Labrador Retriever Health Care & Feeding

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Labrador Retriever Health Problems

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Complete list of Labrador Retriever health problems

The typical lifespan of Labrador Retrievers is 10-12 years. Some do live to 13 or 14, but often with chronic health issues such as arthritis.

Orthopedic disorders

Most large breeds, including Labs, have higher-than-average rates of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can range from uncomfortable to crippling. Surgery may or may not be possible. These joint diseases always result in arthritis, as well.

Other painful orthopedic conditions can strike young Labradors: hypertrophic osteodystrophy (very serious) or panosteitis (less serious, usually goes away with maturity, but causes pain and lameness for months).

Labrador Retrievers are also prone to rupturing the cruciate ligament in their hind legs. Actually both cruciate ligaments, since when one goes, the other usually follows months or years later.

Eye diseases

• When a Lab has inherited genes for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), it will appear at 4-8 years old and always leads to blindness.
• Cataracts can appear anytime from birth to old age.
• Retinal dysplasia (RD) is fairly common in Labrador puppies, especially from field-hunting lines. RD ranges from mild to severe. Oddly enough, it can be accompanied by a form of dwarfism in which the front legs are shortened and bowed out at the elbows.
• Eyelid abnormalities in Labradors include entropion and ectropion.

Heart disease

The form of heart disease that is most concerning in Labrador Retrievers is called tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD).

TVD occurs in other breeds as well, but it is inherited in Labradors. Someone thinking of breeding should make absolutely sure to test both parents for this disease. It is simply irresponsible to breed any Lab without testing for TVD.

There's no cure for TVD. You just have to hope it doesn't progress too quickly. You can try to manage the symptoms with medications and careful monitoring of exercise.

Skin disorders and tumors

Allergies are common. Allergies cause itchy skin and often lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma). Other skin diseases in Labs include seborrhea, lick granuloma, and nail bed disease.

Lumps, growths, tumors, and cancers (especially those that first appear on the skin) are fairly common in Labrador Retrievers.

These include mast cell tumors, melanoma, histiocytic sarcoma, and digital squamous cell carcinoma. That last one is cancer that appears on one of the dog's toes. Yes, that sounds odd, but it's a very serious cancer.

Neurological or neuromuscular diseases

Labrador Retrievers can be affected by some extremely serious, even deadly disorders that affect the brain, nervous system, and/or muscles. The names of these conditions are a real mouthful to say, but you should be aware of them if you're interested in Labs.

Polyneuropathy (specifically centronuclear myopathy), laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus, myasthenia gravis, cerebellar ataxia, and narcolepsy.... all occur in Labrador Retrievers.

Some Labs may have vague head tremors that aren't harmful, but may be the result of unknown abnormalities in the brain.

Finally, there is exercise-induced collapse (EIC) which is exactly what it sounds like. It first appears in older pups and adolescents, especially those from field/hunting lines.

EIC only appears when the dog is exercising vigorously – not just running around, but participating in a strenuous activity (such as a hunting field trial) where the dog is extremely excited and intense. An affected dog suddenly becomes incoordinated and begins swaying, then collapses and requires a rest of 10-20 minutes before he can move again.

The cause of EIC is not known for sure. But it is hereditary in Labs, so it's important to test at least one parent before breeding. Fortunately, it's a mostly benign condition that need only be managed sensibly, by restricting intense exercise in dogs who have inherited the disorder.

Miscellaneous health issues

As with all deep-chested breeds, Labrador Retrievers are at higher-than-normal risk for the emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat.

Epilepsy, which appears around the age of 2 or 3, has become a serious concern in the breed.

Hormonal/endocrine system diseases occur in Labs, especially hypothyroidism, but also diabetes and Addison's disease.

Blood-clotting diseases (von Willebrand's, hemophilia A, hemophilia B) are potential concerns in Labrador Retrievers.

Preventing health problems

Some health problems are inherited. For example, if both parents of your Labrador Retriever have certificates proving they were tested and cleared of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye diseases, your Lab has less risk of developing those conditions.

Other health problems can be prevented, or partially prevented, by the ways you raise your dog.

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