Choosing a Doberman Pinscher

Choosing a Doberman Pinscher

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the DobermanDoberman Pinchers Book
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is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

  • Wobbler's disease is a malformation of the bones in the neck resulting in neck painBiocaine 4oz
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    and a characteristic wobbly gait.

  • Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle.

  • Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone.

  • Von Willebrand's disease is a disorder that results in the inability to clot blood.
    Affected animals will bleed extensively following trauma or surgery.

  • Melanoma is a tumor arising from melanocytes, which are the cells that produce pigment.

  • Cutaneous Histiocytoma - is a benign tumor of the skin that can affect young dogs.

  • Lipomas are benign fatty tumors of the subcutaneous tissue.

  • Fibrosarcoma is a type of cancer that arises from the fibrous connective tissues.

  • Alopecia is a disorder resulting in a loss of hair.

  • Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas related to insufficient amounts of insulin production.

  • Lick granuloma is a condition in which the dog licks an area excessively, usually on the front leg, until a raised, firm ulcerated lesion is formed.

  • Parvovirus is a devastating gastrointestinal virus that primarily affects unvaccinated puppies.

  • Chronic hepatitis is a chronic and progressive inflammation of the liver of dogs that leads eventually to the replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue.

  • Portosystemic shunt (PSS) is a malformation of the blood flow associated with the liver. Blood is shunted away from the liver, resulting in accumulation of blood toxins and subsequent profound illness.

  • Drug reaction to a group of drugs called "sulphonamides" may cause skin reactions and polyarthritis in this breed.

    In addition, the Doberman is prone to acne, osteosarcoma and elbow dysplasia.

     
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