Common Eye and Heart Diseases of Golden Retrievers

Eye disease is very common among Golden Retrievers. Generally, most Golden Retrievers will have a condition called hereditary cataract at one point, which is a common eye ailment among their breed. There are some Golden Retrievers that are affected with hereditary cataract at an early age although it does not necessarily interfere with their vision. However, there are some instances when the condition becomes severe leading to total blindness.

In some cases, Golden Retrievers may also be affected with non-hereditary cataracts. These may be examined by a licensed veterinarian to determine the condition of the cataracts.

There are a number of families of the breed that have been known as carriers of the CPRA genes or Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy. CPRA affects the retina and may result to permanent blindness for Golden Retrievers even at a young age. Another type of eye defect is retinal dysplasia. In addition, eyelids that rotate in or out, or eyelashes that rub on or in the eye may also be a problem among Golden Retrievers, some being a result of hereditary aspects. A surgical procedure may be recommended to fix these kinds of eye problems.

Breeding is not recommended for Golden Retrievers suspected with any of the above mentioned eye defects. This is because there may be a possibility that the condition can be passed on to the litter. As eye diseases in Golden Retrievers can develop at any age, it is important that you should get your Golden an annual eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist to check for any possible occurrence of eye problems. Make sure that your dog’s vet is well trained and highly proficient as well as complete with all the equipment necessary for your Golden’s eye examination.

On the other hand, Golden Retrievers may also acquire Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS), which is considered as the most common type of heart ailment among Golden Retrievers. A Golden that is found to have any form of heart disease is discouraged from breeding, as this can result to serious risks or even death.

It is best to have your Golden checked by a veterinary cardiologist for heart disease before breeding it in order to avoid complications. The vet may recommend additional tests if your dog is suspected with a heart problem. Negative results may not always mean that your dog is free from heard disease as well, as there may be some milder versions present that could not easily be detected.