibble that doesn’t agree with your dog can result in dental issues. Teeth can sometimes break or become infected, and gums might get swollen or deteriorate in your dog’s mouth. These things can be avoided through regular brushing, choosing the right food for your dog, and giving them suitable chew toys.
- Bad diet
- Bacterial infection
- Not enough brushing
- Bad breath
- Bleeding or sore gums
- Drooling
6. Allergies
Cockapoos are very sensitive when it comes to their skin. It’s important to recognize any foods or outside factors that can irritate their skin, ears, nose, mouths, and more. This can be learned over time while you groom and feed your dog. Keep an eye out for things that make your dog react negatively like vomiting after meals or scratching at one spot after being outside. These allergic reactions can generally be resolved with shampoos or medications and a switch in diet. Your veterinarian will be able to address these concerns effectively.
- Allergies to food
- Irritation from plants or grasses
- Fleas and ticks
- Scratching
- Irritation or redness
- Digestive issues
7. Metabolic Issues
Cockapoos are a mixed breed between cocker spaniels and poodles, which can help you understand the health issues of your dog as they arise. The cockapoo can also inherit a genetic disorder common in these parent breeds that lowers its metabolism. This results in your dog having deficiencies in different healthy enzymes and nutrients that keep their bodies healthy and happy. A lower metabolism in cockapoos can result in low iron levels and deficiencies in oxygen in red blood cells.
- Genetics
- Age
- Low levels of energy
- Blood tests resulting in low levels of iron
In Conclusion
Your cockapoo might have a lengthy list of health issues, but as you may notice after reading is that they can all be avoided or easily treated. With the title of pet ownership comes the task of keeping your dog happy and healthy from puppyhood to adulthood through a good diet, healthy amounts of exercise, and a lot of love and attention. Keeping up with the common potential health concerns of your dog’s breed is a great first step.
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Featured Image Credit: MT.PHOTOSTOCK, Shutterstock
