Most Common Lab Health Problems & What To Do About Them

Labrador retrievers have been a popular dog breed for several years. The large, loyal, and loving dogs can have health problems that shorten their lives or prevent them from enjoying activities with their families. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent health problems and take care of them when they arise. 

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Buy your labrador from a reputable breeder

Because labrador retrievers are so popular, puppy mills exploit unsuspecting buyers by over-breeding dogs that end up with ongoing health problems. These dogs often end up in shelters, where more unsuspecting families end up having to take care of the health issues. 

When you buy a labrador retriever from a reputable breeder like Snowy Pines White Labradors, you can trust your puppy will come from healthy parents with no health issues. Reputable breeders take good care of their dogs so they can live a long, healthy life. 

Prevent joint pain

Labradors and other large-breed dogs often have troubles with their knee and elbow joints. As they age, their joints can become painful, causing them to become immobile. You can help your lab stay mobile and pain-free by feeding it a healthy diet filled with essential nutrients. 

Giving your dog time for low-impact exercises, like swimming, also helps protect and strengthen their joints. You can also ask your veterinarian to recommend supplements for joint health. 

Take care of ear infections

Dogs, especially labs, get ear infections as moisture and dirt get into the ear canal. When bacteria begin growing, your lab will start to paw at their ears. Watch for head shaking, discharge, and redness around your puppy's ears. 

You can prevent ear infections by regularly cleaning your dog’s ears, especially after bathing and swimming. If your dog develops an ear infection, you should take it to the veterinarian for treatment. 

Avoid obesity

Labs love to eat, so they are prone to become obese. Overfed dogs develop health problems like diabetes, joint pain, heart disease, and more. These problems can shorten your fur baby’s life span by at least two years. 

The best way to prevent obesity is by feeding your dog a balanced diet and giving it opportunities for daily exercise. Do not give your dog treats unless you are training it in a new skill, as labs will perform just to get a snack. 

Watch for eye problems

Labrador retrievers are prone to eye problems. If you’ve purchased your dog from a reputable breeder, your lab should come from breeding stock that does not have a history of eye problems. However, as dogs age, vision problems can develop. 

Your dog could develop progressive retinal atrophy. The retinal tissue degenerates, eventually leading to blindness. Labs can develop cataracts, either through heredity, from eye trauma, or as a result of diabetes. Veterinarians repair cataracts surgically.

Wrap up

Labs are sturdy dogs that live long lives when cared for and fed properly. Choosing a lab with a healthy lineage helps prevent many health problems.