Health In the Great Dane
Unfortunately when one trys to fool mother nature, whether it's playing around with size or changing conformation to extremes, she often fights back with problems that affect the health of the animal. Bull Dogs are conformed so that they cannot be whelped naturally due to the breeders insistance on those huge heads. Dachshunds are often affected by back problems due to the unnaturally long back in contrast to the short legs. And then we have the giant breeds who must grow as much in a year as most people do in 18 years. This causes many health problems, usually orthopedic ones. But there are many other health issues affecting Great Danes and any future or current owner needs to be aware of them. To that end we've included the following information.
HEALTH ARTICLES
DEVELOPMENTAL & BONE DISEASES
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy by Jill Swedlow
Growing Pains: Growth Associated Bone Disorders in the Dog , by Pamela A. Davol
Canine Hip Dysplasia: Are Breeders Winning the Battle?
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
CANCER
Cancer In the Canine, by Pamela A. Davol
CARDIAC DISEASES
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: a daunting disease of the heart
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Wobblers Syndrome
This is a FANTASTIC site dealing with alternative treatments that WORK!
Wobblers Syndrome (Spondylolithesis)
Understanding Canine Epilepsy, by Pamela A. Davol
MISCELLEANEOUS ISSUES
Their Own Worst Enemy, by Leslie Crane Rugg, (Autoimmune Diseases)
Learn Animal CPR, by Dr. Feldman
Caring For An Older Dane, by Jill Swedlow
Color & Pattern Associated Disorders In the Great Dane, by JP Yousha
The Immune System, by Jean Dodds, DVM
CANINE HEALTH REGISTRIES
PennHip method of diagnosing hip dysplasia
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Home Page (OFA)
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
LINKS TO OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION
Great Dane Club of America Health Info
The American Veterinary Medical Association