Health

Health Issues.
As with any dog breed Golden Retrievers are known to have some hereditary health conditions, which are inherited from parents to offspring. Theseprobl ems include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, several eye diseases and a heart condition, sub aortic stenosis.
Responsible breeders will only breed with dogs with clear heart and eye certificates,
and with low hip & elbow scores.  (that $700 bargin puppy in thetrading post, HAS NOT been screened for any health conditions!)

At Camuka all breeding stock are tested for these conditions. You will be supplied with copies of
all certificates if you purchase one of our puppies or use one of our stud dogs.

In most cases the mode of inheritance and the specific genes involved in these diseases are yet to be
identified.  Most of these conditions have complex causes and are the result ofmany different contributing factors.  The combination of genes which predispose the dog to the disease must be inherited and then the dog is subjected to environmental stresses which exacerbate the condition.  Most of these conditions are polygenic – caused by the cumulative effects of a number of genes.

The contributing environmental factors in hip and elbow dysplasia are the dog’s weight, the
amount and type of exercise, and the puppy’s growth rate.  These all contribute in the expression of the disease.  Other diseases such as epilepsy are suspected to have a genetic basis, but the mode of inheritance has not been identified.

All Golden Retriever Breed clubs recommends that no dog with a serious genetic defect should be bred from.

An initiative introduced by the National Golden Retriever Council is for all Golden Retrievers born after 1 January 2002 to have their Hip Grading Certificates lodged with the state kennel
club prior to the registration a litter.

The major diseases that Camuka screen for are:

Hip Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia (OCD)
Hereditary Eye diseases  (hereditary
cataract, PRA, extra eye lashes, glaucoma)NOTE:
an eye examination done by a veterinary ophthalmologist is done annually
Heart disease. (sub aortic Stenosis -SAS)

 

The Golden Retriever Club Of Victoria has excellent information on Hereditary
diseases. found in the Golden Retriever.

The only proof a dog is free or tested for these conditions is to view current recognised
certificate, signed by a specialised veterinarian. Eye certificates must be updated annually.

It is not good enough for someone to say “both parents are healthy, so no need to test” A dog may
look healthy and have a serious underlying condition.

Conscientious breeders do ALL tests, and will only be to happy to show you the original certificates and discuss them.

Other genetic conditions breeders may test for:
Ichthyosis (DNA test available). Ichthyosis causes flaking skin and has no cure. It does not usually cause any problems except the constant shedding of skin flakes. Now known to be quite widespread in our breed, recently a DNA test became available and at Camuka we are now testing for this.
PRA -1 & 2 (DNA test available) Progressive Retinal Atrophy – causes retinal degeneration and progresses over time to blindness.
A good article – Breakthroughs in Golden Retriever Health.  (an article from the GRC of America on new DNA breakthroughs)
Future Ectopic Ureter (DNA test pending) puppies leak urine, more common in female puppies, also
known as a “wet puppy”. Some BYB will try and sell a puppy cheap with this condition, its no bargain, surgery is very expensive and often puppies have other genetic issues. Most breeders will euthanize a puppy with this condition, and it should never be SOLD.
Epilepsy – not regarded as a major problem in Australia but believed to have a hereditary component. No dogs with epilepsy should ever be bred from.

Thyroid – canine hypothyroidism is not uncommon in Golden Retrievers.
Hypothyroidism, or low concentrations of thyroid hormones, is the most common endocrine disease of dogs, and breeders rate it as one of the most important health conditions of purebred dogs. A
simple blood test can identify the disease. Some of our dogs have been screened for this.

Cancer – unfortunately far too common not just in Golden Retrievers but all dogs (including cross breeds) Lots of money being spent on research. Currently the biggest cause of death in our lovely breed.

 Other Health matters:
WARNING!

JPS surgery – a fairly new “preventative surgery” being offered to new puppy owners, as a possible way to reduce hip dysplasia. It will be offered as early as 4 months. We have yet to see any evidence that this is effective and are concerned it is being offered to puppies that may never have any problem. The surgery is expensive up to $2000! If your vet suggests this surgery, PLEASE discuss
with me first.