The German Shepherd dog, also known as the Alsatian, carries itself as the most dignified of dogs and deservedly so. They are incredibly intelligent and fearless, making them great protectors, service dogs, and guardians.
Sadly, they are also a breed that may be prone to certain health conditions which we've highlighted below.
The German Shepherd is predisposed to hip dysplasia, a genetic condition resulting in abnormal formation of the hip joint. Classic symptoms include a “bunny hopping” gait, stiffness or hindleg lameness. This condition often leads to arthritis but can be managed with careful weight management, a controlled exercise regime and pain relief. Severe cases may consider surgical management.
It is advisable breeding dogs should be hip scored before breeding, in an attempt to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia being inherited.
Elbow dysplasia is caused by abnormal growth and development of the elbow joint. Symptoms typically include forelimb lameness, pain when moving the elbow and a decreased range of motion. Some cases require surgery to remove bone fragments or abnormal cartilage and benefit from physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to improve range of motion.
Here at Vetsy we are able to offer ongoing prescriptions for pain relief, suggest joint supplements, dietary management to help maintain a healthy weight, or offer referrals for various rehabilitation therapies, such as hydrotherapy or physiotherapy.
Degenerative myelopathy is a genetically inherited neurological disease, that causes the white matter in the spinal cord to break down, leading to progressive hindleg weakness and lameness. It usually develops in middle-aged to senior dogs, and typically worsens with age.
Classic symptoms include:
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for this condition, however we can offer supportive care to delay the progression. This includes physical therapies to maintain muscle mass (walking, swimming), pain relief and a variety of supplements.
German Shepherds tend to suffer with repeated inflammation or impaction of the anal glands.
Normally, dogs express their anal sacs when they defecate. If the stool is too soft or there’s inflammation, the glands don’t empty properly. As liquid collects in the sacs, it thickens or dries out, causing impaction and inflammation.
In German Shepherds, draining tracts tend to form to relieve the pressure, which eventually may lead to fistulas in the perianal skin.
Signs of anal gland impaction with perianal fistula include:
Untreated anal gland impactions can lead to perianal fistulas and secondary infections or abscesses. The condition is extremely painful and significantly impacts the dog’s quality of life.
Treatment usually involves manually expressing the glands, as well as providing pain relief and antibiotics. Chronic cases often benefit from starting immunosuppressive medications and topical ointments.
Prevention is best! If your dog is bothered by their anal glands, we typically advise adding more fibre to the diet, ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight and take measures to increase water intake.
Due to their deep chests, German Shepherds are prone to developing bloat (a build up of gas in the stomach). The stomach then may twist, which can lead to a life-threatening condition known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).
Symptoms to monitor for include:
This condition can deteriorate rapidly, therefore if symptoms are noted we advise visiting a veterinary practice immediately. Your vets will begin with stabilisation, addressing the shock signs, providing pain relief, then proceed to pass a stomach tube to relieve the pressure. If this is not possible, some cases will need to proceed with emergency surgery to correct the twisted stomach.
We suggest the following measures should be taken to prevent bloat;
Sadly, German Shepherds are predisposed to developing certain types of cancer. Commonly reported cancers include;
Symptoms to watch out for may include;
Treatment is often influenced by the location, type, stage and severity of the tumour. It may include surgical removal, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. The disease has the potential to spread to other body systems and it is often advised to consider staging to determine the extent of the disease.
Providing adequate pain relief and palliative care is essential, however if you wish to consider further treatment measures, we would happily discuss the options available to you.
PRA is an inherited disease that leads to slow, progressive blindness. Typical appearance of cloudy eyes and behavioural changes may be seen. Sadly, at present, there is no effective treatment for PRA.
Vetsy can suggest potential antioxidant therapy, which may help delay vision loss.
If you have any concerns or questions about your german Shepherd book an appointment with Vetsy to get answers.
