Every living animal has the potential to experience some sort of health issue in life and your German Shepherd is no different. That is why you need to discuss the symptoms of some of the more common German Shepherd health problems with your vet and your breeder so that you can tell when your animal is in physical difficulty or just exhibiting normal behavior. It is very important to be able to see the early warning signs of some of the degenerative conditions so that you can get your dog the help it needs as soon as possible.

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.

German Shepherds can also develop conditions with their eyes that may need a vet’s attention as well. Sometimes they can get cataracts, which just like with humans, can be treated very successfully with surgery. In other cases your German Shepherd may developed problems with their eyelids or eyelashes that grow too close to the eyes and cause infection. These conditions are also treated with surgery.
In some cases there are dog breeds that can develop the blood condition known as Von Willebrand’s Disease or VWD. VWD is like hemophilia in humans, in that the dog’s blood does not clot as it should and the dog will bleed profusely even with the smallest injury. This is one of the more serious German Shepherd health problems and if you notice your pet with nose bleeds for no apparent reason or if you begin to notice your German Shepherd’s gums bleeding then it could be VWD and you need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.

As a responsible pet owner it is up to you to make sure that you keep track of your pet’s health and that you stay in contact with your vet and your breeder so that you will be able to tell when symptoms may arise. Your pet looks to you for its care and health and if you begin to notice health issues with your German Shepherd then you need to make an appointment to get your dog checked out by the vet as soon as possible.

This article is another great resource for German Shepherd care information. This article will tell you when you may need to get emergency care for your German Shepherd.