what you need to know about lab puppies

That Loveable Lab

If y'all don't take a Labrador Retriever, chances are y'all know ane! These dogs are so popular for some swell reasons:

Boisterous, cheerful, loyal, and enthusiastic
Good with kids and other pets
Higher up-average intelligence and trainability when positive reinforcement training methods are used
Loves to play games, specially fetch
People-oriented and eager to please
Even temper and gentle disposition

However, no dog is perfect! You lot may also see these traits:

Can be rambunctious and rowdy, specially as a younger domestic dog
Needs a lot of practise
Is a chip "mouthy"—likes to carry and chew things
Exhibits signs of separation anxiety if left alone besides much
Easily bored if not given something to do, which leads to barking and chewing
Sensitive, matures slowly

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Info Loyal and lively, these water-loving dogs brand exceptional family unit members and hunting partners.

Labs originated in Newfoundland in the 1800s and were bred from St. John'south h2o dogs. They were valued by fisherman for their trainability, trustworthiness, and work ethic. Fulfilling their retriever proper name, they would swoop into icy cold waters to help pull in fishing nets and occasionally grab stray fish that had escaped. Today the Labrador comes in ii varieties: the American (tall and lanky) or English (short and stocky). Both American and English language ancestries present all three color versions—black, blonde, and brownish. When given plenty of vigorous exercise and attention, these sweethearts are gentle and well-behaved in the abode. All you lot need is a ball to throw and your Lab will dearest you for life! The Labrador Retriever is a more often than not healthy breed with an average lifespan of 11-13 years.

Your Labrador Retriever'south Health

Nosotros know that because you care so much about your canis familiaris, you desire to take adept intendance of her. That is why nosotros have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with y'all over the life of your Labrador. By knowing about wellness concerns specific to Labrador Retrievers, nosotros tin tailor a preventive health program to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks.

Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, pregnant they are related to your pet'southward breed. In that location is a general consensus amongst canine genetic researchers and veterinarian practitioners that the conditions we've described herein have a pregnant rate of incidence and/or impact in this breed. That does not mean your dog will have these bug; information technology just ways that she is more than at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common bug seen in Labrador Retrievers to give you lot an idea of what may come up in her futurity. Of course, nosotros can't cover every possibility here, so ever cheque with us if y'all notice any unusual signs or symptoms.

This guide contains general wellness data important to all canines likewise as the well-nigh important genetic predispositions for Labrador Retrievers. This information helps you and united states of america together programme for your pet's unique medical needs. At the end of the commodity, we accept as well included a clarification of what you can do at home to keep your Lab looking and feeling her best. Yous volition know what to sentry for, and nosotros will all feel improve knowing that we're taking the best possible care of your pal.

General Health Information for your Labrador Retriever

Dental Disease

Dental disease is the most common chronic problem in pets, affecting eighty% of all dogs by age two. Unfortunately, your Lab is more probable than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-upwardly on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. If nosotros don't prevent or care for dental disease, your buddy may lose her teeth and exist in danger of damage to her kidneys, liver, center, and joints. In fact, your Lab's life span may even be cut brusk past one to iii years! We'll make clean your dog's teeth regularly and let y'all know what you can practice at home to continue those pearly whites make clean.

Infections

Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can go — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on her historic period, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors.

Obesity

Obesity tin be a meaning wellness trouble in Labrador Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, dorsum pain, and heart disease. Though it'southward tempting to give your pal food when she looks at you with those soulful eyes, you tin can "honey her to death" with leftover people food and doggie treats. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or possibly take her for a walk. She'll feel better, and then will y'all!

Parasites

All kinds of worms and bugs tin invade your Lab's body, inside and out. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her pare and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean h2o, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to y'all or a family fellow member and are a serious concern for everyone. For your canine friend, these parasites tin crusade pain, discomfort, and fifty-fifty decease, so it's important that we exam for them on a regular footing. We'll also recommend preventive medication every bit necessary to keep her good for you.

