Common Health Issues to Be Aware of in Golden Retrievers

All dogs suffer from health issues at one time or another, but Golden Retriever's have their own set of health issues that owners need to be aware of. Most of these issues can be corrected if caught and treated in a timely fashion.

Distemper Virus is something that most dogs should not suffer since there is a vaccine to prevent them from getting it. However, in some cases if the Golden is not bred in an environment where the owners care, they may not be vaccinated in time and may get the virus. The best time to vaccinate your Golden for the Distemper Virus is between six and sixteen weeks. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is a yearly booster shot for this virus that your Golden should get every year.

Heatstroke is something to be especially aware of with your Golden. Goldens are particularly susceptible to this ailment and if not prevented or treated properly if you notice symptoms can actually kill a Golden. The way to avoid your Golden getting heatstroke is to never keep your dog in direct sunlight, give him plenty of water to drink, and if you are playing a lot in the heat, give him plenty of time to rest and recover afterwards. If you notice your dog having the following symptoms you should take him to vet right away: excessive panting or drooling, gums that are dark, a fast pulse, a glazed expression or vomiting.

Heartworms are a common illness with all dogs, no matter their breed. The bad thing about heartworms is that they can get as long as twelve inches inside the lung and heart arteries which can cause heart failure and death of a Golden. Since by the time symptoms appear may be too late to save your Golden or any dog for that matter, prevention of heartworms is your best bet. You can do that by giving your Golden heartworm medicines, your vet can prescribe or suggest appropriate ones.

Tapeworms are another common dog ailment which can affect Golden Retrievers. They are caused by fleas and can adversely affect your Golden's stomach. Symptoms can include biting of the rectal area, diarrhea, and serious loss of weight just to name a few. Tapeworms are easy to prevent by keeping to a strict flea control procedure. Any dog including your Golden that shows signs of tapeworms should be immediately taken to the vet. The faster this is treated the less likely there will be any long term effects.

Rabies is a final ailment that some dogs can get, although it is less common now as it has been in the past because there is a vaccine for it. You should make sure that your Golden gets his yearly rabies vaccine on time every year, this is the best preventative measure that you can give him. The bad thing about rabies is that it affects your dog's nervous system, because of this the animal may not even really be aware of what he is doing. The symptoms for rabies are aggression, foaming at the mouth and siezures. If your Golden exhibits any of these symptoms you should call your vet immediately.

These are only a few of the most common ailments that your Golden can suffer from if not taken care of properly. If you get your Golden when it is an adult or if its past is questionable you will want to be sure a vet checks out your Golden and makes certain that he is not suffering from any of these ailments. This is the best thing you can do for both your family and your Golden.