If you have decided to become the proud owner of one of the world’s most popular dog breeds and welcome a Labrador into your home, you must know how to take care of your furry friend’s health and wellbeing ahead of time. It may seem like a time-consuming and off-putting task, but it can allow you to plan ahead and organise suitable pet insurance before they have so much as the set foot into your home. If you are curious as to what the most common illnesses Labradors can get are and what you need to know about them, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
Common Illnesses Labradors Can Get
Joint problems
It is common for Labradors to eventually develop joint problems at some point throughout their lives with hip or elbow dysplasia perhaps amongst the most frequently reported conditions. It affects the hip or elbow joints and prevents normal movement from taking place which can lead to constant pain and even complete immobility if left untreated for a prolonged period of time. It may not be entirely preventable but the chances of developing dysplasia can be decreased if your Labrador maintains a healthy weight for its size, eats a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients, and is exposed to low-impact exercises, such as walking or swimming, on a regular basis.
Ear infections
Labradors may be adored all over the world for their long, floppy ears but this has also led to the breed becoming prone to developing ear infections with more space for bacteria to breed and multiply. t is worth organising suitable pet insurance with a provider such as Petsure to ensure your dog is covered in the event of a medical accident or emergency that impacts their hearing. It may also be possible to keep ear infections at bay by cleaning and trimming your dog’s ears on a regular basis.
Obesity
If you are an experienced dog owner, you will know how difficult it can be to refuse to feed your dog human food when it glares up at you as you sit down to enjoy a meal. It is not necessarily a problem that is exclusive to Labradors, but it can lead to long-lasting issues with the breed particularly prone to obesity. It is, however, entirely preventable simply by monitoring your dog’s daily diet and eating habits and, in doing so, ensuring they don’t eat too much or too fast as this can lead to weight gain fairly quickly. If your Labrador tends to gulp down their food, it may also benefit you to portion their food to prevent them from overeating or becoming ill.
Heart disease
It may surprise you to know that whilst heart disease is prevalent in humans, it is also common in dogs and especially in Labradors. It may not be entirely preventable with even the healthiest of dogs being known to develop the illness, but it can be avoided by taking steps to improve your furry friend’s general health and wellness throughout their life such as ensuring they are up to date when it comes to vaccinations, feeding them a balanced diet, and providing them with regular exercise.
If you have made the decision to welcome a Labrador into your home, you must familiarise yourself with a number of common illnesses that the breed is particularly prone to ahead of time including joint problems, ear infections, obesity, and heart disease.
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