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Tag: Wobblers

  • How to Make a Great Dane Live Longer

    How to Make a Great Dane Live Longer

    Unfortunately, Great Danes, like many larger dog breeds, have shorter lifespans compared to smaller breeds. In this blog, we’re going to explore the key factors that can contribute to helping your Great Dane live longer and have a healthier and more fulfilling life.

    From nutrition and exercise to healthcare and lifestyle choices, we’ll delve into the strategies and insights that can make a meaningful difference in prolonging your Great Dane’s life and ensuring you have many more years of joy and companionship together.

    How to Make a Great Dane Live Longer

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    Why Do Great Danes Have Short Life Spans?

    Before we can understand how to help our Great Dane dogs live longer, healthier lives we have to understand why Great Danes have short life spans in the first place.

    There are 6 main reasons that Danes lives tend to be cut short:

    • Orthopedic issues, including hip dysplasia
    • Being overweight
    • Bloat
    • Heart Disease (DCM)
    • Cancer
    • Genetics

    I placed genetics last on the list, because every single reason in the list before it can also be caused by genetics. That’s a big one, and speaks to the reasons why choosing an ethical breeder is so important.

    The good news here is that there are many things you can do to extend your Great Danes lifespan!

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    Observations about Great Danes that Live a Long Time

    A quick glance around social media and at dog shows, there are a few key things seen among Great Danes who live long, healthy lives.

    When we see an older (8 years +) Great Dane that is still going strong, we most often see some combination of the following:

    • A dog with good genetics, from proven pedigrees
    • Excellent body condition score; not overweight (this is really important)
    • Sound, stable temperament, free of fear, stress, and aggression
    • Excellent structure, feet, and angulation (which is genetic but also can be related to early puppy nutrition)
    • Trimmed nails & clean teeth
    • Well tempered dogs that received training and enrichment throughout life
    • Pet parents who trust their veterinarian, keep their dog active, and feed an appropriate diet

    Genetics play a huge role in temperament, overall structure, cancer risk, bloat risk, and heart disease. Of course, not all Great Danes are given exceptional genetics. Knowing that, there are still things that can be done to help your Great Dane live longer!

    What Health Tests do Great Danes Need Before Breeding?

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    Nutrition for Great Danes

    One of the easiest ways you can help extend your Great Danes life is to make sure they are getting the correct nutrition from day one.

    Feeding the wrong food to a puppy can result in a lifetime of orthopedic problems including hip dysplasia. Not only that, but certain foods have been proven in research to increase the risk of heart disease!

    Great Dane puppies should be fed a well-researched large or giant breed puppy food from a company who employs veterinary nutritionists, until age 2. This is the most current, science-backed recommendation available, which promotes proper bone growth, joint development, and structure.

    If you aren’t sure what brands or formulas to choose, our popular Great Dane Puppy Food post will get you started.

    For adult dogs over the age of 2, continue onto a grain-inclusive adult formula that contains a meat meal, and add balanced canned or fresh toppers. The addition of carefully selected wet foods can decrease the risk of bloat! If the toppers are unbalanced, do not allow them to exceed more than 10% of the daily intake of food.

    Here is our list of Great Dane foods that promote health, wellness, and longevity. These brands are commonly fed by veterinarians and to the top show and sport dogs, for a reason:

    For Adults:

    For Puppies:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    Heart Disease in Great Danes

    DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), AKA Heart Disease or congestive heart failure is one of the top reasons why Great Danes don’t live long. Many Danes with DCM will show very little signs and may suddenly collapse one day, or die while undergoing surgery.

    This horrible disease is primarily genetic. It is passed down through the pedigree.

    When purchasing a puppy from a breeder, verify that both parents received OFA heart echocardiograms. The results of those tests will be available at www.ofa.org and if it isn’t? Run. Your breeder is unethical and may be passing heart disease onto the puppies.

    DCM can also be caused by unbalanced dog food. This is commonly a problem with kibbles that contain a lot of peas, lentils, potatoes, chickpeas, and garbanzo beans, as well as any diet that is not correctly formulated in some way.

