The Doberman Pinscher is a dog of great size and remarkable elegance that demonstrates a privileged intelligence and great sensitivity. It stands out for being among one of the 5 most intelligent dog breeds, according to the list prepared by Stanley Cohen, being able to learn, memorize and reproduce with excellence and speed a huge variety of tasks, commands, tricks and canine sports.
Nevertheless, to fully develop their physical, emotional and cognitive capacities, the education of the Doberman must be oriented, paying special attention to training and socialization, but it will also be essential that they receive adequate preventive medicine
In this article on our site, we will show you the most common diseases in the Doberman, as well as their main symptoms, to help you preserve the good he alth of your best friend. Of course, we remember the importance of quickly going to the vet when observing any alteration in the behavior or appearance of your furry.
Doberman Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is more common in large dogs, primarily in the following breeds: Doberman, Great Dane, Boxer, and Irish Wolfhound. In this pathology, the muscular structure of the heart (especially the ventricles) is weakened by progressive stretching that leads to the inability to contract properly. As a result, the heart cannot pump the sufficient amount of blood needed to adequately oxygenate all the tissues of the body.
poor oxygenation prevents the other organs from performing their functions optimally (generating different symptoms of insufficiency), and can also cause irreversible damage when it is not treated quickly. It is also common to observe the accumulation of fluids in the abdomen and around the lungs, among other complications.
This is usually a silent disease, which can progress rapidly in Dobermans. Among its main symptoms, we find:
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Weightloss
- Weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Abdominal swelling
- Fainting
- Syncope episodes
It is essential to get to the vet quickly when you notice any changes in your dog's routine or appearance. Early diagnosis is vital to allow a favorable prognosis and offer a good quality of life to the patient, as well as a prompt and more effective recovery.
Doberman Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome (cervical spinal instability), commonly known as "the wobble syndrome", comprises different chronic degenerative disorders and severe that affect the vertebrae and intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. These disorders lead to excessive compression of the spinal cord and nerves located in the neck.
This pathology is more frequent in large or giant dogs, since about 50% of the cases were diagnosed in Doberman, Great Dane and Mastiff dogs. Therefore, the genetic predisposition appears as the main risk factor for Wobbler Syndrome. But in rarer cases, some dogs can also suffer displacement of the intervertebral discs as a result of a strong impact in the cervical region.
Wobbler's Syndrome progresses silently and its first symptoms are non-specific and difficult to diagnose in dogs, such as headache and neck stiffnessHowever, as the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear, such as wobbly walking , with short, cautious steps, frequent loss of balance, and difficulty moving.
When you see these symptoms in your best friend, don't hesitate to go quickly to the vet. Surgical intervention is usually the only truly effective treatment for this syndrome. However, its viability will fundamentally depend on the state of he alth of the animal. Therefore, an early diagnosis is almost always synonymous with a better prognosis.
von Willebrand disease in the Doberman
This pathology is characterized by the absence of Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a glycoprotein responsible for transporting coagulation factor VII that It is essential for the coagulation of vascular lesions. The deficiency of this protein causes an abnormal union of platelets and difficulty the coagulation process As a consequence, the animal may present excessive bleeding when suffering any superficial or light wound. In addition, it has already been shown that dogs with VWD are more prone to developing metabolic imbalances, such as canine hypothyroidism.
There are 3 types of von Willebrand disease, which are classified according to the intensity of their symptoms. Dobermans are especially prone to developing Type 1 VWD, which includes mild to moderate symptoms such as delayed wound healing, easy bruising even from very mild, occasional bleeding from the gums or from the nostrils.
This is a chronic disease that still has no definitive cure. Dogs with VWD can receive palliative treatment, but prevention of injuries and trauma is the main way to avoid complications and provide a good quality of life for affected dogs.
Doberman Gastric Torsion
Gastric torsion or torsion of the stomach is also among the most common diseases in the Doberman. It is characterized by excessive dilation of the stomach, causing the organ to twist on its own axis. As a consequence, the connections between the esophagus and the intestine are obstructed and the blood flow is interrupted, preventing the correct oxygenation of some organs and causing irreversible damage if not treated quickly, and can also cause death Of the dog
The most common symptoms of gastric torsion in Dobermans are:
- Nausea
- Failed vomiting attempts
- Anxiety
- Excessive salivation
- Abdominal swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
Unfortunately, diagnoses of gastric torsion are quite common in the veterinary clinic. While all dogs can experience gastric torsion, this syndrome is more common in large dogs, such as Dobermans, St. Bernards, Neapolitan Mastiffs, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Giant Schnauzer, etc.
Doberman hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia (or coxofemoral dysplasia) is one of the most common degenerative pathologies in dogs, especially large and giant dogs. It develops from a hereditary malformation of the coxofemoral bone structure, which joins the femur to the pelvic bone. Although genetic predisposition is the main cause, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can also be mentioned as risk factors.
This degenerative process often causes intense pain and lameness Affected dogs show difficulty performing common activities, such as walking, climbing stairs or feel. In more advanced cases, dysplasia can totally incapacitate the dog
Although Dobermans are not among the breeds most prone to the disease, diagnoses are relatively common. Therefore, it is important to be aware of certain symptoms such as:
- Inactivity
- Loss of interest in playing or exercising
- Excessive tiredness
- Difficulty performing simple movements
- Limp
- Slouching of the back
- Muscle stiffness in the hip
- Stiff hind legs
Other common diseases in Doberman dogs:
Apart from the pathologies that we have mentioned above, there are other diseases that have a high or moderate incidence in the Doberman breed that we show you next:
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Acral dermatitis
- Waterfalls
- Chronic Hepatitis
- Color dilution alopecia
- Deafness
- Demodectic mange
- Mellitus diabetes
- Inherited Kidney Disease
- Follicular dysplasia
- Ichthyosis
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Congenital microphthalmia
- Seborrhea
- Vitiligo
- Zinc-sensitive dermatitis
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Pemphigus
- Panosteitis
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Retinal dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Arthritis
- Hemivertebra
