Common Great Dane Health Problems
As sweet and wonderful as Great Danes are, like all breeds, they have their drawbacks. Its commonly short shelf life is first on the list. A high average is probably seven to eight years, although there are certainly exceptions to this. Many are known to live from nine to twelve years. This is a question to ask yourself when interviewing a puppy breeder. Obviously, their premature deaths are due to some causes. Unfortunately, more than their fair share of health problems are found in this breed. Not all of the problems listed below are life-threatening, but they do seem to occur more often in Great Danes. Thyroid imbalance, cataracts, and Von Willebrand disease are some health issues that breeders are now looking into as well. Ask the breeder what problems they test for. Chances are you’ll never worry about them, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of these health issues when considering a Dane for your family.
1. von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited disorder that prevents blood from clotting. There are different degrees of vWD ranging from clear, genetic carrier to affected. The evaluation consists of a blood test that determines which grade the Dane will fall into.
2. Cataracts
There are many causes for cataracts in dogs, including injury, nutrition, congenital heredity, and genetics. Here we deal mainly with hereditary cataracts. Juvenile or inherited cataracts plague Great Danes. Unfortunately not many breeders detect cataracts as they cannot always be seen with the naked eye. There isn’t much data on this condition in Danes to draw any conclusions, as they may not live long enough to be bothered by cataracts. Cataracts are found in the lens of the eye, the transparent body behind the iris. For the most part, dilation of the iris is necessary to actually see the cataract. It is important that the eyes undergo an annual examination by a certified veterinary ophthalmologist. If the dog passes the CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) test, it is given a number, valid for one year.
3. Thyroid
Thyroid problems consist of an overactive or underactive thyroid. The correct functioning of the thyroid is essential, since it affects many aspects of the dog’s health. A blood test will check the effectiveness of the thyroid. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) will only certify dogs with a normal thyroid. If the thyroid functions abnormally, it often affects the skin condition and causes dry, itchy skin with sparse hair growth. Autoimmune problems are also common, as well as causing sterility in the reproductive system.
4. Panosteitis
Panosteitis is an inflammation of the long bones of the leg that causes lameness. It has been known to move from one leg to the other and usually goes away on its own. If the pain is severe, a visit to the vet is a good idea. It is unknown what causes panosteitis. Most of the time, it shows up between four and eight months of age and usually goes away by the time the dog is two years old.
5. Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is what happens when the joint of the femur bone (the long thigh bone that joins the pelvis) does not fit snugly into the socket of the pelvic bone. Mainly, this occurs because the pelvic cavity is too small to accommodate the femur joint. The dog experiences pain because they do not fit properly, and arthritis often develops as a result. Fortunately, hip dysplasia is becoming rarer in puppies from responsible breeders who regularly screen their dogs for the condition. The evaluation consists of a hip x-ray and OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certification. Unfortunately, many breeders do not check their dogs’ hips and it is they who still have a very high incidence of hip dysplasia in their puppies. Insist that both parents be tested for this condition.
6. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) affects young people during their most rapid growth spurt, usually between four and ten months of age. It is a severe swelling and inflammation of the joints that causes immense pain to the puppy. Often the dog will just lie down and cry because the pain is so intense. The diagnosis is made through X-rays and the cause is unknown. Be aware of HOD, as many vets don’t recognize it when first introduced to it. Treatment is usually successful if detected early and there are several methods of treatment, the most important being pain control.
7. Wobblers syndrome
A disease of the nervous system, Wobblers Syndrome is when the dog has problems with movement. When the vertebrae in the neck form abnormally, pressure is created on the spinal cord. There are various degrees of severity. Some dogs live long and happy lives with the condition, while others are sadly euthanized when young. A loss of coordination in the hind legs is usually the first symptom. It seems as if the dog moves without understanding exactly where his hindquarters are. The problem is more serious when the dog falls while turning. Sometimes, in very extreme cases, the front legs can also be affected. There is rarely any pain associated with Wobblers syndrome.
