This article discusses five medical conditions and diseases that affect large breed dogs.
There are many diseases and conditions that are more common in large breed dogs. Until further medical studies are done and a model of heredity for these diseases and conditions is established, dogs at risk for these diseases will have a tendency to breed. If one dog breed is known to have a hereditary disease, each animal should be tested with another before breeding. The only way to prevent the spread of a known disease or condition is not to cause the carrier of the disease. Since some diseases or conditions can leave one or two generations before they appear in a species, there is no foolproof way to prevent the transmission of a genetic disorder.
Congenital aortic stenosis is one of the most common heart defects found in large breed dogs. In aortic stenosis, the heart has to work very hard to pump enough blood supply due to obstruction in blood circulation. Like humans, dogs can develop mild to severe aortic stenosis. A dog with mild stenosis shows no signs of illness and has a normal life expectancy. When a dog suffers from moderate to severe stenosis, their activity level drops drastically as the heart does not pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Over time the disease causes the heart muscle to thicken and this can eventually lead to death.
Getting your pet to have a medical examination and catching an aortic stenosis at an early stage can help in treatment.
Gastric dilatation is also known as valvular (GDV) or bloating, which is a tendency for large breed dogs with deep breasts. Keep in mind that any dog can suffer from this condition and, unfortunately, it is usually fatal. There is no definite cause for GDV, but overeating or drinking is in some cases associated with pre-existing strains. During GDV, the abdomen rotates (the dog's abdomen is securely held in place) causing abdominal pain and narrowing of the abdomen due to dilation of blood vessels. It damages the lining of the stomach, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Also, the blood flow to the heart is obstructed due to the pressure of the main veins coming from the abdomen. Getting immediate medical attention is essential because surgery is the dog's only hope for survival.
Feeding your dog three small meals a day instead of one large meal and limiting the amount of water he can drink at once can help prevent GDV. Also, placing their water and food containers on a high food stand helps their food to be digested.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition found in middle-aged dogs. This condition occurs when the thyroid gland is damaged or destroyed and not enough thyroid hormone is produced. Effects of low thyroid production:
Laziness
Weight gain
Hair fall
Anemia
Slow heart rate
Dry coat
The veterinarian can perform blood tests to diagnose, the condition and once diagnosed the condition can be easily treated with a daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone, which should be maintained throughout the dog's life. Canine hip dysplasia is one of the most common hereditary diseases of large breed and giant breed dogs. This orthopedic disease also affects small breed dogs. When getting a puppy or dog, make sure you ask for and receive HIP certification from the puppy or dog's parents and ancestors. Hip dysplasia occurs as a result of abnormal hip joint development in the dog. It may or may not affect both the right and left sides. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that rotates freely in the ball (femur) socket (acetabulum). Tendons and tissues hold these bones together, and cartilage supports bone movement. With hip dysplasia, the partially slips out of the socket and the tendons become loose. As this continues, other degenerative changes in the joint occur. Over time, your dog will have pain in standing and walking and will find it difficult to climb stairs.
Make sure your puppy does not gain weight too quickly and does not allow your big dog to carry too much weight, which reduces the chances of hip dysplasia. If you suspect your dog is showing signs of hip dysplasia, check them out by a vet and find out what you can do to reduce the pain.
Osteosarcoma or bone cancer usually affects larger and larger breed dogs. It is a very serious cancer and most often occurs in large male dogs. Medical research has not yet found the cause of these cancers. Most bone cancers develop below the elbow or near the knee of the dog limb. Swelling and joint pain in the area are usually the first signs of medical confusion. Unfortunately, by the time he sought medical treatment, the tumor had already spread to the lungs. The treatment for this cancer is usually amputation and chemo. Even with amputation and chemotherapy, the dog’s life expectancy is almost one year. There is no preventable treatment for osteosarcoma.
You must be logged in to post a comment.