Why Labradors lose control of their limbs

Scientists have discovered a gene responsible for a mysterious disease that causes Labrador retrievers to lose control of their hind legs when they run too hard.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• dog
• genome
• labrador
• retriever
• exercise
• puppy
• new
• scientist
• newscientist

[Sublue]

This is why mutts are so much better. Less genetic screw ups and nicer dispositions.

[Gallion]

If I had a dog with this problem I would buy him a wheelchair just for going to the park, so he could run all he wanted...and then rest, of course! :)

[mistyofchincoteague1]

HEY... I HAVE A LAB!

[mambamshow]

@Thebeastwithinusall she is alllwaays the happiest dog, she could never have a bad day!!

[mambamshow]

@GetMeThere1 we had her spayed before this happened!!!

[mambamshow]

This is my dog she has done it about once a summer, it is soo scary when this happens. She is the best hunting dog out there I love her to pieces she is laying next to me as I type lol we all those are also my other two dogs the brown lab has passed away and we miss her very much. There was one time that we that we that she wouldnt come out of it but thankfully she did. She was one of the first cases and the university made a test with the help of my family to help other labs out there.

[9tube1]

Of the three labs I've had, the first one had this condition. It normally surfaced in the summer months after he became overheated chasing tennis balls. We bought a small kiddie pool made of plastic so that he could immerse himself when his rear legs would give out and he appeared to walk like a drunken sailor. He was never in pain from this condition and we simply stopped exercising him until he cooled back down. He lived a wonderful life until we put him down at age 13. I miss him.

[getmeaponynow]

lol, i know its random, but my thumb does this. when the wether is really cold i cant move my thumb and it sorta collapses when i try to do anything. it didnt happen until i broke my thumb, and ever since that its happened.

I HATE it! i cant do anth9ing for like half an hour!

[mphst6]

@Pelicomics the "also called" messed it up. Look up Mendel. It was all breeding, controlling genes from parents to produce a desired outcome. The genes are not altered in any way at a chemical level (I don't think Gregor could do that in 1860). We (humans) have been genetically breeding (or engineering: construct, manage, control) corn for millennia. Forced breeding, whether it be plant or animal, is genetic engineering.

[factoryXperimental]

My black lab sort of does this when she running like nut, but on walks with a leash she runs normal?

[Hyroile]

@tsetsoooo yeah dude, his mum drank in front of him and slapped his father.

You know she's the man.

[hendricksjd86]

@tsetsoooo haha thats funny it was the other way around very clever tho little fella