A healthy German Shepherd should show a very good mental state. When people approach, it reacts quickly and remains alert. The German Shepherd is an excellent military and police dog. It is highly intelligent and often seems not to need much help from us, but if we pay attention to a few key points during growth, we can greatly improve the chance that it will develop in a healthy and strong way. The first step is ensuring that its daily diet contains enough nutrients to support activity and reduce the risk of illness.
Moderate calcium supplementation is important
Because German Shepherds exercise a great deal, their calcium needs are relatively high. Calcium is one of the essential mineral nutrients in a dogs body. More than 99 percent of the bodys calcium is stored in bones, while the rest is found in blood, lymphatic fluid, and soft tissues.
In puppies, calcium is one of the main materials used to build the skeleton. If the level of calcium ions in the blood is above normal, nerve and muscle excitability decreases. If it is below normal, nerve and muscle excitability increases. Calcium is also essential for blood clotting because it helps convert prothrombin into thrombin. Both calcium deficiency and excessive calcium intake can lead to serious consequences.
Problems caused by calcium imbalance
If calcium balance is poor, the dog may develop a stiff gait, short steps, or lameness. Lameness may affect one limb, several limbs, or shift from place to place. In puppies, bone disease may appear as rickets, with enlarged soft growth areas, bending of the spine, and chest deformities. In adult dogs, osteomalacia may appear, with thinner bone walls, reduced bone density, and a higher chance of fracture. Too much calcium can also reduce fat digestion and interfere with the metabolism of phosphorus, manganese, iron, magnesium, iodine, and other elements.
The death rate of gastric torsion is nearly 100 percent if untreated
Data from pet research institutions in the United States suggest that after eating, the stomach of a fifteen kilogram dog may expand to three or four liters, while the stomach of a large breed may expand to seven liters. Because the stomach structure is relatively loose, large dogs are prone to stomach displacement, gastric dilatation, and gastric torsion. If these emergencies are not treated promptly, the death rate is almost 100 percent.
Several factors increase the risk of gastric torsion
1. Body type: large and giant breeds are at greater risk.
2. Age: dogs older than two years are at greater risk.
3. Sex: males are at greater risk.
4. Meal size: dogs that eat very large meals each time are at greater risk.
5. Eating speed: dogs that eat too fast are at greater risk.
Another factor is breed structure. Dogs with a deeper chest have a higher chance of this problem.
What does gastric torsion look like in a German Shepherd?
The dog may show obvious abdominal pain, cry out or appear restless, develop a rapidly enlarged belly, pant, vomit, breathe quickly, and have reddened mucous membranes. Later, dehydration and heart failure may make the condition much worse. At the hospital, a stomach tube may be used to distinguish this condition from other diseases. If the tube is hard to pass, gastric torsion is more likely. If it passes easily and large amounts of gas escape, acute gastric dilatation is more likely.
Obesity can contribute to acquired hip disease
Many owners assume that hip problems are only genetic, but research shows the situation is more complex. The path from a completely healthy hip to severe hip disease is gradual rather than absolute. In one large study of German Shepherds, only a portion had completely healthy joints, another portion had severe hip disease, and many more fell somewhere in the middle. That means long term management matters.
Although raising a German Shepherd may not require the delicate care often associated with tiny breeds, owners still cannot ignore the dogs needs. Proper training, adequate nutrition, and attention to everyday life all remain essential if you want the dog to grow up healthy and stay that way.