Health

My Golden Retriever, Winger, had hip displasia. I have read a lot to deal with his condition. Here is some important information worth sharing.

What is Hip Displasia?
Hip displasia can be a terrible, painful, degenerative disease. A dog can be affected in one hip or both. Basically, hip displasia means a disfigurement of the hip joint. A displastic hip socket is too shallow. Because the head of the femur isn't held in place securely by the hip socket, there is continuous movement of the head of the femur against the edges of the hip socket.
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What is a hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is common in mid to large sized dogs, especially Golden Retrievers. Hypothyroidism refers to a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone. This hormone plays an important part in regulated the metabolism of the dog, including controlling growth ...

Laika
Myriosa Water Off A Ducks Back CD, WC, Am/Can TDX; therapy dog
16 September 2000 – 15 August 2005

Last month, with my “puppy” lying at my feet, I would never have believed I would be writing this note so ...

Cryptococcosis is a rare infectious disease caused by the fungus Cryptococcosis neoformans with similar signs, symptoms, and treatments as the blastomycosis fungal disease. Humans and dogs are both susceptible by inhaling infectious spores that are spread by the excrement of birds, especially pigeons. After the spores are inhaled, the organism spreads to other organs. Cryptococcus has a tendency to invade the nervous system.
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Blastomycosis, or "blasto" for short, is a fungal disease found in humans, dogs, and other mammals, occasionally cats. It is commonly misdiagnosed, often as cancer, Valley fever, Lyme disease, and other viral infections. It lives as a mold in warm (room temperature), acid, sandy soils near water. Once in the body, it lives as a yeast. It is contracted most often by inhaling through the nose the spores of the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. Blastomycosis is called a biphasic ...

My first two Golden Retrievers have had more than their fair share of Hot Spots. Hopefully you are luckily enough to have a Golden Retriever who has never had own of these awful things, but if you do have a dog that is prone to them, or if you think your dog might have a hot spot, please read on:
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When is a Golden Retriever considered a senior?

Usually the answer is they become a senior canine citizen between the age of 8 and 10. Their needs are changing and their activity levels are decreasing. This special page will address some concerns and highlights of our Golden Retriever's senior years.
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