German Shepherd Health Problems You Can Expect

Any breed of dog is going to have its share of health problems and a German Shepherd is no different. Before you bring your new German Shepherd pup home you should discuss potential German Shepherd health problems with your vet and your breeder so that you know what symptoms to look for. You also need to know when certain behaviors are normal for a German Shepherd and when other behaviors may mean it is time to get emergency care for your German Shepherd.

German Shepherds can grow to be pretty big dogs and the bigger breeds of dogs can sometimes experience what is known as elbow or hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the bones do not develop correctly and do not fit together like they are supposed to and this causes tremendous pain for your dog. If you notice your dog having difficulty moving then get it to the vet immediately.

Another common German Shepherd health problem is epilepsy. Basically the brain goes into a spasm for several reasons and your dog will go into convulsions and seizures. This can usually start around the age of one year and can be taken care of in conjunction with your vet through diet and medication. It is terrifying to see your pet go through a seizure so make sure you contact the vet immediately if this happens and for your sake and the animal's sake do not panic because even in a state of seizure a dog needs you to be there for it.

German Shepherds can also develop conditions with their eyes that may need a vet's attention as well. Sometimes they can get cataracts, which just like with humans, can be treated very successfully with surgery. In other cases your German Shepherd may developed problems with their eyelids or eyelashes that grow too close to the eyes and cause infection. These conditions are also treated with surgery.

In some cases there are dog breeds that can develop the blood condition known as Von Willebrand's Disease or VWD. VWD is like hemophilia in humans, in that the dog's blood does not clot as it should and the dog will bleed profusely even with the smallest injury.

This is one of the common German Shepherd health problems that you need to keep and eye out for. Some of the warning signs of VWD like nose bleeds for no apparent reason or bleeding gums. If you notice that your dog bleeds when injured and you cannot stop the bleeding then it is time to get your dog to the vet.

A pet is a huge responsibility and it is up to you to find out what types of health issues you may expect when you own a large active dog like a German Shepherd. Sometimes these conditions are developed over time and in other cases they may come on suddenly but if you stay in touch with your breeder and your vet then you can learn to recognize the symptoms of common German Shepherd health problems.

Your pet looks to you for its care and health and if you begin to notice health issues with your German Shepherd then you need to make an appointment to get your dog checked out by the vet as soon as possible.

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