German Shepherds - Choosing a German Shepherd

German Shepherds - Choosing a German Shepherd

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben


  • Intervertebral disk disease is a disorder that affects the spinal disks resulting in pain, difficulty walking and possibly paralysis.

  • Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas related to insufficient amounts of insulin production.

  • Pancreatic insufficiency is another pancreatic disease that results in inability to digest food properly.

  • Malassezia Dermatitis - is a yeast infection of the skin caused by Malassezia pachydermatitis.

  • Food Allergy can occur in some pets. Affected pets develop skin lesions secondary to some food ingredients

  • Perianal Fistula - is an infection and development of fistulas of the anal glands and tissues around the anal area.

  • Aortic Stenosis - this disease is caused by stenosis of the aorta and causing symptoms such as weakness, collapse and sudden death.

  • Pericardial Effusion – is an accumulation of fluid within the pericardial space.
    It can be caused by tumors of the heart or idiopathic (no known cause).

  • Congenital Idiopathic Megaesophagus - is a dilatation of the esophagus caused by decreased contraction of the muscles, causing food regurgitation.

  • Lymphocytic plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease

  • Lick granuloma is a condition in which the dog licks an area excessively, usually on the front leg, until a raised, firm ulcerated lesion is formed.

  • Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma is an adenocarcinoma of the anal glands.

  • Testicular tumors are tumors that involve the testicles in intact male dogs.

  • Dwarfism is a deficiency of growth hormone (GH), which is normally secreted by the pituitary gland.

  • Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to loose transparency and can result in blindness.

  • Lens luxation is a dislocation or displacement of the lens within the eye.

    In addition, German shepherds have a higher incidence of allergies, ear infections and malignant cancer such as hemangiosarcoma and Lymphoma.


    Life Span

    The average life span for a German shepherd dog is 10 to 13 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.


     
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