Is Your Adolescent German Shepherd Limping?

German Shepherd owners  often complain that their adolescent German Shepherds are limping. This might be something that can be of real concern for the owners! Both panostitis (pano) or hip/ elbow displasia - two most dangerous genetic disorders, can be the cause, although it's not always true.


Panosteitis in the GSD used to be too common, as for some of the other large breeds like Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Labradors, Mastiffs and Great Danes to mention just a few...  With the rising awareness and consciousness, the diseases like displasia, panostitis (also called long bone disease, shifting leg lameness and growing pain disease) have brought under control to a great extent through selective breeding. Not to be confused between the two, dysplasia is caused due to looseness occurs in the the hip or elbow joint(s), while panostitis is inflammation of long leg bones. Although with selective breeding and planned breeding programs the chances of having displasia and pano are very rare these days, but still dogs bred by novice, irresponsible and illiterate breeders can produce progenitors with such disorders. If your young or adolescent German Shepherd is limping or exhibiting signs of pain in his bones, chances are their that s(he) is suffering from the shifting leg lameness. It is essential to check out the other symptoms in order to confirm that your GSD has displastic hip or pano.


Symptoms of Panosteitis in your young German Shepherd

Firstly consider the age... the onset of panostitis in GSD is noticed between 6 to 18 months of ages. However middle-aged German Shepherd Dogs may be afflicted to the condition, though not very common. Other symptoms include:
a) pain is acute and noticed suddenly.
b) pain causes lameness
c) pain gets shifted from one leg to the other.
d) your dog may be reluctant to go walk
e) intensity of the pain can be fluctuating
f) your GSD can suffer loss of appetite
g) your dog may have an increase in the numbers of white blood cells. elevated white blood cell, accompanied with fever and sometimes tonsillitis


Symptoms of Displasia in your GSD

a) displasia - both elbow and hip are caused by deformed joint (looseness) and results in arthritic changes in the joints
b) the mobility of your dog will be compromised
c) cause inflammation, accompanied with joint pain
d) the pain is maximum in the morning at the time of rising
e) your dog will have problem during small jumps
f) your GSD will stop eating, causing weakness


These are the most common and talked about inheritable orthopedic conditions, that are of really issue of concern of you, if your GSD exhibits all or most of these symptoms. After the thorough examinations, the vet may recommend the suitable medication. But the prime most important thing is that, physical exercise or work will worsen up the conditions. However, Hydrotherapy sessions can help your GSD puppy recover from the the hip displasia. Check out the other common genetic ailments in German Shepherds.

You may love to read How Intensive Hydrotherapy Session helped German Shepherd Puppy, Fred to Recover from Hip Displasia

Read more...

Grooming Your German Shepherd at Home

If you are planning to groom your German Shepherd Dog by yourself at home, ther’s nothing like that. Assuming that he is conditioned to grooming that includes bathing, nail clipping, brushing, ear cleaning, it is important to plan a routine work for maintain your German shepherd’s hygiene at home itself. It is better for your GSD and you both to carry on a weekly grooming session for your GSD at home, which may save a good amount of money. You cannot find a professional dog grooming parlor that can offer a satisfactory service at less than $30 per grooming session. Do-It-Yourself Dog grooming for Rover will save you at least $1000 annually. In the down trodden economy, it is worthy enough to think of saving a few dollars.

German Shepherd sheds heavily and throughout the year. Regular (twice a week, if not daily) brushing is highly recommended. Brushing your German Shepherd’s coat will; keep him fresh and free from dead follicles, tangles and mattes.

Problem is if you are not an experienced owner, you might end up with the worst experience in your life if Rover has not been conditioned to grooming, bathing, or nail clipping. Fact remains, no professional groomer will be eager to groom a full grown GSD that has not been socialized and seasoned with experiences like grooming. If he is not well trained and conditioned to such situations, good chance is there that he is going to attack the stranger who’s going to approach him with tools and apparatus. Grooming starts at home and in the early stage. Behavioral grooming is teaching him how to behave in the way desired. Obedience training at the early phase of his life finds the most vital role to play here. Behavioral grooming is the start of all kind of grooming in a dog and especially for large and giant breeds like GSD, Labrador, Doberman, Great Dane, Irish Wolf Hound etc. behavioral training has an immense significance. Check out a few economic tips for German Shepherd grooming

Read more...