Question by ktmh: my golden retrievers ear is puffy and swollen, what could this be?
He’s 14 years old and quite healthy (minus his arthritis in which the vet started him on metacam almost 2 months ago and he acts like the pup at heart that he always has been). His ear is really puffy and it feels like a hard pocket of liquid and it’s located in his ear flap. He shows no signs of discomfort and he doesn’t shake or itch often at all. At first I thought maybe he had gotten bit a little too hard playing with my other dogs or by an insect and I figured it would just go away but it’s been a couple of weeks now and its getting bigger. It feels like its about to burst. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him and will be taking him to the vet as soon as I can get him in but I was just wondering what some people think it could be. I’ve read on a few sites that it could be numerous things such as an aural hematoma, ulcer, ear infection, even cancer! I’m just looking for some piece of mind because some of the things I’ve read are pretty scary and although hes in good shape and healthy especially for his age, he’s still a pretty old dog and I know his treatment options in any case are limited. Anyone with any ideas or opinions its greatly appreciated!!!
thanks everyone! I really hope being the age he is there is something the vet can do to help him out. He’s pretty strong willed Heres to hoping!

Best answer:

Answer by Lorraine
It is almost bound to be a aural hematoma as you suspect, from the sound of it.

They do need draining under a GA though, and as he is 14 yrs old then the vet might decide on another course of action.

He will need to see a vet with this.

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Question by Sandra: My Golden Retriever’s Weight….?
Hello…. I have a question about our dog’s weight that I would love some opinions on. We have a 2 year old Golden who has hip dysplasia. The vet has been wanting him to lose weight for a few months now, and I could see that he was slightly over weight. However, I think he now looks great and is in great shape. I have him weighed every month, and when I took him in today, he had gained 3 pounds ( He now weighs 86 pounds ) ! But he looks thinner, and looks quite slender when he’s wet. I have been taking him swimming about 4 times a week for the past 3 weeks, and I really thought that was helping. I was shocked that he had gained weight. I don’t feel that it’s fair to go by just the number on the scale. I have a friend who has a Golden and he weighs 85 pounds, but is in great condition and just larger boned. Could it be that our dog is just more muscular and not necessarily fat? He does not look fat to me at all and is very , very strong. Just curious what other people think . Thanks:)
Thank you very much for the wonderful answers ! When I took him in yesterday to be weighed, I didn’t see the vet – just the vet tech. When I take him again in a month, I will definitely talk to the vet and see what she thinks. I can’t see his ribs, but can feel them just fine. He’s been swimming a lot the past 3 1/2 weeks, and I really feel that that has added muscle . He just doesn’t look fat to me. I would rather the vet go by how he looks and feels than by the number on the scale. Anyway, thanks again to everyone

Best answer:

Answer by Kathleen
It’s quite likely he’s gained muscle, what does your vet say?

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Question by simoniz: hip displasia in golden retrievers?
my dog is a lab/retriever/chow mix and earlier today i found her on the ground with her hind quarters tucked under her body as far as it would go but her tail was curled up over her back, like it usually is, but higher than usual and was oviously frightened and in pain. but a few minutes later, she perked back up again. Are these the symptoms of hip dysplasia? If not, what could it be? should I take her to get an X-ray?

Best answer:

Answer by xmillerphotos
Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia along with older Goldens. I would suggest telling your vet and asking for x-rays. It can become a problem, and it is painful. If she does have hip dysplasia then the only thing you can do is pain medications I believe.

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I have a Golden Retriever (born February 2008), who is probably about a little over 1.5 years old. She has been very healthy, showing no signs of struggle when moving, pain, or hip dysplasia. She is a large breed dog, and we didn’t purchase her from a breeder who may have handled puppies more carefully. I think she came from a kennel, who sold dogs to puppy stores where we live. However, they provided the AKC registration of the parents (somewhere on a paper somewhere in my house), but I haven’t checked up on them. She’s a purebred, just for your information. She seems really healthy, but I worry that she might get hip dysplasia. I heard that it normally shows in younger dogs, but would it ever occur when they grow up? What can I do to try to reduce or prevent it if it ever would occur?
I understand that just because she’s AKC registered it doesn’t mean anything… I just added that. She doesn’t show any signs. Do you know when I should start looking for any signs? Also, when she sits, her feet point a little outward… is that normal? Am I just seeing things that aren’t there?
Actually, her feet point inward, perfectly straight. I don’t think anything will be wrong with her, as we feed her good, organic dog food, she’s not overweight or overexercised, she’s not a show dog who is constantly being trained and taught tricks. I just want to be able to catch it at an earlier stage, of which I’m sure will be a lot easier to treat or operate on. Any thoughts?