Health problems not addressed? - Page 1

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VonIsengard

by VonIsengard on 03 February 2005 - 21:02

I would like to open a discussion on the health problems that seem to appear more and and more in the GSD and are not talked about as much as hip displaysia. Among the problems I have seen A LOT OF recently: Elbow displaysia Mild to severe allergies pancreatic disorders weak immune systems (which of course opens the door for many other problems) If you a breeder, have you had much experience with these issues? What, if anything, do you do for buyers whose dogs have these problems? Should organizations such as the SV and other FCI registries address these issues somehow, if so, how? What other health issues have you noted on a regular basis? I've seen these issues more prevalent in west german lines, do any of you have other such experiences? I look forward to hearing everyone's experiences.

Silbersee

by Silbersee on 03 February 2005 - 21:02

Hi K Czaja, please check out the discussions on the GSDWorld.net . They had a lot of similar discussions under "Health Issues". Chris

GSD4dogs

by GSD4dogs on 03 February 2005 - 22:02

Very interesting post. It does seem that many breeders who would never consider breeding a dog with hip and/or elbow problems, have no problem breeding dogs with skin problems, allergies and other health issues, yet many of these are also genetic and certainly cause just as much (if not more) heartache and medical expense for the owners. Should the SV, etc address these issues? Good question. I would like to see more research done on some of these problems. Many connect skin issues and allergies to immunization. There are a lot of shepherds with skin issues and allergies. Why is the GSDCA not pushing for and funding more research in this area? Interestingly, both the U.S. and Canadian Weimariemer Clubs have recommended a modified immunization schedule for Wiem puppies because they believe that their breed is especially suseptable to skin problems and allergies as a result of certain vaccines. Of course, most GSD breeders will not admit to these problems in their lines. My breeder claimed she had never, ever had any of her puppies develop skin problems, yet I have met several half siblings to my dog that not only have the same skin problems, they are even affected in the same areas. We will never be able to make sound choices for the betterment of the breed as long as we continue to lie about and hide these problems. JMHO

by pzdc on 03 February 2005 - 22:02

It is a commonly known fact that GSD's are prone to pancreatic and digestive disorders. According to my vet it is not hereditary, but I still wonder...... Pancreatic defficiency can easily be managed by adding raw, minced pigs pancreas to the diet - if you can find it. A homeopathic vet can also assist with pancreas tablets. For dry, flaky skin I find that about 20 ml of flax seed oil added to the food solves the problem. Raw, minced fat also helps. However, since I switched to one particular dog food brand (i'm not sure if I can mention it by name on this site) all these problems have diappeared. No more "hot spots", no more itching, no more loose stools, but rather a glossy healthy looking dog that doesn't gain excess weight. Maybe it's all in the diet after all.

VonIsengard

by VonIsengard on 03 February 2005 - 22:02

I know someone with a west german import who has allergies so severe he has to have a steroid shot once a week- a three month supply is $500! Anyone else would've put the dog down, bless her heart, she loves that dog. I've noticed problems with mange, certain breeders seem to have it running rampant, I once had a dog who had demodex, and so did over half of his littermates. Now mange is of course not genetic, but I think a weak immune sytem is, which as I understand, can make a dog susceptible to mange. Now here's thought- could excessive linebreeding play a part in these issues? Let's face it, almost every west german dog goes back to a handful of studs, like Jeck Noricum. Did the breed have these issues 10 years ago? 20 years ago? I haven't been in the breed that long (only about 5 years); I would love to hear from someone who has.

VonIsengard

by VonIsengard on 03 February 2005 - 22:02

I agree about the flaxseed oil- I use it myself. As far as adding pig pancreas, this is a common remedy, but these dogs seem sickly anyway, and seems to die young. I wonder about the heredity, too. Three dogs I know with the problem all came from the same sire.

by DKiah on 03 February 2005 - 23:02

Of course you can mention the food you use here! Others may benefit from your experience or have something to add to your info.... Many of the conditions such as demodex, allergies, etc are all related to the immune system and I am certain can be attributed to genetics..... I do believe a lot of really close repetitive linebreeding will buy you more trouble than anything else and that is where the immune system issues, in my opinion, come from... I have also seen a lot of these problems occur in American show lines... I'm pretty certain that it is proven that pancreatic insufficiency is genetic. Other issues not addressed are blood clotting disorders like hemophilia A and von Willebrands Disease. Many believe that Degenerative Myelopathy is also related to the immune system.... Let's not forget eye disorders like pannus and progressive retinal atrophy.... I could go on and on... sorry.. You would need a whole new website to cover all the breeding issues and how they should be handled.....

by pzdc on 03 February 2005 - 23:02

Just a question to KCzaja - does that breeder maybe have dusty kennels? I have noticed a problem with one of my males. As long as he stays in a cement kennel he is fine, but put him in a ground kennel and he develops runny eyes, itchy skin and sneezes! (Imagine the problems I have with him tracking!) He is certainly allergic to dust. Regarding inbreeding, I'm not sure - maybe certain lines would have a propensity for these problems, but I have 3 -3 inbreeding on Jeck Noricum with no problems at all - except that they're not fond of other dogs. Both have exceptional working ability and both have achieved very high show gradings. As a follower of homeopathic remedies in stead of conventional medicines I'd be a bit uncomfortable with the dog on such doses of cortisone/steroids - that has to break down the immune system. One of my friend anf fellow breeders have a male that has been on pig pancreas all of his 9¿ years and is still going strong! Until someone proves me wrong, I'll continue to believe that correct feeding is the answer to a strong immune system. A puppy I bought which had been on antibiotics almost since birth, has, in 3 years never een to the vet except for her annual booster shots and for her pregnancy checkups. I have in the 5 years since I started to get seriously involved only experienced one instance of elbow dysplasia and that was on a rescued bitch which was very malnourished for the first 5 months of her life.

by Blitzen on 04 February 2005 - 00:02

So far both of my GSD's have had inhalation allergies, the first needed monthly shots; so far Blitz is doing OK with very small doses of steroids now and then and some supplements and topicals. A change in food won't help inhalation allergies per se. Only about 10% of allergies in dogs are food related. I agree with DKiah, inhalation allergies are a signalment of a dog that's an immune cripple and other much more serious health issues can be expected to occur in these dogs. Atopy is the least of their worries. My first developed a chronic bacterial sinusitis and was in the early stages of DM when he developled lymphosarcoma which was fatal inspite of intense chemo. The veterinary oncologist is convinced that, in certain breeds, lymphosarcoma has a genetic component. She named Goldens and GSD's as being among those most likely to develope this usually fatal cancer and has seen it in the same K-9 families. Personally, I feel that over vaccination contributes to many of the health issues seen in modern dogs. That's a topic for another thread. None of my GSD's were/are junkyard dogs; the first was sired by a working line import with a well known sire, his dam Am lines, the breeder an AKC judge. My present dog is 100% showlines with a lot of well known dogs close up in the pedigree. I haven't talked to Blitz's breeder about his allergies, she'd demonstrated no desire to hear anything at all about the dog after the check cleared and I'm not one to persue a relationship with a person of that caliber. I have talked to the AKC judge, my dog is the only he's ever bred with allergies and he's never heard of lymphosarcoma in the breed. A little bit of research proved he was not truthful, others do have allergies and one of his Selects has produced lymphosarc as have some of his get. He was the g-sire of my dog that died. Just judging by my very limited experience and what I've heard from others, it seems that some GSD breeders might be in denial about health issues in their dogs.

by pzdc on 04 February 2005 - 00:02

I agree that some breeders are not forthcoming - after all they want to make a sale! That's why one needs to do your homework before you buy. Maybe we don't experience the same problems in our country that you have due to other influential factors like climate, pollens etc. Personally I'm far more fed up with stud male owners who don't warn you that their exceptional stud had to have his ears supported whrn he was young or has a propensity to give just one testicle - then you wonder why he is only "producing" btiches. I never suggested that you are a backyard breeder! I myself have a few grass runs which in winter can become quite dusty. However, my main kennels are cemented and roofed. (and my dogs still prefer to sleep in the house!





 


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