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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.
German Shepherd - Specific Wellness Program
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.
Hematological/Immunological Conditions
Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia
About the condition:
- Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is a decreased number of platelets in the blood, which lead to a potential for increased bleeding and a reduced ability of blood clotting.
How to detect this condition:
- A blood test (part of the full blood profile test) will indicate your petŐs platelet count, therefore will reveal if there is a low number of platelets. A full blood profile is recommended at age 6 and every 2 years thereafter.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Hip dysplasia
About the condition:
- Caused by various deformities of the hip along with the development of degenerative joint disease.
- Nutrition and exercise can help in prevention.
How to detect this condition:
- It is important to have X-rays taken to find any deformities or degeneration of the hip joints. This is recommended at the of spaying/neutering (or at age 2 for breeding dogs) and then again at age 6
Neurological Conditions
Discospondylitis
About the condition:
- This is an infection of the intervertebral disc with osteomyelitis of adjoining vertebral bodies.
How to detect this condition:
- Signs may include loss of appetite, fever, pain and/or partial paralysis.
- X-rays are recommended at age 6 and every 2 years thereafter.
Ocular Conditions
Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis)
About the condition:
- A bilateral progressive inflammatory disease that affects the cornea. The cornea is the transparent, shiny membrane which makes up the front of the eyeball. Think of it as a clear window. As pannus progresses, vision loss occurs.
How to detect this condition:
- An annual eye exam should be performed to check for signs of pannus.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in German Shepherds, 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:
| At time of spay/neuter |
X-rays to look for signs of hip dysplasia |
| Annually |
Eye exam |
| Age 6 |
45 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays of hips |
| Age 8 |
55 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays of chest,
abdomen and hips |
| Age 10 |
66 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
| Age 12 |
77 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
| Age 14 |
88 |
Full blood profile and urinalysis, x-rays |
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