Main Health Concerns with German Shepherds and How to Monitor Them

Known for their loyalty, intelligence, and loving nature, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds. But they aren’t only pets, they’re family, and like any cherished family member, they sometimes need extra care. As with any other breed, it has specific health issues that can arise during its lifetime… So on this article, we’ll explore the main health concerns with German Shepherds.

Timely education about them can make all the difference in the quality of the dog’s lifestyle. And to help owners deal with and monitor their dog’s overall health, the Maven Pet Health Monitor comes into play!

But what is the Maven Pet Health Monitor? 

This smart collar tracks your pet’s activity levels, habits, and overall pet wellness. Imagine it as the smartwatch of the pet world!l It gives you live updates so you stay updated with your dog’s day-to-day habits, such as how long they sleep, how much they move, and other useful insights.

Health Concern #1: Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is one of the main health concerns with German Shepherds. This is an orthopedic condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop adequately, causing it to become loose. Over time, it leads to pain, reduced mobility, and arthritis. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this condition can arise from two factors:

• Genetics: puppies that have parents with hip dysplasia are more prone to develop it and
• Environmental: rapid weight gain and inappropriate exercise can lead to improper hip development.

The AKC has some recommendations for how to keep this condition at bay:

• Choosing a reputable breeder that screens their dogs for this condition, to try and reduce the genetic risk of passing the condition.
• Healthy weight levels – Excess weight can strain the joints and cause or worsen it in already diagnosed patients. 
• Providing a proper sleeping bed
• Joint-friendly exercise – Excessive movement can overload the joints. Joint-friendly exercises, such as swimming and controlled walks, are easy to implement.

Maven’s pet smart collar can be a big help in the early detection of hip dysplasia. With its ability to track your dog’s activity levels, it identifies reduced movement. Its rest monitoring option can note if any restlessness happens during nighttime. Both of these could be signs of pain in the joints. Maven’s data collection can provide valuable insights for your vet when diagnosing HD.

Health Concern #2: Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Another main health concern for German Shepherds is Degenerative myelopathy (DM), a progressive spinal cord disease. It’s characterized as a slow-progress disease. It is common in middle-aged to older German Shepherd dogs. DM begins with subtle symptoms that in other cases wouldn’t be a cause for concern, such as:

• Dragging one foot for a short time
• Having a wobbly gait
• Clumsiness

As the illness progresses over time the dog’s hind legs become weaker. If left untreated, it can lead to complete paralysis.

The AKC recommends genetic testing, as there is a hereditary factor. This illness has no cure, so early detection and medication are crucial. Maven comes into play with its possibility of tracking your dog’s activity and comfort levels. Also, all the data about your Shepherd activity will be open to access on your phone, where you can track and look for changes in certain periods. If there is a change, it could serve as a reason to visit the vet.

Health Concern #3: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also called bloat is another main health concern in German Shepards This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food and twists, cutting off blood flow to vital organs. Without immediate treatment, GDV can be fatal.

The CHF recommends a few lifestyle changes as a method of prevention of GDV:

• Smaller meals, which the dogs eat throughout the day.
• Limited movement, especially exercise, after a meal.
• The usage of appropriate feeding tools, such as an elevated feeder.
• Recognizing risk factors, such as your dog’s anxiety levels and family history.

Maven can aid in detecting early indicators of GDV. By monitoring German Shepherd’s health stats, such as lethargy or discomfort alongside tracking their respiratory rate in real time. An increased respiratory rate is a common sign of distress caused by GDV. In life-threatening scenarios, its ability to detect early changes serves as a fast alert. This increases the chance of a positive outcome.

Health Concern #4: Allergies (Skin and Food)

Another common German Shepherd health problem is being prone to allergies. These allergies can cause itching, hair loss, digestive issues, and even skin infections.

The first step in preventing an allergic reaction is finding the cause. This is easier said than done. Most veterinarians recommend alternative methods, that aim to keep the allergy in check. One method is providing a balanced diet with food that doesn’t contain common allergens. Other methods are using hypoallergenic shampoos and maintaining your home’s hygiene.

Maven helps in detecting a possible allergic reaction using its behavior monitoring option. It will detect increased movement, such as scratching and licking. Changes in daily activities and sleep also help in detecting an allergic reaction.

Health Concern #5: Arthritis in Senior Dogs

As German Shepherds age, they may experience joint degeneration which is a common follow-up condition of untreated hip dysplasia. Its medical term is arthritis. Dogs with arthritis experience stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. 

There are many ways of preventing arthritis from an early age, but the CHF recommends:

• Providing supplements that support joining health from an early age.
• Low-impact exercise, such as limited jumping and running, and maintaining a proper weight and
• Regular vet visits 

So, how does Maven Pet Health Monitor help in preventing German Shepherd health issues? As we mentioned many times, it’s an activity tracker alongside its sleep tracker. Any changes in their activity levels or sleep disruptions can cause the onset of worsening joint pain. Regular monitoring is crucial to keep your senior pet’s overall well-being. 

Conclusion

An understanding of the main health concerns with German Shepherds is essential in keeping them happy. Recognizing early signs is a big step in ensuring the dog’s longevity.

Mavens Pet Health Monitor serves as a practical solution as it can prevent most German Shepherd health issues! It can be a valuable tool for tracking changes in their behavior, activity, and sleep. This aids in early intervention and vet visits which mean a lot in the long run.

So what are you waiting for? Take the next step and ensure your German Shepherd’s well-being. Maven’s monthly subscription and smart collar are a perfect way of ensuring that!

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Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.