Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Looking Into Labrador Health Problems

By Brooke Sunderland


The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in the world and aside from all of its positive traits it can also be a very healthy breed of dog as well. But like every other breed there are Labrador health problems to be aware of and keep a look out for. You can expect a healthy Labrador to live between twelve and fifteen years and with proper medical care, and regular checkups, there is no reason to not expect that kind of life span out of your dog.

However there are some Labrador health problems you should be aware of and if you start to see signs of problems then get your dog to the vet immediately. In the larger Labradors there could be hip dysplasia, which is when the hip joints are not formed properly together. This condition gets worse over time but can be treated. If your dog is having problems walking then this could be the reason.

Hip dysplasia is not the only thing that can make it painful for your Labrador to walk. The Labrador breed can also be prone to developing problems in the elbow area, which can make walking painful and difficult. This Labrador health problem is a little more pronounced that dysplasia of the hip so if you start to notice your dog having any issues walking at all it is extremely important that you get it to the vet right away to get the surgery it needs.

Another fairly common Labrador health problem is eye infections. You can see an eye infection coming from the excess fluid in your dog's eye. If you start to notice the excess fluid in the eye, and your dog constantly trying to clean their eyes, then you need to get this particular Labrador health problem addressed right away to avoid further complications.

A constant attempt to clean an infected eye can lead to many more problems so get the problem addressed immediately.

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.

Your Labrador can be the best pet you have ever had but just like with any other pet there are responsibilities involved in owning a Labrador. Keep track of their behavior and keep and eye out for anything that may seem like a problem.

Keep them active and on a proper diet to avoid obesity and always make sure you get your dog to regular visits to the vet to avoid any problems for their lifetime.

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