Looking Into Labrador Health Problems

There are a lot of reasons why people get a Labrador and a lot of reasons why the Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in the world. Aside from being intelligent and obedient the Labrador is also a relatively healthy dog. If you get medical care for your dog when it needs it and make sure there are regular visits to the vet then the average Labrador will live for twelve to fifteen years. But you should also know some of the warning signs of Labrador health problems so that you know when your dog may need help.

Knowing what to look for when looking for Labrador health problems is extremely important. If your dog is having difficulty walking then it may be experiencing a chronic disorder known as hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints are not properly formed and are causing the dog pain. They can be treated but the condition does worsen over time so if you notice difficulty walking get your dog to the vet right away.

Problems walking can also be caused by other disorders that usually develop at birth and worsen throughout the dog's life. The elbow joint of the Labrador is an area that could also be experiencing problems and causing your dog to experience pain when walking. This, like hip dysplasia, is treatable with surgery by your vet so this is just another reason to get your dog to the vet right away if you notice any problems in the way your dog is walking.

Labradors are also known to get simple problems such as eye infections. If you notice excess fluid in your dog's eyes then get them to the vet for medication right away. Eye infections can get complicated by your dog cleaning their eyes constantly to relieve the infection so be sure that you do not wait on the eye condition and get the antibiotics and other medications your dog needs to relieve its discomfort as soon as possible.

The eye infection is bad enough but when your dog complicates it with constantly trying to clean it then that can cause more problems. Simple antibiotics will solve the problem so be sure to get treatment right away.

Most owners love their dogs and they want to see their dogs happy. To that end some owners feed their dog as much as their dog can eat and this is never a healthy thing. Always make sure you have your Labrador on a proper diet and that it gets plenty of exercise everyday to avoid Labrador health problems including obesity. It is up to the owner to regulate how much their dog eats and to make sure their dog gets plenty of exercise so do the right thing and make sure your dog stays healthy.

Labrador health problems are not common but when they start to appear it is up to you as the owner to make sure the dog gets the treatment it needs to relieve its discomfort.

Make sure your dog is on a healthy diet, get it plenty of exercise every day, and make regular trips to the vet to insure that you and your dog enjoy many healthy and happy years together.

By Brooke Sunderland