Introduction
Golden retrievers are a popular breed of dog, and for good reason. They can light up your life at home with their presence. They’re beautiful, loyal companions who love to play outdoors and keep you company indoors. But when it comes to their health, you should be aware about some common golden retriever health issues if you want your golden retriever to live a long and happy life.
1. Cancers
The first among the most common Golden Retriever health issues is that they are at high risk for cancer. The breed is predisposed to a number of types of canine cancer, such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. In general, golden retrievers have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years compared with 7-9 years for Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers.
The main causes of canine cancer are hereditary traits passed from parent to offspring through generations; however this does not mean that all your dogs will develop the same type of illness or die from it.
It’s important to keep in mind that most cancers can be prevented by keeping your dog inside when possible (dogs should never be left outside), avoiding excessive exposure to sun UV rays when possible (particularly short-term exposure), eating healthily (such as fresh fruits and vegetables) instead of processed foods which tend to contain more fat – which causes inflammation throughout the body including those organs like lungs where we want oxygen flowing freely into our blood stream!
2. Congenital Heart Disease
This is the 2nd most common Golden Retriever health issue. This Congenital heart disease is the birth defect of a baby’s heart. It occurs when there is a problem with the formation of one or more chambers in the heart muscle, which can cause them to enlarge and become prone to rupture. The problem may be caused by abnormalities in your puppy’s genes or by environmental factors such as stress during pregnancy or exposure to certain substances like alcohol during development.
Congenital heart disease can cause serious problems that require immediate treatment so it’s important to take care when selecting your puppy from a breeder who uses only healthy dogs for breeding purposes. Your vet will recommend treatment options depending on how severe your dog’s condition is; however, if left untreated early enough these conditions could lead him/her down an unhealthy road towards death later on down the line!
3. Eye Problems
Cataracts are a common eye problem in golden retrievers. They occur when the lens of your pup’s eye gets cloudy, causing blurry vision and sometimes blindness.
Corneal dystrophy is another condition that can cause blindness in golden retrievers. The cornea needs to be healthy for your pup’s eyes to work properly, but if there’s damage or scarring on this surface, it can lead to poor vision or even blindness.
4. Hip Dysplasia
What is hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that affects the bones of the dog’s hips, causing them to become misshapen. It can cause pain, lameness and arthritis in older dogs. The condition is more common in golden retrievers than other breeds. Symptoms include:
- Limping or reluctance to walk on concrete floors;
- Difficulty jumping up on furniture or stairs;
- Inability to rise from a lying down position without assistance
5. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that results in an underactive thyroid gland. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in dogs is autoimmune thyroiditis, which occurs when your dog’s immune system attacks the gland. This can lead to weight gain, hair loss and lethargy.
If you suspect your golden retriever has this condition, it’s important to get them checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible so they can start treating their symptoms early on before they become severe enough for surgery or euthanasia (i.e., death).
6. Skin Diseases
The skin diseases are common in Golden Retrievers. Skin conditions include:
- Allergic dermatitis (itching)
- Mange
- Flea allergy dermatitis (licking)
Other skin conditions include seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis and infections.
Golden Retrievers are Susceptible to Many Health Issues.
Golden retrievers are susceptible to many health issues. They can be prone to cancer, hip dysplasia, and thyroid disease. They can also suffer from eye problems, skin diseases and heart defects. It is important for you, as their owner or caregiver, to be aware of these issues so that you can take steps towards preventing them in your golden retriever’s life.
Conclusion
The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog that can be found in many homes across the world. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty and friendly personalities. If you’ve decided to get one as a companion animal, then it’s important to know about some of Golden Retriever common health issues so that you can take steps towards preventing them from happening to your pet.
