Musculoskeletal Disease In Golden Retrievers
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 11.6 percent of all deaths in Golden Retrievers.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Golden Retriever
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight.
Older Golden Retrievers are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs.
Just like people, Golden Retrievers can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful.
Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Golden Retrievers
One way that you can help improve your Golden Retriever`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Golden Retriever joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Golden Retriever to jump too much, even if they are a puppy.
Consider buying young Golden Retrievers a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground.
How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live All Questions Answered
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How long do golden retrievers live? 78 years? I dont think so. 48 years? No, lets leave that to elephants. 25 years? Well, thats a bit closer. Unfortunately, its lower than that.
One of the hardest things to accept about dogs is that they dont live as long as humans. Goldens are no exception to this sad reality.
While we may not want to face the fact that we will have to say goodbye to our dogs far too soon, it is helpful to understand what their life span averages are, issues that affect their life expectancy, and what we can do to extend our time together.
First, its important that you know your golden retrievers age so that you can act accordingly in helping them live longer. Heres how to go about it.
The Oldest Golden Retriever On Record
A Golden Retriever from Tennessee named August was born on the 24th of April in 2000. Today August, or Augie as she is affectionately called by her owners, turned 20 and is the oldest Golden Retriever on record.
Augie is a true success for rescue dogs, as this loved Golden Retriever was adopted by her current owners from Southern Nevadas Golden Retriever Rescue, at the age of 14, after she had already been adopted twice previously.
Like most aging Golden Retrievers, Augies faced as turned from yellow to a grey-white color. However, despite her age, which is the equivalent of 114 human years, Augie is still quite active.
At 14 she was diagnosed with kidney trouble but her diet of wet and dry Hills Prescription, along with some additional supplements for kidneys and joints, keeps her fit and healthy!
Meet Augie in this video:
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How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live Study
A study is being undertaken by the Morris Animal Foundation and just kicked off in 2015. This study is looking at a number of factors, from heavy metals found in water to the pets routine and even physical traits, to discover if there is any correlation between these factors and cancer.
The main goal, according to Veterinary News, is to create a comprehensive database of over 3,000 purebred Golden Retrievers. This database will then be used to assess whether there are any conditions and lifestyles that correlate with an occurrence of cancer.
Though the survey is far from over and will probably take another decade to complete, scientists are hopeful that they will discover the cause behind these beloved dogs rising cancer rate and quickly dropping lifespan. In the meantime, it is likely that Golden Retriever lifespans will continue to drop.
The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study
The GRLS is structured on a concept created by the Framingham Heart Study ), a long-term longitudinal study following a cohort of people to identify the important risk factors for heart disease that began in 1948. In 1972, the FHS recruited the children of the original participant cohort into a second cohort study, and in 2002 began following the third generation. The FHS is still contributing to scientific knowledge today with over 2500 separate publications of study results . The GRLS is a prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study of 3000 healthy Golden Retrievers enroled from six months to 2 years of age and followed throughout their lives in an effort to identify the incidence and important risk factors for cancer and other canine diseases. Participating owners and veterinarians provide informed consent prior to enrolment for purposes of biological sampling and medical record collections. A canine lifetime longitudinal cohort will provide a shorter time to the primary outcome of interest, cancer, compared with a human cohort study. The study anticipates reaching full enrolment of 3000 dogs by March 2015.
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Golden Retriever Health Issues
Golden Retrievers are usually healthy dogs that live for 1012 years. However, due to poor breeding, some Golden Retrievers may have allergies, heart disease, eye issues, hip dysplasia, cancer, hypothyroidism, or a bad temperament. Make sure to do your research when looking to adopt a Golden Retriever, or find a reputable breeder so that medical issues are less likely.
The medical issues listed below are some of the most common health issues that Golden Retrievers are predisposed to, but this list is not all-inclusive.
How Can You Help Golden Retrievers Live Longer
To Increase your Golden Retriever life expectancy and help him remain healthy, youll have to rely on common sense and anecdotal evidence. Exercise, diet, socialization as well as healthcare.
If youre a committed Golden Retriever owner, keep studying to learn more about their particular needs and how to make them more comfortable.
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What Do Most Golden Retrievers Die From
According to the study done by the Morris Animal Foundation, about 60% of Golden Retrievers are impacted by cancer, leading to this disease being the top cause of death for this breed.
While genetic factors will have a role in the Golden Retrievers predisposition to certain types of cancers, most of these dogs die from bone cancer, lymphoma, and blood cancer.
