Just like all breeds, Golden Retrievers have hereditary defects. Breeders who are members of the Golden Retriever Club of Qld. Inc. are recommended to follow the rules set down by our Club. These rules include screening of all hereditary defects by either x-rays, specialist consultations etc. before breeding with a male dog or bitch.
The hereditary defects most commonly associated with Golden Retrievers are Hip dysplasia and Eye Defects.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip Dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip-joint, influenced by hereditary and other factors. The hip-joint is referred to as a ball-and-socket joint, the rounded head of the femur fitting into the cup-like acetabulum. Hip dysplasia results in instability of the joint due to alterations of the head of the femur and a shallowness of the acetabulum. The degree of change can vary from slight to so severe that the head of the femur can become totally dislocated. The dog’s movement does not always give an accurate assessment of the degree of hip dysplasia. Dogs with changes of hip dysplasia will develop osteoarthritis later in life.
The only way to confirm hip dysplasia is through an x-ray. All breeders x-ray their dogs and bitches before considering breeding with them. The x-rays are sent away to be scored. The x-ray plate of each hip joint is measured and scored between 0 and 53 e.g. 4:5 (9). See attached two examples of the forms, which accompany the dog’s x-ray to the accredited Hip Scoring Schemes.
Dogs with Hip Dysplasia can lead normal long lives. Veterinary Science today is much advanced in the treatment of the ailments of Hip Dysplasia and only in very severe cases will a dog be considered by a vet untreatable and need to be put to sleep.
It must be stated at this stage, by keeping your puppy the correct weight, not over exercising, not allowing the puppy under 12 months of age to jump into/onto objects, you will help minimise the chances of your dog sustaining any injuries that could present as Hip Dysplasia.
Even though Hip Dysplasia scoring might not mean much to you, when purchasing your puppy ask your breeder for a look at the breeding pair’s hip scores and ask the breeder to explain the scores to you.
There can never be a guarantee given when purchasing a puppy against Hip Dysplasia – all that responsible breeders can do, is follow the guidelines put down by the Canine Control Council and the Golden Retriever Club of Queensland Inc.
Please click on this link for a more informative and detailed explanation on HIP DYSPLASIA.
ELBOW DYSPLASIA
Elbow dysplasia is the abnormal development of the elbow joint. The term includes a number of specific abnormalities which affect different sites in the joint. These abnormalities are called primary lesions. Primary lesions cause problems by affecting the development of the cartilage in growth plates and the joint surfaces. The primary lesions then start a secondary osteoarthritic process.
The three common abnormalities are:
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
- Fragmented or Ununited Coronoid Process (FCP)
- Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP)
The primary lesions occur during the growth of the puppy and cause abnormal wear of the joint surfaces and osteoarthritis. The elbow is particularly vulnerable to this disease because the bones and cartilage surfaces in the joint have complex shapes and the elbow is a high motion joint. Lameness is first noticed around 4 to 6 months of age and may be intermittent. Typically a dog looks stiff when rising from rest and has a mild lameness which gets worse after exercise. Males are more often affected. Treatment may involve surgery and/or drugs depending on the severity.
Elbow Scores
Breeding dogs are scored using an x-ray of the elbow joint and the assessment can be made at the same time as the hip joints. The grade is based on the presence of primary lesions and the size and extent of secondary lesions. Each elbow is given a grade between 0 and 3. A grade of 0 is normal with no lesions or osteoarthritis and a grade 3 has severe osteoarthritis.
A number of factors influence the occurrence of elbow dysplasia. The condition is not controlled by a simple gene or simple inheritance, but by the combination of many genes. The severity of elbow dysplasia is also influenced by your dog’s growth rate and the amount of exercise. Do not overfeed and cause your puppy to grow too rapidly or allow him to carry excess weight which puts abnormal stresses on the major weight bearing joints.
Typical manifestations of elbow dysplasia in dogs
Typical manifestations of elbow dysplasia in dogs 1 step between articular surfaces of radius and ulna, 2 isolated anconeal process, 3 fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP), OCD of the medial condyle
ELBOW DISEASES IN GROWING DOGS by Roger Lavelle ~ University of Melbourne
EYE DISEASES
Entropion
Entropion is an inherited condition of the eyelid where the border of the eyelid turns in and hair normally on the outside of the lid rubs on the surface of the eye (cornea). It usually affects the lower eyelid. Entropion is most common in dogs less than one year of age and causes irritation to the eye and in severe cases ulceration of the cornea. Surgery is required.
Distichiasis
Distichia (extra eyelashes) grow from glands in the eyelid edge on to the cornea. Depending on a number of factors, extra eyelashes may or may not cause irritation to the eyes. If there is irritation, surgery is indicated.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPMs)
Many Goldens are affected by the mildest form of PPMs. These are small strands of iris tissue that run across the surface of the iris and they do not cause clinical signs.
Imperforate Tear Punctum
In some Goldens the lower tear duct opening (punctum) in the eyelid does not form. Affected dogs present with a watery eye as a pup. A new tear duct can be surgically created.
Cataracts
A cataract is any opacity in the lens. There are many causes of cataracts, some of these are inherited. If the cataracts are present in both eyes and they mature the dog may become blind. Surgery is available in some cases.
The posterior polar subcapsular (PPS) is better known as the star cataract. It is usually in both eyes and becomes apparent from 6 to 18 months of age. Some dogs develop this problem as late as seven years of age. This cataract may be slowly progressive, but it rarely interferes with vision.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
The retina is the light sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. It is responsible for registering visual stimuli and transmitting them through the optic nerve of the brain. In retinal atrophy, this layer of tissue gradually degenerates. Affected dogs have night blindness, progressing to day blindness and in the later stages cataracts may develop.
HEART DISEASES
Golden Retrievers can suffer from inherited heart disease. The breed’s primary heart problem is Subarterial Aortic Stenosis (SAS). This disease can be fatal from an early age. Again, breeders should be checking for the presence of disease in breeding stock. Certificates should be checked to ensure the dog is clear from any disease and they should hold a clearance AFTER the age of 12 months. A puppy clearance is not a clearance to verify suitability for breeding. (Heart certification is not compulsory for the registration of the litter).
Aortic Stenosis
This disease of dogs arises when abnormal tissue near the aortic valve obstructs the flow of blood out of the left ventricle. If severe enough it can eventually lead to CHF and ventricular arrhythmias.
Symptoms include exercise intolerance, rear limb weakness, syncope (passing out), cough, shortness of breath, and even death.
A heart murmur along with an arrhythmia is a clue to this disease.
Radiographs and electrocardiograms are of help in the more advanced cases. Echocardiograms are helpful in the moderate to severe cases.
Surgery and balloon catheter dilation are helpful but may be of limited value. Medical therapy is used to treat CHF.
Mildly affected dogs can have a good quality of life. If the problem is more severe the prognosis is not as good.
