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Golden Retriever Breed Diseases and Health Problems

Article Summary: 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.

Golden Retrievers are actually considered quite strong and hearty animals. However, they are still susceptible to approximately six common diseases that can be rather harmful to the dogs. These problems can cause the Golden retriever some amount of inconvenience and suffering, so owners should be prepared to be on the look-out for such symptoms.

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. A probable cause is wheat and unfortunately, many commercial dog foods have included wheat in their products. 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 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 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. 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 an obstruction in the ventricle left vein that will cause a reduction in blood flow. At times, the situation is benign, however the dog will be restrained from running around as aften. 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. 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. With the right diet and plenty of exercise, your animal has a better shot at living a wonderful life.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Moses Wright
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.