German Shepherds Will Explore Everything With Their Noses
Youll find evidence of their very thorough sniffing everywhere walls, doors, windows, and more. All dogs have a better sense of smell than humans 10,000 to 100,000 times better in fact thanks to having millions more scent receptors. But compared to other breeds, the GSD ranks near the top in scenting ability. Its no wonder they make such great police and detection dogs. Among many other jobs, GSDs are known for their bomb and drug sniffing work, tracking, and search and rescue.
What Is That Black Mole On My Dog’s Leg
Adrienne is a certified dog trainer and former veterinarian assistant who partners with some of the best veterinarians worldwide.
Black mole on dog’s leg: dome-shaped melanocytoma.
In the article below, you’ll find:
Kaiser’s melanocytoma is slightly pedunculated.
Mingle With The Neighborhood Dogs
Elderly dogs are still eager for connection and playtime, so take some time to coordinate dog playdates with other mature dogs in your neighborhood. Just try to avoid pairing your older dog with a puppy or a young adult, as they could actually harm your pet while playing rough. If you dont know anyone with a dog nearby, try a dog park.
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German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs And Treatments
Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of servicesexcelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation.
As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips .
Veterinarians will diagnose canine hip dysplasia after X-rays of the hips and pelvis reveal that the ball and hip socket dont fit perfectly together. Instead of sliding smoothly and creating fluid motion, this loose hip rubs on the socket resulting in painful bone spurs that can cause pain in the hip joint, lameness, or even degenerative joint disease. After exploring the signs of canine hip dysplasia in German shepherds, lets look at treatment options and other hip and joint problems.
German Shepherds Come In Many Colors
One thing many first-time German Shepherd owners do not realize is that the traditional bi-colored black and tan German Shepherd color is not the only color these dogs can be bred for.
In fact, as the official American Kennel Club dog breed standard explains, German Shepherds can be black and red, black and cream, black and tan, black and silver, sable, liver, blue, white and gray.
While there is nothing in the breed standard that specifically explains what the GSD tongue should look like, suffice it to say there can be every bit as much visual variation there as elsewhere in this dog breed.
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Whats That Black Spot On My Pets Skin
Home» Whats That Black Spot on My Pets Skin?
The skin is an amazing part of the body. It is the first line of defense against infection and contains a number of specialized cells that produce hair, form the oil glands and the sweat glands. In addition there are tissue cells that help the body withstand and repair itself from day to day trauma that occurs with sun, heat, and cold exposure, abrasions, cuts and bruises and other trauma. Just like people, dogs and cats have pigments and freckles in the skin that can vary with their coat color, their breed, and the location on the body. And they are at risk for skin growths.
Champ is our Pet of the Month for April because he highlights the importance of investigating skin growths quickly. Champ is my own dog. He is a 9 year old Labrador Retriever who comes to work with me every day. Champ was adopted from a shelter three and a half years ago and came to us with issues he has separation anxiety, panics with thunder, and he can jump out of our tallest dog runs so he spends his day in my office or with employees when they have time to give him belly rubs. One of the benefits of being Champ is that there are a lot of eyes paying attention to him on a regular basis!
Melanomas:
Links:
Most Common Bumps And Lumps On Puppies
Thankfully, cancer in puppies is rare. The most common types of lumps or bumps found on puppies are warts, skin tags, button tumors, and abscesses. In these cases, your vet may recommend a wart ointment or other skin treatment. There are also some products that claim to help dissolve normal fatty skin lumps on dogs. Its also not unusual for puppies to develop swelling at their vaccination injection site, caused by a conglomeration of immune cells that gather there.
Typically, this swelling subsides within a week. However, in rare cases, this gathering of cells can turn into a malignant tumor. Contact your vet if a vaccination lump lasts more than a week. They may advise you to keep a watchful eye on it and bring your pup in for a biopsy if the lump continues past three months, is more than an inch in diameter, or continues to grow or change shape.
Although its rare, it is possible for puppies to develop certain types of cancer, so its important to have any lumps, bumps, or other changes in your puppys skin examined by a veterinarian.
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What Are The Whiskers On A Dogs Head Called
Underneath it is a collection of nerves, and the thick hairs that sprout from it are whiskers called vibrissae. The vibrissae transmit sensory messages to a dogs brain. Almost all dogs have this area, but not all have the black mole-like circle.
