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.
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!
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.
Vestibular DiseaseFAQ 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
brochurefor educational purposes.
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.
Keep Your
Dog Mentally SoundI 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.
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
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.
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.
