I would always mention it to the two veterinarians I was taking her to on every visit, and they would tell me to feed her less, walk her more, or change her food. When I would tell them I have done all of that, they would say that golden retrievers are prone to gain weight.

Her other problem was her ears being infected constantly. No matter how much I cleaned them they got infected. They told me that this is common in golden retrievers because of the ears hanging. It does not allow air to get in, and that causes infection.

I would also always mention that her coat seemed thin for a golden retriever. Both veterinarian offices told me it was not uncommon for dogs to lose their coats, and it might be a skin condition.

Recently Molly was due for a few vaccinations, and I decided it was time for a new veterinarian. When we went for our first visit, the doctor commented on how heavy Molly was. He weighed her and she was 130 pounds. He said she should be about 75.

I told him she gets two cups of dry food a day, no table scraps, a biscuit or two, and I walk her everyday. I also told him I don’t know what else to do, she just keeps gaining weight.

He looked her over and said it may not be her fault. He noticed her ears were infected, and she was losing a lot of her coat.

He told me that the weight gain, infected ears, and hair loss, are all signs of hypothyroidism. He said a simple blood test could confirm it, and if that was the cause, an inexpensive pill a day would give me a new dog. Those were his exact words.

Well he knew what he was talking about, because that was the problem. I give Molly one 0.8mg tablet of L-thyroxine a day. It has been eight weeks now and she has lost over twelve pounds, without changing anything else.

She also has unlimited energy. When I used to walk her around the block, I often didn’t think she was going to make it. Now she drags me. Her hair is also all growing back. It’s almost hard to believe this one little pill could solve everything.

When the veterinarian told me that one little pill could give me a new dog, if she had hypothyroidism, I didn’t put a lot of faith in his statement, but it really is like a magic wand was waved over my dog. If your dog has any of the symptoms mentioned here, have them checked. You may be as surprised as I still am.

If this article finds it’s way into one home with a sick dog, and helps, it will be worth it. It is also not my intent to make veterinarians look bad, because most of them do a very good job, but if something doesn’t seem right, get another opinion.

Read More About Hypothyroidism

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

After about six months the vomiting and diarrhea became an everyday thing. I took her to the same vet for over a month, and was given everything from pills to special prescription dog foods. Nothing worked.

I went to a different veterinarian and was pretty much give the same treatment. Prescription dog foods, and pills. None of it made things any better. Their diagnosis was she had a sensitive digestive track, and there wasn’t much that could be done. They even took x-rays to see if they was an internal problem.

It had been about six weeks now, and at this point Molly was so sick I thought we were going to lose her. She was so weak she could barely walk up or down stairs.

Desperate for an answer I turned to the internet. It took me about ten minutes to learn that when dogs are vomiting and have diarrhea for long periods, like Molly did it could be related to an allergy.

I found out that dogs often get allergies to corn, wheat, or soy. Wheat is the most common. The article suggested to try an organic dog food which has none of these ingredients. It also suggested to try Paul Newman’s organic dog food, because he donates all of the profits to the ASPCA.

I went to my local grocery store and they had it. Within three days the vomiting stopped, by seven days the diarrhea was gone. It took Molly about a month to get back to her old self but it’s good to have her back.

I am not here to knock veterinarian’s because I know they provide a great service, but neither of the vet’s I took Molly to, that have been in business for years, ever suggested that she may have an allergy, or offered a food without wheat, corn, or soy, which seems to me now, like a simple dog diarrhea treatment to try. There is no doubt in my mind, that if I did not have the internet, I probably would not still have Molly.

I guess you can’t always believe what the professionals tell you. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts.

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

Taking your golden retriever to the veterinarian’s office can be an adventure all on its own. There are so many sights, sounds, smells and other sensations that your canine can easily become quite excited or agitated to the point that control is difficult.


Multiply this by the ever rotating average of 10 or more pets in a busy waiting room and mass pandemonium could be the result.

Without proper training and control, a veterinarian’s waiting room might quickly become a bedlam of scales, feather and fur as the animals all compete for space and attention.

So what can you do to make the trip less stressful for your golden retriever, yourself, your vet and the staff? There are five basic points that will make any visit, less of an odyssey.

