CARDIAC DISEASES
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) also commonly referred to as "Cardio"

This is a disease affecting the heart muscle which causes the heart to enlarge and not function properly. The cause is still unknown although many studies strongly suggest a genetic cause, it has an age of onset typically between 4 and 10 years of age.

Both the left and right sides of the heart are usually affected with one being ore affected than the other, basically, the lower and upper chambers enlarge and lose their ability to contract and pump blood out to the body or the lungs.

Once diagnosed, long term diagnosis varies with dogs surviving anything from weeks up to 24 months.

Treatment via the use of drugs may improve the heart's function and control signs of congestive heart failure as well as help prevent the accumulation of fluid in or around the lungs.

HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip Dysplasia is not a widespread problem these days, however it can affect a number of the medium to large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a malformation in the development of one or both ball and socket joints in the hip. Normally this joint would be very tight fitting but if HD is present there will be too much movement in the joint which leads to pain and lameness.

This disease is mutlifactoral meaning that it can be genetically based but slao is greatly influenced by environmental factors.

Dogs can have their hips x-rayed and scored by professional veterinary graders. The lower the hip score the better.

Treatment for dogs affected by HD include pain alleviation medication and in severe cases major surgery to replace the joint.

WOBBLERS SYNDROME
Also known as Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI), wobblers is the compression on the spinal cord between the 5th, 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae located in the neck. It usually manifests in affected dogs between 7 and 8 years however can be earlier.

Dragging of the hind feet, the hind legs looking awkward and swaying as if the dog is drunk are early signs of the onset of this disease. The disease progresses to eventually affect all four limbs.

Treatment for wobblers can include pain medication, rest and surgery (although surgery is not always successful), through to alternative treatments including neck wraps ( to immobilise the neck).

CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS (CAH)
Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) is a disease of the liver which causes the liver to degenerat to the point of liver failure and death. There is no definitive cause nor a standard treatment for the disease, nor are there any studies that prove CAH to be an inherited disease.

Symptoms usually include voiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellow tinge to the skin and whites of the eyes), wieght loss, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), however thse symptoms usually do not manafest untill half the liver has been destroyed.

VON WILLEBRANDS DISEASE
A blood clotting disorder Von Willebrands disease (vWd) is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects Dobermanns as well as several other breeds.

Dogs can be tested via a definitive DNA test to determine thier status, this is a siple swab test of the cells from inside the dog's mouth that is sent for analysis.

There are several degrees of the disease;

CLEAR: Does not carry the vWd gene and at no risk of clotting problems due to vWd. Cannot pass the vWd gene onto offspring.

CARRIER: Carries one copy of the vWd gene, at no risk of clotting problems due to vWd, but can pass the vWd gene on to offspring.

AFFECTED: Caries two copies of the vWd gene, is potentially at risk of clotting problems due to vWd and will pass the vWd gene onto all offspring.

If your Dobermann is genetically vWd Affected and requires surgery there are thngs that your vet can do to minimise the risks, such as having extra clotting factor on hand and by doing a blood clotting test prior to the surgery.

BLOAT ( Gastric Dilation Volvulus)
Gastric Dilation or bloat as it is more commonly known is basically an accumulation of food, fluid and air and / or foam in the stomach. The stomach swells and can rotate or twist anything from 90 degrees to a full 360 degrees, which leads to low blood pressure, shock, damage to the internal organs and death.

Bloat is most common in deep chested dogs ie. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Irish Setters and Dobermanns etc.

Symptoms are an unusually distended stomach, nausia and retching but with little coming up. Dogs exhibiting these symptoms should be rushed to the vet for immediate treatment.