Allergies in a German Shepherd. German Shepherd: diseases inherent in the breed and their symptoms

I.B. Bogdanova, “Feeding dogs”, 2004

Normally, the body has the ability to distinguish between foreign substances necessary for life and foreign substances that can cause harm to the body. That is why, for the most part, animals and people are able to normally tolerate various food products included in food. However, in some individuals tolerance is more selective: some foods are not recognized and cause abnormal reactions.

The cause of an allergic reaction can be food products, some plants, insect bites, some medications, etc. Among food products, protein, protein-polysaccharide, protein-lipid, and other complex protein compounds can have allergenic properties. Food dyes are also dangerous for allergic animals. Often strong broths are a source of trouble for both the animal and its owner. For example, the reasons for the development of an allergic reaction in the body may be:

intolerance to milk or feed enriched with cereals (due to a deficiency of certain enzymes, such as lactase or amylase);
a reaction caused directly by the ability of some products or their components to immediately, without prior preparation, trigger an inflammatory process (for example, histamine in some low-quality products);
Excessive fermentation in the large intestine, leading to the release of toxic substances (for example, poorly cooked meat products).

In food allergies, almost every component commonly found in a dog's diet can cause this condition. The most common allergens are chicken, beef, fish, veal, milk, cereals, and soy. The majority of allergic dogs—60%—react to at least two different proteins. Moreover, only some animals give an allergic reaction to this particular type of product. For example, some dogs can absolutely safely eat wheat porridge, while in others it causes allergies. Sometimes this reaction is not constant, but periodically occurs only in combination with some additional factors. It is impossible to predict in advance what could cause an allergic reaction in a particular dog.

The reason why one particular animal reacts inadequately to the entry of any food component into its body has not yet been clarified. Most often, food allergies are expressed by a reaction of the skin and fur: the skin may turn red, flake, or itch; wool falls out and thins. Somewhat less often, allergies are manifested by disorders of the digestive system, and even less often by edema or attacks of bronchial asthma.

However, fortunately, allergic reactions are quite rare. According to French experts, only 10% of dogs are prone to this disease. Not all animal breeds are equally susceptible to allergic reactions. However, there are breeds for which food allergies are a scourge. These primarily include exotic breeds that appeared relatively recently - Shar Pei, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, etc.

Allergic reactions sometimes occur and develop very quickly, so the owner must take appropriate measures very quickly.

Sometimes the symptoms of an allergy coincide with the symptoms of a food intolerance: the latter is accompanied by the same symptoms as a food allergy, but does not affect the immune system.

Symptoms

Allergies are expressed differently depending on the degree of development of the disease. This may include difficulty breathing, severe itching, rash, and redness of the skin. There may be thin discharge from the eyes and nose, and increased urination and bowel movements. The gums take on a bluish tint. With more serious manifestations of an allergic reaction, swelling of the mucous membranes and sometimes other parts of the body appears.

With anaphylactic shock, which in some cases is an extreme manifestation of an allergy, difficulty breathing can develop into suffocation, and swelling can become very severe. All these signs can take on a threatening form and lead to respiratory arrest and cessation of cardiac activity.

Sometimes food allergies are less pronounced and more protracted, lasting for months.

In order to correctly diagnose a food allergy, it is necessary to link the observed symptoms to the specific type of food ingested by the animal. To do this, it is most reliable to resort to the method of feeding a known “hypoallergenic” diet, which will be discussed in detail below.

First aid in case of an allergic reaction

It is advisable to immediately exclude the effect of the allergen, although it is very difficult to identify it, and “immediately” refers rather to the area of good wishes.
In severe cases, diphenhydramine or suprastin should be administered intramuscularly; in mild cases, suprastin, diazolin, diprazine or another antihistamine should be given in tablets.
In case of cessation of breathing and cardiac activity, it is necessary to act as recommended for cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest.
If the animal is in serious condition, you need to give it a comfortable position and provide access to fresh air. If vomiting is observed, the oral cavity should be emptied of vomit.
Give a subcutaneous injection of cordiamine and focamphocaine sul.
Inject intramuscularly dexamethasone, dexona or hydrocortisone (for anaphylactic shock).
If the symptoms do not disappear within 15-20 minutes, the injection of the antihistamine should be repeated and an injection of ascorbic acid and immunofan should be given.
If the disease is protracted, calcium chloride is prescribed orally - 1-5 tablespoons per day. To make it convenient to give this drug (very bitter), calcium chloride can be diluted by half with milk and a little sugar added. Dogs, as a rule, willingly drink such a “cocktail”.
If the disease is long-lasting, you can give a weak decoction of the string instead of water, and wipe the animal with a stronger decoction or make wraps by soaking the fabric in the decoction, or rinse with it.
For itching, hydrocortisone spray has worked well. If there is no branded drug, you can prepare it yourself by mixing 350 ml of water, 80 ml of alcohol, 50 ml of glycerin and 4 ampoules of hydrocortisone. Pour into a spray bottle, treat the animal, then rub the applied solution well into the fur.

Some companies produce food for animals with allergies, which includes lamb meat and rice. Of course, such foods cannot be recommended for all animals prone to this disease, since, as a rule, they also contain other products that can cause an allergic reaction.

When treating food allergies, you should first try to identify foods that are not allergens, rather than those that cause allergies. Only by determining the maximum number of products that do not cause allergies can the animal have a normal lifestyle. To do this, it is recommended to switch the animal to a diet consisting exclusively of rice and lamb, which are considered hypoallergenic foods, while excluding all vitamins and mineral supplements. Drinking water should be distilled or at least boiled. You should not give any pieces from the table - sometimes a piece of smoked sausage or cake can nullify your efforts in the fight against allergies.

In parallel with the hypoallergic diet, all of the above measures for the treatment of allergies should be carried out, combining them with external treatment of the animal. In areas that were most susceptible to irritation during the period of exacerbation of allergies, the hair should be cut and treated, alternating with hydrocortisone spray, baccid and baby powder. If the animal scratches in certain places, then you may have to purchase or sew a blanket or light overalls for it that covers all the scratching areas. Sometimes you even have to put socks on your hind legs. Scratching your skin can become a bad habit that is very difficult to break. As a result, irritation no longer occurs from food, but from saliva and scratching with claws.

In 25% of cases, skin manifestations of allergies disappear within 1-3 weeks, in 50% of cases - after 9-10 weeks. When all manifestations of the disease disappear in the animal, that is, the animal stops itching, the skin becomes normal, alopecia disappears, etc., the next stage begins - to finally confirm the diagnosis. It consists in introducing new foods into the animal’s diet one at a time and feeding them for five days. For example, vegetable oil is added to a regular diet consisting of rice and lamb. After five days, they again return to the diet without adding a new product, that is, rice and lamb. If after five days signs of allergy do not appear, then it is considered that the vegetable oil is not an allergen, and a new product, for example, grated carrots, is added to the diet already consisting of rice, lamb and vegetable oil. This diet is followed for five days and then returned to the previous one, that is, rice with vegetable oil and lamb. If within five days after this the animal has not had a reaction to the new product, then it is also included in the diet. And now, to the food consisting of rice with vegetable oil, lamb and grated carrots, they add, for example, stewed cabbage, and the whole procedure is checked again.

New types of foods should be prepared separately, without mixing with already proven foods. Of the meat products, except for lamb (lamb), boiled turkey is considered the least allergenic. If boiled turkey does not cause allergies, then by including it in your diet, you can try introducing porridges from other cereals. After rice, millet porridge is considered the least allergenic. You should cook millet porridge separately and add one teaspoon to the already tested diet. Gradually its quantity is increased, displacing rice. Of course, this is a very lengthy procedure, but if you do everything correctly and do not shorten the time frame for testing a new product, then success is guaranteed: you will outline the range of products that your pet’s body accepts without giving an allergic reaction, and in the future you you can safely include them in your daily diet. Immunological tests, which are sometimes offered to identify allergens, are not always effective.

