Most Common Health Problems In Golden Retrievers
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It shouldnt be surprising that the golden retriever is one of Americas most loved dog breeds. They are loyal, friendly, intelligent, and very devoted dogs, but just like any other dog breed, they are prone to certain diseases. Today, Ill take you through the golden retriever health issues you should know about.
As a loving pet parent, you know your retriever deserves the best care. Knowing about these issues, and how to help resolve them, in advance is just one of the ways to provide it.
You may have seen one or two of these conditions mentioned somewhere or thrown into a discussion, but today you have a chance to know all the diseases and disorders your golden is most prone to. This list is based on observations, years of research, and recurrent studies.
Lets begin, shall we?
Eyes Issues: Entropion Cataracts Pigmentary Uveitis And Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Entropion
Treatment includes antibiotics and monitoring for mild conditions to surgery for more severe cases that involve corneal damage. Often plastic surgery is performed on adult dogs to reshape the eyelids, and the procedure is called a blepharoplasty.
Costs range from $300 to $1500 depending on whether a general veterinarian or surgeon performs the procedure.
Cataracts
Treatment options for cataracts often include surgery to dissolve or remove the lens. Recently, sound waves to dissolve the cataract has become the preferred course of treatment. The procedure is called phacoemulsification and is much less evasive.
An artificial lens can then be placed within the eye after lens removal to ensure the dog can focus properly. Treatment costs for cataracts are about $1500 to $5000 per eye if surgery includes a lens replacement.
Pigmentary Uveitis
Treatments for Golden Retriever Uveitis include topical or antiinflammatory medications. Secondary glaucoma is treated with medications to control ocular hypertension.
If caught early then, daily eye drops may be all that is required. If detected later, then the disease may progress to vision loss, and treatments are more extensive. Ongoing, regular exams by a veterinarian ophthalmologist are required for Golden Retrievers with this condition. Laser surgery may also be required for late-stage or severe glaucoma due to the pain it causes your dog.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Golden Retriever Stomach Problems
Large dogs can often fall victim to a condition called bloat. This is a problem that happens with dogs with deep and narrow chests that get a twist in their intestines. This leads to a blockage and can actually cause intestine tissue death. Dogs with severe bloat sometimes cannot be saved.
- Bloat Symptoms:
Dogs with bloat will actually look exactly like the name suggests. They might also vomit, pant, and get up and down repeatedly. Some dogs will actually be very listless and clearly uncomfortable without symptoms of swelling that are visible on the outside of their body.
- Bloat Prevention & Treatment:
Bloat can only be treated with surgery in most cases. During this procedure, your dogs stomach and intestines will be tacked to the side of their body wall so that they cannot twist again. Any dead intestinal tissue will need to be removed. This surgery can be quite complicated, and it is high risk.
Many cases of bloat are not connected with anything and are entirely unpredictable. In some cases, you can reduce your dogs carbohydrates to prevent gas which can lead to bloat. You might also want to be careful about the timing of your dogs meals as well and break them up into smaller meals throughout the day. One large meal a day can lead to bloat in a lot of dogs.
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What Are Golden Retrievers Allergic To
Not only can golden retrievers cause allergy symptoms, but they are prone to suffering from allergies as well. Goldens are especially susceptible to allergens related to skin and food.
Skin allergies in this breed are mostly caused by environmental factors such as dust and pollen, genetics, and food intolerances. Canine atopic dermatitis, a.k.a. Canine AD or CAD, is a common skin disease in goldens caused by allergies. It has no cure yet but there are several long-term treatment options available.
As is the case with other dogs, food allergies in goldens are mostly caused by animal proteins, specifically beef and chicken however, some retrievers could be triggered by other foods such as eggs, milk, and corn.
Common Health Problems In Golden Retrievers
Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions.
Golden Retrievers are amongst a group of breeds classed as Category Two by The Kennel Club. These are breeds of dog that have been highlighted as having points of concern visible features which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future and cause health and welfare concerns. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight.
Some of the conditions Golden Retrievers are more prone to developing include:
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Nutritional Tips For A Golden Retriever
Starting a Golden Retriever on a joint supplement early in life can help slow down or possibly prevent arthritis. Movoflex, Synovi Chews, Dasuquin, Cosequin, and Flexadin are some examples of joint supplements that have gone through clinical trials and are proven to be effective.