Spay or Neuter

I of the best things you can do for your Labrador is to have her spayed (neutered for males). In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and commonly the uterus, and in males, it ways we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of sure types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery as well gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and accost some of the diseases your canis familiaris is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy molar extracted, this would be a good time—it'southward more convenient for yous and easier on your friend too. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps united states of america to identify and take precautions against mutual problems that increment anesthetic or surgical risk. Don't worry; we'll hash out the specific problems we will be looking for when the fourth dimension arrives.

Genetic Predispositions for Labrador Retrievers

Bloat

Gastric dilatation volvulus, as well known as GDV or bloat, normally occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Labrador is more than at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the affliction is apace fatal, sometimes in as little as one-half an 60 minutes. Your domestic dog may retch or boost (just trivial or zilch comes upwardly), act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position (front feet down, rear terminate upwards). Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place and then that it is unlikely to twist is an choice. If you come across symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately!

Liver Problems

Your Lab is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). Some of the blood supply that should get to the liver goes effectually it instead, depriving the liver of the blood menstruum it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. To cheque for this problem, we'll behave a liver function examination in addition to a standard pre-anesthetic panel every fourth dimension he undergoes anesthesia. If he develops symptoms such every bit stunted growth or seizures, we'll examination his blood and peradventure comport an ultrasound scan of his liver. Surgery may be needed, simply in some cases, we can care for with a special diet and medication.

Your Labrador Retriever is prone to a chronic liver affliction called hepatitis that may develop effectually middle age. Hepatitis is ordinarily diagnosed through blood testing or liver biopsy, and can be treated with medication and special diets. Signs of liver disease do not normally occur until most of the liver is already damaged or destroyed, so early detection and intervention through routine blood screening is essential for early treatment.

Haemorrhage Disorders

Your Labrador Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder chosen hemophilia. Nosotros'll bear diagnostic testing to appraise his claret clotting fourth dimension earlier we perform surgery. This is an important exam equally we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe haemorrhage occurs during surgery or after a serious injury.

Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia

Labradors are peculiarly prone to some relatively rare diseases of the blood that occur when the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the pet's ain blood-red blood cells or platelets. If the immune system destroys ruby blood cells, your dog quickly becomes bloodless, weak, and lethargic. His gums volition look whitish or yellow instead of a normal bright pinkish color. If the immune system destroys platelets, his claret won't jell properly and he'll have bruises or abnormal haemorrhage. Nosotros'll perform diagnostic testing for blood clotting to check for these problems before we perform any surgeries. To slow or end the allowed system's destruction of cells, we'll prescribe steroids and other immune-suppressive drugs. Sometimes an emergency transfusion of red blood cells or platelets is needed.

Bone and Joint Problems

A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Labrador Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each status can be diagnosed and treated to forbid undue hurting and suffering. With diligent observation at habitation and knowledge nigh the diseases that may impact your friend's bones, joints, or muscles, y'all volition exist able to take great care of him throughout his life.

Both hips and elbows are at hazard for dysplasia, an inherited affliction that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. Stiffness in your Labrador'due south elbows or hips may become a problem for him, peculiarly as he matures. You may find that he begins to evidence lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying downwardly. We tin treat the arthritis—the sooner the amend—to minimize discomfort and pain. Nosotros'll take X-rays of your domestic dog's basic to identify bug as early as possible. Surgery is also sometimes a expert option in astringent and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years before than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering!
The cranial cruciate ligament is one of 4 tough bands of tissue that concur each knee together. A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a common injury in active dogs, including your Lab. Normally, surgical correction tin can stabilize the knee and help prevent crippling arthritis. Physical therapy and multimodal pain management are necessary for the all-time outcomes. Keeping him at the right weight, feeding a high-quality diet, and avoiding too much twisting of the knees (like when playing Frisbee) are key in fugitive these painful injuries.
When Labrador puppies are allowed to grow too quickly, the cartilage in their joints may not adhere to the bones properly. This problem is known as osteochondritis dissecans, or OCD. If this occurs, surgery may exist required to fix the problem. Our recommended growth rate for Labrador Retriever puppies is no more than four pounds per week. To maintain this rate, don't overfeed him and don't supplement with additional calcium. Feed a big-brood puppy nutrition rather than an developed or regular puppy diet. And weigh your puppy every three to four weeks to make sure he'due south on track.