Death from cancer is more common in Golden Retrievers than any other canine breed.
Spaying or neutering Golden Retrievers too young can allegedly increase the risk of certain types of cancers in this breed.
In fact, a 10-month-old Golden Retriever that was diagnosed with uterine carcinoma became the youngest dog ever reported to have this cancer of the uterus.
In addition, Golden Retrievers are also prone to skin cancer as their light coloring makes them susceptible to sunburn.
Neurologic Disease In Golden Retrievers
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 10.3 percent of all deaths in Golden Retrievers.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Golden Retriever
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Golden Retrievers
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Most Common Causes Of Death
It has been discussed that cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden retrievers, but the most common type of malignancy to look out for is Hermangiosarcoma, the most common form of cancer, Lymphosarcoma, and Osteosarcoma.
Golden retrievers are also prone to cardiac and respiratory diseases. One heart disease commonly found in Goldens is known as Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis . This is when the aorta blood vessel responsible for taking oxygenated blood out of the heart narrows, making it increasingly difficult for the heart to push out the blood.
A common cause of death in Golden retrievers is Gastric Dilation Volvulus or GDV. This is more commonly known as Bloat. GDV is a serious health condition that can cause death within hours if left untreated. This is when the stomach rapidly expands with food, gas, and/or fluid.
GDV often occurs when a pet eats too much trash or food. This is common in large breed dogs with deep chests such as Great Danes, Dobermans, and Golden Retrievers.
Golden Retriever Life Expectancy And Cancer
Golden Retrievers die from bone cancer, lymphoma, and blood cancer more than any other breed. And no one knows why. Golden Retrievers are also more prone to other types of cancer, even at an early age. For example, one Golden Retriever was diagnosed with uterine carcinoma, or cancer of the uterus, at only 10 months old!
This is the youngest instance of this type of cancer every reported. Some factors have been tied to this increased cancer risk. According to one study, the early neutering of Golden Retrievers led to an increased occurrence of certain cancers and hip problems.
However, research on the factors that contribute to Golden Retrievers short lifespan is early and inconclusive. We dont know exactly why Golden Retrievers are suddenly dying earlier than they were only decades ago. There is a study though, that is seeking to change that.
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Tip #: Fix Your Dog But Not Too Early
According to this research article, dogs that are fixed may live longer than those who are not.
And, according to this article, dogs that are fixed a little later in life may be better off than dogs who are fixed too early .
Interestingly enough, theres also evidence that suggests fixed men may live longer than intact men, if were using canine terms here.
Ill let you decide how you want to process that information!
Golden Retrievers And Other Pets
Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too.
Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time.
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Golden Retriever Lifespan Female
A female golden retriever has an average lifespan of about eight years. This is slightly less than that of a male. However, this dog breed is still considered an extremely healthy pet.
Goldens are known for their gorgeous coat and golden eyes. While puppies may still have a full, shiny golden coat, as they grow, they will develop white or gray fur. At around five to six years, they will be an adult dog, with a much larger frame than when they were young.
A female Golden Retrievers lifespan depends on a number of factors, including the breed itself. Because Goldens were originally bred as game dogs, they require constant movement and exercise to stay healthy.
Unfortunately, this can lead to lifestyle-related diseases, such as joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, and even cancer. Fortunately, these conditions are relatively easy to prevent, as long as you keep your Goldens weight within reasonable limits.
How To Determine Your Golden Retrievers Age
If only dogs could talk like humans, then knowing our furry friends exact age would not be such a big question mark.
Fortunately, we humans have found ways to suss out how to find our doggos age .
The thing is if you adopted a newborn Goldie, then determining the age is easy peasy. But it does become difficult otherwise. Here are some clues to look for when determining your doggos age.
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Tip #: To Have A Healthy Dog Start With Healthy Parents
The best way for you to get a healthy dog is to purchase one from a good breeder.
Yes, you may pay more for a high-quality puppy, but it will be worth it.
Do your research on breeders, ask about their dogs health histories, their temperaments, and what theyre bred for.
Unfortunately, many people are breeding dogs with money as their #1 priority, not their puppies health.
Hematopoietic Disease In Golden Retrievers
Normally, the body can regulate its own blood pressure and fluid volume without outside help. However, issues in hematopoesis can cause high or low blood pressure, blood clots, edema , and even shock.
Hematopoietic Disease is responsible for 15.0 percent of all deaths in Golden Retrievers.
