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Irish Setter Health Issues:  
Recommended Injection Schedule          The Vaccination Debate

Fear not...Well-bred, well trained Irish Setters are active, loving, intelligent and generally healthy animals.  With an average life expectancy of 13 to 15 years, Irish Setters, in general, should not be considered to be a sickly breed. Because it says, below, that the breed is prone to an ailment does not mean you are likely see it in your dog. It is just a "word to the wise" to keep a look out for it.  Talk to your veterinarian, as there are tests for a number of these ailments.  And, here at Dancin' Setters Kennel, the breeding and training program is continually aimed at minimizing, or eliminating, the specific genetic or behavioral health issues that are traditionally associated with Irish Setters: 

This breed is susceptible to bloat and other digestive problems.  It may be wise to feed 2 or 3 small meals a day instead of one big one. Believe it or not, it may be helpful to place several large, clean, round stones in their bowls to slow down this breed that tends to gulp their food. Another option is to go to a more natural diet of whole foods, as opposed to store-bought "chows".  This is such an important health issue that you should CLICK HERE for a separate page of information, research findings and links on bloat.

The Irish Setter is prone to epilepsy and severe skin allergies.  They may also suffer from eye problems and elbow & hip dysplasia (malformed, flattened, socket of joint). Also prone to PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy, equiv. to Retinitus Pigmentosa in humans), auto-immune disease and hypothyroidism. The ears should be watched for ear inflammation. Catching an inflammation early is better than having to perform an ear operation for otitis.  Bitches of any breed can be afflicted with Pyometra, which can be confused with a bladder infection but is much more serious.  See, also, Von Willebrand's Disease which is a bleeding disease that is caused by a different genetic mutation from that which causes hemophilia.  This disease occurs in humans also, but is genetic and can't be "caught" from a pet.

Other bone related ailments that may affect the Irish Setter include Hypertrophic Osteo-Dystrophy or HOD and Panosteitis.  The latter condition, though it is painful for the dog, is generally self-limiting, but HOD can be fatal.

Other Health and Dog Info. Links:

Visit the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
The Online Merck Veterinary Manual      Animal Health & Disease Resources at NetVet    Canis Major Dog Owner's Guide Site Index
Alphabetical Index of Animal Health Information at Vetinfo.com         ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center       Animal CPR 

Dog/Puppy Evaluation:

The PAWS© Working Dog Evaluation                      Puppy Aptitude Test              

Misc. Dog Info. Links:

Man's Best Friend - Rescue

The Legend of Rainbow Bridge