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Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) in Labradoodles
We want to introduce you to a serious disease that can be a concern to pet parents – Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). When a Labradoodle suffers from Atrial Septal Defect, it means that its heart isn’t working efficiently due to tears or holes in the cardiac muscle wall. Due to high blood pressure exerted by the blood returning to the heart from the body circulation, the blood tends to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium. This causes a decrease in the circulating oxygen in the body, and ASD prevents blood in the heart from being pushed into the lungs. Depending on the size and location of the hole, small defects may not result in any visible symptoms, while larger defects will cause an imbalance in blood pressure within the heart.
There is good news: most dogs diagnosed with ASD usually live normal lives. However, there are dogs that have a larger defect die from secondary heart issues.
The only way to find out if your Labradoodle has an Atrial Septal Defect is for a veterinarian to detect a significant heart murmur while performing a thorough physical examination. There are symptoms of the disease, such as poor exercise tolerance and/or mucus membranes or tongue with a bluish tinge, swelling of the abdomen, breathing difficulties, collapse or even death.
ASD is also prone to show up on routine x-rays. A chest x-ray will show a right-side heart enlargement. As well, an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) can reveal abnormal physical changes in the heart and blood flowing though from the heart to the lungs.
Depending on the size of the defect and the existence of other heart abnormalities, the treatment regimen for ASD will vary. A puppy may be diagnosed with the condition, but no treatment is recommended until clinical signs start to show. In moderate to severely affected dogs, heart medications are prescribed to promote normal functioning of the heart and respiratory congestion relief. A special heart-friendly diet is also often prescribed, along with the recommendation of restricting your Labradoodle level of physical activity.
Atrial Septal Defect is most often managed with drugs, but when a dog suffers from multiple heart problems, surgery may be needed.
ASD is a hereditary condition, so dogs should be screened before breeding as to prevent affected animals from passing on the defect to its offspring.
Colitis in Labradoodle Dogs
Colitis is classified based on the predominant cell types present in the intestinal lining. It can be classified as eosinophilic, histiocytic, plasmacytic-lymphocytic, and granulomatous. The condition has been considered by many as a genetic defect particularly with the plasmacytic-lymphocytic and histiocytic forms. Other cases of colitis are idiopathic in nature, thus the causes cannot be pinpointed or explained. In Labradoodles, colitis may arise as a result of any of the following:
• Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites (particularly whipworms)
• Cancer of the colon
• Dietary intolerance
• Medications including antibiotics
• Pancreatitis
• Dietary indiscretion
Diarrhea is the most common symptom of colitis. Oftentimes, the diarrhea may be bloody or contain mucus. The Labradoodlemay also suffer from abdominal pain, flatulence, painful defecation, straining and prolonged squatting. Dehydration is often present as a result of the diarrhea. Labradoodles suffering from colitis are also lethargic and may pass small stools. The straining and prolonged squatting coupled with painful defecation can be mistaken for constipation.
There are many types of colitis according to the duration. It can be chronic, acute or chronically episodic. Chronic colitis is often constant while an acute one can suddenly occur. Chronically episodic means Colitis often come and go.
The highly variable nature of colitis makes it easy to be confused with other conditions of the digestive tract. Thus there is a need to distinguish it from other diseases that may share common manifestations and determine the ultimate cause of the problem.
Labradoodles suffering from severe diarrhea need to undergo several diagnostic tests including a thorough physical examination, complete blood count, fecal examination, and x-rays. The first line of treatment is aimed at correcting the fluid-electrolyte imbalances brought about the diarrhea. If symptoms fail to subside even though symptomatic treatment has been given, your vet may recommend specific blood tests, an ultrasound, and colonoscopy to better examine closely the intestinal lining and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy.
The line of treatment is highly dependent on the nature of the disease and the underlying cause. If parasites are the cause of the colitis, a parasiticide is given or if colitis has been linked to a Labradoodle’s diet, a dietary change coupled with antibiotics may help correct the disease. A high-fiber diet has been observed to help alleviate the symptoms.
However when the cause is due to the abnormality of the immune system wherein the intestinal lining is prone to developing an inflammatory process, prednisone and similar drugs is usually indicated. This condition usually occurs with histiocytic colitis and plasmocytic-lymphocytic colitis.
Labradoodles that are prone to developing colitis are often prescribed special diets to prevent further episodes. If the cause is genetic in nature, a dog suffering from the condition should never be allowed to breed.
Labradoodles and Obedience Class
Discipline is one of the most important aspects of owning any dog.
Puppy school is not an option – it is a necessity to train owners and it is important to include children in the family. That way, everyone will learn how to manage your new Labradoodle and nurture it into becoming a well-adjusted member of the family.
Puppy school helps develop good habits right from the start. Wait until your Labradoodle puppy is at least 6 months old before putting it through any serious work.
Trainers with extensive experience and knowledge can deal with just about any behavior problems your pup might come up with. Choose a trainer who is purposeful and patient. The well-trained Labradoodle is a sight to behold as it goes through its paces in the class. Its innate intelligence makes many dogs great successes in the obedience ring.
