Common Health
Concerns in the Great Dane Dog Breed
The Great Dane is prone to the following
major health conditions:
Gastric Torsion - Gastric Torsion is
a medical condition in which the stomach
becomes overstretched by excessive gas
content. It is also commonly referred
to as bloat, gastric torsion, and gastric
dilatation-volvulus (GDV) when the stomach
is also twisted.
Cardiomyopathy - Cardiomyopathy, which
literally means "heart muscle disease,"
is the deterioration of the function of
the myocardium or heart muscle.
Osteosarcoma - Osteosarcoma is a malignant
bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is common in
large breed dogs. The Great Dane is pron
The Great Dane is prone to the following
minor health conditions:
Canine Hip Dysplasia - Hip dysplasia
is an abnormal formation of the hip socket
that, in its more severe form, can eventually
cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis
of the joints. It is a polygenic trait,
that is affected by environmental factors
in the production of the final phenotype.
It can be found in many animals and occasionally
in humans, but is most commonly associated
with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds,
particularly the larger breeds.
Wobblers Syndrome (Cervical Vertebral
Instability) - Wobblers Syndrome is the
abnormality of neck vertebrae causing
rear leg incoordination or paralysis.
Osteochondritis Dissecans - Osteochondritis
Dissecans is a joint disorder in which
cracks form in the articular cartilage
and the underlying subchondral bone. Osteochondritis
Dissecans usually causes pain and swelling
of the affected joint which catches and
locks during movement.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy - Hypertrophic
Osteodystrophy is inflammation of the
bone growth plates during periods of rapid
growth common in large breeds, resulting
in lameness.
Hypothyroidisim - Hypothyroidism is a
condition in which the thyroid gland does
not make enough thyroid hormone. Early
symptoms: Being more sensitive to cold;
Constipation; Depression; Fatigue or feeling
slowed down.
The Great Dane occasionally has problems
with the following health conditions:
von Willebrand's Disease - von Willebrand's
Disease is a condition where you have
defective blood platelet function resulting
in excessive bleeding, caused a by a deficiency
in clotting factor.
Cataracts - Cataracts are opacities in
the lens of the eye, which can cause blindness.
Entropion - Entropion is the inversion
of the eyelids, so that they roll inward,
often irritating the eye.
About the Author:
Logan Winters is a long time dog owner
and horseman, provides content for for
Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net
and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net
leading portals for pet management.
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