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Labrador Health Issues: Common Problems

Labrador Health Issues: Common Problems


1. Introduction

Labradors are known to be friendly, intelligent, versatile, and good at adapting, making them the most popular breed in the United States. They serve many roles as family pets, service and therapy dogs, and working dogs. Labradors were first and foremost working dogs that aided fishermen in Newfoundland. They helped fishermen pull nets from the chilly Atlantic waters to shore. They were also used to help pull carts and as sled-pulling dogs in well-respected fishing villages.

They typically come in three coat colors: chocolate, black, and yellow; however, a diluted color variety of Labradors is also available, including silver, charcoal, and champagne. The three coat colors do not have a very clear phenotypic difference, but more of an evolutionary history. They vary from 21.5 to 24.5 inches in height, weighing between 55 and 100 pounds. Labrador Retrievers are also considered to be the most popular choice for therapy and service pets. Their ability to listen, bond, and offer support without asking anything in return is what makes these dogs one of a kind. Labrador Retrievers ranked as the most popular therapy dog breed for their ability to serve those who are blind, physically restricted people, autistic individuals, and diabetic patients.

Labradors are also known for swimming and are always strong, water-loving dogs. Contrary to popular belief, they do not have webbed feet but do have water-resistant skin on their paw pads, which helps them swim smoothly. Labradors are often referred to as innocent and sweet creatures; however, another common misconception is that they're all so-called "perfect," which is simply not the case.

1.1. Brief History and Characteristics

In the early 19th century, the Labrador Retriever was initially bred on the island of Newfoundland. This breed helped fishermen with their work. Their primary tasks included fetching ropes, fish, and retrieving game that had been missed by the hunter. The breed then made its journey to England, where it became a favorite pet for hunting and retrieving game. Soon, their talents were recognized in the field of water trials and shooting sports. The Labrador Retriever is an all-purpose dog breed. This breed is mostly used for a variety of tasks such as service dog, therapy dog, search and rescue, guide dog, hunting, field tests, competitions, and more. Their versatility, obedience, excellent talent, friendly behavior, and trainability help them excel in all these fields. Their obedience and intelligence are the primary motivation for families to bring this breed home. Hence, because of their nature and capabilities, they are the most desirable pets for every family. The Labrador Retriever is an athletic, medium-sized, and well-balanced breed of dog. Males generally are 56-61 cm tall, and females are 53-58 cm in height. Their body has a muscular build with a broad head, medium-sized drop ears, and alert and welcoming eyes. They have strong jaws with a scissor bite. Their water-resistant double-layer coat is thick, extremely short, straight, dense, and sheds non-stop. They come in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. The breed is amicable, kind, intelligent, and tractable. They can develop a close bond with their family members. Hence, they can quickly adjust to any family environment. Knowing the background and behavior of a dog is essential for understanding the common health issues they may develop.

2. Genetic Health Issues

Labrador Retrievers are generally considered an overall healthy breed, but there is a growing concern related to some common genetic health issues. Every dog has a chance of developing some health problems, and good breeding practices coupled with management will lead to better health outcomes. In order to manage a breed, it is important to understand what health problems may occur. Genes can predispose dogs to having hip or elbow dysplasia, but they do not, on their own, cause the underlying condition. Genetic health problems are usually multifactorial and are the result of both genetic predisposition and other non-genetic risk factors that occur in a dog's life.

The Labrador Retriever is a well-established breed, and breeders have been selecting to prevent signs of genetically predisposed conditions and seek to produce a healthy dog. There is a strong correlation between the genetic effects and the risk factors, and many of these problems will either resolve or improve with responsible breeding programs that take the genetic risk into account. It is of paramount importance, when making breed management decisions, to be aware of the genetic disposition of these dogs, and health strategies should focus on practical ways of limiting our exposure to these problems. Where possible, genetic tests to inform breeding are recommended. Genetic tests are identifiable markers called alleles or combinations of alleles that contribute to a specific disease. They are not inherited independently, and scores have a genetic element as well as an environmental effect; however, at the time of writing, there are a number of genes that are known to have a significant effect on the presence of elbow or hip dysplasia.