    Because Great Danes are already genetically prone to DCM, feeding a low-quality (commonly grain-free) diet effectively increases their risk of dying suddenly from heart disease.

    Read more about the DCM – Nutrition Link HERE

    Learn about DCM in Great Danes HERE

    Was the DCM and Grain-Free Foods Link Debunked? Read more HERE.

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    Active, Lean Great Danes Live Longer Lives

    Did you know that lean dogs with a healthy body condition score live, on average, 2 years longer than dogs that are overweight or obese?

    A healthy Great Dane is leaner than you might think and should be covered in muscle, not fat.

    Read more from the Purina Body Condition Scoring Guides HERE

    Great Danes should have a defined waist and may even show a few ribs. They should be graceful, powerful, and athletic. Not stocky, droopy, slow, or heavy.

    Excess weight on your Great Dane increases their risk of joint disorders and pain, heart disease, diabetes, and complications during anesthesia and surgery. An overweight dog that experiences a health emergency (such as bloat) is less likely to survive, too.

    Talk to your veterinarian about helping your dog lose weight and gain muscle!

    We recommend off-leash training for Great Danes so that they can move freely without potentially damaging physical restraints. Off-leash movement on soft, varied terrain helps build muscle and maintain fitness levels, and we can’t think of a more fun way to help your Great Dane live longer!

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    Bloat in Great Danes

    Bloat (also known as GDV or Gastric dilatation and volvulus, aka ‘bloat and torsion’) is an emergency that will affect 1-in-4 Great Danes on average. When bloat occurs, the stomach fills up with gas, fluid, or air and then may twist over itself (torsion). Torsion is both painful and deadly.

    Fixing this requires expensive emergency surgical treatment and many dogs (especially those with heart disease, obesity, blood clotting disorders, or other serious health issues) do not make it out alive.

    Don’t let these statistics scare you, however! There are things you can do to reduce the risk of bloat and torsion so that your Great Dane can live longer.

    FACT: Studies have shown that moderate exercise after meals might decrease the risk of bloat by as much as 50%! This goes against everything we’ve been taught. Read more HERE.

    Bloat is, as most things, primarily genetic. When choosing a breeder, verify that there is no history of bloat, poor gut health, or bad temperaments in the last several generations.

    Consider a gastropexy; this life-saving and simple procedure results in better outcomes for Danes that bloat.

    Feed a quality kibble that contains meat meal, and offer 2-3 small meals each day topped with some kind of balanced canned, fresh, or raw food. Encourage slow, stress free eating.

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    Orthopedic Disorders in Great Danes

    Another reason why Great Danes have short lifespans is because they suffer, unfortunately, from orthopedic disorders.

    Nutrition, especially in puppies, plays a huge role here but so do genetics and exercise.

    Great Danes nails should be trimmed at least twice each month. We recommend a Dremel tool. Overgrown nails lead to pain and joint damage.

    Wobblers disease is an unfortunately common disorder in Great Danes that leads to painful and debilitating mobility issues. Read more about wobblers HERE.

    IMGD, hip dysplasia, flat feet, and poor overall conformation also have genetic roots that must be addressed by thoughtful, careful breeding practices as well as appropriate movement and strength building.

    For dogs with structural and orthopedic issues, working with a canine physical therapist and a veterinarian is a must.

    Do not purchase puppies from breeders who are breeding dogs that don’t meet the written structural standard for Great Danes. These breeders are genetically perpetuating structural problems that debilitate Great Danes and shorten their life span.

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    Cancer in Great Danes

    Unfortunately, Great Danes are susceptible to certain types of cancer, including osteosarcoma.

    Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer that often appears suddenly and often requires amputation and treatment or euthanasia.

    There are many theories about what causes cancer in dogs (such as dog food or vaccines), however, these theories have never been proven or founded.

    It is understood, however, that cancer is primarily a genetic disorder.

    Some dogs are at higher risk than others; for example, early spay and neutering has been correlated in studies with an increased risk of osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and mast cell tumors.

    Some researchers have also theorized, but not yet fully studied, that there may be a link between excess calcium intake and overfeeding in puppyhood to dogs that develop brittle bones and bone cancers later in life.

