Vonderbrink German Shepherds
presents
GSD Health Watch
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America
(GSDCA) published 2 Blue Books (so called because the
bindings were blue) Vol 1 & 2 in 1984-85. Volume I is
the genetics committee report edited by Carmen
Battaglia.
Topics covered in the book include: Toxic Gut
Syndrome, Cancer, Hip Dysplasia, Pituitary Dwarfism and
color inheritance. At the end of the book is a Genetic
Survey instrument which can be copied and sent to the
committee.
For further information on the research
being conducted on these diseases, search the following
sites:
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
http://www.offa.org
Purdue University
http://www.vetpurdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm
Toxic Gut Syndrome/Gastric Dilation-volvulus
(Bloat)
Risks for acquiring TGS: (exerpted from a Purdue
University report)
www.vetpurdue.edu/epi/dietrisk.htm
1. increasing age (the older the dog the greater the
risk)
2. having a relative with TGS (parents, siblings,
grandparents)
3. eating from a raised food bowl
4. In addition, Purdue researchers found a greater
risk in dogs fed a dry food containing fat in its first 4
ingredients or a dry food containing citric acid that was
also moistened by the owner before being eaten.
5. A dry food containing a rendered meat meal with
bone among its first 4 ingredients significantly
decreased the risk by over 50%.
A raw diet was not mentioned in the report.
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/dietrisk.htm
Symptoms of onset of Bloat (Exerpted from the Blue
Book report)
1. Change in attitude:
Owners describe that dogs have lost their "spark." May
show change in attitude as early as 2 days prior to onset of
symptoms. May refuse to eat a meal. Usually have at least
one dark, loose, foul smelling bowel movement. May smell
like decaying flesh or partially digested blood. May vomit
one or more times and usually last meal included in vomitus.
Dog now refuses to eat. (Call vet)
2. Modified posture
Dog walks gingerly with head up or down. May appear
"tucked up" or dehydrated. Normal or subnormal temperature
with rapid and weak femoral arterial pulse (checked inside
hind leg in groin area). Gums and lips a grey color and
after pressing on the gum, they return to their color
slowly. They should return in seconds. May have a wuffling
action to lips. (Call vet immediately!)
3. Progressive deterioration
Salivation, relaxation of abdominal muscles giving dog
a full look, does not move around, sunken eyes, strained
expression, some fecal seepage, respiration rapid and
shallow. (Death is near)
Most cases are discovered too late. If the dog is
found during the early stages, immediate surgial
intervention is needed and can be successful.
exerpted from "Toxic Gut Syndrome of the GSD" by
Charles Kruger, DVM and Helen Sherlock. Genetics:
1984-85 Volume 1 (The Blue Book). German Shepherd Dog Club
of America Inc. pp. 11-17.
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