Expert Care for Your Golden

We all love Golden Retrievers. They are one of the most loving, gentle, and loyal of dog breeds. They are known for their friendly faces, desirable temperament, and their soft medium length coat, not to mention their warm golden color. As with any breed, there are genetic advantages and disadvantages. As a pet owner, it is important to know how to care for your dog specific to their breed, and it is important for you to know what diseases or medical conditions your lovable pet may be prone to, as a result of their breed.

If you are aware of the most current diseases and conditions found in Golden Retrievers, it may help save your dog much pain and trouble if the condition is diagnosed early on. Here are a few of the most common Golden Retriever diseases and conditions:

First, it is important to look at diseases in relation to age. Diseases don’t always occur in the old age of your pet. As you will see, some pets are prone to certain diseases when they are still very young:

• In puppies (the time of their birth to 1 year), developmental bone/joint disease and subaortic stenosis can occur.
  • Developmental bone/joint disease can be difficult to detect, but lameness, pain, or reluctance to go for a walk or exercise can be a sign of this condition.
  • Subaortic stenosis is a birth defect that causes the aorta (the main vessel that is connected to the heart) to narrow. The only symptoms are heart murmurs (found during a physical exam) or sudden death at an infantile age.
• For the majority of their adult age (generally years 1 through 6), Golden Retrievers are susceptible to hypothyroidism, lymphoma, allergic dermatitis, otitis externa, and cataracts.
  • Hypothyroidism happens when there is not enough thyroid hormone production, which is caused by disease in the thyroid glands. Symptoms of this can include obesity, loss of hair, lethargy, and skin infections.
  • Lymphoma is basically a cancer of immune system cells. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, enlarged lymph glands, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, and increased thirst and urination.
  • Allergic dermatitis is simply an allergic reaction to something that causes inflammation of the skin. Symptoms include excessive scratching, sore and red skin, rubbing or excessive grooming.
  • Otitis externa is inflammation of the ear canal. The signs of this conditions can include excessive scratching of the ears, shaking of the head, and odor coming from the ear.
  • Cataracts is a disease of the eyes. this occurs when the lens of the eye becomes less clear. Symptoms include cloudiness of the eyes, eye color changing to a blue or gray color, increased poor vision, or blindness.
• For their elderly age, Golden Retrievers are most often seen contracting hemangiosarcoma.
  • Hemangiosarcoma is when cancer of the cells lines the inside of blood vessels. Symptoms include weakness, a distended abdomen, acute collapse and pale gums.

We all love our pets, and we want to take of them to the best of our ability. This also means being aware of the medical conditions that our pet’s breed may be susceptible to. Keep and eye on your pet, and enjoy a long, healthy life with your best friend.