Moles on dogs are common, especially on dogs with darker pigment in their skin. The scientific name for moles on dogs is sebaceous adenomas. They can appear anywhere on the body, much like skin tags. They differ from skin tags in structure and texture. Skin tags tend to be small and floppy, but moles are flatter and harder.
Almost all dogs have this area, but not all have the black mole-like circle. Belgian malinois are another breed which can have this black circular patch of hair. An actual mole is a skin growth and usually lacks hair. Vibrissae and whiskers are also found on a dogs mouth, lower jaw, above their eyebrows and near their ears.
Underneath it is a collection of nerves, and the thick hairs that sprout from it are whiskers called vibrissae. The vibrissae transmit sensory messages to a dogs brain. Almost all dogs have this area, but not all have the black mole-like circle.
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What Is The Difference Between A Straight Back And A Sloped Back German Shepherd
Citing the difference between a straight back and a sloped back GSD reveals the dynamics of breeding German Shepherds. This dog breed has undergone several transformations. Although some breeders have tried to keep the original line, other breeders have focused more on the physical attractiveness of the GSDs. These different focuses have been divided within the GSD breed.
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When To Worry About Moles On Your German Shepherd
German Shepherds, like other dogs, are playful and tend to get the occasional lump or bump. However, you should always keep an eye on spots, whether theyre moles or not. If your dog is constantly chewing or scratching at a specific area, then have your vet take a look. It might be a sign of an infection.
Other issues to keep your eyes out for include bleeding and pus. Moreover, if your dog has any spots of fur or skin that change shape, size, or color rapidly, then it could be a sign of problems. Discuss these types of change with your vet immediately. Younger pups can go through healthy changes that mimic worrisome signs, but older dogs rarely change their spots.
Whenever you get a new pet, you should keep track of their health very carefully. Instead of stressing over the problems, keep your best buddy comfortable. Pick them up a Villa Bagel Dog Bed by Majestic Pet Products to sleep on and talk to your vet. You can get one for your favorite pooch by clicking here.
German Shepherds Are Known As A Mouthy Breed
They tend to use their mouths as an appendage thanks to their herding heritage. Its even right there in their name, ShepHERD. This mouthing behavior is natural, so expect your GSD to mouth you and chew anything that will fit inside their mouth. However, that doesnt mean you should allow it. What might be cute in your small puppy will get more powerful as your dog grows up. Training your dog not to bite your hand or the chew on the furniture is essential with this breed. Teach your German Shepherd to channel those instincts safely and appropriately.
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Removing Moles & Problem Growths From Your German Shepherd
The moles on your German Shepherds face arent a problem. In fact, you should leave them alone since theyre a vital sensory organ. Never shave or try to remove vibrissae patches.
Messing with your dogs ability to sense their surroundings can frighten or damage your dog. Personality changes, like anger or excessive meekness, may occur. You dont want to harm your pooch accidentally, so its always best to leave vibrissae alone.
Alternatively, if your German Shepherd has a skin growth that is a problem, your vet can help you diagnose and treat the issue. They can identify the problem and rule out things you dont have the equipment for at home.
You should never try to self-diagnose or treat growths on your dog. For example, ticks can cause Lyme disease. Sadly, even if you remove the tick, you may not be able to identify Lyme disease, and early treatment can help your dog live a long life.
What Is That Black Spot German Shepherd Markings
As the American Kennel Club official dog breed standard explains, the German Shepherd dog can be bred in a wide variety of colors and markings, or patterns.
From the traditional bi-color black and tan to silver, red, cream, and even white, purebred GSDs today are incredibly varied in their colors and markings.
But there is one mark that the majority of German Shepherds do share in common. It is a small black circle just underneath each side of the lower jawline.
While the official dog breed standard does not mention this mark, it is marking GSD owners know well and a frequent question that new German Shepherd owners have.
What exactly is it? Why is it there? Should you be worried? What if it isnt there?
If you havent seen this marking, it is often likened to a beauty mark that some people have. It is circular and dark black.
The mark highlights the location of a group of nerve endings that are very important to your dog.
This is the site of your GSDs vibrissae.
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What Is Dog Vibrissae
Vibrissae are the dark, thick hairs that you can find around your German Shepherds mouth and above the eyebrows. These hairs connect to sensitive nerve clusters below them, which help the dog navigate its environment. These hairs are similar to the whiskers on a cat and can detect nearby objects size, shape, and speed and send the information directly to your pets brain.
