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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

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.

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. 

Vestibular Disease FAQ:  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!

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...

 

 

 

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/

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

 

 

  

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Email is not available unless listed in specific pages.
Please call our 24-hour hotline at (978) 443-2202

GSRNE, Inc.;  P.O. Box 299 ;  Wayland, MA 01778

    Last Updated:     03/19/2008