6 Most Common Health Issues In German Shepherds

Taking care of your dog’s unique and specific medical needs is important to ensuring a long and healthy life. German Shepherds have been bred to do a lot of amazing things, but they also are predisposed to some health issues that it’s important to stay on top of.

Here are six common health conditions that German shepherds may develop.

1. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

This is a digestive disorder that can become very serious if ignored, but can typically become manageable with that treatment. It often will require some change in lifestyle for the dog.

2. Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia

These conditions involve the malformation of the hip and/or elbow joints and are typically congenital, although they may be induced by the environment as well. This is relatively common in larger breeds and may be brought on by excess weight and over-exercise. Learn more about this condition here and find out how to prevent and/or manage it here.

3. Intervertebral Disc Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease

Many German shepherd dogs may suffer from this condition, although they appear to be highly genetic and occur as a result of breeding with pups who have spinal issues.

4. Osteochondrosis Dissecans

This bone disorder is a result of the improper transitioning of a cartilage into a bone while growing, and it can sometimes be caused due to some factors in a pup’s environment. However, it is mostly congenital.

5. Bloat

Known medically as emergency gastrointestinal syndrome, this condition involves the twisting of the stomach and occurs in many deep-chested breeds. Learn more about this potentially fatal condition here and learn how to prevent it here.

6. Panosteitis

Also known as “wandering lameness” or simply Pano, this condition can result in random lameness in young puppies between 5 and 14 months of age. It can be spotted through an x-ray and often causes discomfort, but most pups grow out of the condition.

The more you know about what your shepherd may be predisposed to, the more you can take action to prevent or delay health problems. Talk with your vet about these conditions and what you can do to set your shepherd up for a long, healthy life.