Labrador Health

labrador-healthMaking sure that your Labrador stays in great health throughout his  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.   In this section of the Labrador site you can find sections on:

Check out our health category Here you’ll find a collection of all our articles on Labrador health articles displayed one one page.  They cover a wide range of health topics. You can also find articles on Fears and Phobias,  and on other behavioral problems in our Labrador Behavior section.

Are Labs Healthy Dogs?

In general the Labrador Retriever is a fairly healthy breed. Labs don’t suffer from major conformational defects, they are well proportioned with a good length of leg and muzzle.

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!

What to do when your Labrador is sick

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’s symptoms and most often ask about

  • Vomiting and tummy troubles
  • Limping
  • Hair loss / falling out
  • Failure to grow/thrive
  • Rashes

While we can provide information about different conditions that Labradors may suffer from, it isn’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 you to visit or telephone your own veterinary surgeon.  It is especially important to seek help without delay, when a very young puppy is sick.

When to call the vet

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 when  to 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,  and what might suggest that you need to take your puppy to your local vet.

Normal for puppies

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.

When to call the vet to your puppyHe 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, but need to be taken seriously as small puppies can get dehydrated very quickly.

Puppies bite very hard (it hurts) and growl fiercely while playing.  This is not aggression.

All the above is normal.   The following is not normal

Not normal for puppies

  • Call your vet if your puppy seems listless, won’t eat, has persistent diarrhoea, is sick more than once within 48 hours, or twice in a week.
  • Call your vet if your puppy swallows anything you think may harm him, cries for no apparent reason or in an unusual way.
  • Call your vet if your puppy’s breathing is noisy or laboured.
  • Call your vet if he drags one of his limbs, is unsteady on his feet, or seems to be limping.  Call your vet if your puppy has a discharge from any part of his body.
  • Call your vet if your puppy cuts himself, falls badly, or just seems generally off colour.

If in doubt, call your vet!

Puppies under eight weeks old

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.

More information

There are lots of articles on puppy care in the puppy sections that are listed on the main puppy page.  You’ll find this link 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.

My vet isn’t helping

Sometimes people write in because they are not happy with their vet’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.

Going back to your vet

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.  Get him to spell it out for you.  You are entitled to this information!  In plain English.

It is very common to leave a vet’s office or surgery, get home with your dog, and think of a whole load of questions you wish you had asked.  This is normal. We do it when we go to the doctor too.

Many people fail to make use of telephone consultations with their vet.  You don’t need to go to your veterinarian’s office in order to speak to him.   If you have questions to ask, or points that need clarifying, write them down and telephone him.  If he isnt available ask him to phone you back.  Many vets will do this free of charge provded you don’t make a constant habit of it.

Getting a second opinion

Even experts disagree sometimes, they are only human.  And we can’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.

If your vet is a poor communicator, you are concerned about the treatment he has prescribed for your dog, or you simply don’t get along, there is nothing wrong with getting another opinion. In fact, it is the right thing to do.

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’s animals. Any health information given on this website should be used in  conjunction with veterinary advice.

We are adding to our library all the time.  Let us know if there are any other topics you would like us to cover.   We love to hear from you!

434 COMMENTS

  2. My 3 year old yelow labrador, Alfie, has recently developed a raised area of hair, the size and shape of a chicken fillet, on his side. It stands out and is obvious to the eye, but there doesn’t appear to be any lump or swelling underneath. It isn’t bothering him at all, not itchy or sensitive. Any ideas, please? The vet just said ‘ keep an eye on it! ‘
    Thanks, Helen

  3. I have a 4 month old black field lab (6 kg as dad was small staff). Since 8 weeks old has had 5 bouts diarrhoea including small spots of blood. Longest lasted nearly 2 weeks. She seams to have very sensitive tum, a small foil of wet dog food or bit of human food or sneaky few mouthfuls of dry cat food, can set it off. I started her on Iams puppy dry till told was bad n high in salt. Been on Wainwrights large breed turkey n rice complete dry food now for 2 half weeks. As said no egg Soya fillers dairy wheat. She does nibble link bit of bird duck goose horse deer poop, before I say no n pull her away. My vet knows bout ongoing problem, but is not inclined to further investigate. Despite me asking n even dropping off poo sample. Vet wants me to buy the hills science plan they sell, if I had the money I would, I can’t afford it! I’m going to vet again today as just now diarrhoea with quite a quantity of blood, will take poo sample n photo with me. Hoping vet can help (this time)!! This is my first puppy, any ideas what could be causing this?? So as I can also ask vet to specifically test investigate for this….??! Thanks Pippa.

