Golden Retriever health issues
As all Purebred dogs, the Golden Retriever is prone to specific health issues. Keeping your Golden healthy is a matter of nature as well as nurture. A well exercised, mentally stimulated Golden who is fed well and not overweight is the best recipe for success!!
Below is a list of the most common heath issues that are associated with Golden Retrievers:
Chronic Hip Dysplasia The Golden Retriever is known to be a very healthy breed of dog. However, some genetic conditions can crop up occasionally. Chronic Hip Dysplasia is an issue seen in many breeds of dogs and the Golden is no exception. If you see limping or lame ness it could certainly be an injury but, your vet will diagnose best.
Eye Problems
There are several genetic eye diseases prominent in the Golden Retriever including cataracts and retinal dysplasia. After age 2, a trained canine ophthalmologist can get a better feel if there is a current issue or possible future issue. You will need to repeat the testing on a yearly basis.
Parvo- not specific to Golden Retrievers but a good one to read up on
The disease is caused by a highly contagious virus that is transmitted mostly by dogs orally contacting infected feces. As in many viral diseases of the intestinal tract, some dogs can pick up the disease and shed the virus without significant symptoms in themselves. The virus is extremely small, just 1 thimble full of stool can contain millions of virus particles. It is easy to see why contamination occurs so readily. The majority of dogs presented with parvovirus show signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. In severe cases the diarrhea is very watery and frequently bloody, with a telltale odor. They are very ill, with significant abdominal pain. The virus is so strong that it literally causes the lining of the intestines to slough. It is painful to eat, and with the severe diarrhea and vomiting that is present, they rapidly become dehydrated. The also have a disruption in their electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chlorine) that adds to the weakness.
Heartworm- general disease also
Heartworm disease is becoming more common in many parts of the United States and can infect dogs and cats. It is caused by the heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. This parasite lives in the right side of the heart, the nearby large vessels (pulmonary arteries), and lungs (especially cats). The female worm produces large numbers of microscopic, immature heartworm that circulate in the blood. These immature worms (microfilariae) are taken up with the blood by a mosquito feeding on an infected pet. After living in the mosquito for 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae can then infect another dog or cat that the mosquito feeds on. The feeding mosquito deposits infective microfilariae into the skin of another pet, and these enter the body through the mosquito bite wound. The microfilariae eventually travel to the heart where they develop into adult heartworm. The adult heartworm produce new microfilariae within 3 months. It takes at least 190 days from the time the dog (or cat) is bitten by an infected mosquito until the animal becomes a new source of infective microfilariae.
Most cases of heartworm are diagnosed by a blood test that detects the body’s immune response to the adult heartworm. Finding the microfilariae in the blood can confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes, however, no microfilariae are found in the blood (occult heartworm disease). These cases are diagnosed by a combination of blood tests and chest radiographs (x-rays). Failure to treat heartworm disease may result in heart failure and/or serious disease of the liver and kidneys. Untreated heartworm disease is usually fatal.