Common Diseases in the German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a dog breed originally bred for herding, though today it's a guard and companion dog. Strong, furry, and solidly built, along with its great intelligence and loyal personality, it makes an excellent companion.

If you're thinking about adopting one, you need to know the common conditions that tend to affect the German Shepherd, so you're prepared and, if they show up, able to spot and treat them in time.

Skin Conditions in German Shepherds

German Shepherds tend to be prone to the following skin conditions:

Mange

Your German Shepherd can suffer from two types of mange: demodectic and sarcoptic. The first is caused by the mite Demodex canis, while the second is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei.

Both types of mange cause:

• Hair loss
• Skin redness
• Itching
• Inflammation
• Pustules and ulcers

The most important thing is prevention, and that's why there's currently a wide range of products on the market with acaricidal properties, meaning they're able to eliminate mites found on animals' skin.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis in the German Shepherd can appear due to a genetic predisposition, as is the case with atopic dermatitis, quite common in this breed, which can trigger some of the dermatitis variants we'll mention below, such as bacterial and parasitic types, or ones triggered by poor hygiene or allergies. This is skin inflammation that shows up with these symptoms:

• Hair loss
• Itching
• Skin redness
• Flaking
• Color changes
• External ear infection (also considered a form of dermatitis)

Eye Conditions in the German Shepherd

Among the German Shepherd's common conditions are eye health issues, such as the following:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a genetic condition that can be detected in your Shepherd starting around age 3. It's an increase in eye pressure due to fluid buildup inside the eye.

This pressure increase damages the optic nerves and can leave your dog blind if not treated in time. You can learn more about glaucoma here:

• Symptoms and Treatment of Glaucoma in Dogs

Keratitis

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye, which in the German Shepherd's case takes a characteristic form called pannus.

This corneal inflammation occurs when the patient's immune system mistakenly attacks the eye's own structures (the conjunctiva, or the conjunctiva and cornea). So this so-called "pannus" is considered an immune-mediated inflammation of the cornea.

As a general rule, it starts showing up between ages 3, 4, and up to 7. If your dog has this condition, it will show:

• Signs of pain
• Tearing, sensitivity to light
• Third eyelid showing
• Inflammation

Joint Conditions in the German Shepherd

Despite its strong looks and solid build, the German Shepherd tends to be prone to several joint-related conditions:

Hip Dysplasia

This is one of the common conditions in the German Shepherd, since hip dysplasia has a genetic origin, though environmental factors, or a combination of both, can also play a role. It's a degenerative condition that tends to cause osteoarthritis in the hip joint.

If your pet has it, it will show:

• Pain
• Difficulty exercising
• Limping, stiff legs
• Joint cracking
• Bone loss

Hip dysplasia in German Shepherds has no cure, but it's possible to improve your dog's quality of life and help it manage this condition with a balanced diet rich in joint-protective supplements and low-impact exercise.

Elbow Dysplasia

This is a genetic malformation common in large-breed dogs. It affects the elbow joint and develops as the dog grows. Although hereditary predisposition is an important factor, poor nutrition and exercise unsuited to your dog's age can trigger it.

If your dog has this condition, you'll notice:

• Pain
• Trouble exercising
• Limping
• Stiffness after long play sessions

Catching elbow dysplasia early is crucial for your dog's life. Otherwise, the pain will worsen and limit its movement.

Other Conditions Affecting the German Shepherd

Just like other dog breeds, your Shepherd can contract conditions caused by viruses, bacteria, or various other causes. These are the most common:

Canine Parvovirus

Parvovirus is a disease that can become a cause of death for a German Shepherd, since it's lethal if not treated immediately. It's caused by a virus capable of genetic mutation, making the strain difficult to detect, which slows down diagnosis.

Its symptoms are:

• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Disinterest in play
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody diarrhea

If your dog shows several of these symptoms, see your vet immediately.

Mastitis

Mastitis affects females during lactation. It consists of a mammary gland infection caused by staphylococci. It can occur right after giving birth or from wounds caused by puppies nursing.

Mastitis is painful for your female dog and dangerous for the puppies, since the staphylococci contaminate the mother's milk.

Its symptoms are:

• Pus in the mammary glands
• Signs of pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Rapid breathing, swelling

Gastric Torsion

Gastric torsion, known in English as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), and sometimes simply called bloat, is a condition that frequently affects German Shepherds. It consists of acute stomach distension caused by gas buildup, which can also twist, making it even more serious.

The causes of this condition aren't fully established, though some contributing factors are known, such as eating or drinking quickly and/or in large amounts; doing intense physical exercise right after meals; eating hard-to-digest or gas-producing foods; or swallowing air. It's vital to review its symptoms, given how serious this could be for your pet.

The true cause is unknown, but it seems to be triggered by gas buildup in the stomach. This collapses the circulatory system and causes the arteries in that area to strangle the stomach.

The symptoms are:

• Stomach expansion
• Excessive drooling
• Pain when pressing the belly
• Heart arrhythmia
• Coughing

Gastric torsion is fatal if not treated in time, so we recommend seeing a vet as soon as your dog shows any of these symptoms.