An awful thing has happened to my sons lab. About a month ago he went lame on his back legs, his glands were also up. The vet gave him steroids and he seemed to recover, then it happened again two weeks later, he was given steroids again and blood tests done. He just became more and more ill, then the tests came back to say he had leukemia. That evening he was very ill, in and out of the garden, panting, couldn't lay down, very, very distressed. My son was up all night with him and in the morning the vet came and put him to sleep. He was only 5 and the best dog a person could have. A beautiful, calm, easy going, social dog and my sons 24 hour a day companion. He even went to work with him. My son is very upset as we all are, he came here when my son went away and he just fitted straight in with our dogs, settled completely.
I think in the future he will want another dog as he lives on his own and Vinny was his best buddy, a true man and dog friendship. He got him from a breeder and his parents were tested for the usual lab probs. He was a beautiful looking dog, noble in fact and often people admired him. I am wondering where would be the best place to get another when the time is right. How do I find out if this horrid illness runs in certain lines, is it possible? I don't think its a good idea to go back to the breeder where he got Vinny?
it is just so unfair that this young dog has had his life cut short and I don't want my son to have to go through the same thing again.

What an awful thing to happen in such a young dog, may he RIP.

Hopefully someone who knows the breed will be along to comment on Leukaemia in Labs, if not look online for breed clubs and ask if there is anyone who is up on health issues and that one in particular, was the specific type diagnosed before Vinny died to help with further research.

As much as we would all want a replica of the dogs we lose any future ones must be loved for their own uniqueness and breed traits, not trying to make carbon copies of a lost companion, even clones are different from the original because we can't replicate the the life experience and enviroment.

Hope you get the info you need and find the right healthy pup

It is not anything I know that is common in Labs.

I would suggest getting in touch with the breeder anyway as if any of the other litter mates have suffered from it then it is something they should look into to see if there is any link in the lines they are using.

Yes I am going to get in touch with the breeder as soon as i feel i can ask my son for the name, address etc. I thought I would write as maybe not such a shock for them as a telephone call. If it was me I would want to know. I am curious to find out if any other of the litter or his relatives have developed it, but they might not tell me.
My sons knows for sure the sort of leukemia it was, it sounds as though the symptoms and end result were usual for Acute lymphoid leukemia. It was a huge shock for him and he is distraught. He has had a particularly hard two years and this was the 'straw that broke the camels back"
I wonder if he would be better with a different breed, but he loves labs and many breeds seem to have inherited health problems now.
thanks

As a breeder I would prefer to hear over the phone rather than a letter as it would give me a chance to ask questions right away rather than waiting to make further contact.

If he loves Labs then why not get another one.

I have six Labs so far and two oldies that went to nearly 15 so I would say that this situation unfortunately is a rare occur ange rather than normal so it shouldn't put him off especially if owning a Lab gives him so much pleasure and love.

I don't know about telephone versus letter. I thought the breeder might become defensive if I rang out of the blue and a letter can be read a few times so it has time for the brain to digest the information.
I will leave my phone number or follow it up with a phone call. Don't want them to think I'm blaming them or after anything from them. I just think they should know.
and I do think he will get another lab, he adored that boy, he couldn't have had a better dog. Its just finding one that comes from healthy lines. I'd hate anything like this to happen again.

I'd of thought that leukaemia is like that of any cancer. You can't say where it's going to pop up in a breed, line or dog. Like humans often it just happens and is very unfortunate.

I grew up with Labs and my family have owned them for over 60yrs now, not heard of this and all but one had good innings, these were from working lines which I'd of thought not be hugely different to the show lines.
The one that passed early was poisoned and it was rather tragic...

I'd personally call them, it's easier for all to ask questions and then nothing is left unanswered or maybe find if the breeder has an email, if you are worried about her thinking you are passing blame..

Very sorry for your son... X