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Health Issues That Affect German Shepherd Life Expectancy

German Shepherds peak between the ages 2 and 6. They're at their peak in terms of physical fitness and mental toughness.

Their size makes them at a higher risk of developing cancer, muscular and skeletal issues, as well as other health issues that could affect their lifespan.

Working line German Shepherds often have more active lives than their show line counterparts. They require a diet high in nutrients to support their high levels of activity and exercise.

Cushing's Disease

German Shepherds are prone to several health conditions, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and Cushing's disease. Knowing these conditions and taking appropriate steps to prevent or treat them can allow your dog to live longer. Regular visits to the vet, proper diet and regular 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. A tumor of the adrenal glands, or pituitary glands, is the most common cause of the condition. In approximately 80% to 85percent of cases, the tumor is on the pituitary gland which is a pea-sized body located near the brain's base. Around 15% of the time the tumor is located on the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys.

If a pet is suffering from Cushing's disease, it becomes more active and eats more frequently than normal. The condition can also cause increased thirst and urination. As a result, the pet has to drink more fluids and frequent the outside for potty breaks. Other signs of the condition include loss of hair, a potbellied appearance, and lethargy.

A veterinarian can diagnose this disorder by drawing blood, and then performing the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. This test involves injecting ACTH into the patient and measuring their adrenal response. The results show how high or low the cortisol level of the patient is.

Once a dog has been diagnosed with Cushing's, he will need medication for the remainder of his life. This medication will slow the growth of the tumor and keep his symptoms under control. If they are properly monitored and treated, most dogs suffering from this condition will live normal lives. However, the condition could be fatal if not treated and diagnosed early.

Epilepsy

German Shepherds who are correctly diagnosed and treated for epilepsy may be healthy and enjoy a happy life. However, a dog that suffers from seizures that are not controlled may be killed due to oxygen deficiency or a traumatic injury that occurs during the course of a seizure. Untreated epilepsy can also cause depression, or the inability to eat or drink.

How a pet's owner manages the condition can influence the impact of epilepsy in German Shepherds. A dog owner who is able to closely monitor the dog's medication, create appropriate strategies to manage seizures and build a strong support system is more likely to extend their pet's life span.

Like other dog breeds German Shepherds, too, suffer from dental disease. If left untreated, this condition could cause serious damage to gums and teeth and may cause infections in other organs, like the kidneys, the liver and the heart. Dogs that receive regular professional dental treatment are less susceptible to this condition.

Shepherds are at a higher risk of bloat than many other breeds, due to their chests that are narrow and deep. This dangerous stomach disorder occurs if the intestines twist, filling with gas and cutting off blood flow to the stomach or spleen. If not treated promptly this condition can become fatal in just 30 minutes. If your Shepherd exhibits signs of bloat, like crying or heaving, without food coming in or an abdominal bulge, or lying in a prayer posture (front feet down and the rear end up) Take them to an emergency vet immediately.

German Shepherds with bloat are at a greater chance of developing hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy than other breeds. This is why it's so important to keep your dog current by arranging veterinary visits and preventative treatment.

Elbow Dysplasia

The elbow is a hinge joint between the humerus (the long bone of the upper forelimb) along with the radius and the ulna (the two bones that make up the lower forelimb). The three bones have to be perfectly aligned to allow for continuous movement. If they don't connect perfectly, elbow dysplasia occurs. It's the most frequent cause of lameness in the front legs (limping) in dogs.

In certain instances the cartilage between the bones may be damaged, causing pain, swelling and numbness. The damage is irreparable and early diagnosis and treatment are important.

Early signs of the disease in dogs are a mild limp or intermittent one, especially after exercise or upon getting up from a sitting position. As the disease progresses, the dog's range of motion at the elbow decreases, and there could be fluid in the joint.

There are three types of elbow dysplasia. These include Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP), Osteochondrosis on the Humeral Condyle (OCH), and Ununited Aconeal Process (UAP). Each of these conditions can be seen either on the elbows of both elbows.

Rigorous hip and elbow screening of breeding animals is the best option to avoid these problems. These diseases can still occur despite screening. Breeding only dogs whose elbows have been proven to be healthy is the most effective approach. This will ensure that the genes responsible for elbow dysplasia are not passed onto offspring.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy is an autoimmune disorder that affects German Shepherd dogs slowly and causes weakness of the hind legs, is a form of Degenerative Myelopathy. DM symptoms typically manifest in older dogs and can progress to paralysis. The condition is considered to be a canine form of Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral-sclerosis). It is not known the reason why some dogs suffering from this disease get it, and others don't, despite being genetically predisposed.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for DM. The symptoms can be treated by medication, but the condition can progress and causes paralysis of the forelimbs. Some dogs can live for many months or even years with good quality of life. However, it is common for owners to opt for to kill their pet if they are in a position to walk or stand on its own.

To determine if you have DM to diagnose it, your doctor will conduct a thorough medical history and conduct a neurological examination. The neurologist will look for other conditions that have similar clinical signs and request blood samples to test for the genetic mutations that are associated with this disease. A cerebrospinal fluid sample may also be collected to permit analysis and the exclusion of other diseases. The neurologists may suggest MRI imaging using our advanced diagnostic imaging service. This will allow your vet to determine the regions of the spinal cord affected by DM and monitor progression of the disease over time. Additionally physical rehabilitation therapy is frequently beneficial for DM patients and can help to slow the progression of the disease.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

German Shepherds are at risk of certain health issues that could affect their lifespan. Knowing about these conditions and how they affect your dog can help you take preventative measures to ensure their longevity.

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 called an annulus. It also has a soft nucleus which absorbs the impact. When herniated, the softer nucleus may strike the spinal cord with great force, causing extreme pain, weakness, or paralysis. IVDD is usually an autoimmune process, but an accident that is sudden can cause herniation in dogs with weak disks.

Type I IVDD is defined by sudden herniation into the spinal canal of the nucleus of the disc. This can cause intense pain in the back, arching back, weakness of the rear limbs and lameness of the hind limbs. This condition can also lead to weakening, incontinence, and incoordination. If the spinal cord is compressed and dies, your dog will become completely paralyzed and often not able to use their rear legs in any way.

Type II IVDD is typically seen in dogs that are older. Normal wear and reinrassiger schäferhund deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen züchter (read this blog post from Wifidb) tear causes annulus fibers to grow larger with fluid. This causes compression and herniation of the spine. This type of IVDD is not triggered by trauma or intense exercise, which is not the case for Type I. It is evident by a reluctance or inability to turn the head.