Does Rottweiler Puppies/Dogs have health issues?
Tell me guys; do you think there is a perfect animal living in this planet without any health issues? That’s right; each and every creature has their own health problems, which is part of life. So, these beautiful dogs are no exception. But, if you plan and breed them correctly, we should be able to mitigate the health issues to almost 0.001%. Another important thing that must be remembered is to avoid taking unnecessary risk that could jeopardize the health of your new puppy. And REMEMBER, NOT ALL ROTTIES WILL GET THESE DISEASES!!! So, research well before you buy your puppy.

So, what are the health issues that Rottweiler’s face?

  • Hip Dysplasia

This is a condition which gets passed on to the dog by heritage. In simple term, this means the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Now some dogs may show visible pain and lameness either on one or both rear legs but with some dogs you may not even know if that dog has Hip Dysplasia since some dogs may not show any discomfort. Dogs that have this condition can develop arthritis as they age. A simple way to find out about this condition is to get your dog’s hips x-rayed and analyzed periodically.

 

 We here at VomHause Hamilton, do not breed dogs with this condition since we test each and every one of our dogs before we use them in our kennel. Even though this condition is hereditary it can be worsened by many environmental factors and owners negligence. For examples jumping from heights, slipping on slick floors and the easiest mistake which most puppy owners do “Over feeding the puppy on a high calorie diet which triggers a rapid unhealthy growth”.

  • Elbow Dysplasia
Another hereditary condition. Simply put, it is a malformation of the elbow joint. The way to diagnose this condition is the same as hip dysplasia, which is taking an x-ray. In some cases, this can be corrected via surgery or a vet might give medication to control the pain.
  • Aortic Stenosis/Sub-aortic Stenosis
This common heart defect is seen in almost every dog breed, so Rottie’s are no exception. This condition occurs when the aorta narrows below the aortic valve forcing the heart to work harder to supply blood to the body. Even though it is an inherited condition, the mode of transmission is still unknown. A vet will diagnose this condition after a heart murmur has been detected.
  • Heart Murmur

Another common condition which relates to all dogs. It is the whooshing sound that the heart creates when pumping blood in and out from the muscle. Common causes are heartworm disease, heart valve problems, heart defects, weak heart muscle and tumors. Now occasionally when you take your puppy to the vet, a heart murmur might be detected at a very young age and grade it depending on the intensity or loudness of the murmur. If it’s a low-grade murmur (innocent murmur), it will most likely disappear by the age of 4 months.

  • Gastric Dilatation-volvulus (GDV) AKA Bloat or Torsion

Now this is a condition in my opinion that can be avoided 100% if dog owners control the feeding time and the portions you feed your puppy. This condition affects almost every large dog breed with a deep chest. Especially, if Rottweiler’s are fed once a day, eat rapidly, drinks excess amount of water after a meal and you start playing and exercising the puppy/dog straight after a feed, you’ll find yourself in a very serious condition. How this happens is when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists (torsion). Then the dog is unable to belch or vomit to get rid of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded.

 

After that blood pressure will start to drop and the puppy/dog goes into shock. If you don’t react immediately to get medical attention, the dog can die. Keep an eye on your dog while feeding and after a feed. If your dog has a distended abdomen or is salivating excessively, retching without throwing up, restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate; RUN TO THE VET!!! So Please REMEMBER just like we sit with our kids for meals, spend some time with your four-legged companion while having their meals. Train them to eat slowly, give them in small potions and please do not get them to do excess physical activities straight after they eat. We as humans don’t do it; neither should your fur babies.

  • Allergies
Another common enemy to almost all the canines. These are caused by either reaction to something that touched your puppy/dog (flea powders, shampoo, bedding or chemicals) OR by airborne allergies such as pollen, mildew and dust. This condition can be managed by identifying what the dog is allergic to and removing it from the environment or through appropriate medication. Ear infections are one of the common side effects of an airborne allergy.
Don’t start panicking after you read this list, but I believe it’s best for you to know it before you get a dog, so that you’re aware of your rottweiler puppy as it grows and what challenges you might face. Please remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE after you get a puppy from us. We will be with you every step of the way and face all challenges together. So, before you panic and run to the vet just pick up the phone and ring us or contact us by any convenient way for you. We will guide you on the correct path which is best for you and the puppy. We are here for you and your fur babies 24/7.
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