Beloved German Shepherd Dogs
German Shepherds are amazing family pets. They can endure the hugs of children and greet their adult owners with wagging tails every day. Although German Shepherds are prone to cancer, their chances of survival have increased over the years, particularly if caught early. The best method of prevention is consistent, quality care and vet visits. Monitoring for cancer is effective and can allow the disease to be detected early and quickly. It will allow for treatment to be administered and can help fight and get rid of the disease.
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Why German Shepherds Are Prone to Cancer and How You Can Prevent It
Guest Writer Bio: Sarah Jones writes for the Crazy Pet Guy. In this space, she shares information on how to get to know your pets better in order to help them live a happy, healthy life.
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Can You Shave A German Shepherd
The undercoat is a fantastic insulator, and youve probably guessed that it keeps them warm in the colder months. But those layers of fur also keep them cool in the summer, and insulate them from warm air.
This is why its very bad practice to shave a doubled coated breed.
You wont be doing them any favors by getting rid of the very thing that regulates their body temperature, and protects their skin from abrasions and harmful UV rays.
How Are Moles Different In Dogs And Humans
Although in some respects moles may appear similar, there are several vital differences that the condition will display between species that will affect both the diagnosis and the treatment of the condition.
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While humans can often dislike moles for cosmetic reasons, dogs have no such compunctions regarding the growths presence on their bodies, meaning that treatment of benign moles is absolutely unnecessary.
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Some moles in humans may end up producing hair follicles, which results in long hair growing out of patches of otherwise regular skin, which makes the growths much easier to detect. In dogs, it is very hard to tell if the follicles are abnormal due to the usual density of the animals coat. That said, differences in hair color can sometimes be of help in revealing the mole.
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Can I Trim My Dogs Mole Hairs
Help! I cut my dogs whiskers while grooming her, will they grow back? This is something that many dog owners may be concerned about. Whether your groomer cut them off when trimming your dogs facial hairs or you accidentally cut your dogs whiskers while shaving her, the good news is that, yes, they will grow back.
Hemangiosarcoma How It Is Treated
Treatment depends on the location of the tumor. When identified early, surgical removal of dermal hemangiosarcoma can be curative. The reported median survival time for the dermal form is 780 days. Chemotherapy may be recommended if the skin tumor couldnt be completely removed or if it spread to the underlying subcutaneous tissue. Similarly, subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma should be resected whenever possible. Unfortunately, complete excision is not often possible. Therefore, patients with this form of disease may benefit from chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The medial survival time for subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma is 172-307 days.
Visceral hemangiosarcoma requires aggressive therapies. Patients with bleeding masses in internal organs generally need emergency surgery. The spleen is not a vital organ, and can be surgically removed. Similarly, bleeding tumors of the liver can often be removed. Unfortunately, not every tumor of an internal organ can be excised, and some patients have inoperable disease. Bleeding into the sac around the heart also requires immediate intervention. The fluid must be removed via a procedure called a pericardiocentesis so the heart can function properly. Family veterinarians often refer families to veterinary specialty hospitals where board-certified veterinary surgeons and emergency/critical care specialists can provide life-saving interventions and post-operative critical care.
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Types Of Canine Cancer
Several types of cancers are common with German Shepherd Dogs. They are:
- Tumors in the abdominal area common yet difficult to detect
- Neck or head cancers prevalent in many breeds and immediate treatment is usually needed
- Lymphoma enlarged lymph nodes on the dog
- Skin tumors should be tested and treated by your veterinarian if you feel or see one
- Testicular or Ovarian cancer can occur largely in dogs that arent spayed or neutered
When To Worry About Spots On Your Dogs Tongue
The pigmentation spots on your dog are similar to birthmarks on your skin. That said, if spots suddenly start to show up on your dog and seem suspicious, its never a bad idea to pay a visit to your favorite vet.
What may appear to be pigmentation spots could be canine melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
Both of these illnesses appear as pigmented fleshy masses inside the mouth.
If you are concerned or uncertain about spots or pigmentation, have them checked out ASAP.
One of the most effective ways to keep dogs free of oral cancers is to brush their teeth regularly and submit them to regular oral examinations.
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Do All German Shepherd Dogs Have A Black Spot On Their Tongue
The simplest answer to this question is no. If a German Shepherd does have a black spot on their tongue, this doesnt tell you anything specific about the breed as a whole. But if all GSDs dont have this black spot pattern, then does it mean there is something wrong with the dogs that do? Or is something missing from the GSDs that dont?
As this YouTube video showcases, all classic German Shepherd dogs definitely do not have a black spot on their tongue.