2.1. Hip Dysplasia

Labradors are notorious for suffering from many health-related issues, especially those that stem from their genetic makeup. Other big-breed dogs are reportedly at risk of this heritable disease. Dogs that have hip dysplasia can suffer from the following:

Arthritis

Hip dysplasia is a genetic malformation of the hip joint; therefore, over time, a dog with hip dysplasia can develop arthritis in the affected area. This happens because the malformation causes friction and wear and tear of the cartilage matrix. This can be a very painful condition that can make them reluctant to move and exercise as much as they typically do. Dogs that present with the symptoms of hip dysplasia may look stiff in their hindquarters and can show signs of discomfort. If you try to move the limb in a range of directions, you will see the muscles tremble, indicating pain. Another way to do this is to ask them to stand up from a down position or a sitting position. Dogs with hip dysplasia tend to stand up on their unaffected legs and avoid putting weight on their affected ones. Early intervention can make a difference in how much pain they can be in and how fast they progress to the point where it starts to limit their physical abilities.

Diagnose Hip Dysplasia

Diagnosing hip dysplasia is done through X-rays. The vet will put the dog under anesthetic and will take radiographs of the joint. If your dog has hip dysplasia, the joint will have a very shallow socket. Your vet can give a more accurate report on the degree of severity of the disease, but sometimes changes can be so slight in a mild case that the diagnosis can only be made via microscopic evaluation of the joint fluid. Prevent as Much as Possible

Overfeeding your Labrador can contribute to the onset of symptoms of hip dysplasia in their later years. They can also have the ability, once affected, to create excessive pressure where the arthritis has established. A little heat therapy with a warm water bottle and controlled weight can make them much more comfortable. Even if the dog did not display symptoms of hip dysplasia or if it can be controlled, they still need to lay low from any type of activity that can strain the hips and joints. If the Labrador is overweight, a diet plan must be implemented with the help of a vet. They can recommend very good scientifically researched diets made specifically for them. You could also invest in physical therapy exercises to keep them as patient as possible. Be careful not to overwork them, as it can cause more damage to the affected area. Swimming is a great sport to practice with your dog, as it can make their muscles stronger without adding excessive pressure on the hips.

2.2. Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is another common disorder in Labradors. This genetic condition encompasses a variety of abnormalities that can affect the elbow joint. Whereas these abnormalities in the elbow are commonly the result of genetics, other causes include incongruency between the bones, joint incongruity, or trauma to the elbow joint. Elbow dysplasia is prevalent in large, fast-growing breeds, and Labradors are no exception. It can be seen in both front limbs and usually occurs in dogs between 4 and 10 months.

Dogs with elbow dysplasia suffer from various degrees of joint incongruity and degenerative joint disease, which can result in pain. The condition is often very painful for dogs and can result in reduced range of motion of the elbow, lameness, and pain during palpation of the joint. Further complications such as cartilage degeneration, joint effusion, and changes to subchondral bone can result if not discovered and managed early on. A proper physical examination and a history by a veterinarian, followed by radiographs to evaluate the severity of the elbow dysplasia, is recommended. Additional disease evaluation includes CT scans, a CT myelogram, arthroscopy, and an MRI to investigate how the dysplasia is affecting cartilage. Medical management of the disorder includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Joint supplements are available and may help to decrease discomfort. Secondary weight management is also encouraged in overweight Labradors with elbow dysplasia.

