German Shepherd Health Problems – What They Are And What To Do About ThemThink of the strong-armed man in the Brawny™ paper towel commercials, and you’ll have the equivalent of the German Shepherd. Tough, intelligent and loyal, these dogs work hard and play hard. But German Shepherd health problems can be just like any other – they can slow or even take down the hardiest of the bunch. Following is a brief list of some of the more common German Shepherd health problems and what you can do to help correct them: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia What It Is: Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint develops abnormally. It’s one of the most painful German Shepherd health problems, and it may cause your dog to limp, or even stop using one of its rear legs to move around. If left untreated, the condition can lead to arthritis. Elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow joints in the front legs form abnormally. In some cases, it’s caused when the three bones that form a German Shepherd’s elbow grow at different rates. A dog with elbow dysplasia may hold his leg out, or even try to nurse the leg by not putting any weight on it. How It’s Treated: Surgery is generally performed to treat both forms of dysplasia. Bloat What It Is: Bloat is one of the most serious German Shepherd health problems. It happens when a dog accumulates too much gas in his stomach – which causes the stomach to become distended. This distention causes the stomach to twist, trapping food and gases. When that happens, the stomach swells, and the blood supply to the stomach is cut off. Your German Shepherd may try to make himself vomit to relieve the pain. If you see your dog trying to make himself sick – it’s time to call your vet. There are several other signs that your German Shepherd is suffering from bloat. If his upper abs are swollen, if he is excessively drooling and/or panting or is retching, bloat could be to blame. Bloat can also make our dog restless or cause his breathing to become shallow. His gums may also become bluish or muddy-colored. How It’s Treated: This is the most immediate of all German Shepherd problems. If you think your dig has bloat, you need to get him to the vet immediately. Your vet will have to perform surgery to relieve his twisted stomach. Panosteitis What It Is: Panosteitis, or “pano,” is very common in large dogs, and it’s the most mysterious of all German Shepherd problems. A very painful condition, panosteitis involves the spontaneous lameness of one leg or another. The condition can afflict one leg or another at different times. The condition can last for up to a year and a half, but it usually lasts between two to five months. Usually, German Shepherds between the ages of 6-10 months suffer from pano. Amazingly, the causes of it are unknown. How It’s Treated: Panosteitis is treated with pain medication. Some dogs may need steroids to see relief. The disease will eventually run its course. Luckily, German Shepherds rarely suffer long-term effects from pano. Von Willebrand’s Disease What It Is: Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood disorder, much like hemophilia in humans. It stems from a deficiency in the VIII antigen. German Shepherds with this ailment bleed much more easily if they’re injured than dogs without the disease. Typically, you will see bleeding from the gums, nose and intestines. How It’s Treated: Blood transfusions are necessary to treat this disease. If you want to prevent your dog from falling victim to these German Shepherd health problems, it’s important to keep an eye on your furry friend. Pay attention to signs your dog may be giving you. Though the breed is strong and steadfast, it isn’t invincible. If you understand these German Shepherd health problems – and know what goes into treating them, your dog can live a long and happy life. Related Articles: Do German Shepherds Shed? You Bet? German Shepherd Information – 5 Things to Know About Them 4 Tips for Increasing Your German Shepherd’s Life Span German Shepherd Puppy Training – 4 Reasons Why It’s So Important How to Train a German Shepherd – 4 Tips for Doing It the Right Way German Shepherd Temperament – What You Can Expect from Your New Friend
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