Health Concerns that can affect Dobermans

Dobermans are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. When adopting a member of any breed, you need to do your research and familiarize yourself with common health issues. Unfortunately, Dobermans have a number of genetic pre-dispositions, and all adopters need to be aware and understand what to look for. Not all Dobies will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. 

 Von Willebrand's Disease: An inherited blood disorder, this condition interferes with the blood's ability to clot. The main symptom is excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery. Other symptoms include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. There is no cure, and a blood transfusion from the blood of normal dogs is currently the only treatment.  However, most dogs with von Willebrand's disease can lead normal lives.  A vet can test your dog for the condition; dogs with this condition should not be bred.

 Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or "Bloat"): This is a life-threatening condition that can affect large, deep-chested dogs such as Dobermans. This is especially true if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists (torsion). The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen and is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak, with a rapid heart rate. It's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you see these signs.

 Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinschers is a challenging disease. An inherited, irreversible heart muscle disorder that affects Dobermans more than any other breed, DCM can cause ventricular arrhythmia, or erratic heartbeats, and sudden death. Normal heartbeats are interrupted by rapid beats that fire too closely together, subsequently shorting out the heart, and the dog faints. About one-third of these dogs have no prior signs of the disease until they die. Some dogs recover, yet some die suddenly.

Dobermans with DCM also can develop congestive heart failure when the heart dilates to compensate for the weakened heart muscle. This causes the heart to hold a greater volume of blood, while its thinned walls continue to weaken. Fluid may back up in the dog’s heart, lungs and abdomen. Signs of pulmonary edema include coughing, rapid breathing and lethargy. By the time the characteristic clinical signs, such as weakness, lethargy and coughing, appear, the disease may be advanced and the prognosis grim.

Since the congestive heart failure form of the disease is often not diagnosed until dogs are around 7 ½ years old, they may have already been bred when DCM is discovered. Fifty percent of dogs with congestive heart failure die within months. Affected dogs usually appear normal until the heart muscle is no longer able to pump adequate amounts of blood to the body.

Due to the prevalence of the disease in the breed, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America recommends that dogs receive an echocardiogram screening when they are between 1 and 2 years of age, along with a baseline Holter monitor test. Dogs in breeding programs should be tested every six months. These tests help to identity the disease sooner when treatment can help slow its progression, ease clinical signs and improve quality of life.

 Hip Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but others don't display outward signs of discomfort. (X-ray screening is the most certain way to diagnose the problem.) Either way, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred.

 Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same.

Hypothyroidism: This is a disorder of the thyroid gland that's thought to cause conditions such as epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy, dark patches on the skin, and other skin conditions. It's treated with medication and diet.

Wobbler's Syndrome: Suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermans, affected dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are neck pain and paralysis of the legs. Surgical therapy is hotly debated, because in some cases the condition can recur even after such treatment.

 Color Mutant Alopecia: This is a condition of the coat associated with blue or fawn coat colors. It affects blue and occasionally red Dobies. Most dogs who develop this condition are born with normal coats; symptoms generally start to show up at four months to three years of age. As the dog grows and matures, they develop brittle hair, followed by patchy hair loss. Only the blue portions of the coat are affected. Secondary infection and inflammation is common. The condition is incurable, although medicated shampoos may help reduce scaling and itching.

 Narcolepsy: This is a neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate wake-sleep patterns. A dog with narcolepsy may suddenly become sleepy and in fact fall asleep. Research for treatment is underway.

 Hypothyroidism: In Dobermans, hypothyroidism is usually always an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. The mode of transmission and heritability is unknown. Diagnosis is by a blood test administered by a veterinarian. Medication is given by prescription, and the amount is regulated by additional blood work. Usually T4 is given, and in some dogs T3 is also needed. Some Dobermans who register in low- normal range will benefit from thyroid supplementation. Hypothyroidism is one of the more easily treated disorders.

 Chronic Active Hepatitis: Doberman hepatitis is a form of chronic active hepatitis which is a progressive inflammatory disease of the liver affecting Dobermans and in particular affects female dogs. The disease is likely to be caused or worsened by high levels of copper in the liver and bloodstream. Chronic hepatitis is characterized by inflammation, scarring and destruction of the cells and tissue of the liver, resulting in loss of liver function and, if left untreated, liver failure. The condition affects middle-aged to older dogs and the high incidence in Dobermans suggests there is a genetic predisposition. However, it is currently not known why the Doberman is predisposed to develop the condition, but a genetic defect in copper metabolism in this breed is likely. Early diagnosis of chronic hepatitis is difficult because the clinical signs are non-specific and include weight loss, weakness, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Signs of later stages of the condition include abdominal swelling and jaundice, and confusion/altered consciousness may occur when increased copper levels affect brain function.