Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are a unique breed of dog with unique health concerns.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are renowned for their hardy temperaments. They are bred to jump into freezing water and retrieve downed game for their owners. But even these tough animals can have health issues. They are susceptible to the same ailments as any other dog, but additionally have some unique problems.

One of those unique problems is PRA. Progressive Retinal Atrophy affects the eyesight. The type of PRA common to Chessies is a variation called Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration. The first symptom that most owners will notice is night blindness in their pet. This can appear as the animal having trouble navigating in a dimly lit room. It can also show up as an unwillingness or fear to go out at night. Sadly, PRA generally creates total blindness.

PRA is hereditary. Oddly, both parents have to have it for it to appear in their offspring. If only one parent has it, it won't develop in the pup. Because of this, it's easy for breeders to be unaware of it in the parents until the puppies are born. It also means that generations can be born and die before it's discovered. It usually doesn't begin to appear until the animal is between four and seven years old. There is no cure for it at this time.

Another disease found is hip dysplasia. Canine hip dysplasia is a form of osteoarthritis. This disease is also hereditary and is polygenic. This means that a combination of genes cause it, not one dominate gene like is seen in other diseases. Environmental factors can affect CHD but they aren't felt to be the cause of it. The only prevention for it is to breed specifically for normal hips. Canine hip dysplasia can be seen in puppies as young as seven weeks old.

There are several symptoms that are readily noticeable. One of the most common is refusing to climb stairs or the inability to climb stairs. Another easy to spot symptom is difficulty getting up from a sitting or lying position. Early morning stiffness that disappears after the animal warms up is another indicator. Probably the most distressing symptom for the owner is if their pet makes a clicking sound when walking.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can also suffer from gastric torsion, or bloat. Bloat is fairly common in large breeds. This is a condition in which the stomach gets folded over onto itself. This causes gases and other byproducts of digestion to become trapped. There are several causes of it, most of which are avoidable. One common cause is exercise immediately after eating. Other causes are stress and anxiety, foods with too high a fat content, and rapid eating.

The symptoms of bloat are easy to spot. They include pacing, foamy saliva, gagging, and shallow breathing among others. If left untreated, gastric torsion can cause death. If your Chessie is exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek veterinary care for it right away. It frequently requires surgery as well as other medical care.