German Shepherd Health Problems To Be Aware Of
submitted: Aug 7th 2008 |
by: JanRyan |
Total views: 1 |
Word Count: 507 |
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Every living animal has the potential to experience some sort of health issue in life and your German Shepherd is no different. That is why you need to discuss the symptoms of some of the more common German Shepherd health problems with your vet and your breeder so that you can tell when your animal is in physical difficulty or just exhibiting normal behavior. It is very important to be able to see the early warning signs of some of the degenerative conditions so that you can get your dog the help it needs as soon as possible.
One of the common health issues of larger dogs like German Shepherds is a dysplasia of the hip or the elbow joint that can result in severe pain and difficulty walking for your pet. If you notice that your German Shepherd is starting to have difficulty moving around then it may be time to get them to the vet for a check up.
Sometimes the common German Shepherd health problems are difficult to deal with when they first start to show symptoms and it can be a bit terrifying. A German Shepherd can develop epilepsy and that can cause seizures and convulsions, which can be frightening to watch because you can feel so helpless. If this happens just contact your vet immediately and they will help you through the seizure and then get you medication and dietary recommendations that will help get the epilepsy under control.
German Shepherds can also develop conditions with their eyes that may need a vet's attention as well. Sometimes they can get cataracts, which just like with humans, can be treated very successfully with surgery. In other cases your German Shepherd may developed problems with their eyelids or eyelashes that grow too close to the eyes and cause infection. These conditions are also treated with surgery.
Some dogs can be struck with a blood disease called Von Willebrand's Disease or VWD abbreviated. VWD is a disease that affects the blood and can make it difficult for the dog's blood to clot, which can lead to excessive bleeding.
This is one of the more serious German Shepherd health problems and if you notice your pet with nose bleeds for no apparent reason or if you begin to notice your German Shepherd's gums bleeding then it could be VWD and you need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.
Any pet is going to have its share of health problems and it is up to you as a responsible owner to make sure that you keep in constant contact with your vet and your breeder so that you know what some of the symptoms are of the more common German Shepherd health problems and you can make sure your pet gets the care it needs when it needs it.
You can help your dog stay healthy and know when it is time to get your dog to the vet for a check up or emergency care.
About the Author
About the author: Jan Ryan is a passionate lover of the German Shepherd and owns a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved German Shepherd. Among other topics there, you will find out more about German Shepherd Health Problems plus a whole lot more.
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