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