First, be certain to leash or halter train your dog if you do not plan on using a pet carrier for transport. A pet carrier is ideal for small animals as this provides them a measure of security, as they have their own personal space. It also gives them protection from larger pets, or aggressive animals that might be in the waiting room.

Otherwise a shorter leash or halter is best in the waiting room, as it provides more control for the dog owner and prevents tangling with other animals or furniture. Leashes also provide a handhold for cases where aggressive behaviors among animals might otherwise get out of control.

Secondly, consider muzzle training for your pet . Many veterinarian hospitals now request you to muzzle your pet. This is for the safety of other patients as well as the staff.

A muzzle will simply fit around your golden retrievers mouth area and prevent biting, but to a dog that is unfamiliar with the device this can be a very frightening experience. Giving your pet the opportunity to learn about this device in a non-threatening environment can make the office visit much less traumatic.

A third tip is to not forget the rewards. Unless your veterinarian has requested your dog have no food for specific purposes, such as testing, or if they do not allow food in the waiting room, feel free to bring along a treat for your pet.

This will help them to feel more at ease with the new surroundings and help to keep their focus on you rather than on getting a closer look at the iguana on a leash in the corner.

It also gives you the chance to continue the training lessons while waiting for your pet to be called back to the exam rooms. Plus, your dog will think you are really cool.

Fourth, keep track of your golden retrievers medical records. Is your pet allergic to anything? Is she up to date on her vaccination shots? How old is he? Has your pet had any surgeries, major illnesses or parasites?

These things are all important to know and could be potentially life threatening if you didn’t keep them current. Regular visits to the vet, and being current on shots is always a good idea, to keep your pet in great health.

It is also a good idea to write a list of questions you would like to ask the veterinarian before you get there, because it always seems we remember the questions we wanted to ask on the way back home.

Visiting the vet regularly will help your golden retriever to become more relaxed with the office settings and they will respond better.

For our fifth tip, let’s party. Socializing your pet to other people and animals prior to vet visits is a great idea provided they are current on their vaccinations. This allows them to learn acceptable behaviors around other animals and what the boundaries of interaction are.

Hosting a puppy party is a great way to do this. Invite several other dog owners over to visit and serve a modest picnic or potluck type meal. Encourage the dogs to play and interact together and with the other owners.

This will help them to learn what you will and will not accept and helps you to determine potential problem areas. Golden Retrievers are generally very well behaved, but they can change in a stressful situation, so it is a good idea to test the waters before going to a busy veterinarian’s office.

Following these simple tips can make vet visits less traumatic on all involved and much easier to cope with. You will thank yourself later. Your pet will thank you and so will the staff at the vet’s office.

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

Learn to heal your dog naturally

Heartworm disease is potentially deadly for golden retrievers and all breeds of dogs. It is caused by larvae being transmitted by mosquito bites. A mosquito bites a dog infected with the heartworm disease, and then carries it to the next dog it bites.


This larvae can grow into heartworms up to 14 inches long, that work their way into the heart and lungs. It takes about six months from the time the dog is infected by the mosquito bite, until the larvae become adult worms.

This condition can cause heart failure, kidney failure, and liver damage. If your dog is infected you may notice weight loss or reduced appetite.

You may also notice your dog gets tired after very moderate exercise, or perhaps is not interested in any exercise at all. These are all warning signs of possible heartworm disease.

Your veterinarian can check for heartworm with a blood test. If the test is positive then they will usually perform an e-ray to confirm the presence of the infection.

If your dog is infected there are drugs that can kill the adult worms. It is administered by a series of injections. Hospitalization may also be necessary.

This can be a long and painful battle for your dog and your family, and a long and painful time for your checkbook. These treatments are not cheap, and can last for months.

Prevention is the best way to avoid this scenario and protect your golden retriever. The easiest way is the once a month chewable tablet.

There is also a shot that your vet can give that lasts about six months, or a topical medication that can be applied once a month.

Golden retrievers or any dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, are especially prone to this deadly disease. The link below will give you more information on heartworm.

Visit The American Heartworm Society For More Information

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

A Golden Retrievers health is probably the number one issue when shopping for a new puppy. With all the backyard breeders offering puppies for sale, you have to be very careful.


