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by Baldursmom on 19 February 2009 - 19:02
Further, this is a disease that can show up after an animal is breed and unknowingly pass on the trait.
I think ear and dentation issues can be easily fixed as they are easily observed and thus can be avoided. As mentioned above, they affect the look of the animal, not the true function.

by 4pack on 19 February 2009 - 20:02
I could care less about soft ears, those are on the outside and easily avoidable, easy to get away from with thoughtful breeding.
How many of these issues can really sneak by unnoticed until a dog is over 2yrs of age?
DM, I know usually hits in midlife 5-13yrs, no tests. No way to get around this one yet guys as it sets in too late in life, ater breeding has already taken place. I'd say this is orobably our biggest worry then.
EPI 1-5yrs? Wouldn't you notice if your dog had a squirelly stomach that never seemed to get better for any length of time? Can be tested for but I'm assuming nothing will show until the dog shows signs, nayone know if I'm wrong on that?
Hemo dog...I'd know before adulthood if my dog was a bleeder, they play rough and get bruises, bumps and cuts all of the time. Also can be tested for as was already stated by another poster.
MegaE, that ones not getting by me either, I'd notice if my dog regurgitated his food or water frequently. Anyone know when the symptome start? Birth, 1yr, 5yrs?
Cauda Equina/ TVS, dogs seem to have symptoms, can be palpated, X-rayed and scanned I hear. Probably can happen at anytime in life, jst like us humans getting a back or nerve problem. Nothing more you can do than not breed a dog you know has symptoms.
Bloat/torsion, no tests can happen at any age but you can have your dog stapled to avoid, if you are that paranoid.

by Baldursmom on 19 February 2009 - 21:02
With my EPI dog (and most likely the reason I am passionate about it), we saw no symtoms till he was over two other than a bought with diareaha after his one year shots, we did a course of anitbiotics and rice and beef dinners for a week and it was gone. He went full blown at 2.5 years and went from a healthy 95 lbs down to 72 is three weeks and went through a lot of testing before we found a vet that knew what it was.
With DM, I have seen several dogs loose use of the back legs overnight. This was in Am Breeds back in the '80's. They were all working security patrol jobs and if I remember correctly, three of them came down with it in the 8 years I worked there. All were given a course of pred. and ultimatly put down.
With EPI, it is treatable, but expensive.
So I guess DM in view of the fate of the animal is the worse.
BTW, a freind of mine just had a working line gsd die with hemophilia. This pup was a replacement for one that had Mega E.
You must have some great lines, I appauld you if all your issues are limited to ears and teeth! Congrats, you win!
by mobjack on 19 February 2009 - 21:02
Uber Land is right about the fertility issues as well. Do we want our breed going the way of the English Bulldog?
....some problems are worse than others...ears and dentition not so big a problem. As july9000 pointed out we can SEE those. And quite a few of the lines that carry those problems are known. Same with bloat, coats, etc.
4pack you did hit the nail square on the head when you said people need to quit being so hush hush about all this stuff. I got your point, I was just using what you said as a perfect example not a criticism. I was the same as you, and love this board cause I learn something new every day.
Cheers all!

by Uber Land on 19 February 2009 - 21:02

by Renofan2 on 19 February 2009 - 22:02
I have had 2 friends gsd's diagnosed with DM and it is horrible. I hear many more diagnosis of epi, but at least that can be managed. In both cases the symptoms can show up after a dog was bred, so I think these are both a severe threat to the gsd.
Cheryl
by Wildmoor on 19 February 2009 - 23:02
RE: DM there is now a test, although I have only heard of 1 WG Showline with this hes 10 1/2 and in Europe (not UK)
RE: EPI in the UK I havent again heard of any WG showlines with this, if anyone knows any different you can let me know, although I do hear of hundreds from those that breed for Obedience competitions and as pets.
Bloat, I have never had a dog with this in 27yrs or in family GSDs before this.
I believe the worst is hemangiocarcinoma as it affects all lines.

by Renofan2 on 20 February 2009 - 14:02
I have seen EPI in all lines.
Cheryl

by Ryanhaus on 20 February 2009 - 14:02
I haven't had any problem with those major health problems, and as for fertility,
I always can expect between 8 to 13 in a litter, and when I breed my females they
have pups.
As far as I'm concerned, all my dogs including the Labs I breed are what I like to call, "Wash & Wear"
They just go to the vet for updated shots, or to be certified hip & elbows, other than that, once in awhile
someone , usually a young pup eats something that they're not supposed to, and out comes the hydrogen
Peroxide 3%, or if someone has swelling from a cut or bite from playing too rough out comes the benadryl,
I think if you look real hard.............and go to the vet and act worried about what your dog could possibly have
wrong with him or her, your vet will come up with sum' tin!
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