A favorite breed of dog is the German Shepherd. Unfortunately, German Shepherds tend to suffer from certain health problems the way other purebred dogs do. In the following article, we’ll cover some common German Shepherd dog health problems.

Developmental bone and joint disease is a common problem prevalent in young large breed dogs like German Shepherds. Dogs may not exhibit any symptom or may show pain, lameness and reluctance to exercise. Hip dysphasia is characterized by wasting of hind limb muscle.

German Shepherds can also be affected by hemangiosarcoma. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer affecting the lining cells of the blood vessels. This mainly targets the skin, heart, liver and spleen. Symptoms may present as weakness, a distended abdomen, sudden collapse and pale gums.

Another German Shepherd dog health problem is weakness in the hind legs, which manifests itself through a lack of coordination, or by a general shakiness of movement. This can be caused by a slipped disc, or by a breakdown of the bones of the spine, or even of the spinal cord itself.

Insufficient thyroid hormone production or hypothyroidism can be a problem in some of the dogs. Hair loss, obesity, lethargy, cold intolerance and skin infections are some of the symptoms of this disease of the thyroid gland.

Eye problems are another health issue with German Shepherds. If you observe any eye irritations or growths ranging from pink to black in color, this could be a condition called Pannus, corneal inflammation which could damage the dogs eyesight.

Pyoderma literally means “pus in the skin” is is most commonly referred as bacterial infection of skin that is recurring in nature. Usually there will be pus in the area. The immune system deficiency is thought to be the principal cause. Signs and symptoms of pyoderma include scratching, skin redness, pimples, sores, scaps and alopecia in the area. There may pain in the area and some pets may be sluggish and lose their appetites.

To avoid the occurrence of such troubles it is better to confirm that the parents of your new pet does not have any of these German Shepherd dog health problems. Be watchful and get a Vet’s advice immediately if you notice your dog exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above.