What diseases are German Pinschers prone to?
German Pinschers are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Common concerns include:
- Von Willebrand disease: Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder seen in dogs. It happens when a dog does not produce enough of a specific protein that helps the blood cells used in clotting stick together. This results in dogs that are unable to clot properly and could cause hemorrhages or other bleeding issues. The deficient protein is called von Willebrand factor (vWF).
- Cataracts: Cataracts are imperfections of the eye that cause opacity on the lens. A dog with cataracts will have eyes with a cloudy appearance and impaired vision. The cataract may be small and unnoticeable to both you and your dog, but it can also grow to the size of the entire lens and can cause blindness. Cataracts usually occur in old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve vision.
- Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis.