Do German Shepherds Have Health Problems and How to Prevent Them?
Are you considering getting a German Shepherd or have a four-legged senior that is acting differently than it used to?
Generally, German Shepherds are healthy dogs.
When well taken care of, those active and intelligent pooches will be loyal members of your family for years.
However, as purebred dogs, they are prone to breed-specific diseases that every dog parent should know inside and out.
Which are common health issues for German Shepherds and how to help your pooch stay happy, healthy and wise?
Common Health Problems For German Shepherds
German Shepherds are prone to:
Hip Dysplasia
Arthritis
Chronic itching and skin cysts
Degenerative myelopathy
Ear inflammations
Dental tartar
Hip dysplasia is common with larger breeds like German Shepherds. With this condition, the ball and socket of the hip joint stop working. Instead of sliding, they grind and cause pain for your pooch.
Limping, “bunny hopping”, stiffness in the hips, a less active dog, loss of muscle mass, and difficulty jumping, running, and stair climbing are clues that your pooch might suffer from displaced joints.
Arthritis may not be evident right away as it develops gradually — making your once tail-wagging dog irritable, reluctant to be active (due to pain and limping), sleeping more than usual, refusing to get up, and standing with front legs wide apart.
Skin issues are common with German Shepherds. Allergies, infection and skin cysts can make your pup scratch like crazy, but also cause hair loss and redness.
A spinal condition such as degenerative myelopathy may also affect your German Shepherd. In the worst-case scenario, this disease can result in paralysis of the back legs.
Weakness in the hind legs, difficulty standing, and loss of coordination are the first signs of trouble.
Head tilting, odour, redness, itching and pain point at ear infections. It can go away with ear cleaning or require some antibiotics prescribed by a vet.
Swollen, red and inflamed dog gums? Dental tartar is concerning if it develops into periodontal disease. You can prevent it by regularly brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria.
Preventing Health Problems of Your German Shepherd
To keep your German Shepherd pooch healthy for years to come, pay attention to its diet, maintain dental and ear hygiene, and look closer for the first signs of medical issues to help your pup early.
Giving in to couch potato tendencies and an improper diet can result in obesity for your pup and stress joints. Exercise regularly and don’t overfeed your pup.
To prevent joint and mobility issues, make sure that your pup gets all the vitamins and minerals from their diet.
Supplements are important to take before your pooch starts to experience hip pain and has difficulty moving as a senior.
For example, Apipet Flexi is a balanced and natural formula combining bee pollen, glucosamine, and chondroitin that strengthen a dog's joint and prevent common issues such as hip dysplasia.
Regular ear hygiene and teeth brushing are also important to avoid easily preventable pain for your German Shepherd.
Apipet Flexi
healthy joints and cartilage of the dog
When to Visit a Vet?
Look for these signs of health problems for German Shepherds:
Skin problems — itching, lumps, cysts
Hip issues — limited movement (difficult to run, jump or climb stairs), “bunny hop”, limping
If you notice these symptoms are ruining your pup’s day, take your pooch to the vet for a further examination such as an X-ray — especially if you have a senior German Shepherd (8 years and older).
Also, it’s advisable to visit a vet when your pup is healthy. This aids the vets to get to know your pooch and later easier determine what changed in your German Shepherd’s health profile.
Some of the conditions might require shedding some pounds and getting more exercise while others seek surgery. Treatment is more successful the earlier you intervene.
Your German Shepherd’s Hips Don’t Lie
The number one health issue that German Shepherds are prone to is hip dysplasia. Besides joints, other frequent problems are related to skin, ear, and dental issues.
Although German Shepherds are prone to these health concerns, they aren’t doomed because of their genetics.
Early intervention and prevention can help your pooch even before it develops the symptoms.
Know the alarming signs that tell you your pup is struggling, take your pooch to the vet for regular physical examinations, and make sure they get all the vitamins they need to prevent common conditions for this breed.
With a proper diet, supplements, enough exercise, and regular ear and dental hygiene, you pup can live a long and healthy life.