Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus
Large dogs such as the German Shepherd can also be affected by gastric dilatation and volvulus , also known as bloating. However, in dogs this condition can be fatal. Due to the extra air inhaled during meals or exercise, the stomach can bloat and twist on itself causing a sudden case of GDV that needs urgent medical attention. This German Shepherd health issue can also affect other dog breeds and often requires surgical intervention.Pay attention to symptoms such as retching, vomiting, a swollen abdomen, or excessive drooling and dont hesitate to contact your vet as soon as possible.
Taking Your Sick Dog To See A Vet
Unfortunately, your pet won’t walk up to you and say that they are sick. For this reason, it’s important for dog owners to notice the early symptoms as soon as possible. If you want to know how to tell if your dog is sick quickly and without guessing, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog displays any of these signs. Your vet will want your dogs history and may do testing.
Is My Dog Sick A Few Important Dog Symptoms:
Collapse or Fainting. Any reasons for collapse or faintingshould always be considered serious and should not be ignored. Contactyour veterinarian immediately.
Seizure.A seizure is often a symptom of some sort of neurological disorder.They can be caused by several things including epilepsy, toxins ortumors. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
Bloated or Distended Abdomen.Abdominal distension is an abnormal enlargement of the abdominal cavityand can often be a symptom of potentially life-threatening disease.Contact your veterinarian immediately.
Breathing Problems. Respiratory distress, labored or difficultbreathing or even shortness of breath are all very serious symptoms andshould be taken care of immediately.
Unproductive Retching. Dogs that attempt to vomit overand over and are never able to bring anything up is very serious. Youshould call your veterinarian immediately.
Trouble Urinating. This can range from: straining tourinate, frequently attempting to urinate, or even great discomfort whenurinating. This can be very serious. Contact your veterinarianimmediately.
Pale Gums. This should be evaluated immediately by yourveterinarian. Bruising and/or Bleeding. This should be evaluatedimmediately by your veterinarian.
Bite Wounds. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.
Lethargy or Weakness. This should be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian.
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Common German Shepherd Health Issues
Owning a German Shepherd dog is a gift that keeps on giving. They are loving and faithful guardians who will fill your life with joy and laughter. However, as an owner, you must ensure that your German Shepherd is fit and healthy. That starts with regular exercise and a healthy diet. In addition, there are certain German Shepherd health issues theyre predisposed to that you should be aware of. To further understand the breed holistically, its best to be knowledgeable of some. Below, well discuss the most common German Shepherd health problems so that you can be alert for the signs and be readily prepared to act when you spot them.
Most Common German Shepherd Health Issues To Be Aware Of
German Shepherds are a popular breed for many reasons. However, this breed does have several common health issues that owners should be aware of. The more extreme conditions are a result of inbreeding, so responsible breeders take special care to trace the genealogy before breeding. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 10 to 12 years old, but certain conditions might shorten that. Here is a look at some of the most common types of health problems that German Shepherds have and how to recognize them.
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Gastric Dilatation Volvulus Or Bloat
The Breed
The German Shepherd Dog, originating in Germany in the 1880s, was bred to be a multipurpose working dog. The German Shepherd has played many roles over the years including, among others: herding sheep, military field work, search and rescue, guide dog and police dog. German Shepherds have been popular in America since the early 1900s and have remained on the American Kennel Clubs most popular list for many years they have been in the top five for the last ten years. Some well known German Shepherds include Rin Tin Tin, Roy Rogers Bullet, and Buddy, the nations first Seeing Eye Dog.
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus Diagnosis
A common ailment among German Shepherds is bloat, or gastric dilatation volvulus . This is a life threatening condition where the stomach rotates on its axis, cutting off the passage of food and water, and inhibiting circulation to the stomach and intestines. Bloat generally occurs in large, deep-chested dogs such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Weimaraners, Saint Bernards, and Newfoundlands but has been seen in small dogs on rare occasions. It is a very serious condition that occurs when a dogs stomach fills with gas and then rotates causing further distention and a series of severe complications.
How Do Dogs Get Bloat or GDV?
