When a 1 ½-year-old field-bred female Golden Retriever named “Lexi” (Turbo’s Timeless Treasure) was confirmed to have the rare recessive degenerative neurological disease, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), in the fall of 2018, it began a scurry..

The telltale signs of hypothyroidism can be concerning in any dog, particularly in a young dog about to start a show campaign.

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Tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) is believed to be the most common heart disease in Labrador Retreivers. A congential condition, TVD involves malformation of the triscuspid valve, potentially leading to congestive heart failure. A new study is investigating the genetics behind TVD in Labrador Retrievers with a goal of identifying a genetic marker.

Chagas disease, a potentially fatal illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is estimated to affect from 5 to 13 million dogs in the U.S. Transmitted via a bite or from feces of the kissing bug, which can be found in 28 states, the disease can cause an acute or chronic infection. Puppies born to infected bitches may be infected as well. Although Chagas disease is not well known or recognized, treatment is available to help affected dogs, with a new, more affordable treatment soon to be available.

One in eight Golden Retrievers develops lymphoma, a cancer of lymphocytes, which are a type of immune cell. A recently completed study, supported by the Golden Retreiver Foundation, looked at biomarkers of B-cell lymphomas of Golden Retrievers to help detect risk of disease and outcome for affected dogs. The ability to detect risk may lead to more effective treatment, with promising research into drug therapy to improve chemotherapy results currently underway.

Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer of the cells lining the blood vessels that has nearly always metastasized when it is discovered. Sadly, there have been no advances in treating this cancer over the past 30 years. A new study focuses on detering cancer growth using inhibitors to turn off the molecular pathway linked to pathogenesis of hemangiosarcoma. The American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation is helping to fund the study.

Gearing up for fall means being prepared for fall allergies. Dogs, just like people, can suffer from the pollen, mold and dust mites released into the air during the fall, though they show allergic signs in different ways. Recognizing signs of an allergy and treating the condition will make the fall season more enjoyable for both you and your dog.