Health Issues in German Shepherd Dogs

German shepherd dogs are prone to a variety of health problems. Some are minor issues that can easily be corrected, while others can have lifelong effects or even be fatal. Breeders and veterinarians are working to eliminate many of the diseases that have a genetic component, and so choosing only dogs without these health problems for breeding.

  1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

    • Dysplasia is when the end of a bone does not fit properly into the joint socket. In German Shepherds this often occurs in the hip and elbow joints. The dogs will eventually succumb to pain, inflammation and arthritis of the affected joint. Dysplasia is usually genetic. Breeders are working to breed it out of their German Shepherd lines; more than 15 percent of German Shepherds exhibit hip dysplasia.

    Panosteitis

    • This disease occurs in puppies when their long bones grow too fast. It is painful for the puppy, but they do eventually grow out of it by about 18 months.

    Bloat

    • Bloat is an emergency medical issue caused when the dog's stomach twists and traps gas in the abdomen. The rapid swelling that results is painful for the dog and can kill him if left untreated. This condition is considered acute, and dogs exhibiting abdominal swelling, retching or other signs of gastric distress should be brought to their vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.

    Epilepsy

    • Some German Shepherds have frequent seizures that are characterized as epilepsy. This is probably genetic, although no specific gene has been identified yet. There may also be environmental factors affecting the development of epilepsy in susceptible dogs.

    Degenerative Myelopathy

    • Degenerative myelopathy in dogs is similar to multiple sclerosis in humans. It is characterized by a progressive degradation of the nervous system. It begins in the hind legs and progressively affects more and more systems. Eventually, it will lead to paralysis in the dog.

    Von Willebrand's Disease

    • This blood disease is much like hemophilia in humans. Dogs with Von Willebrand's disease lack a clotting factor in their blood and are prone to excessive bleeding when injured.

    Heart Disease

    • German Shepherds, like all large dog breeds, are prone to certain heart conditions. Some are more prevalent in German Shepherds than in other dogs, suggesting a genetic component. These include having a narrow aorta, an abnormal heart valve, heart arrhythmias and a thickened heart wall muscle.

    Perianal Fistulas

    • This condition is characterized by fissures around the anus of the dog. It can lead to bleeding and bad smells, but is not fatal.