Of more importance is for you as owner to continue to practice the obedience lessons with your Labradoodle even after the class ends. Your dog will best remember the lessons when you incorporate them into your everyday routines.
For example you can tell your pup to “heel” while it follows you around the house, and to “sit” and “stay” while you prepare its dinner. Your wake up greeting in the morning can be for it to “roll over”. Tell your dog to “go find the ball” while you get dressed and “go get the leash” before you go for walks together.
Training never ends, even as your Labradoodle puppy grows and matures. It just goes to show you that an old dog can learn new tricks… especially when it comes to obedience and discipline.
Labradoodle Service Dogs – An Inspiring Story
Using labradoodles as service dogs is not a new idea, but I have definitely seen more interest in using them as such in recent years. I have seen some of the breeders here on this site convert their breeder business into labradoodle service dog businesses. I have seen TV reports about them and even saw this recent article about them.
The article talks about a labradoodle that will be given to a little boy named “Dante”. His family was given a check for over $4000 towards a labradoodle service dog by the Niagara Falls Lions Club and Knights of Columbus. Dante is six and is autistic, the new service dog will help Dante a great deal of things, especially his seizures. Autism service dogs are trained to keep children still, and stand on him/her if necessary. When they sense a seizure coming on, they will sit down to catch the parents' attention. They will also calm a child down by diverting their attention from their surroundings
I personally think this is great. Labradoodles are a highly intelligent and a quick learning dog breed. The labradoodle breed was actually origionally conceived to be a service dog.
I will soon a new section talking about Labradoodles as Service Dogs.
Famous Labradoodle Owners
Even though Barack Obama didn’t end up getting a Labradoodle for his family, there are plenty of other famous Labradoodle owners out there, below you will find some of the celebrities that own Labradoodles. As we are made aware of more famous Labradoodle owners, we will update the list as necessary.
- Jennifer Aniston – owns a Labradoodle, bought for her by Brad Pitt, her former husband.
- David Baldacci – Famous legal thriller author owns a Labradoodle is named Finn.
- Lance Bass – Singer, (formerley of the boyband N’Sync) has a black Labradoodle.
- Joe Biden – Current US Vice President, owns a Labradoodle named Brother.
- Billy Bragg – Political folk/rocker owns a Labradoodle.
- Christie Brinkley – owns a Labradoodle named Maple Sugar.
- Dustin Brown – Professional basketball player owns Milo, a Chocolate Labradoodle.
- Sir Donald Campbell – Sir Campbell broke land speed records in the 1950s, was one of the first Labradoodle owners.
- Jeremy Clarkson – Top Gear presenter has a Labradoodle named Dodger.
- Barbara Eden – The former actress has a Labradoodle named Djinn Djinn (named after her invisible dog in the TV show I Dream of Jeannie).
- Carolyn B. Ellis – The writer and her three children own a Labradoodle.
- Mark Gearan – Hobart and William Smith Colleges President has a Labradoodle named Dublin.
- Tom Griswold – of The Bob and Tom Show in Indiana has a Labradoodle named Tazzie.
- Richard Hammond – Top Gear Presenter owns a Labradoodle called TG (often referred to as “Top Gear Dog”) which occasionally appears on the BBC show.
- Lynn Hoffman – Author and activist has a Labradoodle named Lola.
- Jeremy Irons – Actor, has two black Labradoodles.
- Pam Krueger – PBS Television investment program MoneyTrack producer has a Labradoodle named Chloe, who sometimes appears on the show as an “unofficial co-host”.
- Rory McIlroy – Irish Golfer, winner of the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic has a Labradoodle named Theo.
- Graham Norton – Actor and TV presenter has a Labradoodle named Bailey.
- Hugh Panaro – Actor/singer has a Labradoodle named Soot.
- Courtney Peldon and Ashley Peldon – Actresses and sisters have two Labradoodles named Odysseus and Calypso.
- Oliver Platt – Actor, owns a labradoodle named Noodle.
- Rodman Primack – Chairman of the London auction house Phillips de Pury & Company, has a chocolate Labradoodle named Theo.
- Garth Stein – Author, owns a Labradoodle.
- Andrew Taylor – The Middlesbrough F.C. (UK) player has a Labradoodle named Sonny.
- Susan Rebecca White – Novelist, has a Labradoodle named Raney.
- Henry Winkler – has a Labradoodle named Charlotte.
- Tiger Woods – The famous golfer has two Labradoodles named Yogi and Riley.
- Neil Young – The singer/songwriter has a Doodle named Carl.
If you know of other famous Labradoodle owners, please post a reply below and we will update our list.
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The New Labradoodle Dogs Website
As of July 9th 2009, Labradoodle-Dogs.net is under new ownership. Since that time we have made signifigant updates to the website including a whole new website redesign! We hope that everyone likes the new look and we feel the new website will provide a better overall experience for both labradoodle enthusiasts, labradoodle owners, and labradoodle breeders.
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