If, for example, a new product causes skin rashes or allergic itching, it should be permanently excluded from the diet and return to the previous diet for a while until allergy symptoms disappear. When a sufficient number of products have been tested and those that do not cause allergies are selected, they begin to test vitamins using the same principle. You should only start with very small doses of vitamins, increasing their amount in your daily diet with great care. It is necessary to know which vitamins most often cause an allergic reaction. Owners of animals prone to allergies should be aware that vitamin and mineral supplements that contain seaweed and brewer's yeast can be potentially dangerous.

Of the ready-made antiallergic foods, we can primarily recommend Canine diet d/d food, canned food (rice with egg) and dry food (lamb meat with rice).

Food allergy is a condition that is difficult to diagnose. In most cases, we should talk about food intolerance when switching the animal to a different, higher-quality diet avoids trouble.

Recurrent or persistent pyoderma in German Shepherds has previously been described as an often indistinguishable or somewhat unique condition. The disease is characterized by itching (the main symptom) and deep pyoderma, which typically begins in the lumbosacral part of the body. The condition can progress and affect many areas of the body and become a generalized form. In the process of describing the pathophysiology of this characteristic skin lesion, it has not been possible to identify a single factor in all cases of of whom this disease was observed.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

The development of PNO may include factors such as dermatitis caused by flea allergy, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, cellular immunodeficiency and thyroid deficiency. It is assumed that PNO may be hereditary. Sometimes the disease can manifest itself with an unclear nature of origin.

The most commonly isolated bacterial culture in PNO is Staphylococcus intermedius. This microflora may be present as a single pathogenic microbial organism or in combination with other bacteria, including B-hemolytic streptococcus, Proteus mirabilis or the Corynebacterium group

Manifestations

Itching is the main clinical manifestation of PNO. The most commonly affected areas are the peritoneo-inguinal and caudal-medial areas of the thighs.

The initial onset of pruritus may present during the warmer seasons of the year (disappearing spontaneously during the winter months) or may be an ongoing, non-seasonal problem. Dogs with an initial warm-seasonal presentation tend to develop a more permanent, non-seasonal pathology after several years of illness. The extent of the itching often changes as the disease progresses and may involve different regions of the body.

The age of onset of PNO varies greatly, from 3 months to 13 years.

No gender predisposition was identified. Although purebred German Shepherds are most susceptible among dogs, a similar condition can also occur in other breeds.

CLINIC

The most common lesion observed in PNO is clinically similar to the manifestation of an allergic reaction, which is characterized by the formation of weeping, reddened areas on the skin with hair loss and severe itching (such areas are noticed first in the lumbosacral region). As the disease progresses, additional skin lesions may be observed in animal, which include areas of post-traumatic alopecia, hyperpigmentation, papules, pustules, hemorrhagic blisters, ulcers, scabs and open canals, which often contain bloody-purulent discharge.

With this disease, one can clearly judge the presence of chronic deep pyoderma, which is often accompanied by inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue as well as loose connective tissue. Often in this association, regional damage to lymphoid tissue is observed. Less often, general clinical signs include suppurative otitis externa, perianal fistulas, and a sharp increase in body temperature with signs of general impairment.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

During the initial examination of an animal with itching and deep pyoderma, several high-quality deep skin scrapings should be performed to exclude Demodex canis. The exclusion of demodicosis is an important diagnostic sign in dogs of all breeds with a deep form of pyoderma.

Cellular count (CBC) and blood chemistry results are usually normal or may show signs of chronic infection associated with PNO. Findings include increased serum globulin levels, as well as mild leukocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia. In addition, CBC and chemical analysis should be done to evaluate the presence of metabolic disorders (hyperadrenocorticism, thyroid deficiency, diabetes mellitus) that may cause chronic or recurrent deep pyoderma in various dog breeds.

Urinalysis results may show the presence of proteinuria, which is thought to be due to an immunological reaction and manifests as glomerulonephritis in response to the presence of a bacterial antigen that causes

deep pyoderma. Administration of appropriate general antibiotics to these dogs will resolve the proteinuria as noted by repeat urinalysis.

CAUSE AND SENSITIVITY OF BACTERIAL CULTURE

To correctly select the most appropriate antibiotic for adjuvant treatment, the bacterial culture and its sensitivity must be obtained from dogs suspected of being affected by PNO. This testing is important because many of these dogs have previously been treated with antibiotics (antibiotic resistance often develops), skin infections are deep (bacteremia and septicemia can develop), and the duration of antibiotic therapy at the start of treatment usually lasts at least 6-8 years. weeks and the doctor must be convinced of the correctness of the chosen medicine for the treatment of this pathology.

Specimens for culture should be collected using a sterile swab placed deep into an aseptically prepared purulent tract or into the core of biopsied tissue (usually a section of skin approximately 6 mm in size taken for tissue culture). The doctor must order that samples be examined for the presence of aerobic, anaerobic microflora and fungi.

Infection in the presence of anaerobic microflora or fungi (especially sporotrichosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis) can simulate the clinical manifestation of deep pyoderma caused by aerobic microflora.

HISTOPATHOLOGY OF SPECIMENS

Histopathological evaluation of biopsy specimens most often shows the presence of a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction, folliculitis

and furunculosis. When using special dyes to evaluate the material being examined, the presence of microflora or fungi in the affected tissues can be detected.

When diagnosing PNO, it is necessary to exclude all other possible causes of deep pyoderma in any breed of dog. Then the diagnosis is established in the presence of a characteristic clinical manifestation, the result of a skin biopsy and pathogenic microflora, which shows the presence of S.intermedius

with or without the growth of additional aerobic or anaerobic microflora.

TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS

After all laboratory tests have been completed, the patient should be treated with systemic antibiotics, selected based on the sensitivity results of the isolated microflora. The antibiotic should be used in an appropriate dosage and frequency of application (as shown in the table below)

Cephalksin 33 mg/kg every 12 hours or 22 mg/kg every 8 hours

Erythromycin 11 mg/kg every 8 hours

Clindamycin 11 mg/kg every 12 hours; Amoxicillin-clavunate 13.75 mg/kg every 12 hours

Omethoprim-sulfadimethoxine 55 mg/kg once daily, then 27.5 mg/kg/day

Trimethoprim-sulfadiazine 30 mg/kg every 12 hours

The most appropriate antibiotic, as shown by most of the tests performed, is cephalexin, used every 8 hours in the appropriate dosage (data based on the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora).

The affected areas of the skin should be trimmed to remove any remaining fur (especially areas with tufts of hair); then the dogs should be bathed using medicated shampoos based on benzoyl hydrogen peroxide (2.5% -3%) or 2% -4% chlorhexidine solution. Once applied to the skin, the shampoo must be left for 10 minutes before rinsing the animal.

The initial stage of treatment will usually last for 4 weeks, then the dog will be examined again. The duration of use of the selected antibiotic is the absence of remission of the disease within 2 weeks after cessation of treatment. As a rule, this requires a minimum of 8 weeks. After 4 weeks from the start of therapy, there is a noticeable improvement in the extent of skin lesions, while minor itching remains. The degree of scratching after this time noticeably decreases compared to the initial state. Medicines that can mask the degree of itching (such as glucocorticoids) should not be used, and the nature of the degree of persistent itching should be assessed throughout the entire period of the disease.

When a reduction in the degree of scratching is achieved, therapy is carried out over the next 4 weeks, while continuing to bathe in medicated shampoos 2 times a week. If unbearable itching persists during this period, the dog may be prescribed antihistamines to minimize the itching.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT WITH ANTIBIOTICS

The response to antibiotics helps in identifying the causes of disease that may be present. At the next study, after 8 weeks of treatment, the most noticeable resorption of the deep pyoderma, while maintaining constant scratching. If the most typical irritative regional tumors are the lumbosacral, inguinal-abdominal, caudal-medial thigh area, hip joint area, the presence of dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to fleas must be included in the causes of the disease. In this case, enhanced anti-flea treatment is carried out. Often, intradermal tests using flea antigen are an aid in diagnosis.

If predominant scratching is detected in the face, groin, armpits, paws, food allergies or atopic dermatitis are most often the reasons for the persistence of itching.

