Golden Retriever |
| Q: We just moved here from Missouri, and our 5 year old golden retriever, Muttens, hasn't acted the same since. Lately he's real tired and doesn't act interested in anything. Is it just the heat or could something be wrong with him? A: It is very possible that the Texas heat is taking its toll on Muttens. Being a relatively long-haired dog, golden retrievers will be less heat tolerant than their shorter haired counterparts. My advise would be to keep him indoors during the heat of the day and to brush him several times a week to thin his coat. Once the summer heat is gone, Muttens will be able to enjoy the more temperate fall, winter and spring months. Another very common problems in dogs, especially golden retrievers is hypothyroidism. Is Muttens overweight? If so, the symptoms of obesity, lethargy, and a dull appearance to the fur can be indicative of this disease. If Muttens is exhibiting more then one of these symptoms, a simple blood test can rule out hypothyroidism. If Muttens continues to act tired and uninterested I would recommend having him examined by your family veterinarian to make sure there is not some other underlying cause for his decreased activity. |
