There are some common health problems that your Golden Retriever can experience from time to time. However, most of the time these problems won’t be anything serious if you know how to treat and prevent them properly. It is important to take steps to protect your dog from these common Golden Retriever health problems.

The first of these Golden Retriever health problems is the distemper virus, which is an airborne disease. When your Golden Retriever is between six and sixteen weeks of age you can easily avoid this disease by getting your dog three vaccinations and then keeping up their yearly booster shot after that. Some signs you should look for in case your Golden Retriever hasn’t been vaccinated include fever, cough, diarrhea and vomiting. It is important to take a Golden Retriever with these signs to the vet right away so treatment can be started and you can help your Golden Retriever get better soon.
Another of the common Golden Retriever health problems is heartworm. These develop in the heart and lung arteries and can be up to twelve inches in length. If left untreated heartworms can lead to heart failure, decrease of blood circulation and death in extreme cases. Since the symptoms of heartworms don’t show up until the condition is very severe it is better to prevent the condition from happening in the first place by giving heartworm medicines.

Parasites that you also have to watch for include tapeworms, which are caused by fleas. Symptoms to watch for with tapeworms include weight loss, diarrhea and a biting of the rectal area. Using a rigid flea control can help to prevent tapeworms in your Golden Retriever. Take your dog to the vet right away if they are showing signs of either heartworms or tapeworms. Your veterinarian may be able to treat both conditions or at least provide you with medications to help your dog live with the condition.
Rabies is one of the more serious of the Golden Retriever health problems. This is because rabies can have an adverse affect on your dog’s nervous system. Typically the disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. You should get your dog a yearly shot in order to prevent the disease. Seizures, aggression and foaming at the mouth are some symptoms of rabies that you should be aware of. If you suspect your Golden Retriever may have rabies it is important to call your vet immediately.

While these are just a few Golden Retriever health problems there are many other ailments that can affect your dog. You should never hesitate to contact your vet and get an appointment as soon as possible if you notice any signs of ailments, diseases or health problems. There is a better chance of treating all medical conditions by diagnosing it early than if you wait until it has progressed too far.

To prevent the common health problems you need to practice proper Golden Retriever care. It is also helpful to know what you should seek emergency care for your Golden Retriever.

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