Health Issues


While the German Shepherd Dog is as wonderful as they come, the breed is also known for a variety of genetic disorders that can affect it. Most commonly, when so-called "backyard breeders", or irresponsible breeders, breed their dogs, they do not screen for those potential health issues and pass them on to the puppies. Please see the breeding section for more information about breeding and health testing.


Common Genetic Disorders in the GSD


Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

A neurologic condition with chronic progressive lameness. There is a loss of communication between the nerves, lower body and the brain. The dog loses control and sensation.


Elbow Dysplasia

A general term used to describe several inherited disorders of the elbow.


Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

A condition where the pancreas fails to produce the enzymes needed to break down food. This results in malabsorption and poor digestion.


Hemophilia

A bleeding disorder in which the blood fails to clot normally. This disorder is genetically carried by females, but most often affects males.


Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a disorder in which the hip develops a malformed socket or ball joint that creates friction between the bones, which can eventually develop into degenerative joint disease.


Megaesophagus

A condition in which the esophagus loses all tone and dilates making swallowing extremely difficult which increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition.

Pannus

This is an auto-immune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the cornea. Both eyes are affected, although the diseased regions may be asymmetric. If left untreated, Pannus causes blindness. Life Long treatment is necessary to treat flare-ups and prevent damage to the eyes. Prednisone drops are often used along with a tacrolimus ointment.

Other Common Diseases


Addison's Disease

Hypoadrenocorticism or Addison’s Disease is quite rare in the German Shepherd but does happen nonetheless. It is an endocrine disorder that is caused by deficient production of adrenal gland hormone.

Auto-immune disorders that cause destruction of the adrenal gland are the most common culprit.

Addison’s can also be caused by cold-turkey discontinuation of steroids such as Prednisone. Pets that have been on long-term steroid maintenance should be tapered from the medication slowly to avoid this condition.

The majority of sex affected are female dogs, but the disease does not discriminate entirely and males can become affected too. Young to middle-aged dogs are more often diagnosed than older dogs.

The symptoms vary and can make the diagnoses of Addison’s quite difficult to distinguish between other common conditions. Often times animals will present with vomiting, weight loss, excessive thirst, diarrhea, and weakness. Diagnosis is confirmed with a simple blood test called an ACTH stimulation test.

Treatment consists of corticosteroid replacement.

Bloat

Bloat is a condition in which there is a rapid accumulation of air in the stomach causing expansion. Volvulus, or torsion, occurs when the dilated stomach twists, cutting off contact with the esophagus at one end and the small intestine at the other which traps the air.

The large twisted stomach puts pressure on the blood vessels, twisting them in the abdominal cavity and impairing blood flow back to the heart. Therefore, the heart receives an insufficient amount of blood to pump and blood flow decreases to the rest of the body. With this, there is the fairly acute onset of death of the tissues that are deprived of oxygen, including the stomach wall itself, which rapidly undergoes necrosis.

The early signs of bloat include obvious discomfort, pacing, excessive salivation, panting, and repeated unsuccessful vomiting attempts. As the condition worsens, the abdomen may distend and feel taut. Shock will follow and dogs go into a coma. The outcome is fatal if the dog is not immediately and successfully treated.


Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland converts food into energy and heat by modulating carbohydrates, proteins, fat metabolism, vitamin utilization, mitochondrial function, digestive process, muscle and nerve activity, blood flow, oxygen utilization hormone secretion, sexual and reproductive health. A dysfunctional thyroid can throw off all balances in the body and affects all systems.

Hypothyroidism is the term used for an under active thyroid. In this case the thyroid produces to little hormone which results in hair loss, skin problems, weight gain, and lethargy to name a few. Hypothyroidism can easily be mistaken for other diseases since it often affects all body processes. A simple blood test for T3 and T4 hormones can rule this condition in or out. Treatment is simple with administration of T4 hormone and is often lifelong.

Hyperthyroidism is the complete opposite. It results from and over active thyroid gland. It is far rarer than Hypothyroidism. It is most often associated with thyroid enlargement, which can have several different causes from tumors to reasons unexplained.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism often manifest as, fast resting heart rate, increased drinking and urinating, increased appetite with weight loss, irritability, and hyperactivity. Diagnosis is made the same as with Hypothyroidism. While there is medication to inhibit the production of thyroid hormone, surgery to remove part of the thyroid is usually less complicated than the side effects caused by the medicine used to treat it.


Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (also known as IBD) is very common in the GSD. It is inflammation of either the small or large intestine and even both in some cases. It can be an entire entity in of itself caused by an immune system malfunction or secondary to another cause. The bowel of the dog becomes inflamed and thickend often producing diarrhea, vomiting and general malaise. Frequency and appearance of the stool is a very good indicator of which bowel is infected. Small, less frequent, watery diarrhea and weight loss are indicative of small bowel or stomach dysfunction. Large volume, frequent, bloody or mucus stool is indicative of large bowel dysfunction. There are many treatments, both natural and chemical to treat or at least manage IBD. There are several forms of IBD with lymphocytic/plasmacytic being the most common.


Panosteitis

A painful disorder involving inflammation of various layers of the bones in growing dogs. The condition often presents as lameness of varying degrees and may affect only one limb or shift from limb to limb. Dogs affected are usually between 5-18 months of age. The signs of pain my last for weeks and recurrence is common up to the age of two.

The exact cause is unknown but is more common in large breed dogs. The German Shepherd is the most common breed affected.

They symptoms of Pano may wax and wane for months but ultimately resolves on it's own. Any dog showing lameness should be assessed for other orthopedic conditions as many can mimic Pano.



Perianal Fistula

A Perianal Fistula is the formation of an abnormal channel between the anal canal and the skin surrounding the anus. The continual discharge of watery pus from the fistula can irritate the skin and result in itching, discomfort and pain. The causes of this condition are unknown. Males are usually affected more than females. It can often manifest as ulcers around the rectum, pain when defecating, bright red blood in stool, excessive licking or the anus and diarrhea/constipation. It is a very painful condition.

Treatment is difficult and often disappointing as dogs do not respond consistently to medications and surgery. Keeping the area clean with chlorhexidine, and corticosteroid treatment is usually helpful in managing the condition. Surgery is recommended for dogs that fail to respond to medical therapy.



Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (also known as SIBO). SIBO is quite common in our breed. While other breeds can be affected the GSD is the breed most likely affected with no known cause. This is called idiopathic SIBO.

SIBO can be a secondary to other disorders such as motility disorders, intussusception and immune disorders, to name a few. Dogs with SIBO generally respond well to a low fat, low fiber diet and many will require at least a months treatment of antibiotics such as Metronidazole, Tetracycline or Tylan. Many shepherds with idiopathic SIBO are on antibiotics quite frequently and sometimes even for life. Secondary SIBO often clears when the underlying disorder is corrected.


Von Willebrand's Disease

VWD is quite common in the German Shepherd Dog. It is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the dog is missing a substance known as Von Willebrand's factor. VW factor is what helps blood platelets form clots. Because affected dogs are missing the VW factor, they experience excessive bleeding if injured. This condition is very similar to human hemophilia.

This disease often presents with excessive and uncontrollable bleeding after an injury or surgery. There may be nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood found in the stool or urine. The disease is diagnosed via blood tests that tests for the level of VW factor in the blood.

Blood transfusions are the only proven way to treat the disease. The use of a drug called Desmopressin Acetate is controversial, but has helped some dogs get through bleeding episodes. It is known to increase clotting. Because there is no cure for VWD, screening and eliminating any affected dogs from a breeding program is going to be the most effective form of eradication.


Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

DCM is a common disease which causes enlargement of the heart chambers, resulting in reduced contractions. The left ventricle of the heart is almost always involved. In advanced conditions, all chambers of the heart may be affected. It is the most common cause of congestive heart failure in dogs. Large and giant breeds, and particularly male dogs, are most likely affected.

Symptoms often manifest as coughing, shortness of breath, intolerance to exercise, and lethargy. Diagnostic testing includes chest X-rays, EKG, CBC, and ultrasounds of the heart. Drug therapy with enalapril or benazepril plus digoxin is often prescribed in the event of congestive heart failure. A diet of reduced sodium may be beneficial.

There is no cure for DCM and the prognosis is often guarded. The average survival rate after diagnosis is 3 months to 2 years. Treatment revolves around management of the condition rather than a cure.