If you are thinking about getting a Golden Retriever puppy, then you really need to do your homework. This is not the time to rush into buying the first cute puppy you see.

Buying a new puppy that will surely become a big part of your family, only to find out a couple of years down the road that your best friend has serious medical problems that can drain your checkbook, or worse, is a situation you definitely want to avoid.

The only way to try and avoid buying a puppy with health problems is to find a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder is careful that the male and female he uses to breed do not have a history of common Golden Retriever health problems.

If you are buying from a pet store, or a back yard breeder you found in the newspaper, you really are taking a chance. If you haven’t read, Golden Retriever Breeders on this web site it would be a good idea. It gives a lot of good information on choosing a breeder.

And don’t be fooled by the A.K.C registration certificate for the puppy, from a backyard breeder. They don’t mean that much, as far as your new puppy being bred from good stock. Those certificates have gotten pretty easy to get, when someone’s dog has a litter of puppies.

Also aggression is becoming more common with the golden retriever breed. This is due to the explosion of backyard breeders breeding golden retrievers, because of the financial gain.

Your puppy will look and act normal, but after about eight months to a year, it will start to show, and it can become a big problem, especially if you have small children. The only way to avoid it, is by going to a reputable breeder that can provide references.

Some of the most common Golden Retriever health problems in the breed are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Cataracts of the eyes.

Some of the less common problems, but ones that can still show up are Trichiasis, Von Willebrands Disease, Epilepsy, Entropion, Distchiasis, Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Osteosarcoma, Gastric Torsion, Cardiomyopathy, Allergies, and Osteochondritis Dissecans.

Hip dysplasia: is an abnormal development of the hip joint where the head of the femur bone does not fit properly into the pelvic socket. This causes an excessive looseness in the hip joint.

The first signs of this disease are usually noticed when your dog begins to limp, or has trouble climbing stairs. It is usually in the rear legs on one or both sides and generally can be quite painful. This is a very common Golden Retriever health problem.

Elbow dysplasia: is caused by improper development of the bones that make up the elbow, causing the joint to be loose, and can lead to painful arthritis.

Cataracts: Golden Retrievers can get cataracts the same as humans can. They are usually found on a routine eye exam. They can usually be removed by surgery if the dog is healthy.

Trichiasis: is an eyelash problem where the eyelash is deformed during the normal growth process causing the eye to become irritated.

Von Willebrands disease: is a blood disorder, causing a problem with blood clotting. Dogs that have this disease are prone to excessive bleeding if they suffer an injury, or during any required surgery.

Epilepsy: is a brain disorder that can cause periodic convulsions or seizures. Usually this disorder can be controlled with medication.

Entropion: is where the eyelids turn inward and irritate the eyes. Surgery is often necessary.

Distchiasis: is an eyelash problem caused by abnormal eyelashes along the eyelid. If it is left untreated it can cause the dog a lot of pain, and further eye problems. Surgery is recommended.

Subvalvular aortic stenosis: is a heart problem, an abnormal narrow connection between the left ventricle, and the aorta, which eventually leads to heart failure.

Progressive retinal atrophy: is a family of diseases all involving the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night blind and lack the ability to see in dim light.

As the disease progresses, their daytime vision fails. As their vision fails, dogs will adapt to their disability very well as long as their environment stays the same.

Osteosarcoma: this is a malignant bone cancer. Sadly it is fairly common in large size dogs.

Gastric torsion: This is a condition where the stomach twists and traps the contents of the stomach and gases, causing rapid swelling of the abdomen, accompanied by pain and eventual death if not treated immediately. This condition is most common in large deep chested breeds, like golden retrievers.

Anyone owning a dog in this class should know the exact procedure of who to call in an emergency, the after hours phone numbers of the veterinarian, and where the nearest animal hospital is located. This condition can happen without warning, and your pet’s life depends on immediate medical attention.

Cardiomyopathy: is a disease of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy is a serious problem in many breeds.

Allergies: are difficult to pinpoint in dogs, but are usually caused by a reaction to the food they are eating or an additive in the food. Flea bites can also cause allergic reactions. A golden retrievers constant scratching, biting, and shaking their head usually tells you something is wrong.