    We recommend keeping Great Danes intact until 18-24 months, if possible, and feeding an appropriate large or giant breed puppy food with well-controlled calcium levels to dogs under the age of 2. Never feed any food with more than 1.2% calcium.

    Excess calcium is damaging to bones during growth, and damaged bones are more prone to disorders such as arthritis, bone cancer, and wobblers disease.

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    Cost of Great Dane Ear Crop

    Help Your Great Dane Live Longer by Reducing Stress

    Stress and anxiety are not healthy for humans or dogs.

    Studies show that increased levels of cortisol and adrenaline can contribute to a shorter life span by weakening the immune system and causing problems with the heart, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.

    Dogs that are chronically stressed are going to be more susceptible to health problems of all kinds.

    Here are some signs that your dog is stressed or anxious:

    • Pacing, whining, crying
    • Destructive behavior
    • Drooling, panting
    • Ears pinned, hunched body language
    • Timid or fearful behaviors
    • Growling, nipping, and aggression
    • Depression

    Reduce your dogs stress by making sure you offer plenty of exercise and enrichment. This may mean changing your routine and habits to alleviate boredom and get your dog doing more.

    Our E-Collar training guide is a popular resource for helping anxious Great Danes get safely off-leash and exploring the world.

    You can also reduce stress by using enrichment toys such as the West Paw Toppl Toy. Stuff it with soaked kibble or canned food and freeze before serving.

    Talk to your veterinarian about supplements and calming care for dogs that are stressed by fireworks and loud noises, too. This calming probiotic may be an excellent choice for your dog.

    Work with a modern, positive balanced dog trainer on confidence building and socialization. A scent work class may be just the ticket!

    Avoid outdated training techniques (alpha/dominance, Cesar Milan, ‘police dog training’, etc.) which use a lot of intimidation and stress to shut behaviors down.

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    Final Tips to Extend a Great Danes Lifespan

    Here are a few final tips.

    See your veterinarian, regularly. Complete a full blood panel every year so that developing health problems (such as thyroid disease, liver and kidney problems, or diabetes) can be addressed early.

    Before surgery, pay the extra money for a full exam, blood work, and health screening.

    Keep your dog up to date on flea and tick prevention. Reactions to preventatives are typically minor and happen much less often than the rate at which dogs catch nasty diseases from parasites; you do not want to put a Dane through heartworm treatment!

    Have your dogs teeth cleaned by a veterinarian. Nasty teeth lead to pain, infections, and heart damage.

    Make sure your dog always has clean, fresh water available from a clean bowl (wash daily or as often as possible).

  • Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes: A Scary Neurological Disease Affects 4% of Great Danes

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes: A Scary Neurological Disease Affects 4% of Great Danes

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes is WAY too commonly affecting our giant breeds.

    Large breed dogs are VERY prone to a cervical vertebral malformation called Wobbler Syndrome.

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Wobbler Syndrome in giant breed dogs causes cervical vertebral instability in the affected dogs by malforming the vertebrae in the neck.

    This neurological condition can cause your dog to experience weakness in their legs, and even paralysis.

    If your Great Dane is showing any signs of Wobbler Syndrome, it is important to get them to the vet immediately for treatment.

    There is no cure for Wobbler Syndrome, however there are MANY more treatments available for large and giant breeds than are spoken about than common medical management.

    WHAT IS WOBBLERS SYNDROME IN GREAT DANES?

    Wobbler Syndrome happens in large breed dogs when the bones in their neck (cervical vertebrae) start to malform.

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    This can cause the vertebrae to compress the spinal cord, which leads to neurological problems like weakness or paralysis in the legs.

    Wobbler Syndrome is also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy or CSM.

    Large and giant breeds are especially prone to Wobbler Syndrome because of their size and weight.

    Great Danes are one of the most affected breeds, with an estimated 50% of all Dane’s developing the condition at some point in their lives.

    While there is no cure for Wobbler Syndrome, there are many treatments available that can help giant breed dogs who are showing clinical signs of Wobbler Syndrome.

