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Health Info

 

GSDs, like many dogs, encounter a number of health issues. We are listing some here for your information. This info is not intended to take the place of regular check-ups with your veterinarian nor should it be used to diagnose your dog.

Poison Control numbers

Pet Health and Safety Widget

The pet health and safety widget  below provides the latest news and information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. The widget has two tabs, one titled “tips” and, the other, “updates. The Tips tab highlights pet health and safety articles. The Updates tab will provide up-to-the-minute recall notices and veterinary drug news for consumers. Check it often!


Pet Health and Safety Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.
Pet Health and Safety Widget.
Flash Player 9 is required.

Degenerative Myelopathy

There is a yahoo group for those with DM that's very helpful.
They've listed the following websites where medical, and additional information can be found:
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm
http://www.freewebs.com/dmroster/
http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/basicDM.htm
http://www.eddieswheels.com

 

 

 

 

Bloat:  Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) often referred to as "bloat", is a serious condition caused by abnormal dilatation and twisting of the stomach.
 

If you own a German Shepherd, or other deep-chested dog, please read this. It may save your dog's life.

 

 

                                    Tyler died of Bloat

 

 

German Shepherd Dogs can suffer from stress

Strongheart, the "wonder dog",was a German Shepherd, whose story was published in 1926. Like his predecessor, Rin Tin Tin, he was a movie star in the1920s and '30s. In their films, these brave dogs caught clever criminals, delivered messages across war-ravaged battlefields, and fought wild animals without faltering. Nothing stressed them. These dogs did not tremble in animal shelters, nor whimper and pace when introduced into unfamiliar homes. They did not run and hide when thunderstorms rolled over the rooftops, or fire crackers popped like artillery on the Fourth of July.  They were known as "police dogs" and their offspring populated books and TV programs for many years. Thus, it is not surprising that many people formed the impression that German Shepherds do not suffer from stress. When they discover that the noble Shepherd may suffer from anxiety, just as people do, they are nonplussed, as I was when I first saw a severely stressed dog, my German Shepherd, Schatzi.  [more...]

                                                                                                   Lip Licking is a Sure Sign of Stress

 

 

 

EPA Increases Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Pet Products

(Washington, DC - April 16, 2009) “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets due to recent increases in the number of reported incidents. [more]

 

 

 

 

Lyme Disease: This is very common in New England. Dogs get Lyme disease from a tick that passes bacteria into the animal’s bloodstream when it bites.  The tick must remain attached to the animal’s skin for at least one day before the bacteria can be transmitted. 

 

You're Invited to Join!

The German Shepherd pictured to the right is a GSRNE fellow. His name is
Holling and at age 12-13 he is experiencing some challenges that are all to common to senior dogs.  In the interest of making Holling and other senior
German Shepherd Dogs more comfortable in their advanced age, a new forum
was born.

All caretakers/parents and friends of senior German Shepherd Dogs are welcome to participate. Let's exchange information and learn about experiences with our older dogs.

You don't need to be a GSRNE member to join.

 http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/SeniorShepherds/

 

 

 

Vestibular Disease FAQ and a personal story from one of our members:  Our old dog suddenly became dazed and confused, staggering around the house, losing his balance, and wandering in circles. Our veterinarian diagnosed his problem as vestibular disease. What causes this disease and how serious is it?

 

 

Dogs and Ticks Thousands of dogs contract Lyme disease, canine Ehrlichiosis, canine Anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever every year, and despite simple testing, prevention and treatment options, many dog owners never realize their pets are suffering from these debilitating diseases.

Map of Lyme Disease This interactive map shows Lyme and Heartworm throughout the US. Take a look at how MA stacks up to the rest of the country when it comes to Lyme!

Babesiosis  We learned about a relatively "new" (for up here) tick disease that you all should learn the signs for: it's called Babeosis, or infection from the Babesia canis tick.   The dog we found this in was lethargic, wouldn't eat much, and had a bad fever.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)  is a genetically linked condition where the pancreas becomes severely atrophied. It is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs but increasingly occurs in other breeds as well. Wayde, one of GSRNE's foster dogs, had EPI. He is now a poster boy for the disease. Please print out a brochure for educational purposes.Obese Rommell

 

 

Killing Them
With Kindness

January is typically a time when we look back over the last year and ahead to the new one. We make plans and goals for the coming year and call them New Year’s Resolutions. Each year, loosing weight is at or near the top of many lists. Time Magazine’s recently published yearly review tells us that 60% of Americans are overweight and in most states we are 21% - 24% obese.