8. Bloating or gastric torsion
This condition is probably the most common cause of death in Great Danes. Studies have shown that at least twenty-five percent of the Great Dane population experiences bloat. In general, the swelling only occurs when the dog is five years old or older. What actually causes the swelling is still unknown. Many people believe that carefully monitoring what your Dane eats and drinks can help prevent this. The gas fills the stomach and the dog cannot release it. Due to excess gas, the stomach will swell, eventually rotating on its axis and flipping over. This is known as gastric torsion. When this happens, the nerves and blood vessels that go to and from the stomach become blocked. The tissues that function due to these vessels will begin to die and produce toxins which, in turn, will cause toxicity and shock throughout the animal. This very quickly leads to death. It is essential to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible when this occurs. Sometimes getting your dog to the appointment on time just isn’t enough. Often the trauma of the experience is enough to cause heart failure.
To successfully treat this condition, the dog must first be stabilized prior to surgery. By inserting a stomach tube through the mouth, trapped gas can escape. If the tube cannot be inserted due to time or blockage, then they will need to pierce the stomach directly so that the gas can be expelled. Releasing the gas is the only way to stop the deadly effects of gastric bloating and torsion. Once the dog is stable and the surgical team decides that it is safe to attempt surgery, the vet will cut the dog open and perform a procedure that will ensure the stomach can no longer twist, called gastroplegia. Discuss this condition with your vet before any incidence of bloat occurs, as there are several commonly performed methods. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet how familiar they are with performing gastroplegia.
If the stomach is only “tacked up” then it is not a permanent solution. Within six months, the strikethrough will be ineffective. There are more permanent methods to treat this condition. Future gastric torsion is now prevented. However, a bloating episode will always be possible. Some breeders and owners are performing a gastropexy on all female dogs while sedated during spaying, and on male dogs when x-rayed for hip dysplasia, since most vets use anesthesia to take a picture of accurate x-ray. The peace of mind is worth it with the probability that the swelling is so high.
9. Cardiomyopathy
Common in the breed is a condition called cardiomyopathy. This is a heart condition that does not usually affect a dog before three or four years of age. Symptoms you may notice include lack of interest in food, intermittent cough, lack of energy, and exercise intolerance. Watch for swelling in the legs and retching, as fluids sometimes accumulate in the stomach and chest cavity. Unfortunately, once diagnosed, patients with cardiomyopathy are given about three months to live.
10. Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the most common form of cancer found in this breed. It usually affects the long bones of one of the legs. The first symptom is a swelling of the leg and lameness. Osteosarcoma is diagnosed mainly by X-ray. It is important to diagnose this condition before the spread (metastasis) of the cancer occurs. Treatment consists of limb amputation. This is drastic, but the Danes do well on three legs and run as if their leg is still amputated. The factor in this decision will be the age and strength of your dog. Homeowners who have experienced this condition and treatment almost unanimously have no regrets about doing so.
Due to potential health risks in the Great Dane, responsible breeders will evaluate their dogs before making breeding decisions. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) tests and registers dogs for elbow and hip dysplasia, heart defects, and thyroid function. The hip rating will be poor, good, or excellent. They will also tell the owner if the dog is dysplastic. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) will certify the eyes once the dog passes an exam by a Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist. Insist on evidence of these breeder tests to ensure conscientious breeding practices are being carried out and to know that your Dane comes from good breeding stock.
Great Danes grow in one year what people grow in eighteen. During this period of growth, if something goes wrong with metabolism or nutrient assimilation, it most often manifests in the skeleton. Most of these problems are easily managed or prevented with proper nutrition. Ideally, a properly balanced diet that includes all the building blocks for growth should effectively slow this rate of growth. Considering that all of the above problems are overwhelming, there is no reason your Great Dane couldn’t live a long life without any of them. Having a Dane doesn’t always mean there will be trouble!