Great Dane Health
These loving gentle giants have quite a few health concerns many of these are inherited, some are caused by improper nutrition. Some can be caused by both improper nutrients and genetics. Many things are being done to lessen the impact of disease and illness that comes with these loving Great Danes. Such as Selective breeding, health testing, as well as veterinary medicines and treatments. Even though all of these things are helping. This breed still remains a short lived breed. There life span ranges from 7 to 10 years, but many Great Dane live much longer if feed a proper diet and have the proper veterinary care. When getting your Great Dane make sure that your vet is well educated in Great Danes and giant breeds. Also please make sure that you keep your veterinary appointments, as well as making a yearly visit. By doing this you lessen your chances of some of the health concerns becoming major. As there are many medicines that can be used to prevent some of these concerns before they become very painful or life threatening.
If you are planning on purchasing or breeding. Make sure that the male and female Great Dane have both had all the health testing done. It is at the up most importance that the health status is known before breeding any male or female dog. If any of these Health concerns are in there genes they should not be bred, to prevent the disease from going further into the genetics
Here you will find a little bit of information on the major Great Dane health concerns.
Cancer
GDV: Bloat
DCM: Cardiomyopathy
Cataracts
Addison's Disease (hypoadrenocorticism)
Hypothyroidism
Anal Sac Impaction
CVI: Wobblers
HOD
and
Pano.