Causes of Hematopoietic Disease in Golden Retriever
The causes of hematopoietic problems usually involve inflammation and immune responses gone wrong. This can cause congestion, hemorrhage, and many more problems.
How to Prevent Hematopoietic Disease in Golden Retrievers
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog`s gums or skin look very pale or very red. It`s also a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog is experiencing exercise intolerance. Many parasites can cause internal bleeding, so you should have your dog on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round.
Here is a good flea and tick prevention medication .
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How Long Do English Cream Retrievers Live
Golden Retrievers are the perfect family dog. Theyre intelligent and confident animals who are loyal to their owners. An easily trainable breed, people gravitate toward them. In fact, theyre consistently listed as one of the top five most popular dogs in the country.
This dog breed looks a bit different depending on whether you get an American or English Golden. There are American Golden Retrievers with breeding standards from the American Kennel Club. There are also English Golden Retrievers whose breed standards are specified by the UK Kennel Club.
Both these dogs have similar personalities, but their coat colors arent the same. An American Golden Retriever has colors that vary from dark to light golden. English or European Golden Retrievers have a cream or gold color.
Many people choose English Cream Golden Retrievers for their beautiful, lustrous color and sweet personality. But, like all dogs, they have a limited lifespan, and if they suffer from health problems, the lifespan could change. So if youre getting an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy, you want to know how long it could live.
Lets explore that topic and learn more about English Golden Retriever puppies and dogs.
Tip #: Keep Your Golden Retrievers Weight Under Control
Golden retrievers love to eat, so they do have a tendency to become overweight if theyre overfed.
Since theyre already susceptible to joint and heart issues, you definitely dont want them to gain too much weight.
To keep their weight under control make sure that they get enough exercise and are fed the proper amount.
For males, golden retrievers should weigh between 65-75 pounds, and for females, they should weigh between 55-65 pounds.
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What Is The Good Food For Your Golden Retriever
You know that the importance of good food in increasing life expectancy. The good food should thus contain a lot of nutrition such as
- Variety of grains
- Meats with fillers
Every dog food on market doesnt contain all these nutrients so, be careful and read the label. More to this you can use the Veterinary manual to find the recommended food for your golden.
Have ever checked the label of your dogs food?
Do you think the manufacturer gave the product they have promised?
Dont you think a homemade meal including all the above nutrients will the best for your retriever?
Apply Sunscreen On Them In Sunny Days
Golden retrievers being lighter in color are more prone to sunburn. They may get skin cancer if exposed to the sun for a longer period. So, they need protection from the sun to shine for a longer time. You can apply a dog-safe sunscreen to the tip of their nose, around their eyes, ears, and tummy. You can use the sunscreen that your vet recommends.
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What Affects The Life Span Of A Golden Retriever
The golden retriever lifespan can vary based on a number of factors. Two of the biggest factors come down to the genetics of the canine and your care. Some dogs have genetic markers which put them at risk of diseases and serious health issues. Some are carefully bred to be free of most genetic defects. To ensure the longest possible life span for your pet, always work with a reputable breeder who can vouch for the dogs health.
One factor you can control is how well you care for your golden. You can ensure a high quality of life for your dog and make sure you spend as much time together as possible by:
- Reducing your dogs stress
- Taking your dog to obedience school and training
- Getting regular vet visits in and following vet advice carefully
- Maintaining your dogs ideal weight
- Feeding your dog healthy, high quality food
- Ensuring your golden stays properly groomed
- Dog-proofing your house and yard to reduce the risk of injury
- Supervising your dog closely to minimize injury risk
- Neutering or spaying your dog
- Exercising your dog
- Establishing a good, loving relationship with your dog
In addition to these tips, remember to never shave your goldens fur. Golden retrievers have thick fur which acts to protect them. When you shave it, you expose your friend to the dangers of UV exposure and skin cancer.
Caring For A Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are known for their thick, lustrous golden coats, which are water-repellent. The golden color of their fur can range from light to dark. They have a double coat, which means that they have a thick undercoat of short hair covered by a layer of longer hair. Due to this double coat, Golden Retrievers shed a lot. They also tend to develop matted hair behind their ears and on their hind limbs. Consequently, Golden Retrievers require a lot of groomingeither at home or by a professional groomerto keep their coats healthy.
Golden Retrievers have a moderate amount of energy, even in their senior years. They enjoy a wide variety of activities such as running, going on long walks, retrieving, and swimming. They make excellent therapy dogs and guide dogs for people with impaired vision.
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