If the animal's initial evaluation history shows that pruritus and pyoderma began as a non-seasonal problem, feed allergy or atopic dermatitis is the suspected diagnosis.

To assess food allergy, it is necessary to recommend home-prepared food (if the dog’s main diet consisted of industrially produced food) for 8 weeks. When the itching “goes away”, it is necessary to evaluate the foods previously fed and further transfer the dog to food similar in composition to home-prepared food. If the presence of itching does not respond to changes in feeding, the physician should recommend an intradermal aeroallergic reaction test to check for the presence of components that cause itching in non-seasonal atopic dermatitis.

If the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is confirmed, then treatment is also carried out using a specific water allergen

CONCLUSION

Although dogs with PNO may have similar clinical presentations, the causes of the disease may vary. The combination of diseases associated with PNO varies from case to case. The approach to treating PNO requires a systematic and complete examination of the animal in each individual case.

Once diagnosed, specific treatment must be carried out with aggressive use of antibiotics and therapeutic bathing. If the response to treatment is poor, additional causes of the disease should be taken into account.

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Very often, our little brothers may suffer from inflammation of the dermis followed by a rash. This disease is defined as dermatitis and is considered one type of allergy. Oddly enough, but dogs have a greater predisposition to dermatitis than people.

Symptoms of dermatitis in dogs

Main warning sign Dermatitis is a constant itching, as a result of which severe scratching appears on the animal’s skin, up to the formation of wounds. But a sign of itching can be an indicator of many skin diseases, so you can’t focus only on it, because you can suffer from false treatment.

Dermatitis is a disease whose symptoms do not depend on the cause. There are certain signs that indicate the presence of the disease. These include:

local elevated body temperature;
the affected areas begin to turn red;
the dog may become bald as the hair begins to fall out rapidly;
formation of blood crusts as a result of capillary bleeding;
areas affected by dermatitis begin to hurt;
swelling and itching;
inflammatory swelling;
scratches turn into ulcers.

From the signs we can conclude that the disease is complex and causes severe suffering to the animal. If the owner does not begin timely treatment and does not contact a veterinarian, the outcome can be quite disastrous for the animal.

Why does dermatitis occur in dogs?

There are a number of factors that can influence the development of the disease:

The disease is distinguished by the reason that provoked the allergic reaction in the animal.

Treatment measures begin at the first suspicion of dermatitis, because advanced stages can lead to serious complications - swelling of the skin, bleeding ulcers, hair loss.

The disease is mainly treated with antiseptic agents. Depending on the type of dermatitis, the veterinarian determines the necessary course of treatment. Self-medication of the animal in this case is excluded.

For atopic dermatitis in dogs, treatment requires identifying and eliminating the allergen.

Preventive actions

To prevent the development of dermatitis in a dog, it is necessary to treat the animal carefully and take it to the veterinarian for routine examinations.

Basic rules of prevention include:

treating wounds or any other injuries with antiseptics;
proper treatment of any disease with drugs that do not cause allergies or have dangerous consequences.

Video about dermatitis in dogs

Dermatitis is considered a serious disease that causes severe discomfort to the animal. You can learn about the features of flea dermatitis in dogs from a video that will familiarize the owner in detail with all the problems of the disease.

If your dog is suspected of having dermatitis, you should not put off going to the veterinarian; the disease can progress and lead to complications.

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In recent years, more and more often we hear from dog owners about approximately the same symptoms of irritation, itching, restlessness, and problematic skin rashes, which are either observed constantly or occur intermittently during lulls. At the veterinary clinic, the unfortunate animal receives a disappointing diagnosis, which he has to fight with incredible efforts. So, atopic dermatitis in dogs is a chronic disease characterized by itching, skin rashes, and dry skin. The basis of this disease is a pronounced increased reaction to allergens that affect the animal’s body. Research by Russian and foreign scientists has shown that the manifestation of atopic dermatitis in a particular dog is caused by a genetic predisposition.

This insidious atopy: who suffers, symptoms, causes

This disease most often occurs in young individuals (1-5 years) and is diagnosed in 10-15% of the entire dog population. There are breeds that are more susceptible to this disease than others:

Labrador
boxer
German Shepherd
Shar Pei
Dalmatian
fox terrier
English bulldog
american bulldog
French Bulldog
Dogue de Bordeaux
Golden retriever
Cocker Spaniel
Irish and English setters
beagle
dachshund
miniature schnauzer
chow chow

Clinical manifestations of the disease in dogs are usually as follows:

Hyperpigmentation
Lichenification (thickening of the skin)
Erythema (redness of the skin)
Alopecia (baldness)

Areas most commonly affected by atopic dermatitis

A significant sign of atopy is considered to be frequent relapses of otitis and pododermatitis (the animal’s paws are affected, up to the occurrence of lameness).

Sometimes the dog's itching is so severe that it can even injure itself. The four-legged friend begins to behave restlessly, scratch, lick problem areas, which are: the area between the toes, paws, in the groin and armpit area, on the face, around the eyes, and the outer ear. Your pet's coat may be oily, and the skin may be scaly and flaky.

Depending on which allergen the pet’s body reacts to with the appearance of atopic dermatitis, the disease can manifest itself throughout the year or for several months with intervals of relative calm. Such allergens may be:

Pollen
Fungal spores
Trees
Grass
Flea excrement
House dust
Human epidermis, etc.

In addition to manifestations on the skin, against the background of atopy, the dog often develops conjunctivitis and other diseases.

How is the diagnosis made?

Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis by a veterinarian can cause some difficulties, since its clinical picture is similar to other diseases and many veterinary hospitals have a weak diagnostic base. Therefore, great importance is attached to a conversation with the animal owner, who should answer all the veterinarian’s questions as fully as possible. Information about the animal’s behavior during periods of relapse will allow the doctor to collect a high-quality anamnesis and prescribe adequate treatment. During such a conversation, the age of the animal at which signs of atopy began to be observed is revealed, the presence of this pathology in the dog’s closest relatives is determined, the seasonality of the disease and its relapses are clarified, and the animal’s type of nutrition is asked.

Diseases for which differentiated diagnosis is carried out:

Allergy to flea bites
Feed allergy
Contact dermatitis
Scabies
Drug rash
Malassezia dermatitis, etc.

The next point in the algorithm for diagnosing a disease in an animal is a clinical examination and laboratory recognition of an associated infection and associated disease:

A scraping from an animal's skin is examined under a microscope.
Clinical tests of stool, urine, blood are taken
Blood serum is analyzed for biochemistry
Fungal culture analysis is done
An endocrinological examination of blood serum is performed

In addition, a special strict elimination diet is prescribed for at least 6 weeks (ideally 12 weeks). This is an important event, for which the owner of the animal is entirely responsible. In this way, food allergies are detected or excluded.

Based on the data obtained, the veterinarian refutes or confirms the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis.

Treatment Options

Atopy in dogs can be treated over a long period of time and in a complex manner. Taking into account the fact that the disease is chronic, the necessary procedures to cure the disease will accompany the pet for the rest of its life.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs can be carried out over a course of 3-6 months by carrying out hyposensitization, i.e. immunotherapy. In almost 60-70% of sick animals, such measures completely eliminate itching. This immunotherapy is carried out by subcutaneously injecting the identified allergen, gradually increasing its concentration and taking into account the medical history plus allergy testing.

Also, to alleviate the general condition and reduce itching, a suspension of prednisolone is sometimes prescribed intramuscularly or subcutaneously for a short period of time.

To avoid relapses of conjunctivitis, otitis, and dermatitis, antibacterial and/or antifungal therapy is carried out. A course of antibiotic treatment is prescribed for 2-6 weeks. The minimum time period for such treatment is a week. List of antibiotics that can be used in the treatment of atopy in dogs: Cefaclor, Oxacillin, Amoxiclav, Cephalexin, Cefuroxime, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, etc. They are usually introduced into the body of a sick pet 2-3 times a day according to the recommended dose prescribed by the doctor.

