We all inherit certain traits we wear like badges of honor—our mom’s freckles or our dad’s love for rock ‘n’ roll—as well as those we’d rather forget—like our dad’s stubbornness or our mom’s poofy, unmanageable hair.
While you might’ve never thought much about your Labrador Retriever’s parents, the same goes for him, and unfortunately, he may have inherited a breed-specific health condition in addition to his long tail and love for swimming.
Not to worry. Most inherited conditions in Labs are very treatable if you know what to look for. Read on for a pet health guide to the most common health issues inherited by Labrador Retrievers and how to prevent them.
Ear and Skin Issues Common in Labs
Partially due to their affinity for water, ear infections and skin conditions are among the most common health problems in Labs. Regularly inspecting your pup’s ears and skin and looking out for symptoms of infection are crucial to prevention.
Ear Infections
Unfortunately, while Labs’ floppy ears are adorable, they’re also common culprits for trapping moisture and wax (and this is only exacerbated by days spent Labs’ favorite way: swimming).1 Trapped moisture can create inflammation within the ear canal, making Labs’ particularly prone to ear infections.
See your vet if you notice symptoms of this heath issue like:
- Redness or brown/yellow debris in the ear canal
- Head shaking or tilt
- Pawing ears or rubbing ears on the carpet or furniture
- Odor from ears
In order to prevent infection, be sure to clean your Lab’s ears every two to three weeks with an ear cleaning solution, as well as after he swims or bathes.
Other Ear and Skin Diseases
Ear and Labrador Retriever skin problems are one of the most common types of ailments plaguing Labradors (and scientists have noticed a link to Chocolate Labs in particular).
One study found that 10.4% of all Labs suffered from otitis externa (“swimmer’s ear” or outer ear infection, which can also be treated with an ear cleaning solution).2
Pyo-traumatic dermatitis (“hot spots” created when dogs scratch at existing flea bites, allergic reactions, infected ears, etc.) is also common.3 “Hot spots” are treatable with antimicrobial gels and sprays.
Labs are also prone to allergies to pollen, mold, or dust, not unlike seasonal allergies in humans.4 Labs with allergies will usually develop symptoms between the ages of one and three, which worsen every year.
Symptoms of the dog health problem include:
- Licking the paws
- Rubbing the face
- Frequent ear infections
- Itchiness (on the feet, belly, and folds of the skin and ears)
There are a variety of treatments for allergies in dogs (like the medications and immunotherapies available for humans). Consult your vet about which option may be best for your Lab.
Neurological, Muscular, and Skeletal Ailments in Labs
Several genetic orthopedic and neurological conditions are known to affect the family trees of Labs, so it’s crucial to be on the lookout for early signs and test your puppy’s DNA at the vet upon adoption.
Epilepsy
Labradors are predisposed to epilepsy, and studies have found that focal motor seizures, in particular, can affect up to 70% of Labs.5 These seizures look like the stereotypical seizure you might imagine (involuntary muscle spasms, impaired awareness), but they only affect one side of the body.6
If you notice your pup showing signs of a seizure, get them to a safe environment, comfort them, and time the episode. Then, call your vet immediately and let them know how long the seizure lasted and seek additional treatment.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
These inherited orthopedic conditions cause lameness in the affected joint (particularly after exercise). You might notice a “bunny-hopping” gait or a reluctance to move around, or your dog may even hold the affected leg out to the side when sitting.
Your vet will need to conduct X-rays or a CT scan to diagnose hip or elbow dysplasia, and orthopedic surgery may be necessary in order to prevent degenerative joint disease later in a Labrador Retriever’s lifespan.
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Ask your vet about DNA testing to determine whether your Labrador puppy is at risk for EIC, a serious condition that usually occurs when dogs reach one year old.
Typically affecting the hind legs first, EIC causes muscle tone to decrease in episodes following exercise or excitement. Your Lab may suddenly lose coordination and collapse, and the episode may spike a life-threatening fever of up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit.
Centronuclear Myopathy
This congenital disease of the skeletal muscle is rare, but some Labrador Retrievers carry the genetic mutation that makes them prone to developing it.
Centronuclear myopathy impairs the reflexes of your pup’s hind legs, and it causes all of their head, leg, and neck muscles to atrophy between the ages of two to five months and one year. Once your pup reaches 12 months old, the condition usually stabilizes, but they’re usually left with muscle weakness and an abnormal gait for life.
Ask your vet about testing your new puppy—if he’s predisposed, you can prevent the onset of the disease with genetic therapy.
Heart Problems in Labs
Your Lab may be born with certain heart defects, or they may become prone to certain types of heart disease depending on their diet. In order to keep the dangers of these conditions at bay, it’s essential to get your pet’s blood tested regularly and take note if your vet notices a heart murmur.
Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Many Labs’ hearts’ tricuspid valves leak backwards, causing blood to trickle back into the heart’s right atrium on its way to the ventricle. Over time, this dysfunction will cause both the atrium and ventricle to become dangerously enlarged.
While many Labs can live normal lives with TVD, some may need lifelong heart medication or even surgery. The disease can often be asymptomatic, but it might cause a heart murmur or symptoms of right-sided heart failure, which include:
- Coughing
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Distended abdomen
- Trouble breathing
- Rapid heart rate
If you notice any symptoms (or if you know that your pup’s parents suffered from heart issues), consult your vet immediately.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is almost as common in dogs as it is in humans—10% of the American dog population suffers from the condition.7
In particular, nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy affects Labs. This type of heart disease is brought on by eating a grain-free diet with peas, legumes, or lentils among the top five ingredients. Eating this way consistently causes the dog’s heart to become dilated and unable to function properly, leading to difficulty breathing, weight loss, and even death.
