Dog health

Labrador Retriever health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Labrador Retriever, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 21 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 5 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease and bloat. A typical vet bill for a large dog runs $308 – $1,224.

Health problems linked to the Labrador Retriever

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [3]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [4]
Elbow dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The bones of the elbow don't grow together quite right, which causes lameness in the front legs and early arthritis. [5]Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [6]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The cells at the back of the eye slowly wear out, starting with night vision. It isn't painful, but it can lead to blindness. [8]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [9]
Heart diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [10]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [11]
Bloat (GDV)Named by: AKC breed page [1]The stomach fills with gas and can twist. It is a life-threatening emergency that usually needs surgery right away. [12]Stomach emergency (owner bills): $550–$1,750 [13]
Hospital and ICU, median invoice: $1,261 (typical $505–$4,177) [7]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Labs are healthy dogs overall, and a responsible breeder screens breeding stock for conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, heart disorders, hereditary myopathy (muscle weakness), and eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy. Like other large, deep-chested dogs, Labs can develop a life-threatening stomach condition called bloat. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test, Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test, Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test. [1][14] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 6 DNA health tests for the Labrador Retriever, including Congenital Ichthyosis in Labrador Retrievers; Stargardt Disease in Labrador Retrievers; Copper Toxicosis (Menkes and Wilson diseases); X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM) in Labrador Retrievers; Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [15] One health test costs $58 there, and its breed health panel is $165. [16]

What to budget

For a large dog like the Labrador Retriever, a typical vet bill runs $308 – $1,224 (median $640), and surgery, when needed, runs $541 – $3,903. [17]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Labrador Retriever at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,500. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 11–13 years and you get roughly $9,600–$19,700 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [17][18] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [19] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [20] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [21]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Labrador Retriever?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease and bloat. That doesn't mean every Labrador Retriever will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Labrador Retriever?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For large dogs, a typical vet bill runs $308 – $1,224 (median $640).

Should I get pet insurance for a Labrador Retriever?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Labrador Retriever breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test, Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test, Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Labrador Retriever live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 11–13 years.

Labrador Retriever breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsElbow dysplasia surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (21) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Labrador Retriever breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. OFA – Elbow dysplasia
  6. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  7. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  8. VCA – Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
  9. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  10. OFA – Cardiac disease
  11. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. VCA – Bloat (GDV) in dogs
  13. VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Stomach Emergency Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  15. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Labrador Retriever DNA tests
  16. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  17. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  18. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  19. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  20. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  21. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)