Along with them, systemic antifungal drugs can be used: Flucostat, Rumicosis, Nizoral, Orungal, Diflucan, etc. They are administered orally 1-2 times a day, not as directed by you, but as recommended by a veterinarian. With such a disease, it is very important to seek help from a competent specialist, because self-medication can be disastrous for your four-legged friend.

Antibacterial and antifungal agents that are used for local treatment:

In the form of ointment or cream: Triderm, Travocort, Pimafucort, Nistaform
In the form of ear drops: Aurizon, Candibiotic
To cleanse the skin and also moisturize it, you can use shampoos: Sulfoden, Mikohex, etc.

To restore the skin and coat, multivitamin supplements are used for a course of at least 10 weeks.

Clear coordination between the dog owner and the veterinarian will certainly lead to remission of the disease, but it is extremely important to understand the scale of the upcoming physical and material costs for which it is worth preparing. You must be informed of these costs by your doctor.

Dynamic monitoring and forecasts

Subsequently, the pet should be observed by a doctor every 2 weeks. It is possible more often, as well as before each start of a course of therapy. The doctor assesses the dynamics of the development of the pathology, the condition of your pet, the success of treatment and the advisability of continuing it, and identifies reactions to the medications used. When the condition returns to normal, visits to the doctor will be less frequent - approximately once a quarter, or even six months. Blood and urine tests must be taken at each appearance.

Usually, atopy in dogs does not pose a threat to the life of the animal, but sometimes, with severe forms of the pathology, the animal has to be euthanized. If the disease is not treated, relapses will occur more frequently and be more severe. In very rare cases, spontaneous recovery from atopic dermatitis may occur.

Always carefully monitor the behavior of your dogs, and remember: we are responsible for those we tamed.

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The mite that causes sarcoptic mange is scientifically called Sarcoptes scabiei. The tick and its larva gnaw into the skin, forming a kind of “tunnel.” This is why ticks are difficult to detect. The duration of the life cycle is 21 days. Outside the dog's body, the tick dies within a few days.

Treatment is carried out using various external insecticides, special baths, and also medication.

If a dog is diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, the disease can spread to humans. If itching appears on your hands or other parts of the body that may have been in contact with the dog, you should definitely consult a doctor. It must be said that it is much easier to cure a person than your four-legged pet.

The demodicosis mite is called Demodex Folliculorum. For a long time the disease was called red scabies. It begins as small dry patches on the head, upper body and limbs. When scratching, the dog tears these places until they bleed, hence the name. There are usually so many ticks that diagnosing the disease is not difficult. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult to treat diseases. If the dog's condition is very bad, then the prognosis is disappointing. Previously, such dogs were definitely euthanized; now the animals are being treated, but this process is very long and labor-intensive. The mite can travel through the lymphatic system, spleen and other organs, and can also be encapsulated at rest in the hair roots. These "banks" of mites are the reason why treatment may not be successful.

When treating long-haired dogs, they must be cut so that the medications reach the entire skin. Taking baths with medicinal solutions is very useful both for killing mites and for restoring damaged skin. Additionally, other medications are used. Treatment usually occurs within a few weeks. If all the doctor’s instructions are strictly followed, then the prognosis is favorable, and the owner should not be upset.

Microsporia

DERMATOPHYTOSIS, called microsporia, is a fungal disease skin caused by Microsporum or Trichoptyton fungi. It is similar to a fungal disease that affects people's feet. In approximately 70% of dog cases, the culprit is the fungus Microsporum canis, which emits a green glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. About 10% of dogs are affected by Tricophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypsum affects about 20%. All three fungal diseases are also dangerous for humans, so owners must be very careful when treating their dog.

An ultraviolet lamp is used to diagnose Microsporum; other species can only be determined using laboratory cultures. Previously, the diagnosis was made based on typical locations, but it is still most accurate to carry out laboratory tests.

Treatment is carried out with the help of medications Grizeofluvina, Nizoral, as well as taking baths and treating the skin with special preparations. Long-haired dogs must be cut, the places where the dog is kept are disinfected, old bedding and toys are eliminated in order to limit the spread of infection to people and secondary infection of animals.

Pyoderma

This bacterial skin infection. Microorganisms infect the skin by burrowing into the deep layers of the skin. Most often it is staphylococcus, as well as streptococcus. External infection appears around the anus and on the thighs. It spreads to the head, lips, nose and interdental spaces. Puppies develop so-called dark spots on their faces. Pyoderma lata is an infection that affects the outer and inner layers of the skin, as well as the hair roots.

Even seriously ill dogs recover if the treatment is thorough. The condition of the dog is of great importance. For treatment, antiseptic agents and medicated bathing are used, after which antibiotic powders and emulsions are used. All procedures must be carried out strictly as directed by the doctor, only then the fight will be successful.

A severely advanced infection is dangerous for the animal, as the dog may develop abscesses, causing anemia and a strong increase in the number of white blood cells. Abscesses need to be opened and drained; baths with hot water and disinfectant soap help fight the infection. Tests need to be done to see which antibiotics may affect the infection. The disease can be treated over many months with injections; radiation can also be used, but this should only be done by a specialist. In all cases, everything must be done to prevent the dog from injuring the infected areas, using an Elizabethan collar, tranquilizers, and a bandage.

Allergic dermatitis

An allergy is a specific reaction of antibodies (anti-allergic substances in the dog's body) to allergens (substances to which the dog is allergic), resulting in the release of histamine, which causes inflammation by reacting with blood particles.

A delayed allergic reaction occurs in cases where there has been contact with various, even the simplest chemicals. The allergy manifests itself within one to three days after contact.

Eliminating the source of the allergy;
The use of medications that block the allergic reaction. In cases of an allergic reaction, antihistamines (tavegil, suprastin) are used, but they do not always help. Corticosteroid drugs (prednisolone, etc.) that suppress inflammation are widely used;
External therapy with ointments and lotions, baths to eliminate the infection, cold compresses on the sites of insect bites immediately after the bite help;
Use of various new vaccines developed against specific forms of allergies.

You yourself can give antihistamines and make compresses, but do not self-medicate and be sure to consult a doctor!

Skin problems caused by hormones

The most common hormone allergy is called Acanthosis Nogricans. Other hormone-induced allergies are related to hormone-induced illness or psychological trauma.

With this allergy, dogs develop dark skin pigmentation in areas where hair is lost, especially on the toes, chest, belly and hind legs. Bare areas are symmetrical. Dachshunds most often suffer from this type of allergy. As the disease progresses, the skin becomes scaly and oily, and a specific odor appears. The treatment is complex - both injections and tablets are used. Baths using anti-dandruff shampoos (Nizoral shampoo) help restore the skin, eliminate unpleasant odors and calm the dog.

The next hormonal infection is Hyperestrogenisen, which is caused by increased secretion of estrogen in the body. The disease affects male dogs who develop tumors on the testes, as well as unmated female dogs over 5 years of age. As a result of allergies, bitches develop inflammation of the uterus. Testosterone hormones help, but surgery may also be necessary. Most often, bitches get sick in late pregnancy, as well as while feeding puppies, the cause is both hormonal changes and feeding. Great importance is attached to the condition of bitches, especially when feeding puppies.

Hyperfunction of adrenaline causes a disease, as a result of which hair falls out on the sides and front of the body in the form of spots. Hypergonadism causes hair loss on the tail and legs.

Seborrhea

A skin condition that affects the entire body but is most visible on the ears, face, neck, shoulders and base of the tail. The skin becomes scaly and oily, the dog does not itch much, but it smells unpleasant. The treatment uses a complex of vitamins (A, B, D), amino acid preparations, as well as corticosteroids and estrogens. Dogs are washed with a special soap to improve their skin and remove odor.

Summer dermatitis

Also called “summer eczema”, “seasonal dermatitis”. Usually associated with the season, but if the dog gets sick once, the dermatitis is repeated, and every year they begin in earlier spring and end in later autumn, they can become chronic and last a whole year. The disease begins suddenly and progresses quickly, usually affecting the tail and back, which become covered with bleeding wounds and become inflamed. The animal scratches and bites the sore skin and continues to injure it. Wounds can become infected with various bacteria, in which case a cocktail of diseases appears.

