| Golden Retriever is a great dog in many ways but | | | | surgically treatable but with certain limitations. A |
| unfortunately this canine is not completely | | | | prevention method is the same as with hip |
| problem-free. And unfortunately the main concern | | | | dysplasia -- choosing a pup form a good bloodline |
| here is Golden Retriever health. Don't think that | | | | will strongly reduce chances of adopting a dog |
| adopting a Golden Retriever you'll inevitably face | | | | predisposed to cataract. |
| health problems, but it does mean that some | | | | Allergies |
| prevention methods are absolutely necessary. | | | | Mostly caused by flea bites allergies are most |
| Let's have a look at the most common Golden | | | | commonly seen on Goldens skin and sometimes |
| Retriever health problems and ways of their | | | | ears, nose and other body parts. Allergies may |
| prevention. | | | | also be caused by food or some additives to |
| Cancer | | | | food as well as by chemicals stored at home. It is |
| Cancer is a leading cause of untimely death in | | | | important to isolate your dog from the source of |
| Golden Retriever. There are some things a vet | | | | allergy to prevent its further development. |
| can do about it but unfortunately many dogs are | | | | Allergies may be confirmed by intradermal skin |
| euthanized due to pain caused by cancer. Normally | | | | testing as well as by blood tests. |
| it is treated surgically or with the use of | | | | Obesity |
| chemotherapy. | | | | Some owners believe that Golden Retrievers |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | | | | have self-discipline in eating and grant them |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia is fairly common in | | | | unlimited access to food. It can't be further from |
| Goldens. It is an abnormal development of hip and | | | | truth! As most of dog breeds the Goldens love |
| elbow joints resulting in development of Arthritis. | | | | eating. It's just in their nature. Scheduled feeding is |
| Usually this condition is very painful and may | | | | the only proper way to organize the Golden's |
| cause lameness. The condition also affects general | | | | nutrition. It also helps to monitor dog's health since |
| physical and mental health since it restricts ability | | | | abnormal appetite or lack of it may be the signs |
| of this extremely active dog to move and | | | | of health problems.von Willebrand disease (vWD) |
| exercise. Although there are ways to treat hip | | | | This disease is similar to hemophilia in humans -- a |
| and elbow dysplasia, there are also way to | | | | condition characterized by a low level of blood |
| minimize risk of their development. These | | | | clotting. Dogs with this condition may bleed to |
| diseases are passed genetically. It's a good idea | | | | death in surgery or from minor injuries. Although |
| always to ask for a health certificate stating that | | | | this condition can not be treated, a dog's heath |
| a breeding pair processes no signs of these | | | | may be supported by transmissions with blood of |
| diseases before adopting a puppy. | | | | healthy dogs. In some cases doses of steroid |
| Cataract | | | | hormone may be helpful as well. The disease is |
| Cataract is another common Golden Retriever | | | | passes genetically, so the main way of fighting it |
| Health problem that develops as a dog ages. The | | | | in the breed is by exclusion of vWD positive dogs |
| disease affects dog's ability to see and may result | | | | from breeding programs. |
| in total blindness. In many cases cataract is | | | | |