5 Common Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health Concerns
Chessies make amazing hunting companions and are eager to please the ones they love.
Like other retrievers, these pups love a good swim. Chessie owners understand the importance of providing these highly active dogs with plenty of exercise to keep them feeling their best. These pups can occasionally have a stubborn streak, so it’s paramount that Chessie owners engage in consistent, positive training sessions.
All in all, these make sweet, devoted family companions perfect for an active household. Before bringing home one of these four-footers, you’ll want to understand the breed’s health history. We’ll share 5 common Chesapeake Bay retriever health concerns below.
Hip Dysplasia
These active dogs are unfortunately prone to canine hip dysplasia which occurs when a dog’s hip joint is misaligned with the hip socket. This causes the two components to scratch against one another, leading to inflammation, irritation and pain. You may notice your Chessie struggling to walk or put weight on his hind legs, or carry out his everyday activities.
Thankfully, this condition can be treated. In severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend surgical intervention. In more mild scenarios, your pooch may be prescribed physical therapy, pain medication, stem cell treatments, or supplements to help cope with the associated pain.
Bloat
Bloat is the dangerous disease that is caused by the stomach overfilling with air, preventing proper blood flow throughout your dog’s body. This can be lethal in some cases, so it’s certainly a medical emergency. Dogs experiencing bloat may experience a distended stomach, retching, anxiousness, and excessive salivation. Upon seeing any of these symptoms, your dog should be taken to an emergency facility immediately.
This condition needs to be treated with immediate surgery. While it can’t always be prevented, you can help by making sure your dog is eating at a slow pace, in several small meals instead of one large one.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by the underproduction of the thyroid gland. This can cause a variety of issues, since the thyroid gland helps regulate your dog’s metabolism. You may notice an increased or decreased appetite, hair loss, or lethargy in your dog. It can be formally diagnosed with blood testing and can not be treated.
That being said, the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be managed with the help of a thyroid replacement medication. Your dog will likely need to take this medication on a daily basis, but the rest of his life should remain relatively unchanged with this disease.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
This disease refers to the abnormal development of the cartilage on a bone joint. It typically occurs during a puppy’s first 6 to 9 months of age in medium to large sized dogs. While the exact cause of OCD is unknown, many puppies end up growing out of the condition without surgical intervention. In more severe cases, affected dogs might need surgery to realign the joint as needed.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is the degeneration of a dog’s photoreceptor cells in the eyes. Overtime, the rods and cones in the eye become less effective due to genetic mutations. Unfortunately, this can lead to blindness in some dogs. There isn’t an effective treatment for PRA, but most dogs can still lead amazing lives with the condition. Since this is a genetic condition, you’ll want to find a responsible breeder that can confirm that this disease isn’t in your puppy’s health history.
Just like any other breed, the Chesapeake Bay retriever comes with their own set of health concerns. Understanding these issues upfront can help you be a better pooch parent in the long run. After all, these curly cuties are so worth all of our love and care. Enjoy life with these loyal family canine companions.
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