Osteochondritis dissecans: is a degeneration of bone underlying the cartilage layer of joints. It is often seen in young fast growing dogs of the larger breeds. X-rays often are inconclusive. OCD usually appears in young dogs between six and nine months old.

OCD can affect the shoulder, ankle or elbow. It is painful and is first noticed because the dog will limp. Activities like jumping off of high objects, and being over weight are all contributing factors. OCD can sometime heal itself if you keep you pet quiet with very limited activities. The only other alternative is surgery.

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

Keep your Golden happy, healthy, and obedient

The summer season is the worst time for the pesky flea, tick, and mosquito. These little buggers can make a dog’s life miserable, and can cause serious health problems, like lyme disease, that can sometimes lead to death.


The flea if left untreated can cause serious skin problems for your dog. It is easy to treat with over the counter medications, or prescription from your veterinarian, and your dog will thank you.

The mosquito can carry the larvae that causes heartworm in dogs. If your dog gets heartworm it is very expensive to treat, and if left untreated they will usually die.

The best way to avoid this is to get a prescription from your veterinarian. There are several different types of medications to prevent heartworm, but usually one pill a month prevents the disease from ever starting.

Lyme disease can also be a problem depending on what part of the country you live in. If you have never heard of it, then chances are you may not have to worry about it.

It is a disease that ticks carry in certain parts of the country. It affects both humans and dogs, as well as several other animals.

If a person or a dog is bitten by a tick that carries the lyme disease, and it is not treated, it can become very debilitating. The best way to avoid this is to have your dog vaccinated against it.

Ask your veterinarian if canine lyme disease is a problem in your part of the country. Lyme disease was named for the town Lyme, in the state of Connecticut, where it was first discovered.

The American Heartworm Society will tell you everything you want to know about heartworm disease.

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy

Golden Retriever Club Of America THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB OF AMERICA, INC (GRCA)
C/o Secretary
P.O. Box 20434, Oklahoma City, OK 73156

American Kennel Club, Inc (AKC) The AKC regulates all dog shows, obedience trials, field trials, tracking tests and their titles, as well as all registration of purebred litters and individual dogs.
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Telephone (212) 696-8200

Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) Purdue University
CERF/ Lynn Hall
625 Harrison Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026
Registration of eye examined dogs,all breeds

North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA) Information on NAHRA sponsored Hunting Retriever Tests.
P.O. Box 1590
Stafford VA 22555
(540) 286-0625

Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) Currently available:
Information on x-raying for OFA evaluation
HIP DYSPLASIA: A Monograph for Dog Breeders and Qwners by E.A Corley, DVM. $5 single copy, $1 each for ten or more copies.

Akc Companion Animal Recovery 5580 Centerview Dr. Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27606-3394
Registry for microchipped or tattoed animals. AKC maintains a 24 hour recovery network to aid in the recovery of lost pets.

Therapy Dogs International This is a great non-profit organization. They take there dogs to nursing homes, institutions, and care facilities to visit the sick and elderly, to provide, companionship, therapy, and emotional well-being. The Golden Retriever is especially well suited for this task.

Robin’s Cancer Center A site dedicated to information about dogs with cancer. This site is loaded with useful information about diet, options, treatments, and more.
]]> http://the-golden-retriever.com/clubs-and-medical-sites.html/feed 0 http://the-golden-retriever.com/the-pesky-flea-and-tick.html http://the-golden-retriever.com/the-pesky-flea-and-tick.html#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:25:45 +0000 Glenn http://the-golden-retriever.com/?p=18 The flea and the tick. A pet’s worst nightmare. But with proper information and care, you can easily win the battle.


If you want to keep your Golden Retriever happy, or any dog for that matter, you need to be serious about controlling these pests.

These little buggers can make your pets life miserable, and if left uncontrolled, can become a big problem in your home.

As your Golden goes about his daily activities outside in the yard, or walking in the woods, he will naturally pick up fleas. The way they attack their victims is by jumping on them. They can easily jump a couple of feet to get on a nice warm body.

