Like humans Dobermanns are mostly fit and healthy but do occasionally suffer from a variety of health problems, also like humans the most common of these are cancers and heart problems. There are so many links to cancer sites that we won't cover those for the moment but will give links to some of the other most common problems. Don't let these problems put you off having a Dobermann - just check the background of your dog and which tests your puppy's breeder has carried out.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
believed to be one of the biggest killers of our breed striking
dog and bitch alike. More informatation can be found at:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in the Dobermann
- Courtesy of Yvonne Walker (Darcregan)
The Veterinary Cardiovascular
Society - includes information and lists of Veterinary Cardiologists
Ontario
Veterinary College Cardio pages - this appears to be for vets and will probably
raise more questions than it answers but has a lot of information.
Von Willebrands Disease (vWD)
a bleeding disorder which is readily identified by a simple dna test via cheek swab or blood test. All Dobermanns
should be tested for this and bred accordingly.
Information on, and UK List of von Willebrands Disease Clears and Carrier
Genesearch
VetGen
Persistent Hyper plastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV)
sometimes known as - Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis (PHTVL) an eye problem.
PHPV & list of UK Veterinary Eye Specialists
Wobblers, Cervical Spondolopathy (CS)
A painful disease of the Cervical spine - one of those problems that because our breed is subject to it vet's are inclined
to "over diagnose" and it often turns out, upon examination, to be something else.
Sylvia's Story - Dobermann owner who now does agility with her bitch that had it
after gold bead therapy (sort of permanent acupunture) plus neck wraps
Wobblers- Bruce R Wittles DVM
Cornell Verterbral information - if you work your way though this one you will learn a lot about reading x-rays of the verterbral column !
Hypothryroidism
Thyroid deficiency causes many problems including
poor coats, lack of energy, excess weight gain - if you Dobe is ever off colour
for no obviously specific reason request your vet to do a thryoid test - this
is easily treated by tablets which your dog will remain on for the rest of
its life.
Stomach Problems
Not a specific Dobermann problem but a very informative site
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pancreatitis in the Dog and Cat