German Shepherd Dog Training

german shepherd lump
Common fungus infection in shepherds?

The other week, I found a rather large lump on my australian shepherd/chessie bay mix. There were also some smaller, marble sized lumps on her body. We took her to the vet, fearing it was cancer. After the biopsy, the vet called and said that she has some sort of common fungus infection that german shepherds get frequently. The vet did not have a lot of time to talk, so that is all she said. She is calling me back tomorrow to tell me more but I can’t wait! Does anyone know anything more about this? What are the next steps involved, does it cause pain, what are the effects, etc.

Time for you to find a vet who WILL have time to talk to you when you take your dog to see them.

Oh, nevermind. It was on a phone call. Call the vet back now and ask these questions. He or she should have taken the time to talk with you.

Common Birth Defects In Dogs

A vital part of good prevention is to know the common types of illnesses and disorders associated with particular dog breeds. For dogs, the parts of their body that are most frequently affected by congenital problems are the central nervous system, the eyes, the muscles, and the bones. For instance, the Beagle, Collie, miniature Poodle, German Shepherd, and Keeshond are more likely to inherit epilepsy.

Also, different types of nervous system disorders are often passed on within certain breeds. Examples are paralysis of the front and back legs, which is common in the Irish Setter, a failure of muscle coordination common in Fox Terrier, and abnormal swelling of the brain is common in the Chihuahua, English Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel.

A great number of common breeds suffer from congenital eye abnormalities including glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness.

A hernia is a common problem for many breeds. Breeds such as Basenji, Basset Hound, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Cairn Terrier have a high risk for inguinal hernias (gut protrudes into the groin). Umbilical hernias (gut protrudes through the navel) are inherited defects in breeds like Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, Basenji, Collie, Weimaraner, Airedale Terrier, and Pointer.

Practice basic check-ups with our dog for early detection of disease

In order to keep health problems in your dog from getting serious, you need to detect them early. Sometimes just watching your pet and catching abnormal behavior can tell you that there is something wrong, even before the actual signs start to appear. Therefore, it is necessary to give your dog a basic check-up about once a week. This check-up takes no more than a few minutes, and it can help prevent problems as well as expenses down the road.

Start with a body rub. This makes your pet comfortable. While giving him his rub, check for any signs of flaking or scabs which can be a sign of parasites, a skin disorder, or allergies.

Also check for any lumps and bumps. Although they are a normal part of aging in dogs, they can also be a symptom that there is something wrong. Check for any swelling that could indicate parasites, heart trouble, or cancer.

His breathing should be smooth and quiet, unless he is panting. If his breathing is raspy or rattling, he could have a respiratory problem.

Your dog’s heartbeat should be regular and strong. To check for his pulse, place your hand against his chest by his left elbow. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply it by four. The rate should range between 60 and 160.

Lastly, examine his ears, eyes, and mouth and check for any signs of abnormalities.

About the Author

Gene Sower is the publisher of the DOG BYTES newsletter and owner of
http://www.naturalpetsworld.com
, a site devoted to offering a huge selection of natural pet foods at discount prices.

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