The cause of this disease is still an open question. A number of causes have been cited as causative agents, but they are symptoms rather than a simple disease. Different doctors have different theories about the causes of allergies, but most often all possible pathogens are not taken into account, namely:

sensitivity to hot and damp weather,
fleas,
food allergies,
grass pollen,
poison of the ephea plant,
food oversaturated with proteins and fats,
bacterial infection,
other allergens,
sunburn.

There are reasons that cause complications in dermatitis: trauma, secondary infectious disease, other skin diseases. Many of the above-mentioned reasons have not yet been fully investigated; there is no scientific basis for them, but in practice there are cases when allergies are caused by one of the above-mentioned factors. It is very difficult to ascertain the cause of the allergy, since, for example, a bacterial infection is considered secondary, or perhaps primary, and dermatitis develops on its basis. Treatment is based on three rules:

exclude self-medication,
find out and diagnose the cause of dermatitis,
treat sore skin by relieving itching.

Self-medication uses corticosteroids, which mainly eliminate itching. Still, the most important thing is to determine the source of the dermatitis. It is imperative to carry out preventive measures against fleas - using both flea histamine antigens (the drug "Frontline") and various aerosols, powders, etc.

Summer wet eczema

It begins abruptly and spreads widely within a couple of hours. Most often it is accompanied by a bacterial infection. The dog is very itchy and quickly chews its skin. The dog may have a fever, vomiting, and enlarged lymph nodes. Bald spots are wet and yellowish in color. Therapy must be started immediately, using anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, the hair from the affected area must be shaved and treated with hydrogen peroxide, then appropriate medications intended for skin allergies must be used. Most often, this disease occurs in dirty, unwashed dogs.

Lick granuloma

This is chronic dermatosis, a chronic condition that affects the dog's back and paws. The causes of the disease are not clear, the disease is difficult to treat. Corticosteroids are used, but the most effective method is radiation.

Solar nasal dermatitis

It is most often called “collie nose,” as collies, shelties, and their mixes most often suffer from this disease. The reason is too much exposure to direct sunlight. The nose and muzzle recover in winter, but the disease returns in summer. Ointments and painting with a black pencil help the animal partially, a tattoo helps even better, but this is usually not done at an early age.

Interdigital cysts

Occurs between the toes of dogs, usually the disease recurs. Veterinarians fight this disease both surgically and medically.

Granulomas

The cause of the appearance is a foreign body that has entered the skin. Treated surgically, antibiotics are used after surgery to prevent bacterial infection.

Tumors

Tumors (abscesses) form in the skin of dogs. According to rough estimates, 80% of them are benign and most often appear in older dogs. Old dogs most often develop warts on their skin, which are not dangerous.

Wen also appears more often in older dogs. They are widespread but usually not dangerous. Hard boils are common in Cocker Spaniels and Irish Terriers. The reason is heredity and how regularly dogs are washed and groomed.

An anal adenoma is an abscess that forms around the anus. A bleeding ulcer usually forms. Castration helps. More common in older Cocker Spaniels.

A separate group consists of sarcomas, carcinomas and other malignant tumors, most often affecting Boston Terriers and Boxers. Surgery is required, and a significant area of healthy skin must be removed. Radiation helps, but in any case the prognosis is cautious and often unfavorable.

Used materials:

LKF Bulletin No. 3/4 2001

ko-mne-muhtar.blogspot.ru

German Shepherds are one of the most common breeds of dogs chosen for keeping at home and serving in law enforcement agencies. Graceful and stately animals are distinguished, unfortunately, not only by high intelligence, devotion and endurance, but also by a tendency to many hereditary and common pathologies of pets. Before purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, the owner is advised to study the symptoms and treatment of diseases characteristic of this breed.

How to tell if your German Shepherd is sick

A healthy pet has a moist nose, dry, clean eyes and ears, smooth, shiny coat, good appetite and activity; vigorous puppies are cheerful and able to frolic for hours with their beloved owner.

You can tell if your pet is sick by the characteristic signs of the disease:

changes in appetite - refusal to feed or constant hunger, accompanied by progressive exhaustion or rapid weight gain;
change in thirst - refusal of water or increased thirst;
indigestion - absence or decrease in the amount of feces, dry or liquid feces, vomiting, mucus and blood in the stool;
change in activity - weakness, depression, lethargy or excessive activity, aggression;
impaired coordination of movement - difficulty walking up stairs, inconsistency of movements, weakness or failure of the limbs;
changes in urination - rare, frequent, painful urges and acts of urination, the presence of impurities and blood in the urine;
change in breathing - shallow, rapid, heavy breathing with coughing, sneezing, wheezing, whistling;
external changes - the appearance of salivation, mucous, purulent or bloody discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth, urethra or vagina, dishevelment and hair loss, the formation of scratches, cracks, ulcers, wounds or swelling on the body.

If you notice one or more of the symptoms listed above, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Important!!! Only qualified specialists should treat diseases of German Shepherds; there are many deadly pathologies that require immediate specific treatment. Pets can infect the owner's family with dangerous infectious diseases: tuberculosis, rabies, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, helminthiasis, dermatomycosis.

Diseases of German Shepherds

Dog diseases are divided into infectious and non-infectious pathologies.

Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases most often affect puppies or unvaccinated adults. Rabies, parvovirus enteritis, canine distemper, leptospirosis, adenovirosis, and helminthic infestations can cause the death of a young pet. Infectious hepatitis threatens the development of irreversible degenerative processes in the old age of your beloved pet. The best prevention against infections is timely deworming and vaccination of the animal.

Non-communicable diseases

Among non-contagious diseases, the following pathologies are usually found in German Shepherds:

musculoskeletal system;
digestive and nervous systems;
ears and eyes;
skin diseases.

The descriptions of the symptoms of different diseases sometimes coincide; it is highly not recommended to independently diagnose and treat your four-legged friend; such therapy is fraught with aggravation of the health of your beloved dog.

Elbow or hip dysplasia

Joint pathologies are characterized by the destruction of articular elements, bone and cartilage tissue.

The causes of diseases are:

heredity or obesity;
lack of vitamins;
excessive physical activity at a young age.

Hind limb dysplasia

Diseases manifest themselves:

lameness;
weakness of the paws;
rapid fatigue;
limb failure;
The clinical picture is observed in puppies at 4-6 months and in adult animals.

What to do about dysplasia?

The choice of treatment method depends on the stage and advanced stage of the pathology; the dog is prescribed a course of chondroprotectors, painkillers and vitamin preparations or surgical intervention using arthroplasty, osteotomy and installation of prostheses.

Cardiomyopathy

Myocardial pathology, accompanied by structural changes in the heart muscle. It occurs in adult and older German Shepherds over 5 years of age. The causes of cardiac disease are:

heredity;
infectious diseases;
unbalanced diet;
lack of vitamins and excessive exercise.

Cardiomyopathy manifests itself:

weakness;
rapid fatigue;
shortness of breath;
cough;
rapid breathing;
pallor of the mucous membranes;
blue extremities.

What to do with cardiomyopathy?

Treatment of the pathology consists of prescribing cardiological, vitamin and diuretic medications in compliance with a diet and gentle regimen.

Paresis of the pelvic limbs

Paresis is a limitation of limb mobility; the causes of the disease are:

inflammatory or degenerative processes;
injuries and neoplasms in the spinal cord or brain.

In German Shepherds, paresis of the pelvic limbs is most often caused by lumbosacral radiculitis, which is observed in middle-aged males. Symptoms of the disease are:

fast fatiguability;
involuntary urination and bowel movements;
instability, unsteadiness of gait, limb failure.

Limb failure in a German Shepherd is a sign of a disease such as paresis

What to do with paresis of the pelvic limbs?