Offering your veterinarian access to the family history of affected dogs can help significantly with early management. Management may also require surgery, such as ulna osteotomy, ununited anconeal process surgery, cartilage cell-retaining implant on microfractured cartilage, or arthroscopic intervention. There are lifestyle changes aimed at making your dog more comfortable if he does have elbow dysplasia. Several bedding options designed for pets with arthritis are available, including orthopedic beds and heated and cooled pads. Dogs with elbow dysplasia do very well with controlled exercise or gentle swimming and may do well with hydrotherapy. It is also helpful for Labradors to lose weight through proper nutrition to reduce the pressure on their elbow joint, making future management easier. The earlier you understand elbow dysplasia, the easier it is to manage moving forward.

3. Nutritional Health Concerns

Not surprisingly, some of the most common health issues seen in Labradors have a nutritional component. Since Labs would sometimes eat the house down if allowed, it's very easy for them to pack on the pounds. Obesity is a problem for all dogs, but it is particularly severe in a breed like the Labrador Retriever. When extra weight is added to a dog that was already prone to joint issues, the results are usually pretty predictable. Instead of injuring the leg in one step, they'll do the same amount of damage with as many as a thousand smaller steps. Excess weight can also put a strain on their cardiovascular system and decrease their lifespan. Obesity in Labs has also been repeatedly associated with diabetes mellitus.

The good news is that obesity in dogs is completely avoidable. By providing balanced nutrition in the right amounts, portion-controlled feeding can be used to keep your Lab at a healthy weight. While individual calorie requirements can vary from dog to dog based on lifestyle, all dogs should be getting a consistent amount of food daily. Using a regulated amount of pet food, as opposed to just eyeballing it, has actually been proven to be one of the most effective strategies for keeping your dog at a healthy weight. Instead of free-feeding, consider giving smaller meals throughout the day. These meals provide an opportunity for spontaneous exercise and promote calorie expenditure, but make sure to account for these extra calories in their daily caloric intake. For the number of calories required to maintain a healthy weight, equate treats to maintain the dog's daily caloric intake. The amount of calories your dog requires should be based on their lifestyle. An older or 'couch potato' Lab might only require a certain amount of food per kilogram of body weight, while a younger working Lab might require nearly twice that amount. A performance diet was developed specifically to provide the calories required for the active Lab in accordance with his or her lifestyle. An appointment with a pet nutritionist will also manage and explore the ideal diet for your pet. As a potential remedy to excessive body weight in Labradors, certain supplements will not be as efficient as calorie-controlled nutrition and frequent heavy workouts.

3.1. Obesity and Weight Management



Obesity is arguably the biggest risk to a Labrador’s health, leading to a myriad of other health issues. Joint issues are the most common complaint in the breed, so you want to prevent those problems for as long as possible. Canine osteoarthritis is often linked to obesity. The more overweight your Labrador is, the earlier they will experience osteoarthritis. Being obese takes a serious toll on a dog’s heart as well. Extra weight leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. If there is no change, the system overweight dogs rely on for expelling a larger amount of fat disappears, leading to obesity, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and early death. This is the most severe risk when it comes to obesity.

It is not easy to determine if your dog is overweight or obese. Lately, some veterinarians have had difficulty describing a dog as being overweight. There are a lot of dogs around, and these dogs seem to be of a “normal” weight. The big aspect of identifying the problem is getting a good baseline assessment of your dog’s weight or body condition so that this can be checked constantly when you visit your veterinarian. Labradors are another breed that has the genes for obesity, so be careful with them. Many labs can figure out how to get into any food bin and help themselves. Obese Labradors tend to eat too much and use too little energy. Despite its similar name, diabetes type 2 is nearly 100% obesity-related, while blindness often follows the disease. The disease will often cause horrendous suffering, most commonly hemangioma. It hits three out of 100 obese dogs and is much more likely to occur, so it is quite tragic. If you are not sure whether your dog is overweight or not, check with your veterinarian.

