{"id":963,"date":"2012-02-07T15:03:15","date_gmt":"2012-02-07T15:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?page_id=963"},"modified":"2024-05-12T18:55:52","modified_gmt":"2024-05-12T17:55:52","slug":"labrador-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/labrador-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Labrador Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12792\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health.png\" alt=\"labrador-health\" width=\"1220\" height=\"674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health.png 1220w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-696x385.png 696w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-1068x590.png 1068w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/labrador-health-760x420.png 760w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1220px) 100vw, 1220px\" \/><\/a>Making sure that\u00a0your Labrador stays\u00a0in great health throughout his\u00a0 lifetime is one of your top priorities.<\/p>\n<h2>Keeping your Labrador healthy<\/h2>\n<p>We explore a range of health issues in labs, and we have gathered lots of information to help you keep your Lab in tip-top condition.\u00a0\u00a0 In this section of the Labrador site you can find sections on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/costs-and-veterinary-treatment-for-labradors\/\">Veterinary Treatment: Vaccines, Costs &amp; Insurance<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Inherited diseases and Illnesses<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Neutering\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/neutering-your-labrador\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Neutering<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Diet and exercise for labradors\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/diet-and-exercise-for-labradors\/\">Diet and exercise<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/coccidia-in-dogs\/\">Parasites<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/breeding-from-your-labrador\/\">Breeding<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/emotional-well-being\/\">Emotional well-being, happiness &amp; bonding<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check out our <a title=\"Labrador health articles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/category\/labrador-health\/\">health\u00a0category<\/a> Here you&#8217;ll find a collection of all our articles on Labrador health articles displayed one one page. \u00a0They cover a wide range of health topics. You can also find\u00a0articles on <a title=\"labrador fears and phobias\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/nervous-dog\/\">nervous dogs<\/a>,\u00a0 and on other\u00a0behavioral problems in our Labrador Behavior section.<\/p>\n<h2>Are Labs Healthy Dogs?<\/h2>\n<p>In general the Labrador Retriever is a fairly healthy breed. Labs don&#8217;t suffer from major conformational defects, they are well proportioned with a good length of leg and muzzle.<\/p>\n<p>There are some genetic issues in the breed that have arisen due to inbreeding. And some of those issues can be tested for. So its important when choosing a Lab puppy, that you go to a breeder with a good knowledge of those tests, and a willingness to make use of them!<\/p>\n<h2>What to do when your Labrador is sick<\/h2>\n<p>We get many questions on this website from people whose dogs are sick or injured. We are always so sorry to read about dogs that are unwell. People send in their dog&#8217;s symptoms and most often ask about<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vomiting and tummy troubles<\/li>\n<li>Limping<\/li>\n<li>Hair loss \/ falling out<\/li>\n<li>Failure to grow\/thrive<\/li>\n<li>Rashes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While we can provide information about different conditions that Labradors may suffer from, it isn&#8217;t possible for anyone, no matter how well qualified, to attempt to diagnose health problems over the internet. Usually, the best course of action is for\u00a0you to visit or telephone your own veterinary surgeon.\u00a0 It is especially important to seek help without delay, when a very young puppy is sick.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content-asset videofit\"><iframe title=\"Swimming Labrador\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8ZXT1wkhQbY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>When to call the vet<\/h2>\n<p>Quite a lot of the puppy questions people ask us, are about puppies that need to be examined by a qualified vet. But it can be difficult for new puppy owners to know exactly <em>when<\/em> \u00a0to call the vet. And when to wait a while to see if the pup improves on his own For this reason, I am posting up some guidelines as to what is normal for an eight week old puppy,\u00a0 and what might suggest that you need to take your puppy to your local vet.<\/p>\n<h2>Normal for puppies<\/h2>\n<p>A healthy Labrador puppy sleeps deeply but is lively when awake. He smells lovely, has clean ears and eyes, and pees often (eg at hourly intervals or more frequently) during the day.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/when-to-call-vet.