General description

Labradors are affectionate, caring and humble. They make good service dogs and are very active. They are easy to train and good family pets, but require good training from when young. they are average shedders and need to be groomed regularly.

Health concerns

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

• PRA and eye disorders

• Intussusception

Intussusception:

Intussusception is the acute invagination of one segment of a bowel into another. it usually occurs in kittens and puppies less than a year of age, but it can also occur occur in dogs of any age in they have hypermotility of the small bowel, gastrointestinal parasites, severe bacterial or viral enteritis. is intussusception usually takes place in the small bowel like in the jejunum, ilium or the ileocolic junction.

Clinical signs

· Vomiting

· Haemorrhagic diarrhea

· Abdominal discomfort

Treatment

1. Oxygen supplementation: the patient must be supplied with oxygen immediately. the oxygen source along with the mask must be ready. an anesthesia machine would be ideal.

2. Fluid set-up: crystalloid fluids with the giving sets primed and ready to go

3. X-Ray machine: the machine must be turned on and setup according to the patients size and abdomen

4. Ultrasound and/or Endoscopy: if available, these devices must be set-up immediately along with any anesthesia or sedation equipment

5. Monitoring equipments: equipments to monitor BP, ECG and pulse ox must also be set-up

6. set up surgery for a laparotomy, with plenty pf warm lavaging saline.