Did you know the female flea can produce up to 600 offspring a month. If your Golden had 25 or 30 female fleas, and the problem went untreated for a month, you can see what a huge problem this could become.

Ticks on the other hand are an even bigger problem. They pose a greater risk of making you or your pet very sick. Thousands of people annually get illnesses such a Lyme disease.

Once a tick is attached to your Golden it can remain there for up to a week. Lyme disease is usually caused by the Deer tick.

If your Golden is more of a house dog, and gets walked on a leash on sidewalks, you probably won’t have much of a tick problem.

If you have a yard that your Golden spends a lot of time in, but you keep the lawn manicured, and put down a treatment once a year to kill brown dog ticks (available at most home and garden centers) you probably still will not have much of a tick problem.

If you take your dog out in the woods for walks, or he is used for hunting, it is pretty certain you will have a tick problem. When you bring your dog home, examine him for ticks.

A lot of times you will find ticks that are still walking around on your dog, looking for a place to burrow in.

If you find one that has already burrowed into your dog, grab the tick using your fingers protected with either a paper towel or surgical gloves, or grab it with tweezers, and pull gently but steady until it comes out.

Don’t pull too hard or fast because the head might come off and remain in your pet.

To dispose of the tick you can stick it to a piece of tape and fold the tape around it, or put it in a jar with some oil and seal it. You should never break the tick with your fingers because it can be infectious to humans.

If lyme disease is common in your area, it may be a good idea to save the tick in a glass jar with a grass clippings for moisture, and ask your vet where the tick can be tested to see if it carries the disease. The key to preventing lyme disease is early detection.

Medications to Treat Fleas and Ticks

There are a number of products to help control your dog’s flea and tick problem. Your veterinarian can usually let you know which one is right for your pet.

All of the products listed below have advantages and disadvantages. They also differ in what they will and will not control. Over the counter powders, sprays, and collars are moderately effective, however the best products are obtained only with a prescription.

(1) Fipronil (FRONTLINE liquid or spray and TOP SPOT liquid)

Your dog must be 8 weeks old. Easy to apply (simply apply between your Golden’s shoulder blades); kills adult fleas AND ticks.
Requires a prescription from your vet, does not kill eggs or larvae.

(2) Imidacloprid (ADVANTAGE a liquid)

Dog must be 4 months old
Easy to apply (simply apply between your Golden’s shoulder blades; kills adult fleas.
Does not kill ticks, if your Golden jumps in a pond or gets wet reapplication may be necessary.

(3) Lufenuron (PROGRAM a liquid or monthly pill, SENTINEL a flavored tablet)

Drug is dose at 5mg per pound, only use Sentinel in puppies 4 weeks or older
Blocks flea larvae from reaching adulthood, only have to take one pill per month, Sentinel prevents heartworm as well No tick protection

(4) Methoprene (FRONTLINE PLUS a liquid, ADVANCED CARE FLEA and TICK DROPS PLUS contains phenothrin as well, ONCE A MONTH FLEA and TICK DROPS)

Dog must be 8 weeks old
Applied once per month (may be effective up to 3 months), kill all types of fleas and 4 major species of ticks.
Must be stored in a cool, dark, dry environment – light inactivates product.

(5) Nitenpryam (CAPSTAR a tablet)

Your Golden must be 4 weeks old to use, dose is body weight based
Safe for pregnant or nursing dogs
Flea killer only – fast acting (can rid a dog of its fleas in a couple of hours)
May cause your Golden to itch due to fleas dying – not a side effect of the drug

(6) Pyriproxyfen and Permethrin (BIOSPOT a liquid, DEFEND EX SPOT a liquid that does not contain pyriproxyphen)

Safe for dogs 4 weeks or older as well as pregnant or nursing dog. Kills adult fleas, eggs and larvae
Repels ticks and mosquitoes
Can be purchased without a prescription

(7) Selamectin (REVOLUTION a liquid)

Applied topically once a month between shoulder blades
Effective against adult fleas and flea eggs
May control ear mites, sarcoptic mange(scabies), hookworm, roundworm and ear mites
Your Golden must be 6 weeks old to use and it is safe for pregnant or nursing dogs.

Secrets from a veterinarian to keep your dog healthy