If you're considering getting a Golden Retriever for your family, you certainly have some questions regarding the breed's potential health issues. Find out the problems that this species is most frequently prone to having and how to prevent them if you can by reading on.
What illnesses do Golden Retrievers get?
What illnesses do Golden Retrievers get?
1 - Hot Spots
Golden Retrievers are prone to hot spots because of their thick fur and love of water. Hot spots are small, localized regions of irritated skin that are infected, most frequently with bacteria or yeast. Because moisture gets held close to the skin after swimming and in warm, humid situations, hot spots appear more frequently. This damp skin is uncomfortable, which prompts gnawing, licking, and scratching. The typical skin microorganisms then increase as a result of these behaviors, causing the skin to swell and become infected.
In most cases, a hot spot appears quickly and can cause balding, redness, and wet skin that may leak, crust, or form thick scabs. Take your Golden to a veterinarian if you observe any hotspot symptoms.
2 - Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Make sure to bring your dog to a veterinarian right away if you detect any of the following: difficulty getting up, favoring one leg, or stiff and sluggish movements. Your Golden is energetic and content, ready to dash erratically across an area of grass at any moment. They are such brilliant souls that they will strive to play even if you are in agony. The best course of action is to stop the deterioration of your dog's condition. They'll constantly be upbeat and effervescent because of their lively nature.
3 - Cancer
A few cancers pose a hazard to golden retrievers, including hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma, which affect roughly one in five and one in eight, respectively, of these dogs in the US. Although hemangiosarcoma is a blood vessel cancer, its tumors frequently develop in vascular organs, especially the liver, spleen, lungs, and heart. A malignancy of the lymphoid or white blood cell tissues is called lymphoma. Additionally dangerous are mast cell tumors, which develop as lumps in the skin and organs, or osteosarcoma, a bone cancer.
4 - Allergies, Rashes on the Skin, and Ear Infections
Allergies can affect dogs and cause other medical problems as well as discomfort. For the majority of golden retrievers, allergies first appear around the ages of 1 and 3 and are most frequently observed in the breed's feet, abdomen, and ears.
Paw licking, which can result in red, inflamed paws; rubbing of one's face and ears; and recurrent ear infections are frequent signs of allergies. The dog is likely to keep getting unpleasant ear infections until the root cause is addressed.
Baths using oatmeal shampoo or a similar wash can be used as a treatment to soothe the skin and lessen sensitivity to all potential environmental allergens. Unexpectedly, some goldens respond favorably to over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec or Benadryl. Before giving their dog any over-the-counter allergy medicine, owners of golden retrievers should consult a veterinarian if they detect their dog frequently scratching or shaking their head.
5 - Cataracts
Cataracts frequently run in golden retrievers' families. It is usual for dogs with a hereditary predisposition to experience lens clouding between the ages of 1 and 3 years. Although these cataracts can result in clear eyesight, they can also impede vision and result in blindness. Reputable breeders examine the medical histories of their pets and only breed cross-bred golden retrievers without a history of cataracts.
6 - Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy)
Golden Retrievers are vulnerable to atopic dermatitis (atopy), an inflammatory and excruciatingly painful skin disorder. It can be brought on by food allergies, frequently to the proteins in the diet, or by allergens from the environment such as insects, fleas, dust mites, pollen, or mold. It's thought that golden have a genetic propensity.
Regular veterinary appointments are crucial to keeping track of your dog's skin condition because symptoms typically appear between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Typically, affected Golden Retrievers are continuously biting, chewing, or grooming themselves. Hair loss, thicker skin that may turn red or black in color, or a rash with macules (discolored skin) and papules (raised skin lesions) are all side effects of this self-trauma. Read This: All Retriever Breeds: What Are the 6 Types of Retrievers?
7 - Hypothyroidism
In golden retrievers, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone production) is a somewhat frequent condition. It may result in a drop in body temperature, a weight increase, hardening of the skin, weakening of the tail, decreased activity, and alterations in behavior. The good news is that owners can typically treat a dog's hypothyroidism using medication, enabling the dog to lead a full life of activity.
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