|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
As your Partner in Pet Health, the team at Hillside Animal Hospital would like to provide you with as much information as possible regarding your role in keeping your dog happy and healthy. With this in mind, we have developed new Breed-Specific Wellness Programs. These programs are intended to increase your awareness on health conditions that have been found to be commonly associated with your dog's breed. While many dogs live a long, healthy life without facing major health issues, we feel that educating pet owners about possible health conditions is the best way to be proactive in detecting health issues before they become a problem. You'll find important recommendations for scheduling physical exams and diagnostic tests which we encourage you to discuss with the doctor throughout your pet's care. Please contact us at 480-391-7297 if you would like further information or to schedule an appointment.
Great Dane - Specific Wellness Program
Cardiovascular Conditions
 Dilated Cardiomyopathy
About the condition:
- A condition in which the heart walls are thinner than normal and the heartbeat is not as strong.
- Increased prevalence with age and is more common in males.
How to detect this condition:
- An ultrasound/ECG is recommended at age 6.
Endocrine Conditions
Hypothyroidism
About the condition:
- A deficiency in the secretion of thyroid hormone.
How to detect this condition:
- A blood test can determine whether your pet is within the normal range of thyroid hormone; it should be performed at 6 years of age and every other year thereafter.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Gastric dilatation-volvus (GDV)
About the condition:
- This serious condition occurs due to the rapid accumulation of food, fluid or gas which causes twisting of the stomach.
How to detect this condition:
- If your dog seems bloated, painful and reluctant to move, they need to be treated immediately.
How to prevent this condition:
- Preventative surgery can be done at the time of spaying/neutering.
Lympocytic-plasmacytic colitis
About the condition:
- This is a gastrointestinal disease caused by inflammatory cells of unknown origin.
- Lymphocytic plasmacytic colitis is one cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
How to detect this condition:
- Signs include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, change in appetite and/or weight loss.
- A biopsy of the lining of the stomach and/or intestinal tract is required for diagnosis. This is obtained by an endoscopy.
Neoplastic Conditions
Primary bone tumors (most commonly osteosarcoma)
About the condition:
- The absolute cause of malignant (capable of spreading to other parts of the body) bone tumors is still unknown, but it is known that genetics may be a factor in the development of these tumors. These tumors most likely occur in the bones of the extremities in large breed dogs.
How to detect this condition:
- The most common symptom of this condition is limping. If you notice that your pet begins limping, we recommend that they be seen for an examination by the doctor. X-rays will most likely be recommended to determine the cause of limping.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Labrador Retrievers, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let your doctor know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
An annual physical exam is recommended for the life of your pet so that any problems can be detected. In addition, we recommend the following diagnostic evaluations in order to provide more thorough veterinary prevention and care:
| Age 4/5 |
35 - 42 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays of chest,
abdomen and hips if needed |
| Age 6 |
49 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays, ECG of
the heart to test for any heart conditions |
| Age 7 |
56 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 8 |
64 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
| Age 9 |
71 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 10 |
78 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
| Age 11 |
85 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 12 |
93 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
| Age 13 |
100 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis |
| Age 14 |
108 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