Another supplement to consider for a Golden Retriever is an omega-3 fatty acid supplement . This supplement helps to reduce inflammation in the joints, makes the coat more lustrous, and protects the skin barrier from allergens in the environment. Some good fish oil supplements are Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet, Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Nutramax Welactin Omega 3.
Behaviour Issues Of Border Collie And Golden Retriever
The Golden Retrievers are considered as one of the less sensitive canines. Meanwhile, the Border Collie does not really want to be punished. Their emotional state is a reflection of the behavior of their owners.
Both the Golden Retriever and Border Collie require a lot of interpersonal contact. They yearn to be near people or with them all the time. Due to their strong bonds with their owners, these two breeds frequently experience separation anxiety when left alone at home.
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What Should I Feed My Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers should be fed a high-quality dog food thats appropriate for their age. Your veterinarian can offer recommendations and advise you on a healthy feeding schedule. Be careful not to overfeed your Golden Retriever. Use a measuring cup to make sure youre providing the right amount of kibble, and dont go overboard on treats, which can be high in calories.
Its important to help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy weight to avoid problems like joint pain, heart disease, and liver and kidney issues. Like other large breeds, theyre also prone to conditions like hip dysplasia and arthritis, which can become more painful if theyre carrying extra pounds.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment And Prevention
A veterinarian can identify hip dysplasia in your golden retriever through a pelvic radiograph, which helps identify where the hip socket is in relation to the femur. If its unaligned, the dog is typically diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
Unfortunately, hip dysplasia is irreversible. However, 76% of dysplastic dogs can live comfortably with the condition with the incorporation of exercise modifications, physical rehabilitation, and anti-inflammatory medications.1
Additionally, you may also be able to mitigate your any undue pain or common health problems by ensuring that your golden retriever maintains a healthy weight, which helps place less strain on his or her joints.
That said, if youre looking to cut back on your dogs calories without sacrificing nutrition, the Vetericyn® ALL-IN Dog Supplement can be a key ingredient in your retrievers diet. With formulas designed for the three stages of a dogs life, you can be sure that your golden retriever is getting the nutrients they need to support bone health and skeletal development.
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Common Golden Retriever Health Issues To Know About
Golden Retrievers are known for their intelligence and friendly demeanor.
The breed is a long-standing favorite in US households.
While generally healthy and hearty dogs, Goldens are susceptible to various health issues that, if allowed to progress, can cause severe suffering in the long run.
Common Golden Retriever health issues include cancer, von Willebrand Disease, bloat, hypothyroidism, cataracts, and hip and elbow dysplasia. In addition, Goldens are prone to various skin conditions, chest problems, and ear infections.
Using my experience as a veterinary doctor, Ive compiled the following list of common Golden Retriever health issues, their symptoms, how theyre diagnosed, and the best course of action.
Most Common Health Issues With English Golden Retrievers
We believe part of our job as breeders is not only to train and raise wonderful pups but also to prepare you for any possible issues that could come up. Part of that process is to prepare you in case a health problem arises. We have an incredibly detailed Nursery
Schedule where we have a strict schedule where our employees care for each puppy. Every puppy is also examined multiple times by veterinarian technicians and veterinarians to make sure there are no problems we can see with the pups.
On the other hand, there are many issues that can come up after the pup has arrived home. No honest breeder can tell you they can guarantee their puppy will have, for example, no diarrhea. Our puppies are not machines but animals and there is no way to predict what mother nature will throw at us. We do have a very good warranty to cover anything major like death, dysplasia, severe heart murmurs, etc Our warranty is the best of any breeder I know of. It covers more than just death and if you use TLC, NuVet and NuJoint with autoshipping, then your warranty extends to 4 years.
I do want to stress that we stand by our warranty. However, we cant guarantee against every possible health problem that comes up. The job of a good breeder is to breed health tested adults and sell to the best of their knowledge healthy pups. Each of our English Golden puppies are health tested before they go home, but as you know, no vet can see everything. There is always a chance something is missed.
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Common Golden Retriever Leg Problems
This condition is much more common in large dogs than in smaller dogs. In this condition, the kneecap is dislocated due to ligament damage or a malformation of the leg. This can eventually lead to pain, lack of stability in the legs, and breakdown of the joints.
- Luxating Patella Symptoms:
Originally, this condition would make itself known in small ways. Small skips or trips in the step or an unwillingness to run or jump on and off can be related to this issue. You might not realize that the leg is falling out of joint until the condition gets more serious. This condition often progresses slowly, but it can show immediate serious symptoms when a full tear of the ligaments in the leg occurs. Dogs who will not put any weight on the leg might have experienced this advanced change in their patella area due to this condition.
