Health
As is common of many large breeds, German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Proper breeding is needed to keep these traits out of the dogs, so that the dog may enjoy a pain-free life.
Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies and canine degenerative myelopathy. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat.
Other Potential Defects and Disorders
- Aortic Stenosis: A narrowing of the opening of the aortic valve, which obstructs the flow of blood and can lead to fainting, collapse, and sudden death.
- Cartilagenous Exostosis: Overgrowths of the cartilage from bones throughout the body.
- Cataracts: May or may not be visible until two months of age. Juvenile cataracts may develop up to 6 years of age and heredity is the usual cause.
- Cleft Palate/Cleft Lip Syndrome: Midline closing defect affecting the lips and hard palate of the mouth.
- Collagen Disorder of the Footpads: Soft, sore footpads.
- Cutaneous Asthenia (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome): An abnormality of the connective tissue of the skin, resulting in loose, sagging skin, which tears easily.
- Deafness: in one or both ears
- Dermoid: A cyst on the eyelid. May affect one or both eyes.
- Diabetes Insipidus: A metabolic disorder due to deficiency of a pituitary hormone, characterized by excessive thirst (polydipsia) and large volumes of dilute urine (polyuria).
- Diabetes Mellitus: May surface as early as 2-6 months of age. Characterized by high blood sugar, excessive thirst (polydipsia) and urination (polyuria).
- Diaphragmatic Hernias: Abdominal contents enter the chest cavity through an abnormal hole in the diaphram.
- Epilepsy: Seizures; convulsions
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): Lack of pancreatic enzymes resulting in poor digestion, excessive hunger, weight loss, and diarrhea.
- Factor VIII Deficiency (Hemophilia A): A hemorrhaging disorder.
- Glycogen Storage Disease: An enzyme deficiency resulting in hypoglycemia.
- Idiopathic Megaesophagus: A Disorder causing enlargement of the esophagus and leading to regurgitation and weight loss.
- IgA Deficiency: Immune system deficiency, resulting in upper and lower respiratory infections, inflammation of the upper ear canal (otis external), and skin problems.
- Lumbosacral malarticulation: Spinal malformation, causing pain, possible incontinence. Can be surgically corrected.
- Lymphedema: Swelling and pitting of the legs, usually hind legs, caused by abnormally developed lymph vessels.
- Lysosomal Storage Disease: Brain disorders caused by an inheritable deficiency of key enzymes.
- Mitral Valve Malformation: A Malformation of the mitral valve in the left side of the heart, leading to hear murmurs and eventual heart failure.
- Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: Underdevelopment of the optic nerve in one or both eyes.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A condition in which a fetal blood vessel does not close at birth, causing a heart murmur and leading to heart failure.
- Peripheral Vestibular Disorders: Causing head tilt, circling, and rolling at birth or shortly thereafter.
- Persistent Right Aortic Arch: A disorder of the esophagus that causes a puppy to regurgitate solid food. It may be surgically corrected.
- Pituitary Dwarfism: Caused by a deficiency of growth hormone. Results in lack of permanent teeth, retention of puppy coat, abnormal skeletal growth, and many other disorders.