Common dog health problems seen by many dog owners are not a big concern for most Weimaraner owners. For the most part, Weinheimers are very healthy dogs.
But, there are a few serious canine health problems that sometimes affect them, and they might require veterinary intervention.
Here’s what you’ll find below:
- Section 1 – Most common dog health problems for Weimaraners
- Section 2 – Hereditary diseases in Weimaraners
- Section 3 – Joint Issues that plague Weinheimers
- Section 4 – Infections in dogs
- Section 5 – Chemical imbalances in dogs
- Section 6 – How long do Weimaraners live?
There are quite a few conditions that your dog could develop, so I’ve divided them into sections. Each section heading has red text, so it will be easier to go to the section that you want to see.
Section 1 – Most Common Dog Health Problems for Weimaraners
Dog Bloat
Dog bloat is the most common health issue for Weimaraners.
Weinheimers are the 3rd most likely dog breed to suffer from bloat.
Physically, the Weimaraner is a deep-chested dog, and this is one of the characteristics that make them more susceptible to dog bloat or gastric torsion.
Dog bloat is a very serious condition, a medical emergency, that develops quickly. If left untreated, canine bloat will lead to a painful death.
The good news is that most dogs who have surgery for this condition, do survive.
Continue reading about dog bloat.
Dog Bloat Symptoms
There are 9 common dog bloat symptoms that you will definitely notice. If your pet gets dog bloat, she will be in extreme pain and discomfort, and there is no way that you can overlook this.
Dog bloat often appears when a dog has just eaten and then exercises. At other times, the dog has gorged himself on a lot of water.
A dog with bloat is miserable and will try to vomit as a way to relieve himself.
For the most part, you can prevent bloat with careful attention to your dog’s eating and drinking and with a rest period afterward.
Continue reading about dog bloat symptoms.
Salmonella Poisoning in Dogs
Whether your dog is out running in the fields or woods and eats something that she finds, or she eats a recalled contaminated dog food, she can get salmonella food poisoning.
Hunting dogs and dogs that hike with you are more susceptible to getting salmonella than dogs who never leave their own yard.
This is because salmonella is easily spread through the feces or dead body of an animal that had the bacteria in his system.
Unfortunately salmonella poisoning is another common problem for Weimaraners. And, like bloat, it is also important to get medical help if your dog is infected.
Section 2 – Hereditary Diseases in Weimaraners
Of course the best way to avoid having a dog with a hereditary disease is to choose your breeder wisely.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you ask for references. Make sure that the references check out and that people who got dogs from the breeder were happy.
Cryptorchisism in Weimaraners
Cryptorchisism is a hereditary condition found in dogs where the male dog’s testicles do not descend or drop down by the age of 8 weeks.
This is fairly common in Weimaraners, and it is a good reason to choose your breeder carefully. A good breeder will not breed dogs with a history of this in their line.
It’s important that you don’t discount this because you don’t plan on breeding your dog. The condition not only causes a problem for breeding, but it also makes the dog much more likely to get testicular cancer as he ages.
Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in dogs, and we do see it in Weimaraners.
Continue reading about cryptorchisism.
Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand disease, or vWD, is another hereditary disease that Weimaraners get.
With this condition, dogs bleed excessively after a minor injury or scratch, a vaccination or a minor surgery. In some cases, a dog can be a carrier, with no symptoms.
Dogs with Von Willebrand cannot hunt safely, as only minor scratches or cuts can cause a dog to bleed without clotting.
Continue reading about Von Willebrand disease.
Dog Skin Allergies or Sensitivities
Skin allergies or sensitivities can also be inherited from a dog’s parents. However, this is not one of the most common dog health problems that we see in Weimaraners.
When your dog has skin sensitivities, she can be allergic to anything from food to environmental conditions like heavy pollen.
With sensitivities, your dog will be itchy and will scratch or bite the affected areas.
The best approach, in this case, is to find ways to relieve the itching.
Read more about dog skin allergies.
Section 3 – Joint Issues in Weimaraners
Osteoarthritis or Arthritis
Large dog breeds like Weimaraners are more prone to joint issues than small breeds. As your dog ages, like other large dog breeds, she will be prone to arthritis and other joint issues.
Osteoarthritis develops slowly, so you may not notice that your dog is having some joint issues until she becomes fairly disabled.
Over time, arthritis in dogs gradually get worse, as the joints become worse with wear and tear.
There are a number of reasons your dog could get arthritis and some supplements that can help tame down the symptoms.
Continue reading about canine arthritis.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Dog hip dysplasia or OFA, is a progressive disease in dogs that continues to get worse as your dog ages. Dysplasia is a serious problem that is seen in purebred dogs, including Weimaraners.
When your dog has this condition, the ball of his hip does not fit properly into the socket of his hip.
As a result, your dog would have pain, a type of arthritis in the hip, and would become lame eventually.
