German Shepherd Dogs
were bred to be working dogs.
The German shepherd is a type of herding dog originally bred in Germany in the early 20th century that can be a companion dog, guide dog or an aid in search and rescue missions. Classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the working group, the German shepherd comes in many colors, and normally weighs between 60 and 140 pounds. According to the "Original Dog Bible," edited by Kristin Mehus-Roe, some bloodlines of the German shepherd have a predisposition to health ailments.
Bloat
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus, affects the stomach usually of large-breed dogs. The stomach fills with air and expands, causing difficulty breathing and cutting off circulation. Then, in some cases, the stomach twists and cuts off blood supply. If you notice a swollen belly, retching and dry heaving, rush the dog to a veterinarian.
Epilepsy
A dog with epilepsy will have seizures that are not related to other disorders. Seizures can range from losing consciousness (called petit mal) to falling down as a result of shaking (grand mal). If you suspect epilepsy, give your veterinarian a detailed history of your German shepherd's health. The veterinarian will run tests to try to find a cause. If nothing shows up on the tests that could cause seizures, your dog is considered epileptic.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
You may hear exocrine pancreatic insufficiency referred to as "maldigestion syndrome." In this disease, the dog's pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes, which results an inability to absorb nutrients in the intestines. Your German shepherd will rapidly lose weight, may have diarrhea and constantly wants to eat.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
In cases of dysplasia, the two bones of the affected joint start to move so that they no longer touch as a result of weakened tissue that surrounds the joint. Arthritis then develops. The disease can affect German shepherds of any age, but usually middle-aged or older dogs develop the disease. This ailment is genetic. Affected dogs may limp and have difficulty walking up or down stairs, running or playing.
Panosteitis
A disease that usually affects young large-breed dogs, panosteitis causes an inflammation of the bones and does not have a known cause. Researchers suspect a virus, genetics and nutrition as possibilities. If your German shepherd has panosteitis, the dog will experience pain and lameness. It may seem that one leg is painful one day and another leg is painful the next. A veterinarian will take X-rays to determine if panosteitis is the cause.
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