  4. Please can you tell me how to train our 18 month lab, Rosie, not to steal other dogs balls, especially as she refuses to come when called once she has the ball. Given the opportunity she can hold two stolen balls in her mouth. Other than this problem she is really well behaved. Thanks

  6. Hi,

    I have a lab puppy aged 10 week. Due to some misunderstanding with vat we could not vaccinate him even first time. Is there any harm if puppy vaccination is got delayed? Can I start vaccination immidiately?

    Deepak

  7. Hello, Im from india and i have a labrador aged two and half years, from past two weeks my dog is suffering from yellow blisters on his testicles and they are growing bigger day by day inspite of taking to veterinary doctor and giving him proper medicine as prescribed by vet.I want to known about blisters and treatment for them and how long it takes to cure? as vets in india are quite costly..

  8. My much loved black lab is over weight (41 kg) No matter what I try, nothing is shifting the weight. 18 mths ago she suffered a soft tissue injury in her shoulder and since then the weight has been harder to shift. Any advice greatly received. She is currently on a Hills Science RD diet and our vet has put her on pain killers to help with her injury.

  9. Hi, I was wondering whether you had any experience of Hock OCD. My 8 month chocolate labrador is being seen by specialist next week with suspected condition. I am wondering what the outcome/prognosis is if he has the condition. He also has suspected mild his dysplasia.

  10. We have a 12 year old Choc lab. For the last year his coat has been dull and scruffy looking. The other day he broke out with two big hot spots on his back. We’ve been treating them…today we found another one. Anyone else experience this?! Suggestions?

  11. hi! i have 3 month old black lab suddenly she become weak with vomitting and starts not to eat.it happened when we started to seperate from her mother. what shall i do? thanks!

  12. My female lab retriever is years old and has always been the healthiest and obedient and happiest dog. But in the last week she has been urinating in my house, something she has never done even as an baby. Yesterday I noticed her panting heavily, and figured she needed more water, so we put her outside for a while with the water and she was fine after that. This morning she urinated again (yellow) and I noticed it had a ammonia odor. I have a rare cancer and while on chemo I also get that smell, so this struck me as strange. Please do not tell me I need to take her to a vet for answers, because of my cancer and how costly it is, no vet will see me for free where I live. Any advice will help. PLEASE.

  13. Our 12 year old chocolate lab just recently started jumping on the counters and table to take people food! She has never done this before, we could leave stuff out and she wouldn’t care. What has gotten into her?

  15. Hi Pippa,
    This is Vinayak, I have 10 months old male lab “Milo”. From quite few weeks, he is limping on his right rear leg. We keep him in our flat which is fitted with diamond tiles flooring which has slippery surface. Is this limping becoz of slippery surface or due to hip dysplasia, I have consulted my Vet for this, he is of opinion that this could be becoz of slippery surface. He suggested to get an xray done for hip joint to know the cause & seriousness of the injury. Presently Milo is put on the pet joint tablets (glucosamine+chondroin sulphate). Kindly suggest how to go about as very frequently this is recurring.

  16. Hi
    My dog has recently become lazy and he sleeps a lot. His diet is normal and there’s no weight loss but we found a lump near his thigh. He has a patch on his ear from where his fur is falling off and dry skin near his tail. Are all these connected? I’m hoping and praying its not cancer. We asked the vet about the lump and he said its just fat tissue. Is there any need to take a second opinion?

  17. Hi,

    I own a black Labrador. He is 2 years old. For the last two months he is unwell. He vomits immediately after having food. After sometime he eats the same what he had vomited. This happens 4 to 5 times a day. He lost weight and looks very weak nowadays.

    I am a remote village in southern where we do not have advance medical facilities for Animals. Still, I have been taking him to a Veterinary Doctor. But he is unable to find the real problem with my dog.

    Please guide me onw hat treatment I should give to him.

  18. hello pippa, i have a 4month old yellow labrador who have received all his vaccinations i feed him mostly royal canine and occasionally raw lamb,liver and kidneys,boiled eggs and whole chicken excluding bones.he developed flaky spots on his skin and seems to shred a lot for which the vet suggested a coat suppliment nutri-coat which in my opinion is not working too well but the vet says i have to continue it for longer time and also he recently developed a skin lump at the site of vaccination which worries me a lot the vet says its common and wont require any surgical procedure but it still worries me that this might turn into cancer like tumor in future i’d like to get any suggestion to benefit my pup to reduce his lump and also any coat supplement that u can suggest to save his soft fur p.s.we don’t get fish oil capsules in or around my city thanks in advance

  19. Hiii I have female lab and her hight 60 cm and weight 30kg above.but suddenly her tale become very thin.can you plz tell me which disease is this.
    meenakshi singh

  20. Dear Sir / Madam,

    I have 9 month old LAB puppy:

    Breed: Lab – Male
    Month: 9
    Light fawn color

    All the vaccination has be done by Cessna.The next vaccination is due on December 2014.

    Recently from one week he his been scribbling is ears and think he has got some fungus infection.

