Health
We go to great lengths, considerable odds and lots of love to nuture a neglected or abused GSD. Please help and maintain your dogs health with a a proper diet, consistent vetinary care and plenty of exercise.
Requirements for a healthy GSD:
- Fresh water– always!
- Nutrition –Feed your GSD a high quality dog food
- Leash and/or fence
- Heartworm and flea/tick prevention
- Vaccinations
- Daily exercise
- Grooming
- Your love and lots of it
Heartworms
Heartworms are caused by an organism called a roundworm. These parasitic heartworms live predominantly in the chambers of the heart as well as the lungs and when they are adults and can measure up to 16 inches in length. The major harm that these heartworms cause is stopping the heart chamber valves from completely closing. In severe cases the heartworms can make it into the lungs by moving along the pulmonary artery and into the blood vessels of the lungs. This can cause major symptoms which are loss of body weight, disturbances of vision, dropsy, chronic cough, shortness of breath, chronic heart failure, muscular weakness and eventual death.
Flea Prevention
Have you ever seen a flea? Have you ever seen your dog itching and scratching like crazy? If so then you have at least seen some of the discomfort that fleas can cause your dog. Not only are fleas horrible pests to us and your dog but they can be quite harmful and even deadly. Many dogs do not seem to have flea problems but that does not mean they should not be on a flea control program. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites and may have a reaction so why take the chance. A ton of great flea control products are available from your veterinarian and from the local pet supply store. For more severe flea issues there are flea dips and prescription medications.