However, nutritional DCM can be easily tested for at the vet and, if caught early, it can be reversed with simple diet adjustments (including cardiac supplements and re-introducing grain).
Other Serious Health Concerns for Labs
Other miscellaneous conditions—from obesity to cancer—may unfortunately be written in your Lab’s genes. Staying informed is the best thing you can do, as early diagnosis is often key to a healthy, happy life for your dog.
Obesity
About one in four Labradors carries a variant of a gene known as POMC, which is strongly associated with weight and appetite.8 This variant is often favored when breeding Labs, as it makes them more trainable using food as a reward. (This may be why it’s often said that Labs are “obsessed” with food.)
However, POMC also multiplies their risk of obesity: On average, for every copy of the gene carried, a dog is over four pounds heavier than a dog without it.
Obesity is considered a disease, and it can contribute significantly to other health problems, as more weight typically equals more inflammation in the body.9 This means an obese dog is at a higher risk for:
- Reduced life expectancy
- Skin disorders
- Kidney dysfunction
- Respiratory disorders
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Orthopedic disease
Consult your vet about the right diet and exercise plan for your Lab, and be sure to rule out conditions that may have contributed to any sudden weight gain (i.e. Hypothyroidism).
Bloat
Labradors are particularly susceptible to “bloat,” which means more than a full or gassy tummy for dogs—in fact, it’s a serious veterinary emergency.10
Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach twists around itself, cutting off blood supply, filling the belly with air, and trapping food and gas. It can even cause the spleen to twist and cut off its circulation, in turn blocking vital veins and cutting the blood supply to the heart.
Bloat can kill a dog within hours, and minutes can make a difference, so be sure to rush your Lab to the vet if you notice any of the following signs:
- Swollen, hard belly
- Retching without vomit
- Drooling
- Pain in the abdomen when touched
- Panting, restlessness, and other signs of distress
Your dog will immediately need a stomach pump, IV fluids, and medication to bring blood flow back to the heart. Once stabilized, your pet will need surgery to repair damage to the stomach and prevent recurrent episodes (which are common without surgery).
Hemangiosarcoma
Labs have a greater than average chance of developing certain types of cancer, namely hemangiosarcoma, which involves a blood-filled tumor in the spleen, liver, or heart. This tumor can rupture at any time, causing a life-threatening internal bleed, and it can spread to other parts of the body very quickly. Be on the lookout for signs like:
- Weakness
- Pale (usually white) gums
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
Hemangiosarcoma is hard to catch—often, symptoms don’t present themselves until the tumor is the size of a volleyball, so prognoses can be grave. It’s crucial to keep up with the ultrasounds and blood tests that begin with your dog’s senior wellness check annually, as these offer the best chance to catch clues and begin early treatment.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Labs are prone to this disease of the eye, which results from one of various genetic mutations. Affected dogs’ retinas slowly deteriorate over time, leading to permanent dilation of the affected pupil and eventual blindness.
PRA usually begins in Labs between the ages of three and nine years old, and it can be diagnosed with a simple eye exam. While more research is still needed to improve outcomes for dogs with PRA, treatment with gene therapy may be helpful.
Support Your Lab’s Health With Vetericyn
Like any breed, Labradors are genetically predisposed to certain health conditions, so it’s crucial as an owner to take steps to keep your pup safe and healthy. Vetericyn is by your side, providing you with crucial general health information in your daily quest to give your Lab’s wellness a boost.
Our antimicrobial hot spot sprays and gels can be used to soothe your Lab’s irritated skin, hydrating the area with electrolyzed water as its first inactive ingredient. And to protect those charmingly floppy ears, our antimicrobial ear rinse flushes debris to help keep bacteria at bay.
Our FoamCare pet shampoo uses natural ingredients like mushroom and aloe extract to keep your pup’s skin and coat moisturized and comfortable. Plus, our ALL-IN dog supplement is packed with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your Lab needs to thrive.
Putting your pet’s health first is the kindest way to show your love for them, and it will help ensure your days spent swimming, playing, and walking together are long. Vetericyn know you have your dog’s back, so we have yours.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- PetMD. Labrador Retriever. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/labrador-retriever
- Dickinson University: Pup Catch-Up. Health Problems in Labradors. https://blogs.dickinson.edu/mansbestfriend/2022/10/10/health-problems-in-labradors/
- Improve Veterinary Practice. Pyotraumatic dermatitis (acute moist dermatitis, hot spot). https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pyotraumatic-dermatitis-acute-moist-dermatitis-hot-spot
- Orchard Road Animal Hospital. Labrador Retriever. https://www.orchardroadanimalhospital.com/services/dogs/breeds/labrador-retriever
- University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Atypical seizures / paroxysmal dyskinesia. https://vetmed.umn.edu/research/research-labs/canine-genetics-lab/canine-genetics-research/atypical-seizures-paroxysmal-dyskinesia
- Cleveland Clinic. Focal Seizure. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22893-focal-seizure
- MetLife Pet Insurance. Heart Disease In Dogs: Causes, Treatments, and What It Costs. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-health/heart-disease-in-dogs/
- Cambridge University. Genetic variant may help explain why Labradors are prone to obesity. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-variant-may-help-explain-why-labradors-are-prone-to-obesity
- MetLife Pet Insurance. Weight Gain in Dogs. https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-care/weight-gain-in-dogs-keeping-your-pet-healthy/
- BlueCross UK. Bloat in dogs. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/bloat-in-dogs
