 | | Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) is a deadly condition when the stomach twists and cuts off its | | | own blood supply. The cause is known, but predispositions include: feeding a single meal each
day, exercise after a meal, and having relatives with a history of bloat. Dog breeds over 100
pounds have a 20% chance of having bloat. Large, deep chested dogs are typically affected with
Great Dane having the highest incidence, followed by the Saint Bernard. The dog may have a
distended abdomen, but the tell tale sign is attempting to vomit without actually bringing up
anything. The dog may bring up froth; which is just saliva and should not be mistaken for
productive vomiting. If your dog ever shows this sign, get him to a veterinarian immediately. Ask
your veterinarian about gastropexy (stomach tacking surgery) while they are young to help
prevent this deadly condition (See Resources for a link with more information).
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| | Splenic torsion is a rare condition in dogs (except in Swissies). In most breeds it occurs | | | secondary to bloat, but in the Swissy it occurs as a primary disease at a much higher rate. It is
speculated that swissies may have an unusual anatomy of the Because it is so rare, many
veterinarians have never seen splenic torsion and are therefore unlikely to suspect it unless
encouraged by the owner to look for it. Splenic torsion can be acute, with sudden abdominal
pain, collapse, and death within 24-48 hours. It can also occur in a chronic form with vague signs of
poor appetite, lethargy, and pale gums. X-rays may show an abnormally shaped spleen, other
organs displaced by the enlarged spleen, or inability to visualize a normal spleen. Surgical removal
of the spleen is the treatment for either acute or chronic torsion.
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| | Osteochondrosis (OC) and Osteochondrosis desiccans (OCD) are disorders of growing | | | bone. It usually occurs in pups 4-10 months old and is 2-3 times as common in males when
compared to females. Normal growth plate and articular cartilage turns into bone, causing it to
lengthen. In OC a portion of the cartilage does not turn into bone, but rather forms an
abnormal thickening of the cartilage. If the thickened cartilage detaches and forms a flap (called a
joint mouse), it is then called OCD. In dogs it is most commonly seen in the shoulder, therefore
any forelimb lameness problem should be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if
OC/OCD may be present. Attempts to manage OC without surgery are usually
unrewarding and result in severe arthritis later in life. Treatment of choice is surgical, followed by
spay or neuter of the animal. OC and OCD lesions can be present in an animal that does not
show any signs. The disorder is caused by a combination of rapid growth, trauma, diet, and
genetics. All breeding animals should have x-rays before breeding to ensure they are not carriers
that will pass it on to their offspring. The goal of nutrition in large breed dogs is to provide
adequate nutrition while encouraging slow growth, and therefore minimize potential for
developmental orthopedic diseases such as OCD.
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| | Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint is not formed properly. The joint instability can | | | lead to arthritis and debilitating pain. Due to the long growth period of large breed dogs, the hip
joint (and other bones) are influenced by nutrition, activity, and potential trauma. These other
factors can lead to an animal with hip dysplasia despite good genetic breeding. Still, all breeding
candidates should be screened for dysplasia via OFA or PennHIP methods (preferably
PennHIP). OFA subjectively evaluates the depth of the socket; and how much of the ball fits
into it to form the joint. PennHIP evaluates the hip as OFA does, but also evaluates how far the
ball; will come out of the socket; when forces of tension are acting on the hip joint, giving a
distraction index to measure hip laxity. Both methods evaluate the hips for signs of arthritis or
degenerative joint disease. Fortunately, Swissies are so muscular in the hindlimbs that even
animals affected with poor hip joint conformation have enough muscular support to prevent them
from showing very much pain or clinical signs.
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| | Panosteitis is an acquired condition of inflammation along the middle of long bones of animals 5- | | | 12 months old. The cause is unknown. Though large and giant breed dogs are predisposed, it is
not inherited. Panosteitis is also known as growing pains; which can cause shifting leg lameness.
Signs usually resolve within a few days with or without treatment, but may take up to 2 weeks and
affected animals are prone to have recurrent bouts until over 20 months of age (or rarely older).
Xrays show patchiness in the medullary cavity of bones. Fortunately, Pan-O is more common
than OCD and has an excellent prognosis.
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| | Distichiasis (or Distichia) is an inherited disorder of the eyelashes. Eyelashes normally erupt from | | | the skin at a certain level. In many swissies, the eyelashes erupt through the eyelid glands which are
nearer the eyelid margin. Though affected animals may show no signs, others may have ulcers due
to scratching of the cornea. More commonly, distichia are responsible for tearing or excessively
watery eyes. There is no simple treatment, as plucking the eyelashes usually makes them recur
thicker and in greater numbers. Plucking is usually reserved to confirm the ulcers resolve when
lashes are removed. The lashes are then removed by laser or other method. This disorder is very
common in the GSMD breed.
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| | Bilious Vomiting Syndrome is a frequent problem in swissies as well as several other breeds. It is | | | commonly known as 'licking fits." BVS starts off as frequent and sometimes frantic licking,
which eventually leads to vomiting bile. The licking is a sign of nausea, presumably caused by the
bile itself irritating an empty stomach. This usually occurs in younger animals, and signs occur most
often in the morning or late night. Most pets can be managed by feeding 2-3 meals spaced out
evenly or giving a few bones before bed, and the condition often resolves with age. If the licking
starts, vomiting can usually be avoided by giving the pet a small meal, pepcid ac, or gas-x tablet.
Though this condition is not serious, it is a common cause of frustration and alarm for new swissy
owners.
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