Comments on: Health Screening for Labrador Diseases

By: Fiona McCann

Fiona McCann — Fri, 14 May 2021 17:50:34 +0000

I’ve got a puppy with severe elbow and hip dysplasia in all four limbs, a shoulder issue and damaged lenses leaving him almost totally blind. I didn’t know about health tests, but parents both seemed healthy and the breeder (not registered, just a friend of a friend) reported them as both perfectly healthy and also said afterward he never knew about scoring. Had both elbows operated on but the recovery is long and painful. I’m appalled at how puppies can be produced with such painful conditions without regulation.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 19:10:14 +0000

Hi can anyone tell me how much the elbow/hip score tests cost please?

By: Margaret Zeckel

Margaret Zeckel — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 20:35:04 +0000

I have a 2and 1/2 year old lab, that I purchased from a breeder at 14 months old.Shortly after I adopted her,my vet sent me to a surgeon to check both her rear legs.She had a double TPLO then at 17months old.When I went to have her spade,same vet said she had heart issues and could not operate.Now she is with a cardiologist at CO vet school.Now she has DCM,AFib,and fast heart rate,on 2 meds.The breeder denies it is in her line,yet both the surgeon and now the cardiologist say both conditions are genetic.Hope Raven will survive,is there anywhere I can take her for treatment ?She is under the care of a cardiologist at CO State Vet School and seems to be doing okay,will be rechecked later this month,and I will know more.Thank you.Thought you may find a place to post this,I feel lost and frightened…Margaret

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 08:40:41 +0000

In reply to ELEANOR. Hi Eleanor, I am sorry to hear that J has been unwell. Please follow your veterinarians recommendations regarding your dog's health, or if you are unhappy with her diagnosis seek a second opinion from another qualified and licensed vet who uses approved, tested products.

By: ELEANOR

ELEANOR — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 15:09:50 +0000

OUR BLACK LAB “J” IS 12. HE HAS NUMEROUS LIPOMAS SOME LARGE.VET DOES NOT RECOMMEND REMOVAL.WE AGREE IS THE LAB PRONE TO THEM?
iN THE LAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE NOTED HE HAS A HACKING LIKE COUGH.LIKE HE HAS A CATCH IN HIS TOROAT.CHEST X RAY GOOD EKG GOOD.AT SAME TIME HE WILL PANT REAL BAD AND LOOKS AT ME REAL ANXIOUS.
VET DIAGNOSIS IS A TRACHEAL COLLAPSE.NO TX RECOMMENDED.I WENT ON LINE AND ONE COMPANY DEALING IN ORIENTAL HERBS HAS HERBE 1TBS 2XS DAY FOR LAST 5 WEEKS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THIS AND HE HAS IMPROVED. WHAT CAN YOU COMMENT ON ALL OF “J”S PROBLEMS.

By: Bruce Duncan

Bruce Duncan — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 19:16:01 +0000

Because of a change in behavior/health we took our chocolate lab (Sarabi, 7.5 yrs) in early for her annual checkup. The vet was cautious and ordered blood tests. The results show that she has elevated enzyme levels in her kidneys (2-3 times normal) indicating that she could possibly have copper-associated chronic hepatitis. The vet says that this is not uncommon in Labs, especially chocolates. She is now on medication and scheduled for a liver biopsy and ultrasound in May (2016). Will update when we have a proper diagnosis. I would be interested in knowing what your site knows about this illness and hearing from others that may be facing the same diagnosis.

By: Amanda Westwood

Amanda Westwood — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:34:32 +0000

I don’t know how many potential Lab owners know that they can look up the inbreeding coefficient of a litter from Kennel Club registered parents, on the KC website. Many KC accredited breeders, who advertise good results on eyes, hips and elbows in the dam and sire are breeding way above the current Lab average inbreeding coefficient, which is 6.5%. The higher the percentage, the greater the inbreeding – I’ve seen ‘high quality’ litters of health-tested parents advertised with an inbreeding coefficient at over 20%. (The KC will not register pups that are over 30% inbred.)

By: Lou Cubbage

Lou Cubbage — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:25:52 +0000

We had never heard of EIC until our yellow Lab was 7+ years old. She would have “episodes” after only a few minutes of ball throwing. They never lasted more than a few minutes and there were no aftereffects. FINALLY when we were in process of getting a chocolate Lab puppy the breeder mentioned EIC when we were talking to them. We had her tested and she is a carrier with symptoms, apparently an extremely rare combination. Needless to say we don’t throw the ball for her anymore. Never has an episode as long the no ball throwing.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:53:24 +0000

Hi Pippa,

Quick question, like the eye test, should the hip test be done annually as well or is this a one time test? Also, thank you so much for this incredible website! I think I have found everything I need on this site. I am seriously considering a lab, but am doing as much leg work as I can before approaching a breeder and picking one out. I am learning so much from your site!

By: Pippa

Pippa — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 06:40:16 +0000

In reply to Claire. Hi Claire, that is explained in this article - I'll put a link to it in the article above :)