Neurological Disease

A genetically linked neurological condition, known as wobbler disease or wobbler syndrome, causes a wobbly, drunken gait in afflicted pets. Wobbler disease is the issue of a narrowing of the vertebrae in the cervix that pinches the spinal cord and associated fretfulness. When pinched, the fretfulness practice non ship signals to the brain every bit they should causing the pet to be unable to feel his feet. The outset signs y'all will oftentimes notice with wobbler affliction are unstable hind legs, stumbling, and sometimes falling. Treatment options include medications, neck braces, rehabilitation practice programs, and surgery.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Whatever breed tin can be affected, but Labs take an above boilerplate incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and ane that is important to diagnose and care for every bit early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, forth with weight loss. If he shows signs, nosotros will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with y'all. Handling requires a serious commitment of fourth dimension and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy every bit other canines.

Allergies

In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. We call this skin allergy "atopy", and Labradors frequently have it. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are almost commonly afflicted. Symptoms typically kickoff betwixt the ages of one and three and tin can get worse every yr. Licking the paws, rubbing the face up, and frequent ear infections are the nigh mutual signs of allergies. The practiced news is that at that place are many handling options available for these conditions.

Haemorrhage Tumor

Hemangiosarcoma is a blazon of bleeding tumor that affects Labrador Retrievers at greater than boilerplate incidence. These tumors ordinarily form in the spleen, but tin form in other organs too. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal haemorrhage occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. Nosotros oftentimes discover clues that one of these tumors is present during senior health testing, and so take his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at to the lowest degree yearly.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Labrador Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body class abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood jail cell. Considering white blood cells can be found throughout the trunk, this cancer can show up near anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often exist institute with a claret exam, so nosotros may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Watch for bloated glands (ask us, we'll show you lot where to look), weight loss, or labored breathing at domicile and be sure to phone call usa if you notice any unusual symptoms.

Heart Issues

Not many things have as dramatic an touch on on your dog'due south quality of life equally the proper functioning of his optics. Unfortunately, Labrador Retrievers tin inherit or develop a number of different eye weather condition, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which tin can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every test to wait for any signs of concern.

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's)

Cushing's Disease is a malfunction of the adrenal glands that causes them to produce also much steroid hormone. This is a common problem in dogs, and your Lab is more likely than other dogs to be affected. The condition normally develops slowly, and the early signs are hands missed. Symptoms include drinking and urinating more than normal, increased appetite, and reduced activity level followed afterward past a potbelly, thin skin, and hair loss. Handling normally includes oral medications and requires shut coordination with us to ensure correct dosing.

Epilepsy

There are iii types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Reactive seizures are acquired by the brain'south reaction to a metabolic trouble like low claret saccharide, organ failure, or a toxin. Secondary seizures are the result of a encephalon tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause tin can exist found, the affliction is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Labrador Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is decumbent to seizures, episodes volition commonly begin between 6 months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may assist find the cause. Lifelong medication is commonly necessary to help go along seizures under command with periodic blood testing required to monitor side furnishings and efficacy. If your dog has a seizure, carefully prevent him from injuring himself, but don't attempt to control his mouth or natural language. It won't help him, and he may bite you accidentally! Notation the length of the seizure, and call united states at (704) 247-7192 or phone call an emergency hospital.

Heart Affliction

Some breeds similar your Labrador can be born with a diversity of heart defects. Virtually bear on the structure of the heart's dividing wall or the vessels of the heart. Defects tin can likewise cause problems with heart valve office or the electrical signals that control the heartbeat. Because of the significant risk of center disease in this brood, nosotros'll pay special attending to his heart during each exam. Special testing will be recommended if we hear a heart murmur or if you notice whatever unusual symptoms such equally tiring easily, cough, a swollen abdomen, or fainting.

