Tuesday, July 9, 2013

German Shepherds - Common Health Problems You Should Know About and How to Reduce the Risk


When you are choosing the right dog for your household, it is important to consider potential dog health problems that each breed may have. There are certain breeds which are genetically susceptible to particular diseases. This is definitely true for the German Shepherd breed. These Shepherd's are one of the most intelligent breeds, and certainly make great companions, but before taking that little shepherd puppy home, there are some things you might want to consider.

What are some of the common German Shepherd health problems you may see? There are two major conditions - canine hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Both are also known to lead to arthritis in dogs, which can be treated by Glucosamine.

Unfortunately, this breed is prone to canine hip dysplasia, a condition in which hip displacement occurs because the end (head) of the femur bone does not connect properly into the hip socket. The hip joint may be quite loose as a result. The hip dysplasia will often cause dog arthritis and leave your German Shepherd in pain.

How can you tell if your dog suffers from hip displacement? It can be difficult because there are not always symptoms present. As with many dog health problems, your German Shepherd may appear to be in pain. You may notice that he will run with his legs together. He may have a hard time climbing up hills or stairs. Your German Shepherd may prefer to sit rather than stand, and will have a hard time getting up. He may also have a hard time keeping up on walks and may visibly limp. You may also notice that your German Shepherd no longer likes to be touched or may even bark in pain.

The second of the possible German Shepherd health problems is elbow dysplasia. This occurs when the three bones that make up the elbow joint don't form together properly. This causes the elbow joint to be loose which, again, often leads to arthritis in dogs. There may also be bone chips that form, leading to further pain. Severe cases of elbow dysplasia lead to more serious bone conditions. The main symptom of elbow dysplasia is lameness in the dog.

It is especially important to treat arthritis in dogs with these conditions. You should visit your veterinarian to get an X-ray to confirm the problem. The common treatment for dog arthritis is Glucosamine. Studies show that Glucosamine can help stop pain, rebuild cartilage, and improve the joint structure.

As long as you are aware of potential German Shepherd health problems, you can help your dog have a long and healthy life. You can notice the signs of hip displacement and treat the arthritis in the earlier stages. Treating these problems can be done through regular visits to the vet and through the use of dog supplements containing Glucosamine. This and other important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients help keep your German Shepherd healthy and feeling good.

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