Labrador Health

Commonplace health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating putella which leads to the leg appearing bow shaped, ear infections, eye problems such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary myopathy a disease which effects the muscles.

A serious stomach problem among Labradors is gastric torsion otherwise known as bloat.

Obviously precautions need to be taken against the puppy contracting some of the more awful diseases and thise includes vaccination. Your Lab puppy simply must be given vaccines.

For more information visit our page on dog vaccinations.

Another threat to Labrador health is the dreaded disease of cancer which is an increasing problem, threatening the lives of even younger labs.

A Labradors constitution, good or otherwise, is often the product of the Lab's family tree.

Many problems, such as myopathy, are inherited, the product of over breeding down the years, so when acquiring a Lab, it is crucial to buy from a breeder who is able to check for inherited disorders.

Taking the time and effort to find a reputable breeder, who cares and is knowledgeable about the breed and checks his labs for genetic defects before breeding should ensure that you buy a healthy pup, and one that should be free from serious ailments throughout most of its life.

Also, it must be stressed that no Labrador puppy should be brought home until it is at least seven weeks old.

Despite concerns about the health of Labrador Retrievers don't be concerned if your puppy appears hyperactive. It is merely demonstrating the boisterousness and love of playing that is associated with the breed.

There are however certain conditions which do tend to effect labs and you can read about the three main areas of concern on our page about Labrador Retriever health.

By the way if you are concerned with how long your Lab will be with you visit our Labrador retriever lifespan page for some reassurance.

Following the same theme, to work out your dogs age in human years you can visit our Dog Years Calculator.

One thing that many of us worry about is leaving our Labs home alone. For more information on this see our page on Separation Anxiety In Dogs.

As with any breed of dog prevention is always better than cure. That means regular exercise as well as regular check ups at the vets. As well as giving a thorough examination, the vet will also immunise your Lab against heartworms and fleas.

Veterinary fees can be expensive, but prevention is better than cure in negating possible problems with your dogs health. But, it is of course essential that you use the services of the best vet for your Lab.

For information and advice of finding the right health care provider for your dog see our page on choosing a vet.

Related Articles

Labrador Health - Hip dysplasia

Diabetes In Dogs

Labrador Retriever Reproduction Problems

Labrador Hip Score

Dog Allergies

Labrador Retriever Diabetes

All About Dog Pregnancy

Diabetic Dog Food

Labrador Retriever Life Expectancy

Labrador Skin Problems

Labradors Eye Diseases

Worms In Dogs

Dog Worms

Canine Health Problems

Protect Your Puppy From Parsites Labrador Ear Infections

Middle And Inner Ear Infections

Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs

Bone Cancer In A Dog - Osteosarcome

Return To The Labrador Retriever Guide Home Page

Labrador Review Newsletter

Subscribe Now