Do Induced Collapse

Exercise induced collapse, or EIC, is just what it sounds like – a immature, apparently healthy Labrador collapses to the ground suddenly while exercising. Later on a few minutes, the weakness passes and he is able to get up once again. Dogs affected with EIC cannot run or exert themselves for long periods of time, especially not in hot weather, so a twenty-four hour period of hunting or strenuous hiking is not a good idea for these pets. Heat stroke can also occur in conjunction with EIC. Limiting your pet'due south exercise is the only treatment for EIC and pet parents should exist vigilant to avoid overheating. Genetic testing tin be done to diagnose this disease and to screen dogs before breeding.

Muscle Illness

Labrador Retrievers may develop a disease of the muscles called myopathy betwixt three and seven months of historic period. Physical signs of myopathy include bunny hopping, loss of muscle tone in the limbs, a stiff gait, and carrying the head depression. If nosotros suspect that your canis familiaris has this disease, we'll conduct tests to exist sure. Typically, afflicted pets are treated through reduced stress and occasionally with medication as well. Most dogs with myopathy are stabilized by twelve months of age and are able to have a normal life span. While they are suitable as house companions, strenuous exercise is not recommended, so no hunting or working!

Taking Intendance of Your Labrador Retriever at Domicile

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Info Much of what you tin can do to keep your domestic dog happy and good for you is mutual sense, just like it is for people. Watch her nutrition, make certain she gets enough of practise, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call u.s.a. or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual (see "What to Watch For" below). Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that nosotros recommend for her. This is when we'll give her the necessary "check-ups" and exam for diseases and conditions that are common in Labradors. Another very of import step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet wellness insurance. In that location will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance volition help you cover those costs.

Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise

Build her routine care into your schedule to assist your Lab live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and practice routine.

Supervise your pet equally you lot would a toddler. Go on doors closed, choice upwards subsequently yourself, and block off rooms equally necessary. This volition keep her out of trouble and away from objects she shouldn't put in her mouth.
Brush her coat equally needed, at least weekly.
Labrador Retrievers more often than not have proficient teeth, and you tin can proceed them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
Clean her ears weekly, fifty-fifty as a puppy. Don't worry—we'll show you how!
She's a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her heed and body active, or she'll get bored. That's when the naughty stuff starts.
Always walk your Lab on a ternion every bit she has a tendency to run off after interesting smells and people.
She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever.
Go along your dog'due south diet consistent and don't give her people food.
Feed a high-quality nutrition appropriate for her age.
Practice your dog regularly, merely don't overdo it at kickoff.

What to Watch For

Any abnormal symptom could exist a sign of serious disease or it could only be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary aid and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a feature combination of symptoms, which together can exist a articulate point that your Labrador Retriever needs aid.

Role Calls

Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs:

Change in appetite or h2o consumption
Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or cleaved teeth
Itchy skin (scratching, chewing, or licking); hair loss
Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping
Fear, assailment, or other behavioral changes
Swollen lymph nodes or glands, unexplained weight loss
Drinks and urinates more, eats more than; potbelly, poor haircoat
Ho-hum or stunted growth; sometimes seizes subsequently eating
Increased hunger and thirst, weight loss

Emergencies

Seek medical care immediately if you notice whatsoever of these types of signs:

Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge
Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine
Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes
Dry heaving or a large, tight, painful abdomen
Bruises easily or bleeds a lot fifty-fifty from small wounds
Gums that are a color other than bright pink
Pale gums, labored breathing, weakness, or sudden plummet
Whatever abnormal shaking, trembling, or excessive involuntary tremors
Tiring easily, coughing, a swollen belly or fainting/plummet
Collapse while exercising
Leg stiffness; reluctance to rise, sit, apply stairs, run, or jump; "bunny hopping"

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Source: https://www.indiantrailanimalhospital.com/services/dogs/breeds/labrador-retriever