{"id":10303,"date":"2020-11-27T15:00:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T20:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovelabworld.com\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2020-11-27T15:00:49","modified_gmt":"2020-11-27T20:00:49","slug":"labrador-back-leg-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puplore.com\/labrador-back-leg-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Labrador Back Leg Problems and Possible Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Labrador Retrievers are generally healthy<\/a> and energetic dogs that remain youthful for quite a long time. This is why it is alarming when you suddenly encounter Labrador back leg problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobility is very important for Labs, so Labrador rear leg problems can be a sign that things are going downhill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a couple of various reasons behind your Labrador’s back leg problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will go over those reasons for Labrador hind leg problems and see how best you can help your Lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spotting these problems early on may be crucial in making sure that your dog can get treatment as soon as possible and that they won\u2019t be in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each situation is different, though, so we will also try to take a look at how you can spot early signs of these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can cause hind leg problems in Labrador Retrievers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1) Hip Dysplasia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hip Dysplasia is a skeletal condition that many consider as a potential reason for Labrador Retriever hind leg problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has various causes. So, if your dog has hip dysplasia, there are several possible reasons why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First off, Canine Hip Dysplasia can be a genetic health issue. On top of that, it also disproportionately affects larger breeds, such as the Labs, much more than smaller breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also other factors behind Labrador back leg problems<\/a> like this, such as how much exercise a Labrador Retriever gets and other nutritional factors. We\u2019ll go over some of them one by one in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand what hip dysplasia is and how it affects a Labrador, you have to know the mechanism of how the affected area works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket type of joint. In healthy dogs, this joint should move against each other smoothly without any issues at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, dogs with Hip Dysplasia will have trouble with this, as the ball and socket grind up against each other instead of moving smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, there will be a lot of grinding, which then leads to losing mobility in that joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, if left untreated, this joint may lose function due to the abrasive nature of friction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hip Dysplasia will cause your Lab pain and discomfort, so it is incredibly crucial to spot it on time so that you can get your Lab the proper treatment, and they can move in relative comfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you understand how Hip Dysplasia can affect your Labrador, let\u2019s move on to the various causes of the disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of hip dysplasia<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
1) Genetics<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Before anything else, genetics plays a major role in canine dysplasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this, it is important to make sure that you buy from a reputable breeder that clears their puppies from this disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are adopting<\/a>, there\u2019s no guarantee that your Labrador Retriever puppy will not have hip dysplasia since it will be impossible to tell immediately when they are still a few months old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most diagnoses of hip dysplasia occur at 6-18 months, although symptoms could also manifest a few years into your dog\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, early diagnosis is important to make sure that you take the appropriate measures to alleviate any discomfort for your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take note that a lot of factors can contribute to hip dysplasia. So, while genetics can play a major role, the rest of the factors can exacerbate the dog\u2019s condition and make their dysplasia more severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Exercise<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

How much or how little exercise<\/a> your Lab gets, plays a role in hip dysplasia as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labradors that don\u2019t get enough exercise are likely to become larger. What’s even worse is that obesity can make canine dysplasia worse, or even cause it in some scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, one thing you should also know is that if your Lab gets too much exercise (especially when they are still puppies), this might cause a lot of stress in their joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, it can also cause dysplasia or make it worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Nutrition<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition<\/a> is another important factor that can result in hip dysplasia. One of the causes of hip dysplasia is excessive growth that the dog\u2019s body can\u2019t keep up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are certain types of dog food that are specifically made to help puppies from large breeds appropriately manage their growth rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, you can tell that proper health management is already a decent precaution for hip dysplasia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You cannot prevent the skeletal disorder if it is genetic, but you can certainly make the proper preparations to not exacerbate the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of hip dysplasia<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to this study<\/a>, symptoms of hip dysplasia greatly depend on the severity of the condition and on the disorder’s progression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, lameness in the back legs is one of the behaviors generally attributed to canine hip dysplasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n