Common health problems in large breed dogs

Written by Dr. Mark Edwards | 18 August 2010

Do you own a Great Dane or Bull Mastiff? Or perhaps you're planning to buy one? Then you need to be made aware about some potential health problems affecting large breed dogs. A dog that weighs over 60 - 70 pounds is considered to be a large breed dog. Large breed dogs make wonderful family pets and if trained properly can be real gentle giants. However, their weight and certain inherent characteristics make them susceptible to certain health problems. So, as the owner  (or potential owner) of a large breed dog, it is useful to have an idea of some of the possible health problems that can occur.

In general, large breed dogs have a shorter life expectancy than small breed ones. In fact, lifespan of small dogs may exceed that of larger breeds by almost 1.5 times. Even within larger breeds, certain breeds live longer than others. 

A few of the more common health problems we see in large dogs include:

Arthritis:

Arthritis and joint disease is one of the most common problems affecting large breed dogs. There are a range of causes for joint disease in all dogs and large breed dogs are more susceptible due to load on each joint as well as developmental bone diseases they can lead to further problems later in life. They are also much more prone to problems as they age if they are overwight, which is why it is so important large breed dogs have a controlled diet. Exercise is just as important. Depending on the cause of arthritis or joint disease the problem is dealt with in a number of ways including anything from pain relief to physiotherapy to surgery!

GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus):

Deep chested dogs like Great Danes, German Shepherds and Dobermans are particularly at risk of this life threatening condition. A GDV occurs when there is an accumulation of air within the dog’s stomach (typically as a result of eating a large meal and quickly), which in turn can lead to the stomach twisting upon itself. As a result the gas and food become trapped and the vessels supplying the stomach are blocked off - quickly causing death to the cells of the stomach. Abdominal pain, swelling, attempting to vomit, rapid breathing and excessive salivation may be indicative of this emergency problem. If you are ever suspicious of this problem in your dog - it is so important to visit your Vet AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Surgery involves deflating the bloated stomach, then untwisting via surgery if necessary - after which time the stomach is permanently stitched to the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting again. In fact some large breed dog owners get this surgery done as a routine procedure when the dog is a puppy to prevent this condition. Be sure to feed your dog at least twice a day (preferably 3 in smaller amounts) and keep a close eye out for the symptoms above.

Inherited diseases:

A number of inherited diseases affect large breed dogs. The most common among these is hip and elbow dysplasia - common in  many large breed dogs, including great danes, german shepherds, labradors and mastiffs to name a few. There is also the very common heart problm in large dogs termed DCM - Dilated Cardiomyopathy  - a syndrome in which the heart becomes quite large, however the walls of the heart become quite thin and floppy leading to poor contraction and hence circulation of blood to the lungs and around the body.

Diabetes and large dog health:

Large breed dogs are more prone to type - I diabetes where the pancreas fails to produce insulin. Dogs with diabetes may show a number of symptoms including weight loss, increased appetite, thirst and urination. Although smaller breeds like Toy Poodles and Pugs are more susceptible to Type – II diabetes, large breeds are at risk too if they are overweight. One ^1]study suggests that pancreatitis may be the most common complication in diabetic dogs. In large dogs, ^[2]a high fat diet could lead to pancreatitis besides other complications. A low fat diet can help prevent diabetes as well as pancreatitis in diabetic dogs.

 These are just a few of the more common types of problems that can affect large breed dogs.  Although they are prone to certain diseases and conditions, it must be remembered that proper care, diet and exercise can help lower the chance of a range of potential conditions affecting tehse dogs.