Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are common joint issues among Labrador Retrievers. These conditions affect the hip and elbow joints, prohibiting normal movement and causing pain and immobility. Luckily, you lessen the effects of these conditions on your dog by ensuring they maintain a healthy weight, eat high-quality nutritional food, and engage in low-impact exercise such as swimming.

Osteoarthritis is another common joint issue that can affect Labs and is often caused by old age. Arthritis occurs in 90% of older dogs and 20% of middle-aged dogs. Behaviours such as hesitating to jump down from the couch, struggling to get up in the morning, or being grumpier or more aggressive may indicate the onset of arthritis. 

To help combat the symptoms of arthritis and create a comfortable environment for your dog, you should provide a warm sleeping area with heavily padded bedding and assist your dog with getting up and down from high places. 

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective measures to control arthritis. It may be combined with multiple short daily walks, arthritis supplements, and pet-friendly pain relief if necessary. Always seek the advice of a trusted vet who will help you manage your dog’s arthritis symptoms.

Labradors, particularly puppies, tend to chew and swallow objects they come across. Common examples include socks, underwear, toys, rocks, sticks, or even non-edible household items. This behaviour can be due to teething, boredom, anxiety, or simply out of curiosity. While these items often come out the other side, sometimes they don’t and can require medical intervention and even surgery to treat it.

Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV), more commonly known as ‘Bloat,’ is a serious condition Labradors, along with other deep-chested breeds, are more at risk of developing. While bloating in humans refers to harmless water weight, bloating in Labradors involves a swollen or twisted stomach which can be fatal. 

Symptoms of GDV include: 

• a visibly distended stomach/looking bloated
• looking anxious
• drooling 
• pacing 
• looking at their stomach 
• trying to vomit with nothing coming up
• depression and lethargy as the condition progresses 

Although the exact cause of bloat has yet to be found, you should avoid letting your dog overeat or over-hydrate to lessen the risk of bloat. If your dog has any symptoms and you’re concerned that they may have bloat, take them to the vet right away.

We all know, and love labradors’ signature floppy ears, however, their ear shape and the tendency to trap moisture can make them more susceptible to ear infections. To avoid ear infections, keep your dog’s ears clean and dry. After bathing or swimming, make sure to dry your Labrador’s ears thoroughly. Consider having a groomer remove excess hair around the ear area to promote better air circulation. 

Symptoms of ear infections include:

• red or inflamed ears, and a black/brown or yellow/green discharge may be seen
• strong odour
• constant scratching or shaking of the head
• swelling around the ear
• whimpering due to discomfort 

Regularly check your dog’s ears for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or a foul odour. If you notice any abnormalities, consult with your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (TVD) is the most common heart defect among Labrador Retrievers and occurs when the tricuspid valve (one of four heart valves) forms improperly during embryonic development. The defect ranges from mild to severe, with severe cases often resulting in congestive heart failure within the first few years of life. 

Some affected dogs live comfortably and have a normal life span. A heart murmur, which is usually the first sign of an issue, can be subtle, meaning TVD is often difficult to diagnose. The main diagnostic tools used to diagnose TVDs are an echocardiogram or ultrasound of the heart. 

Treatment for TVD provides palliative care, including diuretics to reduce fluid build-up and medication to help reduce the workload on the heart and improve its pumping abilities. However, such treatments don’t cure the defect.

Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog’s body doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone, which is responsible for controlling their metabolism and the absorption of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: 

• unexplained weight gain
• lethargy 
• recurring skin, toenail, or ear infections
• excessive shedding or hair loss 
• intolerance to cold 

To diagnose Hypothyroidism, your Lab will undergo a blood test to check the level of thyroid hormone in the blood. If the levels of this hormone are found to be low, your vet will likely send the blood samples to a referral laboratory for further testing. 

If a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is confirmed, treatment typically involves hormone replacement therapy, usually in the form of a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. This medication helps to restore normal thyroid hormone levels and support proper metabolic function.

Laryngeal paralysis is a disease of the upper airway and occurs when the cartilage of the larynx doesn’t open and close properly. This disease affects other breeds, but Labrador Retrievers have a higher incidence rate than most.

Laryngeal paralysis is characterised by symptoms such as a dry cough, voice changes, and noisy breathing in affected dogs. As the condition progresses, dogs may experience increasing difficulty breathing, especially during stress and exertion, and may eventually collapse. Regurgitation and vomiting can also occur. The progression of symptoms is typically slow, often taking months or even years.

The diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis typically involves an examination of the upper airway using a laryngoscope, which is performed under light anesthesia. Tranquillisers and corticosteroids can provide temporary relief for mild cases, but severe obstruction may necessitate more invasive measures such as a tracheotomy (the insertion of a tube into the trachea) or surgery to address the underlying problem.

Obesity is a common issue among many breeds of dogs. Labradors, in particular, are at risk of obesity because they love to eat and can be known to attempt to eat everything in sight, including rubbish, children’s toys and socks. 

To help your dog maintain a healthy weight, provide your dog with plenty of exercise and measure out regular meals rather than leaving food out all day. By monitoring your dog’s portions and ensuring they don’t overeat, you can prevent obesity.