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Any breed of dog is going to have its share of health problems and a German Shepherd is no different. Before you bring your new German Shepherd pup home you should discuss potential German Shepherd health problems with your vet and your breeder so that you know what symptoms to look for. You also need to know when certain behaviors are normal for a German Shepherd and when other behaviors may mean it is time to get emergency care for your German Shepherd.

German Shepherds can grow to be pretty big dogs and the bigger breeds of dogs can sometimes experience what is known as elbow or hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the bones do not develop correctly and do not fit together like they are supposed to and this causes tremendous pain for your dog. If you notice your dog having difficulty moving then get it to the vet immediately.

There is nothing more terrifying than watching your pet having a seizure but sometimes it happens and when it does you need to be there for your pet and make sure they get through it okay. Another common German Shepherd health problem is epilepsy and it can lead to seizures and convulsions and potentially death if not treated. Luckily you and your vet should be able to come up with a plan that includes diet changes and medication that can help to deal with this terrible condition.

Your German Shepherd can also develop eye problems. Sometimes they can get cataracts, which are easily removed with surgery just like with humans. In other cases the eyelids may not develop properly or eyelashes may start growing too close to the eyes and this can cause an irritation and infection in the eye. These conditions are all fixed with surgery. So if you notice your German Shepherd having difficulty seeing where it is going contact your vet immediately.

One of the common German Shepherd health problems that affect their blood is a condition called Von Willebrand’s Disease or VWD for short. Dogs with VWD are unable to have their blood clot properly so when they get injured they will bleed much more than they should.

It is similar to the human condition of hemophilia. In some cases you may notice bleeding from the gums or nose bleeds for no apparent reason. If you notice these symptoms get your dog to the vet right away.

A pet is a huge responsibility and it is up to you to find out what types of health issues you may expect when you own a large active dog like a German Shepherd. Sometimes these conditions are developed over time and in other cases they may come on suddenly but if you stay in touch with your breeder and your vet then you can learn to recognize the symptoms of common German Shepherd health problems.

You can help your dog stay healthy and know when it is time to get your dog to the vet for a check up or emergency care.