Common Ailments In German Shepherd Dog Breed

Hip, Elbow Dysplasia

 These disorders are quite prominent in GSD breed. Dysplasia occurs mainly due to defect in genetic factors and time of manifestation is guided by environmental factors during the growth period.

Elbow/Hip dysplasia can cause minor lameness, abnormal gait to total crippling, depending on severity.

Hips do not form perfect “ball and socket” joint and associated incorrect cartilage formation with wear and tear leads to “osteo arthritis”. Where elbow dysplasia results from a fragment of bone (anconeal bone) that does not unite during puppyhood.

Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency

It is apparently exclusive to German shepherd. It is treatable but non –curable gastrointestinal tract disorder that is some time associated with diarrhea. The reason of this disease is the lack of pancreatic enzymes that needs for proper digestion and absorption of food. Suffering dog requires enzyme supplement following every meal and this treatment have it have to continue for whole life.

Degenerative Myelopathy 

 

This is an autoimmune based neurological disease that progress slowly in spinal cord. It appears highly in German shepherd breed and supposed to be associated hereditary factor. This disease is near equivalent to human Multiple sclerosis. DM slowly reduces the mobility of dogs from rear portion. 

Gastric Dilation, Torsion/Blot

This is an acute disorder caused by digestive problem that leads to huge accumulation of gas in GI tract. Blotting could be life threatening and needs immediate vet intervention.

This is an autoimmune based neurological disease that progress slowly in spinal cord. It appears highly in German shepherd breed and supposed to be associated hereditary factor. This disease is near equivalent to human Multiple sclerosis. DM slowly reduces the mobility of dogs from rear portion.

 Epilepsy

Just like other breeds GSD also some time shows epileptic convulsion or seizures. This disease is not always hereditary but some in some cases it has been seen some dog are genetically predisposed to epilepsy.

  Thyroid Disorders

This ailment appears occasionally, treatable but need lifelong medication. Hypothyroidism cause coat to coarse, brittle with gradual thinning with associated lethargy and obesity.

Von Willebrand's Disease

It is associated with deficiency of a plasma protein essential for normal platelets function and so ultimately leads to bleeding disorder. This is a commonest genetic disorder.

Perianal Fistulas

Most prevalent in GSD breed, cause still unknown and supposed to due to auto immune disorder. Symptom is one or more small hole surrounding the anus with fluid discharge.

Pannus

 It is an eye related problem where cornea got inflamed and can result to blindness. A pink membrane growth across cornea is the prominent sign of this ailment.

Panosteitis

Not a GSD specific disease generally  seen in other large and giant breeds also. This disease is associated with developmental/growth condition of the long bone/s. Its onset causes a complete or partial lameness of a leg for a period of time and then shifted to other leg or reoccur after temporary recovery.