LABRADOR & HEALTH

Notable issues related to Labrador and health include :

Inherited Disorders

• Labs are somewhat prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially the larger dogs, though not as much as some other breeds. Hip scores are recommended before breeding.
• Labs also suffer from the risk of knee problems. A luxating patella is a common occurrence in the knee where the leg is often bow shaped.
• Eye problems are also possible in some Labs, particularly progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy and retinal dysplasia. Dogs which are intended to be bred should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist for an eye score.
• Hereditary myopathy, a rare inherited disorder that causes a deficiency in type II muscle fibre.
• There is a small incidence of other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and deafness in labs, either congenitally or later in life.

Other Disorders

• Labs are sometimes prone to ear infection, because their floppy ears trap warm moist air. This is easy to control, but needs regular checking to ensure that a problem is not building up unseen. A healthy Lab ear should look clean and light pink ( almost white ) inside. Darker pink ( or inflamed red ), or brownish deposits, are a symptom of ear infection. The usual treatment is regular cleaning daily or twice daily ( being careful not to force dirt into the sensitive inner ear ) and sometimes medication ( ear drops ) for major cases. As a preventative measure, some owners clip the hair carefully around the ear and under the flap, to encourage better air flow.
• Labradors also get cases of allergic reactions to food or other environmental factors.

Obesity
Labs are often overfed and are allowed to become overweight, due to their blatant enjoyment of treats, hearty appetites, and endearing behavior towards people. Lack of activity is also a contributing factor. A healthy Lab should keep a very slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set. Excessive weight is strongly implicated as a risk factor in the later development of hip dysplasia or other joint problems and diabetes, and also can contribute to general reduced health when older. Osteoarthritis is commonplace in older, especially overweight, Labs.

Significant Crossbreeds
Naturally it is important to use dogs from good stocks since crossbreeds are not immune to such problems ( for example goldens and labs have some of the same health problems )

Age
Labrador pups should not be bought before they are 7–10 weeks old. Their life expectancy is generally 12 to 13 years or a few years longer with good medical care and it is a healthy breed with relatively few major problems.

Posted in: labrador,veterinary