All dogs can suffer from a variety of illnesses, many of which are not possible to predict or even prevent sadly. Here at Swisshaven we do not believe in playing a health roulette with our dogs. We are open and honest about any issues they have or MAY have but so far our pre-breeding research has paid off and to date we have no dogs who have developed serious health problems.

 

For the most part, this breed is relatively healthy for their size; GSMDs have far fewer problems than more populous breeds in the similar size range. However it is always wise to read up on and consider the issues that can come up - below they are explained:

 

 

EYELASHES:

The two most common eye issues that Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs face are distichiasis and entropion. Distichiasis is the presence of extra eyelashes along the eyelid. In the majority of cases it is non-symptomatic and does not cause an issue for the dog. Extra eyelashes can be seen along the eyelid; sometimes extra eyelashes grow so that they irritate the eye. Treatment varies from vet to vet, some choosing to freeze the affected hair follicles and others choosing to use electrocautery.

Entropion is the rolling in of the eyelids, which causes the eyelashes to irritate the eye. Entropion is a condition that often requires surgery to fix, but once corrected causes no future issues for the dog.

 

LICK FIT:

Lick fit is obsessive licking which is not breed-restricted i.e all dogs can develope the habit. When in the middle of a lick fit, the dog will lick anything and everything, may gulp air and swallow constantly. It may be caused by bellyache, (but can also be an anxiety habit.) Owners report ensuring the dog never has an empty stomach by frequent, smaller meals and large dog biscuits as between meal snacks eleviates this issue. Some let them eat grass (a natural behaviour). We use Fruit Tums and/or Nutravet (Vetpro) natural paste in the suringe available at any vets.

 

EPILEPSY:

Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) causes frequent seizures. Seizures occur when nerve cells in the brain become hyperexcited and send rapid-fire messages to the body.Treatment of IE depends on the severity of the case and may involve daily administration of anticonvulsant drugs. IE typically surfaces between the ages of 1 to 3 years, but it can become evident as early as 12 months and as late as 5 years. It is very difficult to predict, the science has not identified the genes which pass it on (if they exist) and there is no test for it. However common sense is the best defense, and we look back through many generations and litters to try to avoid it at all costs. We do not "test" (the term used for breeding anyway) any dog we think may be a risk of producing diseases.  To date none of our breeding dogs have had Epilepsy all are fit and healthy. 

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Only one rehomed female, she had an awful trauma in her first home not fed correctly or treated right, she came back to us for many months, we worked with a Behaviourist who took her into her home and family and then the female came back to us.  All at our expense.  A couple enquired about her, came to visit her, she loved them they loved her and their male dog.  They came back to get her.  They were told that we were concerned she might have seizures in the future because of the trauma and the couple kept in regular contact.  They asked to spay her, and as we tell all our homes, spaying and castration can be triggers for epilepsy and we said hopefully she will be alright.  Sadly that was not the case because almost a year after, she had her first small fit, vet took bloods nothing concerned the vet.  Then well over a year almost 2 later, couple had split up before this, the female had a cluster and lost her at the vets.  We have the messages from the owner as proof.  Her sibblings and parents all great none have anything wrong, all healthy.

 

IE is however present in the UK GSMD population. Sadly many owners have lost beloved dogs to it in the UK outside of Swisshaven because they continue to breed from toxic bloodlines and import similar.  So PLEASE be careful if you chose to visit other breeders. They hide it along with deaths from Bloat and failed eye tests. 

 

BLOAT:

Bloat, a.k.a. gastric dilatation-volvulous (GDV), occurs in deep-chested breeds (and horses) and requires immediate veterinary care. Symptoms are distended abdomen, excessive salivating, depression and lethargy. If not treated, the dog may die. It is again hard to establish a definite cause, but may be caused by wolfing down too much water, too much food too fast, or exercise after eating so we avoid all of these variables! Many people suggest raised food and water bowls are a great preventative measure, but we can only advise on what works for us.  In over 18 yrs now, no Swisshaven dog has developed and died from Bloat. 

 

 

Bloat is however present in the UK GSMD population. Dogs bred too young have sired litters then died from so PLEASE be careful if you chose to visit other breeders.

 

DYSPLASIAS:

Hip dysplasia (HD) is the irregular formation of the joint that joins the femur – the longest bone in the body – to the hip socket. Early signs of HD include a reluctance to go up and down stairs or to jump; difficulty rising or lying down; and bunny hopping when running – both hind limbs move together. HD is among the principal orthopedic diseases in large breeds, but the good news is you can test for it and it is rarely severe or crippling. Unless x-rays are taken many owners are not aware that they have a dysplastic dog. We test without exception and research all lines carefully.

 

Elbow dysplasia (ED) a is a degerative joint disease – a slowly progressive form of cartilage degeneration usually caused by trauma or abnormal wear on the joint. Evidence suggests that most dogs of this breed diagnosed with degenerative joint disease by x-rays of the elbows have the mildest form. Testing before breeding, moderating puppy exercise and a good diet make for great agile Swissies. We test without exception and research all lines carefully.

 

OCD:

No, OCD isn't a condition that compels your dog to keep checking on his buried bones or constantly wash his paws. In this case, OCD stands for osteochondritis dissecans, a joint disease that affects shoulders, elbows, and knees.

 

OCD mainly strikes large-breed dogs, and is fairly common in Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards.

Most often the cause is rapid bone development, so OCD is usually found in puppies between four and eight months old. 

 

Inflammation of cartilage in the dog's joints where the bones meet causes the issues and small pieces of the cartilage can detach. The joint gets inflamed and swollen, nerves get irritated which is obviously not comfortable! 

 

No one's quite sure what causes OCD. It may be hereditry which is why we test for it to add to the research. However, too much stress on a young dog's bones, knocks/traumas, restricted blood flow to the cartilage, diet, nutrition, and weight may also be factors. Limiting dietary intake of energy and calcium reduces the incidence of this condition.

 

 

EYESIGHT: Some issues may affect Swissies, cataracts is known in the breed but is not a breed-specific concern. However, as we are sensible, all of our dogs have yearly eye checkups and we would never consider breeding from a dog that shows eye problems in early life. There are however breeders in the UK who do not share this opinion and will do so, so PLEASE be careful if you chose to visit other breeders and ask for the contact details of their vets and chat to them if they try to justify it.

 

Our bloodlines had ED and OCD Free since 2005.