    SIGNS OF WOBBLER SYNDROME IN GIANT BREEDS

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Dogs with Wobbler Syndrome can have clinical symptoms that GREATLY vary.

    Some mild signs of Wobbler Syndrome are:

    1. Wobbly gait in rear limbs
    2. Abnormal gait in hind legs or front legs
    3. Neck pain

    Some more extreme neurological signs in a Great Dane might include:

    1. Wobbly gait in rear legs and/or front legs that impact the ability to move and walk
    2. Neck pain so severe that the dog ‘cries out’ when moving
    3. Limping/inability to walk on one or more legs
    4. Holding up one or more limbs/unable to put weight on one or more legs
    5. Paralysis of the legs
    6. Incontinence
    7. Loss of appetite
    8. Depression
    9. Lethargy
    10. Complete paralysis

    BROKEN LEGS? READ MORE HERE

    BREEDS OF DOGS WITH WOBBLER SYNDROME

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes
    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Wobbler syndrome in dogs affects any giant breed dog, but can also affect many dogs including medium sized dogs and even small dogs.

    Wobbler syndrome in dogs can also impact dogs of any age, from a younger age to older dogs. However, younger dogs are less likely to be diagnosed than older dogs. Typically, just because a young dog does not show symptoms of advanced stages of Wobbler’s syndrome, it does not mean that they do not have Wobbler’s syndrome. It just means that the disease will not present itself until middle aged.

    BREEDS OF DOG THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED BY WOBBLER’S SYNDROME

    1. Great Danes
    2. Doberman Pinschers
    3. Swiss Mountain Dogs
    4. Rottweilers
    5. Bernese Mountain Dogs
    6. Newfoundlands
    7. Irish Wolfhounds
    8. Borzois
    9. Leonbergers
    10. St. Bernards

    HOW IS WOBBLER’S SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Wobbler Syndrome is diagnosed by examining the spinal cord compression of affected dogs with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

    An experienced veterinarian will need to do a neurological examination to see if the dog’s symptoms are neurological.

    The MRI will take images of the dog’s neck and vertebral canal to check for dorsal decompression.

    Sometimes, a cat scan is used in addition to the MRI to get a more clear picture of the compression.

    In some cases, myelography can be used to help diagnose Wobbler Syndrome. This is done by injecting dye into the dog’s spinal canal and then taking x-rays.

    TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR WOBBLER SYNDROME

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes
    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    There is no cure for Wobbler Syndrome in a Great Dane, but there are many treatment options available to help your dog live a long and happy life.

    Treatment for Wobbler Syndrome depend on several factors. Many dogs have had successful treatment and can live long and healthy lives with Wobbler Syndrome.

    1. PHYSICAL THERAPY
    2. ANTI INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS
    3. CHEST HARNESS
    4. NECK BRACE
    5. KEEP TOE NAILS SHORT
    6. GOLD BEAD THERAPY
    7. LASER THERAPY

    PHYSICAL THERAPY:

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Physical therapy is a medical treatment done for dogs who develop Wobbler Syndrome. Physical therapy can help dogs stabilize their neck vertebrae and improve their quality of life.

    You can also buy exercise/physical therapy tools to use at home which can help your dog’s quality of life.

    Doing stretches and exercises on disks, like these ones, can help to strengthen your dog’s legs, and keep the muscle developing.

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    ANTI INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS:

    Anti inflammatory medications are often prescribed to dogs with Wobbler Syndrome. These medications can help reduce swelling and pain in the affected areas.

    CBD

    In addition to anti-inflammatory medication, the use of CBD is EXTREMELY powerful in relieving pain for dogs with Wobblers.

    Check out our resources about finding a CBD product for your Great Dane here.

    Purchase some of our favorites here:

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    Colorado Sun CBD: A company we love and trust

    CHEST HARNESS:

    A chest harness is a type of support that helps dogs with Wobbler Syndrome. Chest harnesses help to take the pressure off of the dog’s neck and spine.

    Do NOT use a common collar and leash with a dog who has Wobbler Syndrome, as it can pull on their neck and create major issues.

