Golden Retriever Health Issues

Golden Retrievers, a mixed breed, are known for affection, loyalty, and smartness for a small-sized home. A good health and better fitness of the puppy is a desirable wish especially when you are dealing with a small-sized puppy. So, a common question that comes to the mind of the pet owner is whether Golden Retrievers face any health issues, and if so what are the known and somewhat unknown health issues for the pet?

Golden Retriever suffers from hip and elbow joint diseases, faces some itching issues, and sometimes can be exposed to cancer and heart disease as well. Worried? Some pets face said issues due to inheritance, bad living experiences and diet. So, in this article, I have covered almost all possible diseases that your pet may face and shared some strategies that will help in the solution of the problem.

Golden Retriever Summary

Here are some quick points about Golden Retriever.

Height

21.5 to 24 inches

Weight

55-75 pounds

Lifespan

10-12 years

Breed Grouping

Sports

Shedding Frequency

High

Temperament

Friendly behavior

Energy Level

Active

Common Health Issues

Hot spots, ear infections, hip and elbow dysplasia

Health Issues of the Pet

Overall the breed is known for good health, fitness, and smartness. It usually lives an average life of 10-12 years. The pet shows maximum resistance to some common health problems and issues that a dog may suffer. However, some diseases can cause short and long-term damage to the health of your pet. Details of the common health problems and some remedial measures are mentioned below:

Hot Spots

The dog loves swimming and maintains a thick coat. So, after frequent swimming sessions, your dog may face some hot spots on the skin. This may cause itching, rashes, chewing, and even licking as well. The pet will feel discomfort and disturbance and may create as well.

Red spots may appear on the body of the pet. It may lose hair as well in the long run. If you feel and see any of such symptoms, then visit the nearest veteran to immediately resolve the skin problem.

Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy)

The disease usually occurs from environmental factors like insects, pollen mold, etc. It is believed that the pets suffer from a genetic disposition. It faces issues mostly between 2-6 years of age. Regular visits to the veteran help in the solution of the problem.

Eye Conditions

Pigmentary uveitis disease occurs at times which causes difficulty in watching different things. It occurs mostly at 5 years of age or above it. It’s better to go for immediate treatment if you see any kind of symptoms of such a disease.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) slowly degenerates and may lead to blindness. You need to visit the nearest veteran for a routine check-up and fix the issue if it occurs at any stage.

Hypothyroidism

The disease occurs when thyroid hormones are produced no more. It faces the diseases mostly during mid mid-years of its life. It affects in the following ways:

The pet gains unnecessary weight without consuming too much food.
The energy level of the pet seems exhausting almost all day.
Ear and skin issues may also occur.
The fur of the pet may become thin as well.
The skin of the dog may become dry and moist-free for a maximum time.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

The joints of the pet got dislocated and caused maximum pain for it. Mostly hit and elbow parts suffer the most than the remaining body parts. Here are some additional details:

It becomes difficult to get up when sitting or lying on the ground.
Bunning-hopping when the pet tries to run behind something.
It becomes very difficult to move up and down the stairs and even running and jumping seems sometimes impossible.
It needs to hold one leg one sits or get up in some cases.

Cancer

The dog may face cancer of various types. It may face issues in lymph nodes that impact the neck, behind the knee, and near the thigh as well. Another type of cancer, Hemangiosarcoma, may severely impact the heart and liver. It’s always recommended to visit the veteran immediately as the tumor may take up the life as well.

Heart Problems

Subaortic valvular stenosis (SAS) causes a stoppage of blood circulation from blood vessels. The dog may suffer from the disease during the first year of its life. A dog facing a heart issue may tire and exhaust early during exercise and walking or jogging in the yard. So, try to observe and consult the veterinarian if you see any abnormality.

Pet Insurance for the Golden Retriever Due to Health Issues

Pet authorities bear the expenses for the bad health of the pet. They don’t pay for anything but they spend money and help in gaining good health for the pet in their insurance plans.

Pet Insurance companies bear the expenses during the following situations:

Accidents and injuries
Chronic illnesses
Common illnesses
Serious illnesses
Hereditary conditions
Testing and diagnostics
Procedures
Holistic and alternative procedures
Wellness procedures
Behavioral therapy

Pet Insurance companies don’t pay under the following conditions:

The joints of the pet got dislocated and caused maximum pain for it. Mostly hit and elbow parts suffer the most than the remaining body parts. Here are some additional details:

Pre Existing conditions
Experimental treatments
Grooming
Food, dietary and nutritional supplements
Non-veterinary expenses

Golden Retriever Grooming Guide

Besides visiting the veteran in routine, it’s better to pay some attention to the health of your puppy yourself. It won’t take much of your time but will give maximum benefits.

