The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals offers a test. It cannot be prevented since it’s due to a genetic mutation, however, you can have your dog screened for this to see if they will develop it later in life. Unfortunately, this disease is incurable, progressive and fatal. In the most advanced stages of DM, total paralysis of a dog’s hind end as well as urinary and fecal incontinence will occur. It may be difficult to diagnose DM at first because early symptoms can resemble other common GSD disorders such as hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.Įarly symptoms include your dog appearing to walk on its hind paw “knuckles,” the hind feet scraping the ground when walking, swaying while standing still, falling over easily when pushed from the side and difficulty rising from a lying down position. Symptoms begin to show due to the inevitable degeneration of the spinal cord’s white matter. The exact cause of DM, besides genetics, is unknown. An extremely common hereditary disorder in German shepherds, it’s mostly observed in middle- to older-aged dogs, around 4 to 14 years old. Degenerative myelopathy (DM)ĭegenerative myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disorder that slowly affects a dog’s mobility through its impact on the spinal cord and lower back. Elbow dysplasia can progress to osteoarthritis if left unresolved. Surgery may also be recommended depending on severity. Symptoms include limping or appearing hesitant to play or run, legs rotating inward with outward elbows, stiff elbow joints and a cracking sound when the joint moves.įor mild cases, treatment can include weight management, limited exercise, physical therapy, joint supplements, anti-inflammatories and joint fluid modifiers. In the same Orthopedic Foundation of Animals data, it was found that nearly 19% of GSDs had elbow dysplasia, which is caused by abnormal elbow joint development. Surgery may be required for more severe cases or if NSAIDs aren’t effective.Įlbow dysplasia is also typical in German shepherds. Physical therapy may also be recommended. They may also take “veterinary-approved glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements,” according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Kamran Babamohammadi, D.V.M., a veterinary surgeon at Animal Surgical Center in New York City. “One of the most important is weight management… If owners are mindful about their weight it can help to significantly decrease the clinical signs,” says Dr. Most dogs with mild cases can live with it by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Hip dysplasia evolves into degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, so it’s necessary to get it diagnosed early. Signs of hip dysplasia in German shepherds can be observed as early as 4 months old. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include difficulty walking, a swaying abnormal walk, pain and in severe cases, immobility. With hip dysplasia, the ball and socket joint that make up the hip joint don’t grow at the same time, causing looseness. According to data from over 139,000 German shepherds collected by the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals, nearly 21% of them had hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that is especially common in German shepherds.

You may need to go more often if your GSD has any of these health disorders. When it comes to their health, they also require special attention as they are predisposed to many health problems, including musculoskeletal disorders and digestion issues.Īn adult German shepherd should be taken to the vet at least once a year, but it’s recommended that senior dogs 7 years and older should have a visit every six months. Known for their lively personalities and capacity for work, these dogs need constant training and attention. German shepherds are not a low-maintenance breed. Common Health Issues for German Shepherds German shepherds had at least one disorder. According to a 2017 study in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 63% of U.K. GSDs have been bred to highlight certain features over the years, which has made them more susceptible to health problems. While German shepherd dogs (GSDs) are not considered an outright unhealthy breed, they are one of the top breeds with health issues. The loyal, brainy and courageous breed is part of the herding breed group, meaning they have a bountiful amount of energy and a need for a “job.” This is why the breed is often used for police and military work, therapy, search and rescue tasks and more. German shepherds are one of America’s favorite big dogs, coming in fourth place behind Labradors and Golden retrievers, according to the American Kennel Club.

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