Studies show that as Americans continue to gain weight, so do their pets. Their obesity is just as dangerous to them as it is to humans. Like humans, dogs develop certain diseases when they are overweight.

continued...

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Your Dog Mentally Sound I receive a daily report on Alzheimer's news and research throughout the world. It really offers a lot of hope and information to those of us who have relatives or friends with Alzheimer's. An interesting article showed up in today's news tips on Alzheimer's, though, related to dogs.
 

German Shepherd Dog Health Issues
http://www.dogbiz.com/dogs-grp7/germ-shep/german-shepherd-health-issues.html

Dog Connections: Veterinary Medicine
http://www.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/k9vetmed.htm

The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine & Feline edition,
is a practitioner's textbook that is heavily used by many small animal veterinarians on a daily basis. The book itself runs about $80-$90, but  it's available on line and at no charge.
https://app.vetconnect.com/5min/toc/000.htm

Pet First Aid class in Waltham, MA (free)
learn how to take your dogs pulse & heart rate. Learn to bandage a wound in a hurry and what should be in your first aid kit. Be prepared. It could save your dog's life.
http://www.vescone.com/news-events/classes.htm

Animal CPR Information
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html

Canine Epilepsy Web Site
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/

What to Do if You Feel Your Vet is Negligent
Fortunately, most emergency vet care we receive is excellent and most of us can tell repeated stories of pet whose lives were saved by caring, competent emergency veterinary care. The following story and suggestions are only for someone in the very regrettable situation that Eli's owner found herself in.
In Loving Memory of Eli

How to Pick the Best Dog Food
Here's a list of links for learning about how to tell good dog foods from bad. Some of these pages contain lists of high-quality foods and notes about why they're good.

http://www.doberdogs.com/foodcht4.html tells you how to read those ingredients labels and has an
extensive list of dog foods and their ingredients.
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html
http://www.iei.net/%7Eebreeden/kibble.html

 

Scientists Reverse Paralysis in Dogs
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041203/D86OFDEG1.html

The Pet Fund
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care
  http://thepetfund.com/default.htm

The Pet Arthritis Center
http://www.arthritis-cats-dogs.com/article-specific.php?petid=Dogs

Less Toxic Management: Keeping Fleas Off Your Pets & Out of Your Yard
http://ourwaterourworld.org/pub/ow/Fleas101.pdf

Take This Short Quiz to Find Out What is Poisonous to Your Dog
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz19784416a7868.html

Handicapped Pets
HandicappedPets.com
Products, services, and support for elderly, disabled, and handicapped pets. We help you care for them.

Deaf Dog Resources

Deafness in Dogs
http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm
Information on Deafness Prevalence, Causes, & Management For Owners, Breeders, and Researchers Includes a comprehensive list of where to get the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAER) test done. The BAER test is the most accurate measurement of hearing in animals, and is the same test given to infant humans.

Deaf Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF)
http://www.deafdogs.org.
The mission of the  is to provide education and funding for the purpose of improving and/or saving the lives of deaf dogs. They are working to find homes for adoptable deaf dogs, and to increase awareness of the noble and loving nature of deaf dogs. For more information on living with or training a deaf dog, visit http://www.deafdogs.org

 

 
Kelly shed so much hair she thinks there may be a Pomeranian hiding in there

 

 

 

The German Shedder Dog
 

Oh the Hair!  Kelly thinks there may be a Pomeranian hiding in there. Tess thinks it just feels good!

See how to care for your dog's grooming needs here....

Tess thinks getting rid of all that hair feels GOOD!

 

 © 2003-10 GSRNE All rights reserved. Images
 and text may not be used without permission.


____________________________________________________

German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc.
P.O. Box 299 ; Wayland, MA 01778

24-hour hotline  (978) 443-2202