Here is just a sampling of some articles dealing with the health of your pet. Whether it's heart disease, cancer or flees there may be a variety of ways that you can deal with the ailment. Research all options and choose which path is right for you. I have included links to several pages that I found to contain a wealth of information. I do not endorse any particular treatment or veterinary service, you must come to those conclusions and discovery on your own.

German Shepherd health is a very critical issue.

German Shepherd health is one area over which you have a lot of control.

Long prized for its elegance, intelligence, loyalty, versatility and working abilities, the GSD can be a very stoic animal that will play and work hard through a lot of pain and not easily show any underlying health problems.

It often takes a sharp and observant owner to know whether or not his or her dog is suffering from any type of pain or illness.

There is no reason any German Shepherd should suffer from any pain, disease or illness. It is the owners responsibility to keep the dog in great condition and healthy by: feeding him a good and healthy diet, brushing his teeth often as possible, grooming him regularly and giving your dog plenty of exercise and attention to keep him healthy.

Another way of keeping tabs on your German Shepherd Dog's health is by performing a weekly home German Shepherd health exam. This will help you spot many of the common German Shepherd health problems before they become serious. This will also make you very aware of your GSD's body and easily help you detect any changes that may happen over time due to injury, disease or any kind of dog related emergencies.

The best way of taking care of your German Shepherds health is by taking your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Make sure your GSD receives regular physical and health examinations and is current on all its vaccinations and worming schedule. Finding a veterinarian that is familiar with GSD Health Problems and with dealing with all the hereditary diseases that affect our breed is an excellent idea, such as von Willebrands Disease . Not all veterinarians are as familiar with German Shepherd health issues as they might be with other dog breeds.

Routine vet exams will include a check of your German Shepherds eyes , heart, lungs, ears, mouth, teeth and coat as well as any lumps, bumps, cuts or bruises that the dog may have. Associate veterinary visits with a positive experience and it will make future doctor visits much easier for your German Shepherd puppy. Another good thing to consider for your German Shepherd, dog insurance .

It is also a good idea to take your new German Shepherd puppy or dog to the veterinarian for occasional "social visits" just for them to see that going there does not have to always a bad thing. Both your German Shepherds health and socialization are very, very important.

Check with your vet and his staff to "schedule" a time to visit that is not too busy. The GSD pup can have both a positive and healthy experience by going there - meeting the staff, meeting other dogs and owners to socialize with, etc. Keep in mind not to introduce your dog to truly sick animals, however, since you do not want to make your healthy German Shepherd puppy ill.

Below is a list of various health disorders and diseases specific to the German Shepherd Dog. GSD emergency topics and GSD First Aid Kit Ingredients (a very good idea to keep on hand, just in case) are listed as well. You should become aware of each health condition as a GSD owner in relationship to your puppy or German Shepherd Dogs health.

In the future we plan to add more detailed information covering several of the German Shepherd health related topics common to our breed listed below as well as other health related illnesses.

Many common ailments of the German Shepherds are a result of the inbreeding required early in the breed's creation. One such common issue is hip and elbow dysplasia which may lead to the dog experiencing pain in later life, and may cause arthritis. Due to the large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds also are prone to ear infections. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, also are prone to bloat. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7-10 years, which is normal for a dog of their size.

German Shepherds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all German Shepherds will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.

If you're buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy's parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

In German Shepherds, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for Hip Dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org).

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dyplasia is a heritable condition in which the femur doesn't fit snugly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness on one or both rear legs. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. X-ray screening for hip dysplasia is done by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and found to be free of problems.

Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It's thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication to control the pain.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs like, especially if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord, specifically the part of the cord that communicates information to the brain regarding the hind legs. Dogs with DM act as though they don't know where their back legs are, and cannot move them properly. The disease progresses to the point the dog cannot walk. Most of the time, there is no treatment and the dog is put to sleep. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin-12 or vitamin E. If this is the case, vitamin supplements might stabilize the condition.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: EPI is a genetic disease of the pancreas in which the cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed. As a result, the dog can no longer digest and absorb food. The first signs of the condition are gas, loss of appetite, weight loss, and change in stools. The dog becomes very thin, and very hungry. EPI is diagnosed with a simple blood test, and treatment is simple, too: pancreatic enzymes are added to the dog's food. With proper medication supervision, most dogs recover.

Allergies: Some German Shepherds suffer from a variety of allergies, ranging from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergy symptoms in dogs are similar to those in people. If your German Shepherd is scratching, licking at his paws or rubbing his face a great deal, suspect that it has an allergy and have him checked by your vet.