- Luxating Patella Prevention & Treatment:
The only effective treatment for this condition is surgery. This is a hard surgery to recover from, and some dogs do not make a full recovery. The best means of preventing this issue is to diagnose the condition early and then manage the activities that your dog is doing each day. When your dog is not straining their legs daily, they will be less likely to end up needing surgery.
Common Health Issues That Can Be Prevented With Vaccines And Maintenance
There are many health conditions that can impact Golden Retrievers that can be prevented with proper preventative care. Just like any breed of dog, you will want to make sure to keep your dog fully vaccinated to prevent diseases and conditions that vaccines have been developed for. Being able to spare your dog these common health issues is a blessing, and you will not have to break the bank to take care of this part of your dogs health care needs.
The most common diseases and conditions that you can prevent with vaccines are as follows:
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Grooming Of Border Collie And Golden Retriever
Both the Golden Retriever and the Border Collie have different coat lengths. With that, their grooming routines generally vary. For brushing the Golden Retrievers coat, a 2-3 times a week schedule is good enough for maintaining its health and preventing mats.
The Border Collie with medium-length fur does have similar brushing requirement. Perhaps, a shorter coat BC needs to have at least once a week brushing.
The bathing schedule for these two breeds is every 8-12 weeks. Both the Golden Retriever and Border Collie need a mild, conditioning shampoo. Fur matting will be less likely as a result.
These breeds should also go through the same grooming procedures, including dental and ear cleanings. Since they would probably have poor eye health, you should be cautious when it comes to their eyes.
Golden Retriever Care And Grooming
The breed has a double coat comprised of a thicker, water-repellent top coat and a soft undercoat to keep the dog cool in warmer months and warm in cooler months.
The only downside of the Golden Retriever is shedding youll find white balls of fluff everywhere!
Because they tend to shed throughout the year but particularly around the change of the season, it is recommended that owners spend at least 10 minutes per week brushing their Golden Retriever.
Besides regular brushing, they dont need much grooming, other than a bath once per month.
What do Golden Retrievers owners claim for the most?
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Golden Retriever Breed Facts
Golden Retrievers are actually a sporting dog. They were bred for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. In many ways, the Golden Retriever resembles the Labrador Retriever, which is another sporting and waterfowl breed. They are actually very similarly sized breeds and live approximately 10-13 years.
Golden Retrievers do have some differences with Labs. The most obvious difference is in their appearance. Golden Retrievers have a characteristically golden coat. Labs come in brown, black, or yellow colors. Golden Retrievers can also have either long or short costs. Golden Retrievers tend to be quieter than labs. Also, Golden Retrievers have a few more health issues.
Because they were bred as a sporting and hunting dog, Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercise. Without the stimulation they need, they can become destructive. If you want a couch potato dog, then the Golden Retriever may not be for you. However, if you enjoy swimming, playing catch, walking and running, and many other outside activities, you and your Golden Retriever will get along just fine.
How Much Exercise Do They Need
Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise to help them stay in shape. An active lifestyle can also help prevent stress, frustration, and boredom, which can result in bad behaviors like chewing up your favorite shoes or damaging the furniture.
Your veterinarian can tell you how much exercise is right for your dog, but a good rule of thumb for Golden Retrievers is to get them moving for at least 30 minutes two times a day. That should tire out your four-legged friend. If its too hot for a walk, you can take your Golden Retriever for a swim. These dogs were bred to fetch birds from the water and tend to enjoy a nice dip in a lake or pool.
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How Can I Help My Golden Retriever To Stay Healthy
There are many ways that you can help your Golden Retriever to be happy and healthy for their whole life. You will want to make sure that you are a well-educated owner who knows all about the various conditions that can impact your Golden Retrievers health. Educated owners are competent owners, and they notice things that might not be taken care of early by owners who are paying less attention.
Daily care like proper feeding and exercise, grooming, and attention can make a big difference in your Golden Retrievers overall health. You will want to make sure that you also take your dog in to see the vet frequently. Dogs that are monitored by a vet will be much more likely to be healthy than dogs that never see the vet.
Make sure that you and your vet talk about the common issues that your dog might struggle with due to their size and their breed. You will want to be sure that you know that you are feeding the right food to your dog and that you are giving them the right joint support as well. Vaccinations and proper flea and worm control are also critical to your pets health. When you think of all of these things every month, you will provide your dog with a quality life and the chance to be in the best health possible.