Health

Labradors are wonderful pets who generally love everything and everyone, so it’s hardly surprising that they’re one of the top dog breeds you’ll find in homes all around the world. Their popularity is easily attributed to their endearing personalities and as an added benefit, they tend to be great with families and other pets. Not to mention this combination of great temperament and trainability mean that they’re often employed in many service roles including as guide dogs for the blind, disability assistance dogs, and in search and rescue. Unfortunately, their good deeds and kind natures don’t make them exempt from illnesses and health conditions and there are a health problems in Labradors that you should be aware of if you’re looking to add this breed to your home. Keep reading to find out about the most common issues affecting this breed.

If you’ve found yourself with a litter of puppies on the way (especially if you are a first-time breeder or find yourself rearing puppies in rescue) it can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking time! To take some of the stress out of looking after your new bundles of joy, we’ve put together this guide on new-born puppy care to tell you what to expect at each stage and what you can do to help them on their way to growing into healthy and happy adult dogs.

The sight of blood is frightening for any pet owner. Blood in dog urine is called haematuria, and if you’ve ever noticed this symptom in your pup, you’ll know how worrying it can be – it can send your mind into a tailspin with visions of a heart-breaking diagnosis and expensive veterinary bills. While a dog peeing blood is not always a story of doom and gloom, this can still be a serious symptom, so calling your vet should be your top priority. But there are many possible explanations for this problem, and a lot of them are treatable health conditions. If blood in dog urine has set off alarm bells for you, here is what you need to know about this symptom.

The thyroid is an important gland located in your dog’s neck, close to the windpipe. Although its dimensions are quite small, it has a big role to play. The thyroid produces hormones that are used in many processes throughout the body, meaning that its ability to work properly is key to the health and wellbeing of our pets. However, this important gland can sometimes stop functioning as it should, leading to thyroid problems in dogs and prompting owners to seek their vet’s help. One of the most common issues is called hypothyroidism and it can be quite concerning when owners start to notice the first symptoms in their pooches. Here is what you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs and how you can support your pet if they’ve been diagnosed with this problem.

Bringing puppies into the world is an incredibly exciting time for owners and it’s easy to get lost focusing on these cute little creatures. However, it’s also an important time for you to be regularly checking on mum’s health too. Birth can be a traumatic time for your dog and, as such, there are a number of health issues that can arise including mastitis in dogs. Keep reading to find out more about mastitis in dogs, including possible causes and the signs to look out for, so you can help to keep your nursing dog and her puppies healthy and happy.

Parvovirus can be an extremely dangerous viral condition, but it can also be prevented. In this article we will be discussing this virus, covering diagnostics, treatments and how owners can help to prevent their dogs from catching this awful disease. Plus, get a better understanding of what parvo actually is, and how to protect your pup.

Dog’s eyes can become affected by infections just like ours. Vision is such a precious sense, so it is always best to err on the side of caution if you suspect your dog has a problem with their eyes. Sometimes dog eye infections seem to appear out of nowhere and can become uncomfortable pretty quickly. You might notice your dog pawing at their eye trying to find relief from the discomfort. Or you might discover redness accompanied by an unusual discharge in that area. Either way, it is time to call the vet and ask for their advice. Here is what you should look out for when it comes to your dog’s eye health.

Our four-legged friends are known for running around and enjoying life to the full. But, over the years, this zest for life can take a toll on their joints, as their joints may start to wear down, becoming sore and stiff.

The term ‘dog dandruff’ might come as a surprise to many, but just like people, our four-legged friends can also develop this condition. While this isn’t usually something to worry about, the presence of dandruff in dogs can be a sign of other underlying health issues. It’s also unsightly for us, but more importantly, often uncomfortable for them. At the end of the day, skin irritation is quite distressing, regardless of the species in question. So, if you’ve recently noticed those pesky white flakes showing up on your dog’s coat, we have some tips on how to deal with the problem while also significantly improving your pet’s well-being.

Just like us, our dogs sometimes need a little help to fight an illness, and that may mean a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are what are known as prescription only medicines (POMs), in other words they must be prescribed by a vet. You could be wondering ‘are antibiotics safe for dogs?’ Well, we’ve put together a handy guide. So, read on the find out what types of antibiotics for dogs are out there and why you should always follow your vet’s instructions when giving your pet a course of antibiotics!

Seeing your dog in pain is always a distressing time. Whilst humans have the ability to self-diagnose and often self-medicate, animals cannot. It is therefore important to consult a vet to determine what is the cause of your dog’s pain as quickly as possible. Your vet will ensure that your pet is treated effectively so they can return to their usual happy selves as soon as possible. We all want to do the most for our pets, but as much as they seem like a family member, albeit a four-legged one, when it comes to pain relief, there are some things they can’t have. In this article we will be exploring whether pain relievers for dogs are safe or not and look at some of the treatments your vet may prescribe if your pet is in pain.

Like us humans, our furry friends also need eye care from time to time. This can include using eye drops for a variety of different reasons. You might even be wondering ‘why are my dog’s eyes red?’ and if your pup needs eye drops. Read on to find out why your dog might need eye drops and the different types of eye drops for dogs.