It is a disease of the nervous system that affects young adult dogs. Symptoms include lack of coordination, loss of learned behaviour, deafness, visual impairment and depression. It worsens over a period of several months. There is no effective treatment. Blood tests can identify carriers.
Affected dogs have to be fed from a raised bowl.
It is seen more in the springer than in any other breed. There are some eye diseases that are common to the ESS, which they may be born with or may develop. A good breeder will have their breeding stock checked every year and dogs which have any eye disorders are not bred from. If you are buying an ESS puppy, ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested within the last year. A result of 'normal' is what you want to see, this means that the parents are free from any hereditary diseases.