10 Most Common Golden Retriever Health Issues

Golden retriever genetic problems may include hip dysplasia, cardiovascular conditions, cataracts, Von Willebrand Disease, and loose knees.

Other conditions, such as obesity, skin issues, and bloating, develop primarily due to incorrect diet, environmental factors, and a lack of exercise.

A golden retriever’s lifespan is relatively short, averaging 10-12 years, but owners can ensure these years pass without frequent vet visits if they provide their dog with proper care.

1. Hip & Elbow Dysplasia

Golden retrievers are prone to canine hip dysplasia, a disease that causes bone deformity. The condition is genetic but is affected by environmental factors. Incorrect care and the owner’s negligence can significantly worsen the situation.

The bad news is that hip dysplasia can’t be cured, but it can be operated on. Hip dysplasia occurs when a golden retriever’s hip ball and socket joint don’t grow at the same rate and don’t fit properly.

Therefore, the first symptoms occur in young adults. Owners can spot hip dysplasia by decreased activity, wobbly or swaying gait, pain when moving, looseness of the joint, and narrow stance.

Although golden retriever owners can’t change their pet’s DNA, they can reduce exposure to environmental factors worsening the condition. The owners shouldn’t neuter the puppy too early, overfeed it, or jog with it until it grows up.

2. Cancer

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in golden retrievers, accounting for over 60% of all lethality cases.

Notably, many goldens suffer from Hemangiosarcoma, an active and aggressive form of cancer that affects the blood vessels.

However, other forms of cancer, including Lymphosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, and Mastocytoma, are also common.

Regardless of the form, the key to successful treatment is early detection. The lethality at late cancer stages is exceptionally high.

Golden retriever owners should regularly inspect their dog’s body for unusual lumps and bumps during the weekly grooming. They should also pay attention to unhealing sores and wounds, sudden weight loss, difficulty breathing, and pain.

A dog with cancer may have abnormal discharge from the eyes, ears, nose, or rectum or odd odors emanating from these body parts.

Cancer treatment for golden retrievers may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, holistic therapy, or a combination of multiple methods.

3. Cardio Conditions

Many large dog breeds are susceptible to heart diseases, and golden retrievers aren’t an exception, especially considering their proneness to obesity. The symptoms, treatment, and prognosis vary depending on the condition.

The most common cardiovascular condition in golden retrievers is subvalvular aortic stenosis or SAS, a disease caused by aortic obstruction preventing the heart from pumping blood properly.

The main problem with SAS is that even severely affected dogs may not show any signs of the disease until it’s too late. The owners should watch out for lethargy, fainting, and weakness following exercise.

Generally, the most common symptoms of cardiovascular diseases in dogs include persistent coughing, trouble breathing, collapsing episodes, panting, exercise intolerance, and fluid in the abdomen.

Senior dogs are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, but some goldens are born with them, so owners should do a complete health check-up after buying a puppy.

4. Respiratory Conditions

Golden retrievers often suffer from respiratory diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasitic infections.

They aren’t more susceptible to such infections than any other dog breed, but the owners should be mindful of the symptoms regardless.

If a golden retriever has an odd discharge from the nose, coughs, breathes rapidly, has shortness of breath, makes strange noises while breathing, or shows signs of pain associated with breathing, the owners should seek veterinary help.

If the onset is sudden, the symptoms are likely caused by an infectious respiratory condition.

In contrast, if the symptoms appear gradually and are accompanied by collapsing episodes and weight loss, the cause may be a cardiovascular condition.

Sometimes, difficulty breathing and coughing are caused by environmental allergies. Like people, dogs can be allergic to dust, pollen, dander, and other allergens found in the air.

5. Skin Conditions

Golden retrievers have a double coat which assists in thermoregulation and keeps them dry while swimming. Unfortunately, the dense undercoat also creates a perfect environment for harmful bacteria, which may cause skin diseases.

The symptoms of skin conditions in golden retrievers include irritation, itchiness, lesions, excessive scratching, flaky skin, dandruff, redness, bumps, hair loss, and inflamed skin.

