Our beloved Golden Retrievers are known for being extra friendly. Extra intelligent. And extra loyal.
The least we can do is go the extra mile to keep them healthy!
Allergic Skin Conditions or Disease
All of these signs can appear early in a Golden Retriever’s life. Common allergies may be environmental, food, or flea-related and may present first as pruritus (the medical term for itching).
If you see any of these signs of skin disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will conduct tests to rule out common skin infections prior to taking steps to diagnose—and treat—your dog’s skin allergies or disease.
Joint Disease
Golden Retrievers are predisposed at birth to joint disease, including Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia. These diseases are due to an abnormality in the formation of the hip or elbow joint.
Goldens can also develop other joint diseases at a young age such as Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) and Arthritis from Hip Dysplasia. OCD is a defect in the cartilage in the joint that appears most commonly in the shoulder.
Injuries and older age can expose Golden Retrievers to other joint concerns such as:
If you see any of these signs of joint disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will conduct tests to determine the most effective form of treatment.
Remember that obesity can exacerbate joint disease, so feed your Golden Retriever appropriately and limit treats if necessary. Also, give them proper exercise (if they’re able to exercise).
Ear infection (OTITIS)
Much like skin disease, most ear infections in Golden Retrievers are related to allergies. Their breed and activities (like swimming) can also predispose them to ear disease. Remember that infections can affect one or both ears.
If you see any of these signs of ear infection or disease, make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will conduct tests to determine the most effective form of treatment.
Golden Retrievers love food and treats, but they have a propensity to put on weight easily. It is important to feed your Golden Retriever a specific portion of food at specific times of the day. As weight gain can lead to the joint problems mentioned above, it’s important to manage the diet and weight of your golden.
Specific diets and nutritional advice can be given by your veterinarian. Make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian to make sure your golden has
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Preventive care such as flea/tick prevention will help your pet stay free from pests. We also can run tests to rule out common skin infections.
Learn MoreBecause Golden’s are more predisposed to joint problems, making sure their weight and joints are in good shape will help prevent future pain.
Learn MoreKeeping your Golden’s ears cleaned regularly will help prevent painful ear infections for your dog later in life. We recommend regular checkups.
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