Common Health Problems Of Golden Retrievers
A lot of people love golden retrievers and get them home sometimes
without checking the credentials of the breeder. This is a really
bad idea, as you may then get a golden retriever puppy that is not
100% pure bred and it can have some health problems, which are inherited
from its parents or may develop some later on as they grow up.
Purebred dogs too have their share of health problems, which are
inherited genetically. Generally golden retrievers tend to suffer
from minor health problems which are quite common in nature, and
can be easily cured if looked after carefully. For example, luxating
patella is one of the common health problems of Golden retrievers
when the kneecap gets dislocated out of its normal position. Your
vet can help you with this problem. Similarly, distemper virus is
a common health problem of Golden retrievers and is an airborne
disease. It is a high-risk disease, and can be easily prevented
by getting three vaccinations done for a golden retriever, starting
at the age of 6 weeks and ending at the age of 16 weeks. This can
be given along with the regular annual booster shot. Symptoms include
cough, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. You should take a golden retriever
to the vet immediately if it manifests any of these symptoms.
Heart worms are among the most common health problems of Golden
retrievers, and can grow up to 12 inches in the heart or lung arteries
in all dog breeds. As a result, they may cause heart failure or
a decrease in the circulation of blood. So, in this case, prevention
is better than cure, and you're better off giving your golden retriever
the correct heart worm medicines from before.
It may sound tough to believe, but another common health problems
of Golden retrievers is heat stroke. Be sure to keep your dog indoors
during the hot months and make it drink lots of water. Don't leave
him in bright sunlight for a very long period of time. If you think
he's been out for too long, let him rest awhile. Classic symptoms
of heat stroke include drooling, panting, dark gums, and even vomiting.
Once again you should take it to the vet immediately, if you think
he’s suffering from heatstroke.
One of the most serious health problems Golden retrievers face
is rabies. It has a very serious affect on your dog’s nervous
system. Generally, dogs are liable to get rabies, only through the
bite of another infected animal. To prevent this, you should make
sure you get your dog rabies shots periodically as per the vet’s
instructions. Common symptoms of rabies include foaming at the mouth,
seizures and aggression. If you even suspect that your pet may have
rabies, you should take it to the vet immediately as only he could
tell you what to do. Never allow your dog near others when he is
exhibiting these symptoms. Lastly, let me tell you about tapeworms
and hookworms. Tapeworms are spread by fleas and can cause a loss
of weight, diarrhoea, and irritation in the rectal area. It is better
to make sure that your dog does not have fleas by checking regularly.
Hookworms on the other hand generally enter your dog’s digestive
system if they come into contact with feces. For both these problems,
you should consult your vet.
Common health problems of golden retrievers can be solved simply
by taking it to the vet for regular check ups and of course, your
love and care.
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