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4178 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/when-to-call-vet-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"When to call the vet to your puppy\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/when-to-call-vet-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/when-to-call-vet.jpg 355w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>He eats hungrily, and may have several bowel movements between waking up and bedtime. Many Labrador puppies cannot last more than four or five hours at night without a wee or a poo. Upset tummies are common in new puppies after rehoming,\u00a0but need to be taken seriously as small puppies can get dehydrated very quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Puppies bite very hard (it hurts) and growl fiercely while playing.\u00a0 This is not aggression.<\/p>\n<p>All the above is normal.\u00a0\u00a0 The following is not normal<\/p>\n<h2>Not normal for puppies<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Call your vet if your puppy seems listless, won\u2019t eat, has persistent\u00a0diarrhoea, is sick more than once within 48 hours, or twice in a week.<\/li>\n<li>Call your vet if your puppy swallows anything you think may harm him, cries for no apparent reason or in an unusual way.<\/li>\n<li>Call your vet if your puppy&#8217;s breathing is noisy or laboured.<\/li>\n<li>Call your vet if he drags one of his limbs, is unsteady on his feet, or seems to be limping.\u00a0 Call your vet if your puppy has a discharge from any part of his body.<\/li>\n<li>Call your vet if your puppy cuts himself, falls badly, or just seems generally off colour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If in doubt, call your vet!<\/p>\n<h2>Puppies under eight weeks old<\/h2>\n<p>Very young puppies need special care, and puppies under eight weeks old need to be with their brothers and sisters. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase a puppy that is less than eight weeks old. We cannot advise you on feeding underage puppies, you do need to get this information from your vet or from a very experienced dog breeder.<\/p>\n<h2>More information<\/h2>\n<p>There are lots of articles on puppy care in the puppy sections that are listed on the main puppy page.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/labrador-puppies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a> on the menu bar at the top of every page on this site. We do try and answer as many of your questions as possible but will always give priority to topics that are not covered in the articles that are already on the website.<\/p>\n<h2>My vet isn&#8217;t helping<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes people write in because they are not happy with their vet&#8217;s diagnosis or prescription. The answer is almost always to go back to your vet and talk to him about your concerns, or to get a second opinion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Going back to your vet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Some vets, while brilliant with animals are not the greatest communicators with people. If your vet has not clearly explained his diagnosis (what is wrong with your dog) his prognosis (what he thinks will happen next) or his recommended treatment. \u00a0Get him to spell it out for you. \u00a0You are entitled to this information! \u00a0In plain English.<\/p>\n<p>It is very common to leave a vet&#8217;s office or surgery, get home with your dog, and think of a whole load of questions you wish you had asked. \u00a0This is normal. We do it when we go to the doctor too.<\/p>\n<p>Many people fail to make use of telephone consultations with their vet. \u00a0You don&#8217;t need to go to your veterinarian&#8217;s office in order to speak to him. \u00a0 If you have questions to ask, or points that need clarifying, write them down and telephone him. \u00a0If he isnt available ask him to phone you back. \u00a0Many vets will do this free of charge provded you don&#8217;t make a constant habit of it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Getting a second opinion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Even experts disagree sometimes, they are only human. \u00a0And we can&#8217;t all get on really well with everyone we meet. I think it is important that we have a good relationship with out vets, and that we understand what is going on when they treat our pets.<\/p>\n<p>If your vet is a poor communicator, you are concerned about the treatment he has prescribed for your dog, or you simply don&#8217;t get along, there is nothing wrong with getting another opinion. In fact, it is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n<p>Many people are not aware, that in the UK it is also illegal for anyone other than a qualified veterinary surgeon to diagnose or even recommend treatment for, anyone else&#8217;s animals. Any health information given on this website should be used in\u00a0 conjunction with veterinary advice.<\/p>\n<p>We are adding to our library all the time.\u00a0 Let us know if there are any other topics you would like us to cover.\u00a0\u00a0 We love to hear from you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making sure that\u00a0your Labrador stays\u00a0in great health throughout his\u00a0 lifetime is one of your top priorities. Keeping your Labrador healthy We explore a range of health issues in labs, and we have gathered lots of information to help you keep your Lab in tip-top condition.\u00a0\u00a0 In this section of the Labrador site you can find&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-963","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Labrador Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We make sure your Labrador health questions are answered. 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