Considering that dysplasia is believed to be at least somewhat hereditary, it’s always wise to find a good Weimaraner breeder that you can trust.
Read more about dog hip dysplasia.
Why is your dog limping?
Weims tend to be energetic and fearless, without regard to joint injuries. As a result, their joints do get hurt from time to time. If your dog is limping, for more than a day or two, you’ll need to check her out.
Active and energetic dogs do get hurt from time to time. If your dog is limping, it might just be a muscle sprain or a bruise, just as you might get.
Or, it could be something more serious.
If you notice that your dog is favoring one or more joints, it’s a good idea to see how she is doing when getting up, going up stairs and whether she doesn’t jump onto furniture, if she is used to doing that.
Helping your Dog in Pain
Dogs really can’t tell us when they are in pain. That means that we have to be alert to the signs that they are hurting.
In addition, chronic pain which develops slowly over time, looks different from acute pain from an injury which hurts all of a sudden.
Your dog may be constantly licking or scratching at a place that hurts, or he may act as if nothing is wrong at all, if he is distracted by company or other interesting events.
Section 4 – Infections in Dogs
Ear Infections in Dogs
Dogs like Weimaraners, with their long floppy ears, are prone to ear infections. Because their ears hang down, the air circulation into the ear canal is limited.
This provides a nice, warm and moist environment–perfect for the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Fortunately many dog ear infections are preventable. It’s really important to clean your dog’s ears regularly, and to keep them trimmed.
Also be aware of the symptoms of an ear infection.
You’ll find details in this article.
Conjunctivitis in Dogs
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is also common in dogs. While a mild infection is not serious, untreated conjunctivitis can lead to more serious eye problems.
Weimaraners are among the dog breeds that are most likely to develop this condition.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that they love to run and explore, frequently coming into contact with bushes and weeds that can irritate their eyes.
However, there are a number of other causes for dog pink eye.
Continue reading about canine conjunctivitis.
Canine Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are fairly common in dogs. Some dogs do seem to get them more often than others. And some never have one.
Dogs who already have diabetes or Cushing’s disease tend to get more urinary tract infections than others.
When a dog has a UTI (urinary tract infection), she will pee more often. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to know if there is an infection or behavioral, as in separation anxiety or submissive urination.
If your dog has lots of urinary tract infections, he may have bladder stones.
Bladder Stones in Dogs
If your dog has bladder stones, you may have dealt with one urinary tract infection after another. This is common, and most dog owners don’t put the pieces together right away.
One of the most common symptoms is having to pee a lot. Your dog might drive you crazy, asking to go outside frequently, until you finally figure out that there really is an issue.
Bladder stones are more serious than a urinary tract infection. And, just like in people, if they remain untreated, they can block the urethra and cause really bad pain.
Read more about canine bladder stones.
Canine Influenza or Dog Flu
Dog flu is relatively new, and there are two kinds of dog flu, the H3N8 virus and the H3N2 virus.
The canine flu virus is highly contagious and it affects the respiratory system of dogs. Dogs can pick it up just by sniffing another dog’s toy, drinking or eating from a contaminated bowl, or by being in contact with a sick dog.
A dog could come into contact with the virus at a dog park, boarding kennel, daycare or even on a trip to a dog friendly store like PetSmart.
Continue reading about Canine Influenza.
Section 5 – Chemical Imbalances in Dogs
Weimaraner Dog Pancreatitis Symptoms
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is common in both dogs and cats.
This is a condition that usually comes on suddenly. If your dog is having an attack, you may see him vomiting, having diarrhea and hunched over, in a lot of pain.
Dogs that get pancreatitis often have a history of eating lots of fatty foods. Foods like turkey skin, bacon, sausages, hot dogs and even fried foods.
If your dog has an acute attack of pancreatitis, it is a medical emergency and he needs to see a vet immediately.
Continue reading about pancreatitis in dogs.
Section 6 – How Long Do Weimaraners Live?
How Old is Your Dog in Human Years?
Large dog breeds tend to have shorter life spans than small dog breeds. A typical Bichon Frise, for example, often lives to be 16 years or older.
On the other hand, the average life span of a Weimaraner is from 10 to 12 years. If you choose a healthy Weimaraner puppy from a good breeder, your puppy will probably grow to be a healthy adult.
New studies have indicated that large animals age faster than small animals. Because large dog breeds age faster than small dog breeds, they also tend to get old age conditions like cancer and joint conditions.
Giant breeds like Great Danes have even shorter life spans, and they only live to be about seven years old.
See how old your dog is, in human years.
All in all, if you have a Weimaraner, you probably have a healthy dog. Weimaraners are fairly low maintenance dogs who lead a healthy, carefree life.
And the chances are good that your dog will be healthy for a long time, if you are alert to the symptoms of the most common dog health problems faced by Weimaraners.
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