| The Great Dane, also known as the Apollo of | | | | dog's bone grows more rapidly than the tissues |
| Dogs, is one of the largest breed of dogs. This | | | | around it causing joint pains. There is no cure for |
| short-haired, mild-mannered and people-oriented | | | | this condition but it normally disappears when the |
| breed makes a great family dog for those who | | | | Dane reaches one year old. |
| don't mind having a large pet around the house. | | | | Hypothyroidism |
| The only negative part about having a Great | | | | Another inherent disease, this immune system |
| Dane for a pet is its short life span. On average, a | | | | disorder is a result of the inability of the thyroid |
| Great Dane's life span is between 7 to 10 years. | | | | gland to produce an adequate amount of |
| They are prone to several health problems such | | | | hormones needed to support the dog's |
| as orthopedic issues, cancer and heart conditions. | | | | metabolism. Great Danes suffering from this |
| For years, breeders and experts strived to | | | | health problem are often lacking energy and are |
| reduce these health conditions from occurring but | | | | unusually uninterested about everything around |
| many of them cannot be eliminated. In 2003, the | | | | them. The good thing though is that this disease |
| Health and Welfare Committee of the Great Dane | | | | can easily be treated with hormone replacement |
| Club of America released a list of major health | | | | pills. However, it is advised that dogs with this |
| problems afflicting Great Danes. Among them are: | | | | condition are not bred. |
| Dilated Cardiomyopathy | | | | Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus |
| Suspected to be an inherited disease in Great | | | | Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, or more commonly |
| Danes, this degenerative heart muscle condition | | | | known as Bloat, is one of the leading killers of |
| can be detected through testing. It is associated | | | | Great Danes. This gastric dilation is caused by |
| with the enlargement of the left ventricle of the | | | | abnormal buildup of liquid or gas in the stomach. |
| dog's heart that eventually weakens its ability to | | | | This often leads to the twisting of the stomach |
| effectively pump blood. Great Danes with this | | | | causing it to stop functioning. This condition is very |
| health condition can be treated with pain | | | | painful for the animal and is life-threatening if not |
| medication to relieve pain. However, this condition | | | | treated immediately, often via emergency |
| is often fatal and when medication eventually fails, | | | | surgery. The reason behind this disease is still not |
| it can be heartbreaking to watch your pet | | | | fully understood but some experts believe that |
| deteriorate. | | | | stress can be one of the main factors. |
| Hip Dysplasia or K9HD | | | | Cancer |
| Because of the large size of Great Danes, | | | | Cancer is a very common health issue in all |
| orthopedic issues are also one of the common | | | | breeds of dogs, and Danes are no exception. |
| health problems for this breed. One health | | | | Among the common type of cancers found in |
| problem is Hip Dysplasia, a joint disease that | | | | Danes are Fribrosarcoma (bone cancer) and |
| affects the dog's hip joints. This genetic | | | | Hemangiosarcoma (organ cancer than often |
| degenerative disease happens when the soft | | | | attacks the spleen). |
| tissues around the hip joints break down causing | | | | Cervical Vertibral Instability |
| the joints to break as well. This disease can cause | | | | CVI or Wobblers is another orthopedic health |
| severe pain and immobility. In most cases, this | | | | issue in Great Danes. In some cases, the problem |
| problem can be corrected through surgery but it | | | | is a hereditary deformity of the dog's cervical |
| can be costly for the owner. | | | | vertebrae causing pressure on the spinal cord. |
| Hypertropic Osteodystrophy | | | | This results in the wobbling of the neck and |
| HOD or Hypertropic Osteodystrophy is a bone | | | | increased instability when walking. Wobbler |
| condition that occurs during the rapid growth | | | | syndrome can also be caused by a traumatic |
| stage of a puppy. This condition can cause severe | | | | injury to the neck. |
| pain in the joint and is often accompanied by | | | | All dogs have health issues. What is important is |
| fever. HOD is not life threatening but it can lead | | | | that owners take the time to learn and |
| to a more fatal medical problem such as | | | | understand these medical conditions to be able to |
| pneumonia. | | | | provide the appropriate care so that the dog |
| Panosteitis | | | | doesn't have to suffer from them. Proper |
| Panosteteitis or Pano is a painful bone condition | | | | screening of the puppy's parents can also help |
| that occurs in puppies between the age of four | | | | lessen the chances that your dog will have these |
| and seven months old. This happens when the | | | | health issues. |