Factors Suspected to Increase the Risk of Bloat
Factors Suspected to Decrease the Risk of Bloat
- Feeding canned dog food
- Feeding two or more meals per day
- No exercise for several hours after a meal
How Active Are Your Dog Or Puppy
Puppies with normal temperatures will feel very excited and would jump on to their owners if they were separated for more than an hour from their owners. However, a dog that is sick may not show that level of activeness even after seeing his owner. The sole reason for this may not be 100% fever but there are high chances that the dog is sick.
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Potential Health Issues In German Shepherds + How To Prevent Them
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German Shepherds are amazing, loving companions and faithful guardians who provide their families with years of joy.
However, they are also predisposed to a variety of health issues. Unfortunately, many of these health issues are genetic due to improper breeding practices to achieve a specific breed standard throughout the breeds history.
Of course, not every condition is genetic. Many health problems that plague German Shepherds are also related to their size, activity level, or merely being dogs.
Here are 20 of the most common potential health issues that affect German Shepherds, plus some steps you can take to help prevent them.
German Shepherds And Barking
As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. If youre having problems with excessive noise or barking, we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist.
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At What Age Do German Shepherd Start Having Problems
There is no specific time for health problems to occur some occur at a young age and some occurs when they are old.
Some health related problems can occur because of genetics and sometimes it happens because of the unhealthy lifestyle.
For example, hip dysplasia can occur when they are 4 months old, and diabetes usually occurs between 4 to 14 years of age.
Is My Dog Just Sick Or Dying
Dogs can show a variety of behavioral changes when they are dying. The exact changes will vary from dog to dog, but the key is that they are changes. Some dogs will become restless, wandering the house and seeming unable to settle or get comfortable. Others will be abnormally still and may even be unresponsive.
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Ensuring Your German Shepherd Is Healthy
If there was one right process for ensuring a German Shepherds indestructible health, then there would be a lot of happy pups running around. Unfortunately, the health and longevity of your German Shepherd depends on multiple different variables. Here are some tips on what you can do to optimize your canines health.
Dog Insurance For German Shepherds
Having your beloved companion diagnosed with health problems is heart-wrenching, which is just one reason that preventive veterinary care is so critical. Regular veterinary visits can help prevent health problems and discover diseases early on in your German Shepherd.
Pet insurance provides a safety net for your German Shepherd by helping with the cost of high-quality veterinary care. Your pups health plays a massive role in their happiness, so let Spot give you peace of mind today, knowing that you can be reimbursed later on if your German Shepherd does develop health problems.
Here at Spot Pet Insurance, we do our best to provide helpful dog info. We care deeply about your dogs health and want to be with you every step of the way. For other helpful info about pets, check out our Spot Pet Insurance webpage! Here we provide you with educational materials that can help you with the best foods, toys, safety, and care tips for your dog. We also offer personalized pet insurance plan options to help keep your dog protected in case of unexpected accidents and illnesses.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
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The Physiology Of Motion Sickness
Many dog owners soon realize, usually within five minutes, their pet has motion sickness . Receptors in the ear called the vestibular apparatus help an animal process position and movement. A dog will experience motion sickness or carsickness if the signals coming in are excessive: Symptoms include drooling, vomiting and or diarrhea. According to Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Animal Health market research, estimated 1.2 million dogs experience vomiting each year caused by motion sickness.
Your German Shepherd Dog’s Health
We know that because you care so much about your dog, you want to take good care of her. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Shepherd. By knowing about health concerns specific to German Shepherd Dogs, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks.
Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they are related to your pets breed. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the conditions weve described herein have a significant rate of incidence and/or impact in this breed. That does not mean your dog will have these problems it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in German Shepherd Dogs to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. Of course, we cant cover every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms.
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When All Else Fails
Ginger has been known to be effective to prevent motion sickness in dogs and humans. Ginger snaps work well for medium sized dogs. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog Ginger. In severe cases of motion sickness, maybe necessary during long travel periods of time, a sedative maybe prescribed by a veterinarian.Benedryl helps prevent excessive drooling by drying the mouth slightly. You should give it at least 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to departure.Dramamine helps prevent motion sickness. The effects of dimenhydrinate are very similar to those of diphenhydramine. The main differences are a lower potency, and a longer latency. 50 mg dimenhydrinate contains 27.2 mg of diphenhydramine, so it is less potent at equal doses. Also, dimenhydrinate must dissociate into diphenhydramine and its counterion in the body before it is active, so it produces effects more slowly than diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is used in Dramamine to prevent nausea and emesis however, the development of the chemical meclizine has overtaken its usage because meclizine doesnt produce as much drowsiness.
