Inherited Disorders Common in Labrador Retrievers
In general, Labrador Retrievers are a healthy and hardy breed with few major problems. However labs, like all breeds, have their share of genetic disorders.
The most common is called Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC). Labs with this syndrome show signs of muscle weakness and lack of coordination during strenuous activity and may collapse. Dogs exhibiting EIC are not ideal for retriever training, but can live perfectly normal lives as house pets.
Another common disorder is elbow or hip dysplasia, which can be a problem in the larger dogs of the breed. This problem will often show up when a lab is still a puppy and will persist throughout their life. In dysplasia, the cartilage in the elbow or hip joint experiences more wear and tear than is normal. This can cause joint pain and eventually arthritis in the dog. Joint supplements are recommended and pain can often be managed with medication. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to ease pain and prevent lameness.
Labrador retrievers may also suffer eye problems. It is possible that as a lab ages it will develop cataracts, giving the eye a slightly milky appearance. This is usually not strong enough to require surgery. Labs may also suffer from Progressive Retinal Atrophy, in which the retina degrades, leading to eventual blindness.
In addition, Labrador retrievers may suffer ear infections due to the floppiness of their ears, which can easily be avoided through regularly cleaning the ears. Labs are also prone to obesity, especially as they age. This can worsen the likelihood of developing hip dysplasia or diabetes, so getting enough exercise is important to ensuring your Labrador retriever lives a long, healthy life.
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Ten years is a good age for a large dog, so Victor is doing well…. but, just like humans, dogs can become less steady on their legs as they get older. The reasons for Victor becoming less steady on his feet could be many and varied – for example, is he carrying excess weight? If you are really concerned about Victors ability to walk, I strongly recommend you take him to your veterinary surgeon for a thorough examination.
I don’t have much to go on as you don’t say what breed your dog is, how old she is or how much exercise she has. Some working dogs sometimes develop obsessive behaviour if they don’t have enough to do. I would suggest you discuss your dog’s behaviour with a veterinary surgeon who may be able to suggest a course of therapy.