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Goldendoodle Health Issues: 10 Common Goldendoodle Health Problems to Look Out For!

goldendoodle health issues

One thing we can all agree on is that nothing is more important than the health and happiness of our Goldendoodle. Whether you’re looking to get a new puppy or you’ve been a fur-parent for years, it’s always good to have at least a basic knowledge of common Goldendoodle health issues.

Not only will this knowledge help you seek treatment quickly if you see signs of one of these Goldendoodle health problems, but it’ll also allow you to take preventative measures to lessen the odds of them affecting your beloved pup.

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Do Goldendoodles Have Health Issues?

Yes, despite being considered a healthy breed overall, Goldendoodle health issues exist and are not uncommon. Mixed breeds, such as Goldendoodles, are often desirable because they have a decreased risk of inheriting health issues. That being said, they do have the possibility of inheriting conditions from either parent as well as being susceptible to everyday accidents and illnesses.

Nobody can predict the future, especially when it comes to health. What we can do as responsible dog owners  is be prepared. That’s why I recommend that all Goldendoodle owners invest in pet insurance. My pet insurance plan covers up to 90% of my dog’s medical bills for accidents and illnesses.

While there are many companies who offer pet insurance, Healthy Paws is the company who I trust with my Goldendoodle’s health.  For an affordable monthly premium, I know that my dog’s veterinary care will never be limited based on what I can afford.

Goldendoodle Health Issues from the Golden Retriever Side

Cataracts in Goldendoodles

Cataracts are essentially an opaque film over the eye. These can lead to poor vision and blindness if not treated properly. You can sometimes spot a mature cataract if the lens of your Goldendoodle’s eye is cloudy. The average cost for corrective surgery ranges from $2,700-$4,000. 

Cancer in Goldendoodles

In dogs, the highest rate of cancer actually occurs in Golden Retrievers. Cancer can be devastating, but treatment is available, for a price. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment can vary anywhere from $2,500-$7,000. 

Von Willebrand’s Disease in Goldendoodles

Von Willebrand disease is a disease that affects the clotting of blood. Essentially, a factor involved in blood clotting is missing, causing mild to severe bleeding. Dogs with mild to moderate Von Willebrand’s disease may not require treatment, but those with more severe cases will need repeat blood transfusions. The cost of frequent blood transfusions can be staggering. 

Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis in Goldendoodles

Subvalvular aortic stenosis is another one of the Goldendoodle health issues that comes from the Golden Retriever side. This condition is caused by a narrowing of the area underneath the aortic valve. This causes an obstruction or blockage of blood flow through the heart.

In mild cases, dogs with subvalvular aortic stenosis may just require increased monitoring to ensure the condition is not worsening. In more severe cases, long term medications or surgery is required. This condition can be rather pricey, as each echocardiogram to assess the heart runs around $500-$600 and that’s not including the treatment! 

Ear Infections in Goldendoodles

Three of the main reasons that Goldendoodles get ears infections are allergies, bacteria or mites, and yeast. These unfortunate Goldendoodle health problems comes mainly from the Golden Retriever side of Goldendoodles. However, since both of the parents have floppy ears, it increases their risk.

In comparison to some of the other issues, ear infections seem rather mild, but they can cost you from $50 up to $300, and Goldendoodles that have ear infections tend to get them pretty frequently. 

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Goldendoodle Health Problems from the Poodle Side

Patellar Luxation in Goldendoodles

Patellar luxation one of the more common Goldendoodle health issues as it comes from both parents of the breed. The knee joint is supposed to be located on a groove at the end of the femur. Luxating simply means “out of place,” so a patellar luxation is essentially a knee dislocation. This can cost between $1,500 to $3,000 to correct.

Hip Dysplasia in Goldendoodles

Hip dysplasia is common in a lot of large dog breeds like the Standard Goldendoodle size. The hip joint is a ball and socket, but when a dog develops hip dysplasia, the ball does not fit properly causing the joint to grind together rather than slide smoothly.

Although this problem is generally caused by genetic predisposition, factors such as improper weight and nutrition, excessive growth rates, and certain types of exercises may increase your dog’s chances. Hip Dysplasia is going to cost about $3,500-$7,00 per hip! 

Read More: Are Goldendoodles Prone to Hip Dysplasia? (Advice from a Vet)

Epilepsy in Goldendoodles

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in Goldendoodles. It is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The main treatment for this is prescription medications which can cost between $200 and $500 but is often more for larger dogs.