Here are the guidelines that will help in maintaining the good health of your pet:

Skin Care

Spend some time with your dog and see if there are any empty patches at part of the part. You will easily identify the blanking spots due to the thick coat. Use high-quality lotions and creams after the bath or swimming session of your pet.

Coat Care

The pet looks good due to its beautiful double coat. But the problem is that it is always exposed to outside environmental conditions. Make a habit of brushing your pet’s coat daily, especially after bathing him.

Eye Care

Watch the eye color of your dog and see if there is any unnecessary water coming out of it. You can use recommended eye drops and carefully wash the eyes after consultation with the veteran.

Ear Care

Most diseases may occur due to infections and germs residing in the ears for an extended period. So, try to make them clean regularly. Here are some reasons that may assist insects to disturb your pet:

The ear contains and usually hung downside, giving the germs the perfect spot to attack the pet.
The dog loves swimming and spends most of its time in water. Any bacteria or an insect may go directly into the ear during swimming.
The pet suffers from some inherent diseases which may cause issues as well to the dog through the ears.

What To Feed a Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever puppies require high-quality, large breed formula for optimal nutrition until they are 1 year to 18 months old. As they grow up, it is necessary to transition them to a large-breed, high-quality adult. Select the pet food, starting with approved food from the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).

It is best to help the veterinarian to select the best suitable food for your golden Retriever.

How To Feed a Golden Retriever

If your dog is fully grown, it is best to feed it twice a day, in the morning and the evening. It is very important to feed your dog more frequently. They need a little extra, with three to four meals a day, and they need to be fed on a regular schedule.

Golden Retrievers are very foody, and they love to eat. So, a slow bowl is a great way to savor their meals. It is also helpful to prevent digestion issues. It is a simple and effective way to keep them happy and healthy.

If your dog eats the food too quickly, it could lead to vomiting and even dangerous conditions that cause bloat where the stomach twists.

How Much To Feed a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers grow quickly, so it is very important to feed them puppy food when they are younger than a year or less than a year old so that they have the extra calories they need to reach their full potential. When you purchase the dog food, read the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag, which are based on their expected weight and age.

When your Golden Retriever dog turns 1 year old then it is time to provide them with a large-breed adult formula that has fewer calories to keep them healthy and prevent them from being overweight. To determine the quantity of food that you give to your dog it is best to consult with the vet.

Nutritional Tips for a Golden Retriever

Start on the joint supplement for your Golden Retriever earlier, which can help you slow down or possibly prevent arthritis. Before treating your Golden Retriever with supplements such as Flexadin, Dasuquin, Movoflex, Cosequin, or Synovi Chews, you can also consider adding omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) as a supplement.

These supplements effectively reduce joint inflammation, enhance coat luster, and provide a protective barrier for the skin against environmental allergens. For optimal pet health consider the following top-notch fish oil supplements Nutramax Welactin Omega 3, Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet, and Vetoquinol Triglyceride Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Conclusion

Golden Retrievers may suffer from half a dozen serious diseases like cancer, heart diseases, skin, and allergies as well. With proper care and grooming sessions, the chances of issues the health are reduced exponentially. You need to visit frequently the nearest veteran and spend some time with your pet to observe closely the habits of your pet to ensure it remains health and fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, like any other dog in the World, they suffer from some diseases. The most common diseases are hip and joint issues.

It usually lives for 10-12 years.

60% of the pets die from cancer disease.

VWD and Hemophilia A are the most common blood diseases that may disturb the Golden Retriever.

Generally, a golden retriever is a healthy dog. When some people look at golden retrievers, they surely add them to their family. Still, after a little research, you understand the lifetime responsibility when you bring this wonderful breed into your home. Like other purebred dog, golden retrievers usually have some health issues.

Golden Retrievers need a proper diet, a lot of exercise, and regular brushing of their coat and teeth. Also, be concerned with the veterinarian when something doesn’t seem quite right with your pet.

The cost of pet insurance ranges from $20 to $44 per month, with an average monthly cost of $35 and coverage of $5,000. This cost is not fixed on your dog’s insurance range; it depends and changes with different factors, including the age, location, previous condition, and the type of coverage you want.