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Five German Shepherd Health Issues You Need To Know About
We asked a vet for the top German Shepherd health issues and their symptoms and treatments
Are you aware of the German Shepherd health issues? Everybody wants to bring home a healthy dog, but many purebreds are prone to conditions. Whilst this isnt necessarily a reason not to get a German Shepherd, potential owners should look for good breeders who have done everything they can to reduce the chances of the puppies being affected. They should also be aware of the signs of these common health issues in German Shepherds so they can be prepared.
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German Shepherd Health And Osteoarthritis
Hip dysplasia isnt the only joint issue to watch out for in German Shepherd health. Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease caused by the deterioration of cartilage, leading to limb dysfunction and pain.
Osteoarthritis is not uncommon in any breeds senior dogs, much like arthritis in humans can happen at any stage in life but is more common in the elderly.
Large breed dogs like German Shepherds are at a higher risk for osteoarthritis at a younger age due to the wear and tear on joints.
Osteoarthritis symptoms are stiffness, lameness, limping, slow to rise, tender to the touch, not wanting to jump in the car or climb steps, abnormal gait, a loss of interest in food and play.
Most people assume that with age, their companion is simply less active and taking things slower. Its best to have a vet take a look to rule out osteoarthritis.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but much like hip dysplasia, there things to manage the condition like medication and physical therapy.
Increased Thirst And Water Consumption
One sign of fever in dogs is increased thirst and water consumption. This can be a symptom of many different things, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Always take your dog to the vet if you notice any strange behavior or changes in their usual routine, including increased thirst. Increased water consumption is especially important to monitor if your dog is older or has health problems, as dehydration can be life-threatening.
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Taking Care Of Your German Shepherd
If your dogs health is one of your primary concerns, there are preventative steps you can take. This includes regular exercise, rest, and a healthy diet. Fortunately for you, Lucy Pet can help you with that latter. Our natural kibble is precisely formulated and packed to the brim with all of the nutrients a healthy dog needsensuring that your German Shepherd eats a balanced and nutritious selection of throughout its life.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Health Issues In Your German Shepherd Dog
Over 50 preventable diseases plague this breed. These hereditary diseases can be eradicated through ethical breeding
Sadly, more than 50 hereditary disorders affect German Shepherds and are preventable through responsible breeding.
However, the risk and severity of many health issues can be reduced with proper care.
Here are some critical steps you can take at home to reduce the risk of significant health issues in your GSD.
- If you are considering purchasing a German Shepherd puppy but havent taken the leap yet, you can avoid many genetic issues by finding a responsible breeder and avoiding puppy mills.
- Obesity contributes to many chronic health conditions, so maintaining a healthy weight is essential. If youre unsure about your dogs weight, check with your vet to see if they need to lose a few pounds.
- Avoid heavy impact and overwork of the joints until your dog is fully grown. Large breeds mature more slowly than small dogs, and overworking their bones when theyre still growing can lead to major issues later in life.
- Provide daily walks and exercise. Theyre crucial not only for physical health but for mental health as well.
- Provide socialization from a young age for good mental health.
- Provide regular checkups so your vet can catch health issues early.
- Feed a high-quality, species-appropriate diet.
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German Shepherd Health Problems
German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and very trainable.
Because of their build and trainability, they are usually used as guide dogs and working dogs in the police force and the military. But German Shepherds are excellent companion dogs as well.
If you are thinking of getting a German Shepherd, you need to know about the common health problems that may affect this dog breed.
Of course, not all German Shepherds will be affected by the common health problems as described below, but keep in mind that they are more predisposed to these illnesses.
Canine Von Willebrand Disease
Canine von Willebrand disease is another common issue with German Shepherds, and is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by a lack of von Willebrand factor protein in the bloodstream. Without sufficient amounts of this protein, the blood can not clot properly.
German Shepherds can be screened for this disorder, and responsible breeders should test their dogs for vWD before breeding them.
Treatment for severe bleeding is usually a transfusion of canine blood. There is currently no cure or medicine that can make up for the lack of vWD protein in the bloodstream.
Symptoms of von Willebrand disease in German Shepherds:
- prolonged or excessive bleeding
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