Treatment of the pathology is aimed at eliminating the cause and relieving the symptoms of the disease; the sick dog is prescribed hormonal, painkillers, vitamins, diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. If therapy is not practical, the specialist suggests euthanizing the animal.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

German Shepherds have a genetic predisposition to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, characterized by insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes and impaired nutrient digestion. The disease in a sick dog manifests itself:

diarrhea;
progressive exhaustion;
growth retardation;
coprophagia;
deterioration in wool quality.

What to do with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?

In case of pathology, the pet is prescribed a course of pancreatic enzymes, antisecretory and vitamin preparations.

Atopic dermatitis

Skin pathology in German shepherds is caused by heredity and the breed's genetic predisposition to the disease. Atopic dermatitis is an allergic dermatological disease characterized by severe itching, rashes and dry skin. The disease occurs in young animals aged 6 months to 3 years due to the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to external allergens, which can be dust and flour mites, plant and tree pollen, mold spores, epidermal particles different animals. During the season of exacerbation of an allergic reaction, a sick dog itches and chews itself. Rashes appear on the skin of the extremities, muzzle and anus, dry skin and hyperpigmentation are observed, and otitis media often occurs when a secondary infection occurs.

Atopic dermatitis

What to do with atopic dermatitis?

The disease is considered incurable; once a diagnosis is made, the owner must monitor the health of the shaggy pet throughout his life, using hormonal, immune-stimulating, vitamin and antihistamine medications as necessary. Immunotherapy has proven itself well in the early stages of the disease.

Epilepsy

German Shepherds are prone to idiopathic or congenital epilepsy. Although pathology in a dog can occur due to:

Before an epileptic seizure, a dog experiences:

anxiety;
salivation;
convulsions are accompanied by muscle spasms, throwing back the head;
involuntary bowel movements and urination.

Convulsions are replaced by depression or increased agitation of the pet.

What to do if you have epilepsy?

The pathology is incurable, the sick dog requires constant monitoring with emergency assistance; anticonvulsant and vitamin medications are used for treatment along with a special diet.

Eosinophilic panostitis

Eosinophilic panostitis, or intermittent claudication, is a bone disease that occurs in German Shepherd puppies between 6 and 12 months of age. In pathology, the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue; the causes of the disease have not yet been elucidated. German Shepherds have a genetic predisposition to bone pathology, the disease goes away by 12-15 months. A sick pet has:

damage to one or more limbs;
lameness occurs;
pain when moving;
increase in general body temperature;
refusal of food;
weight loss.

What to do with eosinophilic panostitis?

Treatment of the pathology is based on the use of painkillers, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Conclusion

In addition to the listed pathologies, the following diseases occur in German Shepherds:

Diagnosis of disorders and treatment of shepherd dogs should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist; the prognosis of many diseases directly depends on the timeliness of the dog owner’s visit to the veterinary clinic and competent therapeutic measures. Annual preventive examinations, proper nutrition, moderate exercise and attentiveness of the owner are the key to good health and long life of your beloved four-legged friend.

The German Shepherd breed is genetically predisposed to a number of diseases. Therefore, when purchasing a German Shepherd, it is better to immediately study all the information about diseases. They can be hereditary or acquired during life.

It is important to study the issue in advance so as not to panic, no matter what the cause of the illness arises. We talked about it in detail in this article.

Some diseases of shepherd dogs cannot be detected with the naked eye. But there are also quite understandable external signs. If the dog is playful and active, then this is the behavior of a healthy dog. Shiny fur, absence of pus in the eyes and ears - problems that are visible upon visual examination. Therefore, it is quite easy to notice emerging health problems.

One of the methods for determining health is the nose. It is usually moist and cool to the touch. But a dry, hot nose is not always a sign of malaise. This is how it remains after the animal sleeps or overheats on hot days.

An indicator of a German's health is an excellent appetite. If a dog eats with appetite and eats everything, while defecating regularly, then it is healthy.

Symptoms of the disease in shepherds usually have external manifestations:

apathy;
hair loss;
the presence of bald areas;
lack of appetite;
dry nose;
cloudy eyes;
pus on the ears.

Often a sick shepherd dog stops responding to its name, preferring to lie lethargically in the far corner. In this case, you need to show the dog to the veterinarian - after all, these are all signals that your pet is unwell.

Many German Shepherd diseases that are not diagnosed in time can be irreversible. Read our article about how and what to feed your German Shepherd correctly.

Learning to determine in advance

Responsibility for the health of the pet lies entirely with the owner. It’s not enough to just look after your dog, you also need to be aware of his health. The Shepherd is a family pet that spends a lot of time with people. A good owner will notice immediately if something is wrong.

The prerequisites for the disease can be determined at a young age, which will help prevent it. If your puppy has vomiting or diarrhea, this is a digestive system disorder. A dog gets food poisoning if it drinks water. Even if a young shepherd is very lethargic after a walk, you should think twice and take your pet to a veterinary hospital.

Preventive measures

Diseases in puppies are easily prevented by timely vaccinations combined with attentive care. Preventive vaccinations for this breed begin when they reach the age of 2 months.

The vaccination is given only to healthy dogs. Therefore, within two weeks, puppies are checked for worms and given preventive treatment. If a disease is detected during the inspection, then all vaccinations are postponed until the animal has fully recovered.

Primary vaccination is carried out in two stages:

The injection is administered immediately after reaching 2 months of age.
The next one is done strictly after the complete replacement of baby teeth.

Revaccination is carried out annually. In this case, female German shepherds are vaccinated 30 days before mating. Several months are added to the period of repeated revaccination if the heat was less than a month ago.

Disease Prevention

German Shepherd diseases and their serious symptoms are preventable. When buying an adult dog, you need to make sure that you have a vaccination certificate. There will be detailed information about the vaccines already given and which ones still need to be done. A young puppy should not be taken outside if it was purchased unvaccinated. You need to get a vaccine, and only after this pet.

It is recommended to record the dog’s medical history in order to correctly diagnose the disease in the future. This will allow you to exclude some diagnoses during testing, starting timely treatment for exactly the disease that was detected.

Main diseases in the German Shepherd

Demodicosis

Symptoms:

severe itching (causes the dog to itch);
areas of redness;
hair loss.

The severity of the disease and the prevalence of mites in a dog is determined by the number of bald spots. Point location - there are less than 5 such areas, more - this is already an extensive process.

In advanced cases, the temperature drops to 36-37 degrees, the dog becomes apathetic and loses appetite. Treatment is carried out strictly under the supervision of a veterinarian, it is aimed at destroying the tick and restoring the dog’s immunity.

Otodectosis

Otodectosis is another common ailment of the German Shepherd. Mites living in the dog's ear can cause otitis media. Determining the disease is quite simple: the shepherd often scratches its ears with its paws, they are hot to the touch and with pronounced swelling. Another cause of otitis may be secondary infection and improper care. For example, lack of ear cleaning. But if there are crusts and sores on the ears, then this is an obvious mite infestation.

Fleas

The German Shepherd is also susceptible to them, despite proper maintenance and care. . Infection most often occurs from other animals on a walk.

Signs of fleas are very obvious:

the animal is constantly itching;
gaps in the coat are visually visible;
Weeping skin eczema develops.

You can see fleas, as they say, with the naked eye. You can help your dog get rid of them with the help of specialized medications. In severe form - if there are ulcers on the skin - you need to consult a veterinarian for serious treatment.

Diseases requiring surgical treatment

Some diseases can only be treated surgically, especially if the primary signs of their development were missed. As a result, the disease is abandoned, bringing the pet to the operating table.

Tympanitis in a German Shepherd

Tympanitis is a volvulus of the intestines, the treatment of which must be carried out urgently. The accumulation of gases in the stomach leads to obstruction of the blood vessels - they are compressed, and peritonitis begins to develop. The main predisposition factor is a wide chest.

The reasons for the appearance mainly lie in improper and excessive nutrition. The processes of fermentation and decomposition of food begin in the stomach. Gases gradually accumulate.

Primary signs:

the upper part of the animal's abdomen swells;
the stomach is tight, when pressed it makes a dull sound;
copious amounts of saliva;
hard breath;
inability to vomit.