If the owner notices any of these symptoms, they should bring the dog to a vet.

The symptoms may indicate folliculitis, atopic dermatitis, parasitic infections, impetigo, mange, or lupus. The best way to prevent the development of skin conditions in golden retrievers is to bathe and groom the dog regularly.

Golden retrievers are also susceptible to environmental allergies that may cause topical symptoms. Owners suspecting an allergy in their dog can perform lab tests to define the allergen.

6. Cataracts & Glaucoma

Golden retrievers are more susceptible to cataracts than other dog breeds. A cataract is a cloudy white or a grey area in the eye, either small or occupying the entire eye, that may lead to a complete vision loss.

Most golden retrievers suffer from inherited cataracts. The symptoms include cloudy pupils, change in eye color, squinting, and watery eyes. The dog may rub the eyes, bump into walls, not recognize familiar people, or become clumsy.

Glaucoma is also relatively common in golden retrievers, although not as widespread as in Shiba Inus and Chow Chows. This condition causes inflammation that intervenes in the fluid drainage inside the eye.

When fluid builds up and causes pressure, a dog may experience headaches and be disoriented. The eye may be swollen and bulging, and pupils may not respond to light.

7. Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)

Golden retrievers are one of the breeds susceptible to Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). This decoder is inherited and caused by a deficiency of protein necessary for blood clotting.

Many golden retrievers never show symptoms of the disease but can pass it on to their puppies. For this reason, laboratory screening is vital for any golden retriever intended for breeding.

The symptoms of VWD in dogs include sudden bleeding from the nose, urinary bladder, or mouth, prolonged bleeding after trauma or surgery, and excessive bruising. In severe cases, bleeding may lead to death.

The good news is that the condition can be treated by administering dog medications that control blood clotting. However, it can’t be cured.

8. Loose Knees (Luxating Patella)

Loose knees, or luxating patella, are common in many large dogs, including golden retrievers. The condition may be inherited or acquired from a trauma.

Often, the inherited condition isn’t diagnosed until the dog grows up, while patellar luxation caused by an injury is evident right away.

A luxating patella is a disorder where the kneecap is displaced from the knee joint, causing lumping, refusal to exercise, swelling, leg weakness, and pain when moving the leg. Usually, dogs with loose knees need surgery.

Additionally, a vet may prescribe the dog steroid injections, medications, and NSAIDs for pain and inflammation.

9. Low Thyroid

The thyroid is a hormone necessary for the proper functioning of a dog’s metabolism. Thyroid deficiency, known as hypothyroidism, is a severe condition commonly found in golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinchers, and Irish setters.

The condition usually manifests in adult spayed or neutered golden retrievers, but the reason isn’t yet known.

The symptoms of thyroid deficiency in dogs include hair loss, coat dullness, black patches on the skin, muscle loss, and slow heart rate.

Since the condition weakens the dog’s immune system, it may become more susceptible to colds, ear, and eye infections. The issue is also linked with infertility, seizures, and heart diseases.

The good news is that golden retrievers rarely die of thyroid deficiency.

The treatment is inexpensive and straightforward, but the dog will have to be on oral medications for the rest of its life. Untreated disease drastically affects the dog’s quality of life.

10. Bloating & Obesity

Golden retrievers are gluttons and will eat anything the owner gives them – or anything they find on the street. They are highly food motivated, which may be beneficial for training but can become a problem in the long term.

Golden retrievers are prone to obesity – in fact, over 60% of goldens are overweight. Spayed and neutered dogs are at a higher risk of obesity. Thankfully, owners can control their dog’s weight with an adequate diet and regular exercise.

Because of their love for food, goldens are also prone to bloating or excessive gas accumulation in the gastroenteric tract.

Flatulence, enlarged abdomen, excessive drooling, vomiting, and labored breathing are the most apparent symptoms of the condition.

Bloating in dogs can be life-threatening, so owners shouldn’t take the symptoms lightly. The dog may need gastric decompression and medications to deal with the issue.

Same as with obesity, the most effective preventative measure for bloating in golden retrievers is an adequate diet. The owners should feed the dog in small portions with moist food.

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