Bloat:
Bloat is a serious and potentially life-threatening emergency that unfortunately takes the lives of German Shepherds every day. When bloat occurs, a dog's stomach fills with air, fluid and/or food. The dog's stomach takes up extra room in the dog's chest causing the dog to have a hard time breathing. This eventually decreases the blood supply to the dog's heart and other vital organs.
The Symptoms of Bloat are:
If your dog is displaying any of these signs, rush them to the nearest pet hospital as soon as possible. Treating bloat is more successful when found early.
Ways to prevent Bloat:
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition resulting from an improperly formed hip joint. In abnormal joint causes the dog's leg bone to move around too much, causing painful wear and tear. Hip Dyslasia can be very mild or very extreme depending on the dog. It can also be present in any dog, no matter the age.
The Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia:
The attempts to treat Hip Dysplasia vary depending on the severity of the ailment. The more conservative non-invasive treatments include weight loss, pain medication, the using a back/hip brace and physical therapy.
There isn't any way to prevent Hip Dysplasia, the only thing we can do it catch it early.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, specifically the part of the cord that communicates information to the brain regarding the hind legs.
The symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM):
The disease progresses to the point the dog cannot walk. DM is a fairly uncommon but a potentially fatal spinal cord disease that can be difficult to diagnose. A number of other disorders mimic the signs and symptoms of DM, including intervertebral disk disease, degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, and hip dysplasia, among others.
Most of the time, there is no treatment and the dog is put to sleep. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin-12 or vitamin E. If this is the case, vitamin supplements might stabilize the condition.
The Symptoms of Bloat are:
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Unproductive attempts to vomit
- Pale gums
- Collapse
- Weakness
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Cold body temperature
If your dog is displaying any of these signs, rush them to the nearest pet hospital as soon as possible. Treating bloat is more successful when found early.
Ways to prevent Bloat:
- Try to feed your dog multiple small meals instead of one of two bigger ones.
- Discourage your dog from eating too fast
- Limit rigorous exercise before and after every meal
- Do not feed your dog from a raised food bowl
- Never let your dog drink large amounts of water at once
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight (For an idea of a good weight for our dog check with your vet. The general rule is that you should be able to feel your dogs ribs but not see them)
- Feed your dog a well balanced meal with needed vitamin supplements
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition resulting from an improperly formed hip joint. In abnormal joint causes the dog's leg bone to move around too much, causing painful wear and tear. Hip Dyslasia can be very mild or very extreme depending on the dog. It can also be present in any dog, no matter the age.
The Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia:
- Lack of a desire to move or walk
- Lameness in your dogs back legs
The attempts to treat Hip Dysplasia vary depending on the severity of the ailment. The more conservative non-invasive treatments include weight loss, pain medication, the using a back/hip brace and physical therapy.
There isn't any way to prevent Hip Dysplasia, the only thing we can do it catch it early.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, specifically the part of the cord that communicates information to the brain regarding the hind legs.
The symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM):
- Dogs act as though they don't know where their back legs are
- Dogs cannot move their back legs properly
- Sores on the dog's rear paws
The disease progresses to the point the dog cannot walk. DM is a fairly uncommon but a potentially fatal spinal cord disease that can be difficult to diagnose. A number of other disorders mimic the signs and symptoms of DM, including intervertebral disk disease, degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, and hip dysplasia, among others.
Most of the time, there is no treatment and the dog is put to sleep. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin-12 or vitamin E. If this is the case, vitamin supplements might stabilize the condition.