Read More: Goldendoodle Seizures & Epilepsy FAQs (Veterinarian Advice)

Bloat in Goldendoodles

Bloat is the common name for gastric dilation volvulus. This is a life threatening emergency for canines. Essentially, the abdomen begins to fill with air and as the pressure increases the blood from the hind legs and abdomen are unable to return to the heart. The blood begins to pool in the hind legs and abdomen, which decreases the blood volume available to the rest of the body and the dog goes into shock.

Bloat is an emergency that costs anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000 to treat. If you suspect your Goldendoodle has bloat, you need to take them to the emergency veterinarian immediately.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Goldendoodles

Progressive retinal atrophy is a group of degenerative disorders that affect the photoreceptor cells of the eye. This disease causes the cells to waste away over time, eventually leading to blindness in Goldendoodles. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this Goldendoodle health problem. 

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Are Goldendoodle Health Issues Common?

Goldendoodles are considered to be a fairly healthy breed, but that doesn’t mean that health issues are uncommon. Hereditary Goldendoodle health issues can be inherited from either parent and there is always the lingering possibility of everyday accidents and illnesses.

Related: Goldendoodle Lifespan: How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?

Just like with humans, some Goldendoodles may have a lot of health issues and some may be lucky enough to have very few. Even if you take all the proper precautions, you don’t know which your dog will be. Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to help ensure that your Goldendoodle will be as healthy and happy as possible. 

How to Protect Your Pet from Goldendoodle Health Problems

Choose a Reputable Goldendoodle Breeder

The first step in ensuring a healthy dog is that you find a reputable Goldendoodle breeder. Buying from pet stores or questionable, sketchy breeders means that you may be supporting a puppy mill. Puppy mills are often an inhumane environment where breeders are churning out puppies as quickly as possible to maximize profit no matter the cost. 

Not only is it unethical, but the health of your future puppy will be sacrificed. Many puppies from puppy mills are inbred. Inbreeding causes multiple congenital and hereditary conditions to be passed on to the offspring. However, all of this can be avoided by finding a reputable Goldendoodle breeder, who allows you to see the mother and the dog’s living conditions, provides proof of genetic testing for the parents, and often gives a health guarantee on the puppies. 

Get a Pet Insurance Policy

Pet insurance is a highly debated topic, but it may, in fact, save your dog’s life. For example, bloat is a life-threatening emergency that is rather expensive to correct. Unfortunately, in many cases, bloat may be reason for euthanasia simply because the owner’s are unable to afford the treatment for bloat. By utilizing pet insurance, you’re only responsible for as little as 10% of the overall cost, making it an easy decision to proceed with treatment.

I recommend that all dog owners should get pet insurance…and veterinarians agree! I have my Goldendoodle covered with Healthy Paws and highly recommend them for their affordable rates, excellent customer service, and comprehensive coverage.

Check for Possible Hereditary Conditions with a DNA Kit

Embark is a company that allows you to take a deeper dive into your pup’s DNA and health. With a simple swab of a cheek, Embark looks at over 190 genetic health conditions to see if they are present or if your dog is more likely to develop them. Knowing this valuable information can help you and your veterinarian be more prepared to manage any health issues your dog may have.

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Healthy Diet & Lots of Exercise Can Prevent Goldendoodle Health Issues

Just like with humans, diet and exercise can go a long way! Both patellar luxation and hip dysplasia are more common in dogs that are overweight, because it puts more pressure on their joints. By encouraging daily exercise and a healthy diet, you can protect your pet from multiple Goldendoodle health issues down the road. 

Read More: Goldendoodle Exercise Needs by Age & Size

I use the Fi GPS Smart collar to track my Goldendoodle’s fitness. Think of it like a Fitbit for dogs! Not only will you be able to check in on their exercise, but if your dog were ever to get lost you’ll be able to find them in a matter of minutes…believe me, I tried! That functionality alone could save your dog’s life and make this a worthwhile investment.

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Use the promo code POPULARDOODLE25 to get $25 off your new Fi collar!

Don’t Overlook Oral Hygiene to Prevent Goldendoodle Health Problems

Tooth and gum care is often overlooked in canines, but it’s actually super important to avoiding Goldendoodle health problems! Believe it or not, poor oral hygiene can cause a system-wide inflammatory response, endocarditis, pain, or even a broken jaw! An oral hygiene regimen and regular vet visits to ensure optimal oral health is essential for keeping your pup happy and healthy!

More About Goldendoodles…