    Later emergency i took my pet to near by Vet and he has given the following tablets:

    Sprolac – DS
    Doxysil – 300mg

    He has also provided some ear drops which i am continuing still.

    I feel he is ok, but each and every time he is shaking his head.

    Now there is a problem that his hairs falling too much. Too much is falling from him all over the home. I have also seen when he sits some where there is lot of hair fall contains.

    He is also not sleeping on the carpet, every time he requires sleep without carpet. It is too much cold these days due to rainy season.

    Please I request you to help me how to slow the down hair fail and also inform me that if he sleeps without carpet will get any problem.

    Waiting for your valuable reply.

    Thanks

  21. Hi everyone, my chocolate lab, nearly 10month old beautifully girl ruby has developed a limp, she’s had it a few days, walking and playing normally, tends to lie down more tho but doesn’t seems to be in any pain when I’ve touched and moved it, it’s her back right leg. I’m stopping her walking now for a few days to see what she’s like after rest but just really concerned as she hasn’t had an accident or been hurt to have caused this, any ideas would be great
    Many thanks

  22. I hav a golden lab of 5 months . . he is suffering frm severe hair loss .his hair are now thick and rough on his back while on his head his hair are normal what could be the reason???

  23. hiya I’d like some ideas at what to do with my 3yr old lab, he is an amazing dog and we couldn’t be with out him but over the last 3months he has started waking in the night around 2am to go the toilet, I always let him out before we go to bed and nothing in his Dailey routine has change, heathy wise he is a fit as a butchers dog lol, we have young children that have school and he is waking the house, this is becoming a problem as we may get 1 night a week that he doesn’t wake us, any help will be so grateful, thank you Ellen

  24. My dog (Lady) is about 3 to 4 years old, yet she can hardly walk (possibly from a former car accident). Also, she is losing hair all over her body rapidly! Her skin is dry, and nasty and I can’t seem to get her clean through multiple baths. I give her muscle chews so she can walk better, and anti-inflamatory pills but thats all. She isn’t well and I just wish I knew what was wrong with her!

  26. two year old male yellow. After a day of hard running at beach, he makes crying sounds when trying to jump or get up on couch etc. What can we give him, sure it is muscle soreness, aspirin, osteobiplex, other?

  27. Hi
    We have a 7mth old black lab. He seems to have “NOBBLY” ankles and has had them since we got him at 12 weeks. They do not hurt 2 touch and he has no pain in running or walking. Im not sure if this normal? His feet do turn out slightly but not when walks etc. Please could you give me some advice on this.
    Thanks

  28. I have a 6 moth lab and she is shedding so much. Is there something that we could use that will help with this process? It keeps clogging up the vacuum. Also how much should we be feeding her? She acts like she is starving all the time. We live in Texas but she is an inside dog and she weighs around 45 pounds.

  30. Hi, just had a question….. Our son has a
    black lab about 8yrs old….Garth……….He has a habit of backing up from the front door to the kitchen…about 25ft…Just to let you know the floor is of wood….I just was wondering if there could be something wrong with Garth? Thank you for your time…….Mom

  31. hello, i have a black lab that is 17 but he doesnt act his age. he acts like a hes 7 or 8. he doesnt show any signs of his old age. as of yesterday my dog (sebastian) tried to walk and his back legs gave out. he can walk but not very well. he couldnt go down our stairs to go the bathroom, so i had to carry him down. when we walks he almost falls to one side but then he catches himself. this came out of no where, what does it mean? and what should i do?

  32. Hi

    We have a 9 week old chocolate labrador & feed him on Skinners Puppy. He has started to loose hair along the middle of his back from his head to his tail. He does generally scratch but he doesn’t bother with this area (doesn’t roll on floor etc to scratch it. It is not inflamed but his skin is very dry & flakey. We took him to the vet & they have given us some medicated shampoo but it appears to be getting worse. Any suggestions?

  33. i have a 45days lab pup when got it ,it was nice and healthy ,it sleeps a lot plus now it is not able to move his back legs .i taken him to the doctor he was given treatment that is it was given light treatment but now the tells it will not be able to walk to heal it may take some time is there any treatment to make him recover fast.when we try to make him stand on its legs it growls if let to stand then it falls flat after 2mins.so can you please recamend some treatment.

  34. Hi pippa, I need your help. I have a friend who has a 9 year old chocolate lab she has not been spayed. Would that cause any problems with her? The reason being, she is really big in the back not only that, you can see her part hanging? I keep trying to tell her that’s not normal. Do you have any suggestions?

  35. I have a 15 year old black lab we have noticed he occasionally starts to go up the steps and all of a sudden his hind legs give out and he falls.. he does drink alot of water….eats regularly…is in good spirits….does pant alot….and also is shedding horrablely we can brush him daily a few times a day and he is losing hair in clumps. he usually does shed but never in clunps. is this something to be concerned about that he needs to go to a vet.

