The deeper into the pedigree that dogs are certified free of health issues, the better!
Below are health issues common in Labrador Retrievers that are inheritable.
Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation. Click here to go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) website. See more at www.ofa.org
Elbow Dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow of dogs. Click here to go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) website. See more at www.ofa.org
CERF test is an eye examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist. CERF was founded by a group of concerned, purebred owner/breeders who recognized that the quality of their dog's lives were being affected by heritable eye disease. CERF was then established in conjunction with cooperating, board certified, veterinary ophthalmologists, as a means to accomplish the goal of elimination of heritable eye disease in all purebred dogs by forming a centralized, national registry. See more at:
http://www.acvo.org
Exercised Induced Collapse (EIC) is a genetic syndrome, predominately occurring in Labrador Retrievers. Affected dogs show signs of muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and life-threatening collapse when participating in strenuous exercise or activity. Dogs that have EIC are prone to mild-to-severe collapse that can range from dragging of the hind legs to complete collapse. Most affected dogs have been from field-trial breedings. Black, yellow and chocolate Labradors of both sexes are affected, with the distribution of colors and sexes closely reflecting the typical distribution in field trials (black males are most common.) Affected dogs can tolerate mild to moderate exercise, but just 5 to 20 minutes of strenuous activity or even extreme excitement can induce weakness or collapse. EIC is also seen in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Curly Coated Retrievers. Dogs Affected with EIC usually cannot tolerate intense retriever training, but can live normal lives as house pets. - See more at: AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is a grave disease that has been of concern in Labrador Retrievers globally since the 1970’s.
This inherited health condition weakens the muscles, making it difficult for a dog to walk. Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), or hereditary myopathy, begins in puppies and climaxes at about 1 year old. This disease is similar to Muscular Dystrophy in human children. The age of onset of the disabling phenotype varies between 2 to 5 months, with an awkward gait and a decreased exercise tolerance, associated with a generalized muscle weakness. The pup will never recover from this disabling disease. To be affected with CNM, a dog must have two abnormal genes - one from each parent. A dog with only one abnormal gene does not show signs but is a carrier that will pass the health condition on to its offspring if bred with another dog with the same abnormal gene. Though there is no cure for CNM there is now a gene test to tell whether or not a dog is clear of the gene or a carrier. See more at: http://www.cnmlabrador.com.
Hip Dysplasia is a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation. Click here to go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) website. See more at www.ofa.org
Elbow Dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow of dogs. Click here to go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) website. See more at www.ofa.org
CERF test is an eye examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist. CERF was founded by a group of concerned, purebred owner/breeders who recognized that the quality of their dog's lives were being affected by heritable eye disease. CERF was then established in conjunction with cooperating, board certified, veterinary ophthalmologists, as a means to accomplish the goal of elimination of heritable eye disease in all purebred dogs by forming a centralized, national registry. See more at:
http://www.acvo.org
Exercised Induced Collapse (EIC) is a genetic syndrome, predominately occurring in Labrador Retrievers. Affected dogs show signs of muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and life-threatening collapse when participating in strenuous exercise or activity. Dogs that have EIC are prone to mild-to-severe collapse that can range from dragging of the hind legs to complete collapse. Most affected dogs have been from field-trial breedings. Black, yellow and chocolate Labradors of both sexes are affected, with the distribution of colors and sexes closely reflecting the typical distribution in field trials (black males are most common.) Affected dogs can tolerate mild to moderate exercise, but just 5 to 20 minutes of strenuous activity or even extreme excitement can induce weakness or collapse. EIC is also seen in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Curly Coated Retrievers. Dogs Affected with EIC usually cannot tolerate intense retriever training, but can live normal lives as house pets. - See more at: AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is a grave disease that has been of concern in Labrador Retrievers globally since the 1970’s.
This inherited health condition weakens the muscles, making it difficult for a dog to walk. Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), or hereditary myopathy, begins in puppies and climaxes at about 1 year old. This disease is similar to Muscular Dystrophy in human children. The age of onset of the disabling phenotype varies between 2 to 5 months, with an awkward gait and a decreased exercise tolerance, associated with a generalized muscle weakness. The pup will never recover from this disabling disease. To be affected with CNM, a dog must have two abnormal genes - one from each parent. A dog with only one abnormal gene does not show signs but is a carrier that will pass the health condition on to its offspring if bred with another dog with the same abnormal gene. Though there is no cure for CNM there is now a gene test to tell whether or not a dog is clear of the gene or a carrier. See more at: http://www.cnmlabrador.com.