The shepherd dog suffers from the accumulation of vomit, so belching often occurs. In a critical condition, the dog's gums change color to blue or brown. Help is needed urgently.

Treatment of tympanitis is carried out in two stages. First, veterinarians insert a special tube into the anus to facilitate the release of gases. Afterwards they give an enema, which allows you to cleanse the intestines of accumulated feces. In especially advanced cases, treatment is exclusively surgical; medications cannot correct this problem.

Perirectal fistula of a German shepherd

Another disease that can only be treated surgically. The disease is caused by infectious inflammation of the glands. This is facilitated to a greater extent by the low position of the tail, since in this case pieces of feces and moisture accumulate. As a result of their constant accumulation, the glands become clogged and the process of inflammation begins literally under the tail.

Main symptoms:

pain during bowel movements;
blood in a drop;
constipation or diarrhea;
fecal incontinence;
smell of pus;
lack of appetite.

It is worth noting that it will be uncomfortable for the shepherd to sit, and it will wag its tail less due to pain.

Treatment

Preventative measures include trimming the hair in the anal area, washing the dog and holding its tail up. When an inflammatory process occurs, antibiotics are prescribed, and the damaged area is washed with antiseptics.

In fact, the only way to treat the disease is surgical excision of tissue. Complete circumcision of the fistula tracts is performed without damaging the sphincter. If the procedure was not carried out carefully enough, then the risk of relapse will increase with age.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory process in the bones or bone marrow, provoked by a bacterial or fungal infection. There is a distinction between acute and chronic inflammation, which occurs as a result of injury to other parts of the body.

Main reasons:

Open fractures.
Orthopedics, such as joint replacement.
Penetration of foreign bodies into an open wound - for example, a sliver of wood when wounded.
Infectious diseases.

Osteomyelitis may also not be an independent disease, but a secondary symptom of periodontitis, rhinitis, otitis and other ailments.

Germans are a common breed of working dogs, so gunshot wounds are another reason. It can provoke an inflammatory process.

Symptoms:

soreness (the dog whines when moving);
swelling appears at the joints of the shepherd dogs;
fever;
apathy.

The shepherd dog may suddenly begin to limp, it will gradually develop muscle atrophy, and purulent formations will appear. At the first signs of illness, you should immediately take your dog to a veterinary clinic.

Diagnostics:

Diagnostic methods include ultrasound, X-ray and taking fluid for biopsy. A histological examination is carried out.

There are two treatment methods - conservative and surgical. Drug therapy is carried out with antimicrobial antibiotics and antifungal drugs.

Surgical treatment most often involves removing dead tissue. In some cases, this is complete or partial amputation of limbs.

Panostitis

An autoimmune disease particularly common among German Shepherds. The main symptom is sudden lameness. In addition, fever, refusal of food and water, and weakness are characteristic. It appears only before 18 months of age. Read also the article about the German Shepherd.

The disease usually goes away on its own after two years of age. Before this age period, the puppy suffers from lameness, so non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed as treatment. As a preventative measure, limit physical activity and adjust weight.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the nervous system that is genetic in nature. Appears as a result of the development of dysfunction of a part of the brain. Secondary causes are head injuries, infectious diseases, poisoning. It is quite easy to confuse the manifestation of seizures with ordinary convulsions, which are the only symptom of the disease.

A sick shepherd cannot be cured, but seizures can be corrected. For hereditary epilepsy, drugs aimed at suppressing the nervous system and anticonvulsants are usually used. For secondary epilepsy - drugs to improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure. If the dog is in severe pain, a heavy painkiller is prescribed. Treatment of this disease is prescribed and carried out only by a veterinarian.

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM)

DM is a progressive neurodegenerative disease leading to paralysis of the paws. At the first stage, there is asynchrony of movement, lack of coordination, followed by ataxia of the lower extremities. The duration of the disease, even with treatment, is only 3 years. The last stages are characterized by paralysis of all limbs. The disease is hereditary.

Diagnostics

Since the clinical picture is similar to other diseases, degenerative myelopathy is diagnosed last, by performing an X-ray examination and ultrasound of the spine. This way, all other similar diseases are excluded; the last measure is a tissue biopsy.

There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy.

Anal furunculosis

A chronic disease characterized by ulcerative tracts around the anus. The disease is caused by an infection of the anal glands. In the first stages, small fistulas appear, which develop and merge with each other.

Causes:

There are no exact reasons for the formation of fistulas. A possible cause is a multifactorial immune process. Also, abnormal structure of the dog’s anus, accumulation of feces, infection.

The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

discomfort;
frequent licking in the anal area;
diarrhea;
unpleasant odor;
coming out pus.

Treatment is carried out in two stages. Drug therapy uses immunosuppressive drugs, it is recommended to follow a diet and maintain hygiene. Surgery is required only to remove necrotic tissue.

Hemophilia

One of the common diseases of German Shepherds. It is characterized by a violation of the blood clotting process during spontaneous gene mutation. A dog will bleed easily even from a simple scratch. The disease is hereditary.

Characteristic symptoms:

muscle swelling;
enlargement of joint capsules;
bruises.

The disease can suddenly kill an animal if bleeding occurs in the abdominal cavity. Such an animal must be monitored and protected.

There is no cure, but vascular tamponade, plasma transfusion, and wound lavage can be used to stop bleeding.

Pancreatic insufficiency

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has non-specific symptoms:

chronic diarrhea;
coprophagia (the dog eats its own feces);
change in tastes;
presence of blood in the urine;
weight loss;
flatulence.

The coat becomes dull, but the shepherd does not show anxiety. The cause most often is acinar cell atrophy, which occurs spontaneously.

Treatment consists mainly of preventing clinical manifestations. Once the diagnosis is made, enzyme therapy is used.

Bloating and gastric volvulus

They are acutely developing pathologies that require urgent surgical treatment. Otherwise called tympanitis.

Features of the disease

The shepherd shows nervousness, salivates heavily, and has the urge to vomit. The abdomen swells, pain appears, causing the animal to whine. Shock appears: shortness of breath, the oral cavity turns pale.

Bloating in a dog is treated by inserting a tube to help the gas pass out. However, surgery will still be required; this is just a temporary measure, since the gases will accumulate again.

Hip dysplasia

A genetic disease characterized by abnormal development of the hip joint. Particularly common among German Shepherds.

External environment

As a rule, all animals are born with normal joints. Dysplasia is inherited and manifests itself with age, directly depending on environmental factors.

Overweight

There is a direct connection between the development of the disease and excessive weight gain in puppies. Protein synthesis is one of the causes of dysplasia.

Physical exercise

The hip joints of a dog predisposed to the disease should not be subjected to increased stress.

Symptoms of the disease

As a rule, they are as follows:

lameness of the hind limbs;
fatigue;
unsteadiness of the shepherd's joints.

Characteristic sign: The dog often crosses its hind legs.

Diagnosis of the disease

The most objective method is radiography. To do this, complete immobility of the shepherd's pelvis is ensured, for which general anesthesia is used.

Treatment options

The choice of treatment method depends on the degree of joint destruction. Two main methods are used: therapeutic in the initial stages and surgical in late development.

Necessary prevention

Prevention consists of a balanced diet, weight correction and culling of individuals with dysplasia from breeding.

Elbow dysplasia

Similar to hip dysplasia, it is an inherited disease that causes destructive changes in the elbows.

Symptoms of the disease

Signs appear in a German Shepherd puppy, after which they develop evenly. Most often this is lameness after active running or standing still. When moving, a crunching sound is usually heard. In old age, such a shepherd will limp constantly.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis of hip and elbow dysplasia is no different.

Treatment options

The choice of treatment also depends on age-related changes in the joint. In young individuals, the therapeutic method is used; at a later age, only the surgical method can be used.

Infectious diseases of puppies

Parvovirus enteritis

A viral disease characterized by several pathologies: dehydration, acute enteritis and myocarditis. Typical diseases are divided into cardiac and intestinal forms. The virus is contained in DNA and is transmitted through the mouth and nose, for example, by licking.

