Along with the shorter life expectancy for Great Danes, the breed is also predisposed to many health issues. Investing in pet insurance may be a good idea if you’re looking to add a Dane to your family.
Bloat and Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
One of the most serious medical conditions that more commonly affects Great Danes is gastric dilatation volvulus, or GDV. This is a severe form of bloat in dogs and can be life-threatening in less than 24 hours.
GDV happens when the stomach fills with gas and twists, blocking off the blood supply to the stomach and spleen. This condition can lead to an increasing amount of stress on the heart and can cause dogs to go into shock. A Great Dane is deep-chested, which allows the stomach more room to rotate on its axis.
While it’s not known exactly what causes bloat, it often occurs after a deep-chested dog eats a large meal or drinks a lot of water before exercising. It has also been associated with large breed dogs that eat or drink from elevated food bowl.
Signs of GDV include:
- Retching or attempts at vomiting with no success
- Stomach distension and swollen abdomen
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Panting
If you have a Great Dane and you notice any of these signs, seek emergency veterinary care as soon as possible.
Fortunately, the risk of GDV can be significantly reduced with a preventive surgery called a gastropexy. In this procedure, the veterinarian tacks the stomach to the body wall so it can’t twist in the abdominal cavity. Many pet parents elect to do this procedure while their Great Dane is already under anesthesia for spay or neuter surgery.
Talk to your veterinarian about whether a gastropexy is a good decision for your Great Dane.
Hip Dysplasia
Like many other large breeds, Great Danes can be prone to hip dysplasia, a genetic condition characterized by a hip joint that doesn’t grow properly and becomes loose. Without treatment, arthritis will develop.
Reputable Great Dane breeders should screen their dogs to make sure this genetic condition isn’t passed to puppies. Hip dysplasia can be managed medically, but severe cases my require surgery.
Wobbler Syndrome
Great Danes have a large head and a long neck. Increasing their susceptibility to a neurologic condition called Wobbler syndrome. This disease of the cervical spinal cord causes neck pain and an unsteady, wobbly gait.
This disease is linked to nutrition, so it’s important to feed a growing Great Dane a quality large-breed puppy diet until they are 18 months of age. This diet will help moderate their growth and lessen the risk of both hip dysplasia and Wobbler syndrome.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Additionally, Great Danes and other giant breeds are more likely to have degenerative myelopathy, a spinal condition that causes lower back pain, progressive weakness starting with the hindlegs, and paralysis.
The condition is more common in senior and overweight dogs. The first signs of trouble may include weakness in the back end or hind legs and reluctance to rise after lying down.
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to reduce their risk of lower back pain. Obesity greatly increases a senior dog’s risk of developing back and joint issues.
Happy Tail Syndrome
In keeping with all other aspects of a Great Dane’s size, the breed’s tail is especially long. This length, combined with their enthusiasm and joy for life, makes Great Danes prone to a condition called happy tail syndrome.
When a Great Dane wags their tail, it may hit objects around it. Happy tail syndrome refers to repeated injuries to the tail tip due to wagging. This repeat trauma results in non-healing wounds on the end of the tail.
Treatment can range from medical management to surgically shortening the tail.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Great Danes have a large heart and are prone to a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. In this progressive disease, the heart muscle gradually stretches and becomes weak, slowly losing the ability to pump blood efficiently.
While genetics predominantly determine a dog’s risk for developing DCM, nutrition can also play a big role. Symptoms include:
- Difficultly breathing
- Blue gums or tongue
- Coughing or hacking
- Difficulty settling
- Tiring easily
- Decreased appetite
- Distended stomach
- Fainting or collapse
- Sudden death
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, take them to the vet immediately.