      • Hi, we just bought a 9 week old black lab/ German Shepard puppy. She is now 12 weeks old. My parents are having lots of problems with her and want to sell her. She bits a lot and is gets very aggressive when we play with her. Also she doesn’t sleep through the night, we have to get up with her 2-3 times a night. Me and my sister want to keep her because we feel they haven’t really given the her a chance. I know every puppy goes through a biting stage and has trouble sleeping through the night without getting up. Also starting in September my parents are working and my sisters are at school and I’m starting a job. But I feel we can make it work. So that she gets a happy life. I’ll be home from 8 am to 1 pm then will be home

        • Sorry I clicked submit by accident. During the time I’m home in the morning I will take for for long walks, play with her etc. then I start work at 1. Then my mom will be home at 4. I don’t know what to do. I really love this dog so much. What should I do.

      • Hi pippa i need your help i am having a 2 month 6 days old lab male pup..after his first vaccination he stop having his proper meals from last 5 days as i am feeding him 4 times a day but he he not showing intrest after having a little..i feed him royal canen maxi starter and cerelac..
        He is full active and dont have fever also..
        plz suggest me something dear:-(.

  36. Our 5 year old chocolate lab has developed patches of light blonde in her coat. These are quite large areas on her legs and hips. Is it normal for a purebred to change color?

  37. My 6 months old labrador had Som ear infection… V took her to vet n they hav Som 2 Injections fr ear prob n dandruff n hairfall… The problem is she is suffering to get up and walk… Her nose is also drying… She is perfectly vaccined n done with her deworming… Plz help me I feel pitty fr her

  38. Hi,
    I have a 4month Labrador. He is very sick and very very weak. His stomach is upset. He is not eating anything since two days. Please help.
    Thank you
    Kashika Gupta

  39. my lab i allow out by himself for a run alone late at night before bed & we have a drain at the back of or house tho he doesnt come home wet he has a rash around his genital area only where there is less fur (on his skin) would this be from fleas & him biting himself as the rash is round red spots & some had yellowy puss like heads..we brush & excellpet him hes had all his needles & desexed.this is the 2nd time its been on him but this time is more noticable.can you please help put some light on this as to why its occuered.thankyou

    • Hi, I have a 4 year old yellow lab/collie . For the past few weeks we have noticed on his his sides of his back legs he’s losing small patches of hair . Not balding just small patches and some of his skin is black. Is this normal and what should I do? I want to call the vet tomorrow but I’m nervous it could be serious . Any information would help

  40. My Labrador is nine and for the last week she has vomiting during the night only (once of twice at the most), no food is present and it is like yellow bile. She still has her appetite and wants to play apart from being a bit lethargic. I do have an appointment for the vet today but just looking for some advice. thanks

  42. My black lab has what feels like a horn under her fur on her head Her brother also has it Can you tell me is this normal

  43. I have an eight year old lab and every summer he seems to not eat as much because of the heat, but this summer he is a little worse. Im wondering if it is normal that around that age they don’t eat hard food as much, because i have noticed he doesn’t enjoy hard treat bones but prefers the softer treats. Should i switch to softer foods and if so what would be recommended?

  44. Hi i was hoping you guy/girls could help me my 3 year old lab has just started to cry and not eat his food we have tried so many different ones but its just going to waste so i’m hoping its nothing serious because well i love him

  46. Hello Pippa,
    My 14 year old lab has very weakback legs.So much so that she falls back-ward down the stairs, and must be in pain by these falls. She sees the vet every week, who gives her acupuncture and says it is neurological. Also her eating is getting very poor, even organic boiled chicken and rice are not accepted.. Sheloves her walk and plunge in the river, she can’t do much more. i worry she is in pain, and er lack of appitate is a sign o her giving up. What do you feel?
    Many thanks,
    Ann (U.K)

  47. Hi there. I have a 2 year old lab. He was toilet trained early on, but recently he has started to poo in the house during the day. The poo is always runny and has a strong pungent smell. We don’t want to keep him secluded in the house when we go to work, but he’s done it a lot in the past month. Other than that he seems well. I just don’t know what to do. We’ve tried changing his diet to give him drier food, and that worked for a week or so, but today he’s done it again. HELP!!!

  48. Hi i have a female (2 year old) black labrador. Today she vomited around 5 time in morning and stool 3 time. After 4 hours she pee with very very foul smell and the colour of the urine was red. She done the same thing about 3 time in day . And she very very week now. And most of the time she sleeping .She also not eating anything the whole day only drink some water with glucose power. Please please someone advise me what should i gave to her for eat.

  50. My 5 year old lab got bit by something out In the yard and lost hair in that area, and has a small indent in the affected area. Can my gf clean and bandage it, or should I take him to the vet?

    Thanks, Corey

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