Common Golden Retriever Health Problems and Diseases

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 can have something as simple as a mosquito bite or a flea itch that will cause an itchy part of their skin. These dogs will then chew the area until they create a lesion or something known as a hot spot. A hot spot is a raw, red and moist patch that will get larger every time the dog messes with 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 suffer from allergies faster than most other breeds. Wheat is typically an offending factor and a lot of commercial dog foods have wheat in their recipes. It's not toxic for the animals, but it can cause them some digestive issues or cause them to itch uncontrollably. 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 typically benign and will be able to be removed the next time a dog gets his teeth cleaned and gets general anesthesia. They might grow bigger, but they are not a health concern and can be left alone without worry. Liposarcomas, however, are malignant and need to be removed as quickly as possible. They need to be treated as soon as they are diagnosed.

Eye problems, such as cataracts, can be common in Golden Retrievers that are older than the age of 10. These eye problems can lead to blindness or at least reduced vision in the animal. There is no treatment for these conditions.

Heart conditions are less common in Golden Retrievers, but if they do occur, you will see either subvalvular aortic stenosis or cardiomyopathy. Subvalvular aortic stenosis is an obstruction in the ventricle left vein that will cause a reduction in blood flow. Sometimes, the condition is harmless, although the dog will not be allowed to run around as much. When the condition is serious, the heart has to work harder due to the heart muscle thickening. This heart problem is usually genetic and the treatment can be beta blockers to mild antibiotics. Surgery is always a possibility but unlike human heart surgery, it has had limited success.

Cardiomyopathy is an acquired disease which is more serious. It tends to happen in dogs that are 4 to 10 years old and the cause is unknown. The heart muscle will become thin and flabby, progressively getting worse until the dog passes away.

Nevertheless, most Golden Retrievers live a long and healthy live. With the right diet and plenty of exercise, your animal has a better shot at living a wonderful life.

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.