Health Issues That Affect German Shepherd Life Expectancy

German Shepherds are in their prime between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. They're at their peak in terms of physical fitness and mental sharpness.

Their size makes them at a higher risk of developing cancer muscular and skeletal issues, as well as other health conditions that can have a negative impact on their lives.

German Shepherds from the working line usually lead more active lives than their show line counterparts. They require a diet high in nutrients to help them maintain their high levels of activity and exercise.

Cushing's Disease

German Shepherds are susceptible to several health conditions including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. They are also susceptible to Cushing's Disease, degenerative myelopathy, and hip dysplasia. Understanding these conditions and taking the right steps to prevent or treat them can help your dog have a longer lifespan. Regular visits to the vet, good nutrition and daily exercise will keep this large breed in good health.

Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) occurs when a pet's body produces too much cortisol, a natural steroid. The condition is typically caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, or one of the adrenal glands. In between 80% and 85% of cases, the tumor is located on the pituitary, which is a small organ that is located close to the brain's base. Around 15% of the time the tumor is located on the adrenal glands which are located above the kidneys.

Cushing's disease can cause pets to be more active and consume more food than usual. The condition can also cause more thirst and increased the need to urinate. This means that the pet needs to drink more water, and take toilet breaks more often. Other signs of the condition include loss of hair, a potbellied appearance, and a lack of energy.

A doctor can diagnose this condition by drawing blood, and then executing the adrenocorticotropic stimulation test. This test involves injecting ACTH into the patient and measuring their adrenal response. The results show how high or low the patient's cortisol level is.

When a dog is diagnosed with Cushing's disease, he needs medication for the rest his life. The medication will manage his symptoms and slow the growth of the cancer. If they are monitored properly and treated, most dogs suffering from this condition have normal lives. However, the condition can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.

Epilepsy

German Shepherds suffering from epilepsy who is properly treated and diagnosed can live a long and healthy life. Uncontrolled seizures can cause a dog to die due to oxygen deprivation, or even a serious injury. Untreated epilepsy can also result in depression or a lack of appetite or drink, which could quickly turn fatal.

How a pet's owner manages the situation can affect the impact of epilepsy in German Shepherds. A pet owner who is able to monitor the dog's medication, devise appropriate seizure management strategies and altdeutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz kaufen (like it) establish a strong support system is more likely to prolong their pet's life span.

Like all breeds of dogs German Shepherds are susceptible to suffering from dental disease. If not treated, this condition can cause serious damage to the teeth and gums, and could result in infections in other areas of the body, like the liver, kidneys and the heart. Dogs who receive regular professional dental care are less susceptible to this issue.

The deep chests of the Shepherd breed make them more prone to bloat. This ailment can be fatal to the stomach when the intestines twitch inwards, releasing gas and cutting off blood flow to the stomach or spleen. This condition can be fatal in less than 30 minutes if not addressed immediately. If your Shepherd is showing signs of bloat, such as the retching, heaving, an enlarged stomach, or is in a prayer position (front feet are down, the rear is up) It is recommended to go to an emergency vet as soon as you notice.

German Shepherds with bloat are at greater risk of developing hip dysplasia and deutscher schäFerhund kaufen degenerative myelopathy than other breeds. This is why it's important to keep your dog current with veterinary visits and preventative care.

Elbow Dysplasia

The elbow is an articulation between the humerus, (the long bone of the upper forelimb) as well as the radius and ulna, (the two bones of the lower forelimb). The three bones have to fit together perfectly to withstand a lifetime of movement. If they don't connect perfectly, elbow dysplasia occurs. It's the leading cause of lameness in the front legs (limping) in dogs.

In some instances the cartilage between the bones can erode which can cause pain, swelling and numbness. The damage is not irreparable therefore early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

The first signs of the disease in dogs are a slight or intermittent limp, mainly following exercise or upon getting up from a seated position. As the disease progresses, a dog's range of motion in the elbow decreases and there could be fluid in the joint.

There are three kinds of elbow dysplasia. They are Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP), Osteochondrosis on the Humeral Condyle (OCH), and Ununited Aconeal Processing (UAP). Each of these conditions has its own distinct appearance on xrays and could be present in one or both elbows.

Screening for elbows and hips of breeding animals is the best option to avoid these issues. The disease can still be present despite screenings. The most effective method is to only breed dogs from parents that are found to have good elbows. This will prevent the genes for elbow dysplasia from being passed to offspring.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy, a neurological disorder that affects German Shepherd dogs slowly and causes weakness in the hind legs, is a form of Degenerative Myelopathy. DM symptoms typically manifest in older dogs and eventually lead to paralysis. The condition is regarded as the canine equivalent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). It isn't known what causes dogs with this condition develop it, while others don't despite having a genetic predisposition.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. The symptoms can be treated by medication, but the condition can progress and can cause paralysis in the forelimbs. Some dogs can endure for months or years with a high quality of life, but it is not uncommon for owners to elect euthanasia once the dog becomes in a position where they are unable to walk or stand on their own.

To determine if you have DM to diagnose it, your doctor will take a detailed medical history and conduct an examination of the brain. The neurologist will look for other conditions that have similar symptoms and will take blood samples to check for the genetic mutations that are associated with this condition. A cerebrospinal fluid sample may also be collected to permit analysis and exclude other diseases. The neurologists may suggest MRI imaging through our advanced diagnostic imaging service. This will enable your vet to identify the areas of the spinal cord that are affected by DM and monitor progression of the disease over time. Physical rehabilitation therapy may be beneficial for DM sufferers and can slow the progression of the condition.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

German Shepherds are prone to certain health issues that may affect their lifespan. Understanding these conditions and how they affect your dog can help you take preventative action that will prolong their lives.

Intervertebral Disc Disease occurs when the "doughnut" of the spinal disc doesn't stay in its proper place. Each disk is surrounded by an outer fibrous ring known as an annulus. It also has an annulus with a soft nucleus that absorbs the impact. If the disk is damaged, the soft nucleus may strike the spinal cord with a great force, causing extreme pain, weakness, or paralysis. IVDD is a degenerative disease however, sudden trauma can cause herniation.

Type I of IVDD is associated with the sudden herniation of the disc's nucleus into the spinal canal. It causes intense pain, back pain, arching of the back and weakness in the rear limbs and hind-limb lameness. It could also be accompanied by weakness, incontinence, and incoordination. If the spinal cord becomes compressed and dies, your dog will become completely paralyzed and Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund often being unable to move their rear legs in any way.

Type II IVDD is typically seen in dogs that are older. It's the result of normal "wear and tear" which results in the weakened annulus fibers expanding with fluid, leading to herniation and compression of the spinal cord. In contrast to Type I IVDD, this form isn't caused by heavy exercise or trauma. It is evident by a reluctance or inability to turn the head.