4. Environmental Health Risks

One of the problems faced by Labradors in India pertains to the danger they are exposed to due to the environment they live in. It is important to note that these environmental hazards strongly impact the health of a Labrador. As their favorite sitting area is the house, the problems faced in the environment are also domestic. One of the most common health risks our generally outdoor Labradors face is in the form of non-seasonal hazards. These arise from adverse climatic conditions. The natural playfulness of Labradors prompts them to venture out in the burning sun, heavy rains, or even cold chills for longer periods. Sometimes they come back inside when already affected by a pathological condition. Direct sun exposure can be very dangerous in our area. With the increase in temperature, there is a possibility for a Labrador to suffer from heat stroke between February and May.

These should be noted and responded to as early as possible every time. In general, the presence of excess heat or sun is always a risk factor that needs to be addressed at the first signs of danger. For the past few years, the climate conditions in and around Mysore and in most parts of South India have seen a drastic change. During these months, the temperature increases rapidly and can lead to excessive heat exposure, threatening heat strokes or other illnesses related to excessive heat. During these days, the humidity levels are low, and the number of days with high ozone levels has more than doubled in areas that develop ozone policies. Heat strokes are possible in such conditions, and as with Labradors, any dog exposed to excessive heat needs plenty of water and shade. If a dog is exercised during these warm periods, it needs plenty of breaks with water. This is not only to keep them safe from potential heat stroke, but it is also a way to break the monotonous lifestyle devoid of mental and physical exercise. Sheer abstinence from exercise for fear of heat strokes does more harm than good. Always remember to leave them outside or inside your house with enough ventilation during hot sunny days, even if there is air conditioning inside the house. Always leave the windows open and the curtains up.

4.1. Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is an acute environmental health risk for Labrador Retrievers. All dogs are more prone to overheating, but Labradors are particularly vulnerable due to their size and coat characteristics. They do have melanin-producing cells in their skin, which reduce the risk of skin cancer, slow damage to skin from exposure, and increase their threshold for getting sunburned. However, owners should still consider sunscreen and clothing for their pets when taking them outside during longer exposures to ultraviolet light. Signs that a dog is overheating include excessive panting, drooling, subdued or strained behavior, vomiting, and collapse. Affected dogs may show confusion.

When a dog shows such signs, it should be moved into a cooler environment, avoiding breezes and drafts that could cause sudden temperature changes to the body. A towel wetted with room-temperature water can be placed over the fur to aid cooling. Cool water should be made available for the dog to drink, but it should be given in small amounts; avoid forcing a large quantity down the animal’s throat. If the dog’s blood becomes too dilute and the kidneys no longer function properly, or if the water comes back up and causes inflammation or infections in the airways, this can further complicate the dog's condition. If the dog’s symptoms persist, then it is important to seek veterinary attention, as heatstroke can quickly progress into more serious complications and may even result in terminal effects such as shivering, loss of body coordination, being unable to urinate or defecate, pale or gray gums, and red speckled or bruised skin.

5. Preventive Care and Regular Check-ups

Preventive care and regular examinations by a veterinarian can easily extend the lifespan of Labradors. Regular examinations can detect potential health problems before they become serious issues. For a Labrador to be happy and healthy, many components go into its preventive care. Vaccinations are a requirement due to the potential for fatal diseases. Parasite control is necessary for your animal's health as well as your own. Oral hygiene is key for overall health. Labradors are also susceptible to a sore mouth or tooth decay, which can adversely affect their ability to eat. Purchasing high-quality pet food and supervising your pet's food and weight are two more preventive measures you can take at home. Due to the risk of overfeeding, it is important to educate yourself about the energy requirements of your animal. Regular check-ups help veterinarians learn about the dog as well as the owner. This can allow us to formulate a health care plan specific to their requirements. It also ensures that dog owners and their pet's veterinarian have a good understanding, which is crucial in producing good communication. Several genetic predispositions can be managed if detected early. Enlisting the assistance of your veterinarian may prevent disasters. It also aids in deciding the appropriate length of an MRI or tool application. In our experience with Labradors, most health problems can be easily managed with adequate medical attention. However, it is necessary to avail that attention. In summary, Labradors are generally robust when it comes to their health. Preferably committed to their preventive care, for a long and healthy life. 

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