Your BallyRock German Shepherd Dog's parents
have been
checked, tested and cleared!
for the following commonly associated health
issues. All the certificates are on
file and we will be more than happy to show
you the results as all our dogs have been
certified clear. The issues noted
below are not so common issues, but issues
you should seek answers from a reputable
breeder,
99% of breeders won't even know the
terminology because all they really care for
is the $$$ and HAVEN'T EVEN RESEARCHED OR
TEST FOR these ailments
associated with the German Shepherd dog.
We encourage you to check other breeders for
certification regarding these ailments.
A good reputable breeder will have all these
certifications on file for you to review
before you purchase a puppy from them.
Always do your research, and always ask the
breeder for this information!
Health guarantees:
If you are looking for a German Shepherd
puppy, it is very important to find a
reputable German Shepherd breeder, one who
cares about the breed and who has all
breeding stock tested and cleared for
various genetic problems before breeding. It
is only by testing and breeding cleared
specimens that these diseases will be
brought under control. We suggest that you
start your search with the breed clubs. Most
clubs have a code of ethics and while it
doesn't guarantee a perfect puppy, it's a
lot better than dealing with breeders who
don't know or care about such matters.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD):
Is a skeletal problem, an abnormal
development of the hip joint where the head
of the femur does not fit snugly into the
pelvic socket. It is characterized by a
shallow acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip
joint) and changes in the shape of the
femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint).
These changes may occur due to excessive
looseness in the hip joint. Hip dysplasia
can exist with or without clinical signs.
When dogs exhibit symptoms of hip dysplasia
they usually are in pain and lame on one or
both rear legs. Severe arthritis can develop
as a result of the malformation of the hip
joint and this results in pain as the
disease progresses. Effective dog arthritis
treatment. You don't have to wait until your
dog exhibits symptoms. You can take steps
now to minimize the chances your dog will
suffer arthritic pain due to hip dysplasia.
more information
regarding CHD ...
Elbow Dysplasia (ununited anconeal process):
Due perhaps to improper development
(different growth rates) of the three bones
making up the elbow, the joint is lax or
loose and in mildly affected dogs leads to
painful arthritis. Whereas in severely
affected dogs, osteochondritis dissecans
(OCD), fragmented medial coronoid processes
and united anconeal processes can result
from the stress in the joint. Treatments
involve surgical correction if possible, or
medical management using aspirin and other
anti-inflammatory drugs.
more information regarding UAP ...
Panosteitis:
Is a skeletal problem of spontaneous
lameness and pain, usually in large breed
dogs in the 5 to 14 month age range and
affecting male dogs more commonly than
females. The pain can come and go and last
up to two months (sometimes up to a year).
Analgesic medications like aspirin can be be
helpful in controlling the pain. In severe
cases, corticosteroids may provide relief.
Eventually the condition goes away.
more information regarding PANO ...
von Willebrand's Disease (vWD):
Is a blood disorder, a deficiency in
clotting factor VIII antigen (von Willebrand
factor). Dogs affected by the disease do not
effectively utilize their platelets for
blood clotting and therefore are more likely
to have bleeding episodes associated with
trauma or surgery.
more information regarding vWD ...
Progressive posterior paresis:
Is a neural condition, a paralysis of one or
both hind legs.
more information regarding Progressive
Posterior Paresis ...
Cauda equina syndrome:
Is a neural condition. The cauda equina (CE)
is formed by nerve roots caudal to the level
of spinal cord termination. Cauda equina
syndrome (CES) has been defined as low back
pain.
more information regarding CE ...
Pyotraumatic dermatitis ("hot spots"):
Is one of two types of bacterial infections
confined to the surface of the skin (the
other being "skin fold dermatitis"). It is
caused by allergies, parasites and poor
grooming.
more information regarding PD ...
Skin allergies:
Allergies in pets, are one of the most
common causes of skin conditions. Allergies
can be difficult to control and are chronic
in nature. There are 3 main types of
allergies in relation to skin conditions. It
is possible for a pet to have a combination
of all 3 allergy types: 1. Food Allergy; 2.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD); 3. Atopy, or
Allergic Inhaled Dermatitis.
more information regarding skin allergies
...
Malignant Neoplasms (abnormal growth of
tissue or tumor):
A malignant neoplasm is infiltrative with
metastatic potential. Therapy depends
largely on the type of tumor, its location
and size, and symptoms of the animal. With
Canine Malignant Lymphoma, cyclic
combination chemotherapy can achieve
long-term remission.
more information regarding Malignant
Neoplasms ...
Pannus cataract (chronic superficial
keratitis):
Chronic immune mediated keratoconjunctivitis
sicca (CIKS) is the newer name for pannus.
It is a serious inflammation of the cornea
and is potentially blinding.
more information regarding CIKS ...
Gastric Torsion - or Bloat (Gastric
dilatation volvulus GDV):
This condition is caused by a twisting of
the stomach and thus trapping the stomach
contents and gases resulting in a rapid
swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain
and eventual death if untreated. It is a top
priority emergency with immediate
veterinarian action required. This is a
predicament most common in large deep
chested breeds. Anyone owning a deep chested
breed, susceptible to bloat should be
prepared by recording and posting the exact
emergency procedures for the veterinary
hospital they go to - who to call after
hours, how to get to emergency clinics or
alternative facilities and what payment
arrangements those facilities will require.
more information regarding GDV ...
Perianal Fistulas PFs:
Are abnormal openings around the dog's anal
area which soon get badly infected and can
be painful. They may or may not emit a foul
smelling odor. The dog is often observed to
scoot along the ground. This is a very
serious disease and early detection and
treatment is very important.
more information regarding PFs ...
Cardiomyopathy:
Is a general term meaning "disease of the
heart muscle". There are various types of
cardiomyopathy, one being "Dilated
Cardiomyopathy" (DCM), opposed to
"Hypertrophic" Cardiomyopathy" (where the
heart walls thicken instead of becoming
thin). Cardiomyopathy is a serious problem
in many breeds but especially in the
Doberman Pinscher breed.
more information regarding Cardiomyopathy
...
Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency (PEI):
Is a digestive problem where the Pancreas
does not produce sufficient digestive
enzymes which results in poor nutrient
absorption.
more information regarding PEI ...
Other Documented Problems:
Existing congenital and hereditary diseases
- non prioritized. This section will
be continually updated as we research and
document our findings regarding the German
Shepherd dog. Please bookmark us and
check back often!.
