| There are many ailments and conditions | | | | at one time may help prevent GDV. Also, |
| that are more prevalent in large breed | | | | placing their water and food dishes on |
| dogs. Until further medical studies can | | | | an elevated food stand may aid in the |
| be conducted and a pattern of | | | | digestion of their food. |
| inheritance established for these | | | | Hypothyroidism is a common condition |
| ailments and conditions, dogs that have | | | | usually found in mid to large breed |
| a risk for these diseases will be said | | | | middle age dogs. This condition is |
| to have breed predisposition. | | | | caused when the thyroid gland is damaged |
| This article will discuss | | | | or destroyed and not enough thyroid |
| five of the medical conditions and | | | | hormone is produced. The resulting |
| diseases affecting large breed dogs. | | | | effects of low thyroid production can |
| There are many ailments and conditions | | | | be: |
| that are more prevalent in large breed | | | | - Lethargy |
| dogs. Until further medical studies can | | | | - Weight gain |
| be conducted and a pattern of | | | | - Hair loss |
| inheritance established for these | | | | - Anemia |
| ailments and conditions, dogs that have | | | | - Slow heart rate |
| a risk for these diseases will be said | | | | - Dry coat |
| to have breed predisposition. If a breed | | | | There are blood tests the vet can run to |
| of dog is known to have an inherited | | | | diagnose this condition and once |
| condition each animal should be tested | | | | diagnosed the condition is easily |
| before breeding with another. The only | | | | treated with a daily dose of synthetic |
| way to prevent the spread of known | | | | thyroid hormone which will need to be |
| ailments or condition is to not breed a | | | | administered for the rest of the dog's |
| carrier of the disease. Since some | | | | life. Canine hip dysplasia is one of the |
| ailments or conditions may skip a | | | | most common inherited diseases in large |
| generation or two before appearing in | | | | breed and giant breed dogs. This |
| the breed, there is no fool proof way to | | | | orthopedic disease may affect smaller |
| stop a genetic disorder from being | | | | breed dogs as well. When obtaining a |
| passed on. | | | | puppy or dog from a breeder, make sure |
| One of the most common heart defects | | | | you ask for and receive hip |
| found in large breed dogs is congenital | | | | certification on the parents and |
| aortic stenosis. With aortic stenosis | | | | ancestors of the puppy or dog. Hip |
| the heart must work harder to pump an | | | | dysplasia results from abnormal hip |
| adequate blood supply because of an | | | | joint development in a dog. It may or |
| obstruction to the flow of blood. Just | | | | may not affect both right and left |
| as in humans, dogs can have mild to | | | | sides. The hip joint is a ball and |
| severe aortic stenosis. With mild | | | | socket joint, the ball (femur) fits into |
| stenosis a dog will most likely show no | | | | the socket (acetabulum) and rotates |
| signs of the disease and have a normal | | | | freely. Ligaments and tissue hold these |
| life expectancy. If the dog suffers from | | | | bones together and cartilage cushions |
| moderate to severe stenosis, their | | | | the movement of the bones. With hip |
| activity level will be greatly reduced | | | | dysplasia the bone slips partially out |
| due to the heart not pumping enough | | | | of socket and the ligaments are loose. |
| blood to the rest of the body. Over time | | | | As this continues to happen other |
| the disease leads to the thickening of | | | | degenerative changes take place in the |
| the heart muscle and this can eventually | | | | joint. Over time your dog will find it |
| lead to an early death. | | | | painful to stand and walk and will have |
| Getting medical check ups for your pet | | | | difficulty climbing stairs. |
| and catching aortic stenosis in the | | | | Making sure your puppy doesn't gain |
| early stages may aid in the treatment. | | | | weight too quickly and not letting your |
| Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or as it | | | | older dog carry excess weight reduces |
| is commonly known as bloat, is | | | | the chance of hip dysplasia. If you do |
| predisposed to the deep-chested large | | | | suspect your dog may be showing signs of |
| breed dogs. Be aware that any dog can | | | | hip dysplasia, get them checked out by |
| fall victim to this condition and | | | | the vet and find out what you can do to |
| unfortunately it is usually fatal. There | | | | relieve them of pain. |
| is no definitive cause of GDV but over | | | | Osteosarcoma or bone cancer generally |
| eating or drinking has been linked to | | | | affects large and giant breed dogs. This |
| some cases in predisposed breeds. During | | | | is a very aggressive cancer and is more |
| GDV, the stomach rotates (the stomach of | | | | frequent in older male dogs. Medical |
| a dog is securely fixed at the top in | | | | research has yet to find the cause of |
| one spot) making the stomach distension | | | | these cancers. Most bone cancers are |
| painful and stretching the blood vessels | | | | found to develop below the elbow or near |
| reducing circulation to the stomach. | | | | the knee of dog's limbs. Usually a |
| This can damage the lining of the | | | | swelling of the area and pain in the |
| stomach which may lead to bacteria | | | | joint is a first indication of a medical |
| entering the bloodstream. Also the blood | | | | dilemma. Unfortunately by the time |
| flow to the heart may be interrupted due | | | | medical treatment is sought, the tumor |
| to the pressure of major veins from the | | | | may have already metastasized to the |
| distended stomach. Receiving immediate | | | | lungs. Treatment of this cancer is |
| medical attention is imperative as | | | | usually amputation and chemo. Even with |
| surgery is the only hope of the dog | | | | amputation and chemotherapy, the life |
| surviving. | | | | expectancy of a dog is approximately one |
| Feeding your dog smaller meals three | | | | year. There is no preventable treatment |
| times a day instead of one big meal and | | | | for Osteosarcoma. |
| limiting the amount of water they drink | | | | |