    Instead, use a HELP EM UP HARNESS which will serve to increase the dog’s quality of life with Wobbler Syndrome, taking as much pressure off of the neck as possible.

    PURCHASE HERE:

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    NECK BRACE:

    A neck brace is a type of support that helps dogs with Wobbler Syndrome. Neck braces help to take the pressure off of the dog’s neck and spine.

    Do not use a neck brace without the guidance of someone who is experienced in Veterinary medicine.

    Using a neck brace unless it is needed can cause muscles to get weaker unnecessarily.

    MASSAGE FOR PAIN

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    Massage is a great pain reliever for humans- and dogs too!

    Using a massage gun up and down a Great Dane’s spin is perfectly safe- but always avoid the neck.

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    KEEP TOE NAILS SHORT

    It is crucial to keep the nails of dogs very short when they are inflicted with Wobbler Syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy).

    When the cervical spine is compressed, it can cause dragging of the limbs.

    Having long nails can impact the dog’s ability to walk, and can change and alter their gait.

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    GOLD BEAD THERAPY:

    Gold bead therapy is a type of acupuncture that can help relieve pain in dogs with Wobbler Syndrome. The difference is, with gold beads, the spinal cord compression is relieved with a surgical treatment where the doctor inserts Gold Beads into the spinal cord.

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    This surgical treatment of the spinal cord

    Gold bead therapy is a therapy that significantly helps wobbler Syndrome, typically reducing pain and allowing the dog to remain stable for MUCH longer.

    Do your research on dogs who were successfully treated with Gold Bead therapy.

    Dr. Durkes is the veterinary surgeon who is known for conducting Gold Bead therapy most successfully on Great Danes and other breeds.

    LASER THERAPY

    Laser therapy is a form of treatment that has been show again and again to help with pain.

    Some veterinarians will conduct laser therapy for dogs with pain.

    If your dog has Wobblers, laser therapy is a great intervention.

    READ MORE ABOUT LASER THERAPY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT HERE

    ACUPUNCTURE

    Acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial in reducing inflammation and helping to reduce pain.

    Acupuncture is used in commonly affected dogs to help with the pain and symptoms associated with Wobbler Syndrome.

    Acupuncture can be done in conjunction with other therapies, such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.

    Click below to read more about Acupuncture and Wobblers:

    Wobblers Syndrome in Great Danes

    SURGERY

    Surgery is an option for some dogs with Wobbler Syndrome. Surgery involves decompressing the cervical spine by removing the intervertebral disc material that is causing the compression.

    The goal of surgery is to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, and to stabilize the spine.

    Surgery is often successful in treating Wobbler Syndrome, however it is a major surgery with a long recovery time.

    Your dog will need to be on strict cage rest for at least eight weeks after surgery, and will likely need physical therapy to help them recover.

    Speak with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits of surgery for your dog.

    Surgery items must have:

    1. Head cone
    2. Surgical Suit
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    QUALITY OF LIFE FOR A DOG WITH WOBBLERS SYNDROME

    Dogs with Wobblers Syndrome can have a good quality of life with the right treatment.

    Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, acupuncture, and/or surgery.

    The most important thing you can do for your dog is to seek out the advice of a veterinarian who is experienced in treating Wobblers Syndrome.

    With the right treatment, your dog can enjoy a good quality of life despite this condition.

    Do you have a dog with Wobblers Syndrome? Share your story in the comments!

    This syndrome is not curable, however there are treatments available to help manage this neurological condition and improve the quality of life for your dog.

    READ MORE:
    HOW TO USE CBD FOR YOUR DOG
    GIGI’S ACUPUNCTURE STORY: A WOBBLERS SURVIVOR
    CANINE ARTHRITIS- HOW BAD IS IT?
    HOW PAINFUL IS HIP DYSPLASIA?
    ARE GROWING PAINS CONCERNING?
    GREAT DANE PUPPY GROWTH CHART
    IS LASER THERAPY HELPFUL FOR PAIN?
    CAN CBD HELP WITH PAIN?

    STOMACH TACKING PROS AND CONS FOR GREAT DANES