The main cause of infection is contact with a sick animal.

Symptoms are mild:

vomit;
discharge of pus;
bruises on the skin;
weakness.

In this case, there is a high risk of death.

Treatment is carried out solely on clinical grounds. Antiemetics and broad-spectrum antibiotics are used against infection. A balanced diet is prescribed.

Infectious hepatitis

An acute contagious disease caused by a mutated DNA virus. Characteristic of young shepherd dogs up to nine months.

Symptoms:

The sick animal is depressed, practically does not move and has no appetite. In addition, the shepherd constantly vomits bile and blood, and there is diarrhea. Fever sets in quite quickly and breathing quickens. There is increased secretion of mucus in the oral cavity and digestive system, damage to the liver and nervous system, and eye diseases.

Treatment

Complex therapy is carried out. The dog is isolated from the apartment into a warm room, where it is given complete rest. To preserve vision, the room must be darkened. Feeding is carried out with light vitamins and protein feeds. Additionally, immunotherapy is carried out, aimed at strengthening immunity and natural resistance to the disease. Immune treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian.

Distemper or canine plague

A deadly disease characterized by diarrhea, cough, and fever. There is also a lack of appetite, visual impairment and purulent eye diseases. There is no treatment, the only thing that can be done is to vaccinate against the plague in time.

Cestodoses

These are diseases of shepherd dogs caused by tapeworms of the cestode class. They develop and pass with the help of intermediate hosts - ticks. Sexually mature helminths are formed in the intestines 40-50 days after infection.

There are acute and chronic courses of the disease. They are both characterized by intestinal disorders and perverted appetite. Vomiting and diarrhea often appear.

Treatment

The causative agent of this disease in the German Shepherd is flat helminths of the class of flukes, which have a leaf-shaped body. Clonorchiasis is a type of helminth that mainly affects carnivores. The carrier's body has an allergic-toxic effect. Appetite disturbance and weight loss are noted. Digestion is upset, constipation and diarrhea often occur.

Treatment is carried out exclusively by a veterinarian. For clonorchiasis, hexichol and polytreme are often used. Anti-worm medications must be mixed with food. a gentle diet is prescribed.

Nematodes

The disease is caused by helminths from the class of roundworms. Mostly young animals from 20 days to 3 months are affected. The main signs are emaciation, anemia, diarrhea.

There are several varieties:

Toxocariasis- the German puppy is stunted, losing weight, and his stomach is swollen. Convulsive seizures occur occasionally. Appetite is weakened and vomits frequently. Infection through food and water.
Dirofilariasis- dogs get tired very quickly, shortness of breath, cough, blood appears in the urine and vomit. Nervous seizures and temporary paralysis of the limbs are typical. The carrier is mosquitoes.
Toxascariasis- severe exhaustion, paler oral mucosa, digestive system disorder. Infection occurs through the external environment: water, other animals.
Uncinarium- loss of appetite, constant constipation, weakness. Infection through the skin or mouth.

Treatment is carried out with anthelmintic drugs in combination with immuno-supportive therapy. When determining clinical symptoms, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, since it is almost impossible to determine the type of nematozoa on your own.

Non-contagious diseases of puppies

Rickets

The disease is common in puppies. It is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium, as well as their inability to absorb them in the body. The development of teeth is delayed, and characteristic marks are formed on the ribs. The joints become knotty and swelling is felt. The dog suffers from physical pain when moving.

Treatment is with growth vitamins and extra calcium. For pain, shepherd dogs are prescribed painkillers. Therapy against rickets must be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Hernia

Umbilical hernia affects German Shepherds often. This is a congenital problem, but can sometimes develop from increased physical activity. Characterized by a soft, mobile swelling. Treatment is only surgical, so you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Obesity

Excess weight in dogs is a serious disease that has a lot of consequences: fatigue, heart disease, diabetes. The animal must be fed in a balanced manner, following a diet. Contacting a veterinarian is required only if the clinical picture worsens.

Osteochondrosis - joint disease

This is a serious disease characterized by degeneration of cartilage tissue. The joints of the hind legs are most often affected first. , after which the disease can reach the spine. Main symptoms: decrease in muscle volume, joints enlarge, the animal hardly moves.

The necessary treatment is prescribed according to the age of the shepherd, the severity and state of its health. Drug therapy is aimed at combating inflammation, pain relief, and promoting cartilage regeneration. At an early stage, the disease can be treated with analgesics; sometimes it is enough to adjust the diet and the tissues will repair themselves. Advanced cases are treated with surgical excision of tissue.

Lack of vitamins, hypovitaminosis

Avitaminosis is a lack of vitamins, and hypovitaminosis is a pathological condition of their deficiency. There are two types: exogenous (lack of essential vitamins) and endogenous (impaired absorption).

Clinical picture:

lack of appetite;
apathy;
growth problems in puppies;
hair loss;
weakness in the paws;
thinness appears.

Often, a lack of vitamins in puppies leads to the development of rickets.

Treatment is taking a deficient vitamin. For this purpose, clinical tests of the animal’s blood are carried out.

Excess of vitamins - hypervitaminosis

Hypervitaminosis is the exact opposite of vitamin deficiency; there are more than enough vitamins in the body. Moreover, their overdose causes problems with the heart and other internal organs.

Clinical picture:

fatigue;
tremor of the limbs;
swelling;
loss of appetite;
stomach upset;
constant thirst.

Treatment consists of eliminating all vitamins from food.

Conclusion

Proper care and care for your pet will avoid the development of most diseases. Ongoing preventive maintenance will prevent your German Shepherd's existing conditions from getting worse. And, most importantly, be sure to contact a veterinary clinic if alarming symptoms appear.

Diseases of German Shepherds, video

Skin diseases in dogs are becoming more common today. The reason lies in many aspects: improper and inadequate nutrition, deterioration of the ecological atmosphere of the air, a sedentary lifestyle, crossing with infected individuals. Often skin diseases in animals manifest themselves as hereditary predispositions to skin diseases.

Types of skin diseases in dogs

If there is the slightest change in the dog’s hair, contact a veterinary clinic to carry out the necessary tests and make an accurate diagnosis of the disease. Here are some common skin diseases in dogs. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of the disease

If skin diseases appear in dogs , symptoms are divided into 3 groups.

Excruciating itching, in which the dog scratches the body until there are abrasions and scratches.
The appearance of new growths on the skin: plaques of different sizes and colors, warts, blisters. On the damaged body of the dog, peeling and redness of the skin develops, which turns into baldness.
If the damaged areas of the skin get infected or get microbes, the dog’s skin becomes inflamed, swollen and festers.

Skin diseases in dogs are dangerous for animals and humans. It is important to provide timely medical care to your pet.

Treatment of skin diseases

Selected simple diseases of dogs and skin diseases can be cured at home.

The home flower, aloe, has healing properties. Aloe juice applied to the dog's damaged skin will relieve itching, discomfort and burning sensation. It’s easy to squeeze aloe juice yourself or buy a ready-made product at the pharmacy.

Herbal decoctions have similar effects: chamomile, calendula, echinacea. The drugs reduce pain in the dog, relieve inflammation and eliminate microbial suppuration on the skin.

These drugs are used exclusively in the initial stages of the disease. If complex skin diseases are observed in dogs, treatment is carried out in a veterinary clinic. Before prescribing medications, the doctor is obliged to conduct a full diagnosis of the suspected disease, take appropriate skin tests and blood tests, and remove scrapings from the dog’s skin. After determining the exact diagnosis of the disease, effective treatment is prescribed.

An accurate diagnosis of the disease cannot be made solely by visual examination. It will be necessary to conduct laboratory tests on the dog's hair.

If a doctor, after looking at a dog, immediately prescribes medications, the dog cannot be treated under the guidance of such a doctor. Remember, improper treatment can lead to the death of the animal.

Preventive measures

Dog diseases are often associated with improper maintenance and care. It is necessary to fulfill simple conditions so that the pet remains healthy and alert.

Don't let your four-legged friend suffer, remain a responsible owner.