If you are looking for
a Golden Retriever puppy, it is very important to find a reputable Golden
Retriever breeder, one who cares about the breed and who has all breeding
stock tested and cleared for various genetic problems before breeding. It
is only by testing and breeding cleared specimens that these diseases will
be brought under control. We suggest that you start your search with the
breed clubs. Most clubs have a code of ethics and while it doesn't guarantee
a perfect puppy, it's a lot better than dealing with breeders who don't know
or care about such matters.
Is a skeletal problem,
an abnormal development of the hip joint where the head of the femur does
not fit snugly into the pelvic socket. It is characterized by a shallow
acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral
head (the "ball" of the hip joint). These changes may occur due to excessive
looseness in the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical
signs. When dogs exhibit symptoms of hip dysplasia they usually are in pain
and lame on one or both rear legs. Severe
arthritis
can develop as a result of the malformation of the hip joint and this results
in pain as the disease progresses.
Effective
arthritis treatment
More
information. See the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
OFA See the University
of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program
PennHIP
See comparative diagrams.
OFA
vs PennHIP You don't have to wait until your dog exhibits symptoms.
You can take steps now to minimize the chances your dog will suffer arthritic
pain due to hip dysplasia.
Treating your pet's
impending or existing arthritis.
Due perhaps to improper
development (different growth rates) of the three bones making up the elbow,
the joint is lax or loose and in mildly affected dogs leads to painful
arthritis.
Whereas in severly affected dogs, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), fragmented
medial coronoid processes and united anconeal processes can result from the
stress in the joint.
More
information. Treatments involve surgical correction if possible,
or medical management using asprin and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
See
effective Osteoarthritis treatment.
As with humans, dogs can
get cataracts, but the presence of cataracts in young dogs, called juvenile
cataracts, have a hereditary foundation. Cataracts are diagnosed by means
of an ophthalmoscopic exam. If the dog is in good health, cataracts can be
surgically removed with usually good results.
More
information.
Is an inversion of the eyelids
so that they roll inward often irritating the eye. Surgery is often required
and is usually successful.
More
information.
Is an eyelash problem caused
by an abnormal origin of eyelashes along the lid margin, often resulting
in irritation to the eye. If left untreated, it can cause great pain to the
dog and may lead to corneal ulcers. Surgery is recommended by a specialist.
More
information.
Is another eyelash problem caused
by normal origin of eyelashes but misdirected into the eye causing irritation.
More
information.
Is a heart problem, an abnormally
narrow connection between the left ventricle (out-flow) and the aorta, which
eventually leads to heart failure. Characteristics of aortic stenosis include
fainting and sudden death. It is detected by a Veterinarian listening to
the heart and by ultrasound.
More information.
Is a degeneration of bone underlying
the cartilage layer of joints. It is a condition often seen in young fast
growing dogs of the larger breeds. X-rays of suspected joints are often
inconclusive. OCD usually appears during the growth phase of a young dog,
usually six to nine months of age. OCD can affect the shoulder, ankle or
elbow joint. It is painful and the dog limps. Physical impacts, like jumping
off high objects and being overweight are contributing factors.
Complete rest and limited playful activities for several weeks, often difficult
with a young puppy, is effective treatment, or surgical removal of torn away
cartilage pieces, is probably the fastest treatment. Controlling diet is
important in fast growing breeds.
More
information.
In dogs usually involves the
skin but can also involve the ears, nose and other parts of the body too.
The reasons can be many and it is difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes.
Often it is a question of a reaction to some food or additive to the food
formulation. Flea bites are a major problem with many dogs. When confronted
with skin allergies, first, check for flea bites. Dogs are very sensitive
to them and often mutilate their bodies by chewing the area, trying to get
some relief. The best allergy test is intradermal skin testing, which is
usually done by a veterinary dermatologist. It is possible to test for inhalant
allergies using blood testing, but this is not yet considered to be as accurate
as skin testing.
Is a blood disorder, a deficiency
in clotting factor VIII antigen (von Willebrand factor). Dogs affected by
the disease do not effectively utilize their platelets for blood clotting
and therefore are more likely to have bleeding episodes associated with trauma
or surgery.
More
information.
Is a general term meaning "disease
of the heart muscle". There are various types of cardiomyopathy, one being
"Dilated Cardiomyopathy" (DCM), opposed to "Hypertrophic" Cardiomyopathy"
(where the heart walls thicken instead of becoming thin). Cardiomyopathy
is a serious problem in many breeds but especially in the Doberman Pinscher
breed. More
information. and
More
information.
This condition is caused by a
twisting of the stomach and thus trapping the stomach contents and gases
resulting in a rapid swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain and eventual
death if untreated. It is a
with immediate veterinarian action
required. This is a predicament most common in large deep chested breeds.
Anyone owning a deep chested breed, susceptible to bloat should be prepared
by recording and
for the veterinary hospital they
go to - who to call after hours, how to get to emergency clinics or alternative
facilities and what payment arrangements those facilities will require.
More information.
Is a brain disorder (of neural
origin in the cerebral cortex) resulting in periodic seizures, convulsions.
The severity and frequency of the seizures predicates what medication is
administered, (usually a anticonvulsant called AED Anti-epileptic drug),
if any, and when
begun. More
information.
Is a family of diseases all involving
the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by a retinoscopic
exam or by means of an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected
dogs become nightblind and lack the ability to see in dim light; later on
daytime vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs adapt
to their handicap very well, as long as their environment remains constant.
Certain breeds are affected early in life, whereas in other breeds, PRA develops
much later in
onset. More
information.
This is malignant bone cancer. Unfortunately, it is all too common in large and giant breeds. More information.