Golden Retriever Breed Diseases and Health Problems

There are around six major conditions or diseases that Golden Retrievers most frequently suffer with. Golden Retrievers are by no means unhealthy animals. In fact, they are one of the healthier breeds out there.

But there are common problems that Golden Retrievers can struggle with and it behooves the owner to know what they are in order to keep an eye out for them. Skin diseases are one of the top problems with Golden Retrievers. They could have causes as simple as a flea itch or mosquito bite that can cause their skin to be irritated and inflamed. The dogs will worry or bite on that spot until they cut themselves or cause something known as a hot spot. A red, moist and raw spot is known as a hot spot and it can grow in size every time the dog worries it. It will usually require a bandage or a special collar to keep the dog away from this area in order to give it a chance to heal.

Golden Retrievers can be more susceptible to allergies in comparison to other dogs. A probable cause is wheat and unfortunately, many commercial dog foods have included wheat in their products. It is not lethal to animals but it can cause them to have problems with their digestion or cause their skin to become inflamed and irritated.

If the dog licks its face excessively or scratches constantly, you might have a dog that is allergic. Underneath the outer layers of skin, more serious forms of skin disease can be formed. There are different types of fatty lipomas and the severe liposarcoma that can become common as the dogs grow older.

Fatty lipomas are usually not harmful and are easily removed when your dog gets his teeth cleaned and general anesthesia is given to him. They can develop and become larger, but they are not a threat and can be ignored. On the other hand, liposarcomas are dangerous and need to be removed as soon as possible. They need to undergo treatment as soon as they are diagnosed. Cataracts and eye afflictions can be frequent among Golden Retrievers that are beyond 10 years of age.

Such eye afflictions can lead to poorer vision or even blindness in the dog. There is no cure for such afflictions. Less frequently seen in Golden Retrievers are problems with the heart, however, should heart problems develop, they are usually subvalvular aortic stenosis or cardiomyopathy. Subvalvular aortic stenosis is a blockage in the left vein of the ventricle and will cause a decrease in the blood flow.

At times, the situation is benign, however the dog will be restrained from running around as aften. When the condition is dangerous, the heart is forced to strain itself, working harder when the heart muscles thicken. This heart problem is usually genetic and the treatment can be beta blockers to mild antibiotics. An operation is always a solution but compared to operations on the human heart, it has a lower chance of success. Cardiomyopathy is an acquired disease which is more serious. The reason for this is still unknown although there is a tendency for dogs aged between 4 to 10 to get it.

The heart muscle will become weaker and flaccid, and it will degenerate until the dog dies. Nevertheless, most Golden Retrievers live a long and healthy live. Your dog can lead a fulfilling life with the correct nutrition and adequate exercise.

Moses Wright is a dog lover and loves to help new dog owners deal with their pet dog problems at home. You can also find more golden retriever health problems and training for free on his site.