There
are many health concerns facing the Labrador due to their fast rate of growth
as well as congenital issues due to over breeding. When considering making a Labrador
a member of your family keep in mind some of the more common problems.
Allergies
and Skin Conditions
One of the most common Labrador health concerns are
allergies and skin conditions. For a number of Labradors these conditions are
a problem from the time they are a young pup. One of the most common skin condition/allergy
a Labrador can suffer from is pyotraumatic dermatitis also known as hot spots.
This is made worse by the dog scratching and biting at the area due to discomfort.
Labradors show an increased rate of hot spots as it is often brought on by other
allergies.
In order to properly treat this condition and other common allergies
it is best that you make a visit to your local vet and have them determine exactly
what is causing the hot spots and administer proper treatment. Labradors are also
known for having very dry skin which also causes a great deal of itching. If the
problem is just dry skin this can be corrected by using a conditioning shampoo
and making a few dietary changes.
Arthritis
Because a Labrador grows
at such a quick rate, arthritis is one that causes great concern in Labrador health
in their later years. The most common cause for of arthritis among Labradors is
hip dysplasia. There is no known treatment that will completely prevent arthritis
in your Labrador but some vets are now recommending feeding them puppy food with
extra nutrients for two years instead of the usual one. There are also some natural
remedies that are being offered to help relieve the pain but always consult your
vet about this or any health concerns facing your Labrador.
Congenital
Conditions
One of the most troubling Labrador health concerns that have
come to the surface since the 1970’s is widespread congenital disease. While it
is not contagious it is debilitating. Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is found in
many Labradors that are bred for show but it is not limited to show dogs. It is
found that risk of CNM is greatest among pups that have both parents as carriers.
There is no known cure for this condition at this time and if you are looking
for a breeder ask for DNA tests from both the mother and father.
CNM is
one of the most devastating Labrador health problems at this time. If you intend
to breed your Labrador then you should consider having them tested for CNM. Testing
can’t be certified without some kind of permanent identification such as a microchip
or tattoo so for young pups you may want to wait until they are old enough for
such identification.
Never try to home medicate your Labrador, unlike humans
your pet can’t tell you where it hurts or if it feels any better. Labradors are
notorious for allergies and if you use something that your Labrador is allergic
to, you can make him worse or even cause death. Find a good vet and if possible
maintain a relationship with that vet throughout the life of your Labrador. Seek
profession assistance when dealing with any Labrador health problems and know
how
to choose a vet for your Labrador.
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