As a responsible breeder we feel that new Weimaraner owners should be aware of health problems that some Weimaraners may face in their lifetime. Weijarra takes pride in DNA profiling, Disease Specific testing of (vWD) Type 1. Hip & Elbow scoring of our Sire and Dam's prior to mating, however we are not always able to control whether a bitch we lease or a stud dog we use has had his hips - elbows x-rayed and scored, as it is not mandatory for Wei's in Australia.

AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE ARE OUR DOGS: AVA/ANKC CANINE HIP & ELBOW DYSPLASIA REPORTS, CANINE DNA DISEASE REPORTS AND CERTIFICTE'S OF DNA ANALYSIS

HIP DYSPLASIA:

Hip Dysplasia is a common problem in large breeds, although any breed or cross breed may be affected. It is caused by looseness in the hip joint, which is a ball and socket joint. What this means is whenever the dog runs or jumps there may be an impact between the ball and the socket. This continual trauma can cause transient soreness, and will at an early stage cause severe arthritis.

Prevention of Hip Dysplasia:  

Hip Dysplasia is partially a genetic problem and partially dependant on how the dog is raised. If buying a purebred dog, ask if the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and elbow scores. Most breeders have their breeding stock hip and elbow scored to determine if they are affected before breeding, these scores should be known to you. A dog that is genetically prone to hip dysplasia may be prevented from having severe problems by controlling their diet. Equally, a dog that is not genetically prone to hip dysplasia can develope it if not fed properly in the initial months of its life. Exercise can also play a part. Overfeeding and an unbalanced diet are the main enviromental causes of hip dysplasia. Puppies under 12 weeks should be fed 3 times daily, and not in between. Their diet should be balanced either by using canned and dry foods, or by feeding a varied diet of meat, pasta/rice and vegetables. An all meat diet is the most common diet to cause hip and other joint problems. Pups over 12 weeks should be fed the same food, but often twice daily is suffient. weight checks at vaccination times are important to monitor the growth of your pup.

Some exercises should also be avoided. Jumping from and to high places should be avoided. While it would be unfair to stop puppies from playing, it should be kept in mind that "high impact" activities make your pup more prone to hip dysplasia.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:   http://www.online-vets.com/HipScores/index.htm

BLOAT - (GASTRIC TORSION):

Bloat is a disease common to deep-chested dogs that can involve twisting or torsion of the stomach with subsequent blockage of the esophagus at one end and the intestine at the other. Bloat happens quickly and is often FATAL WITHOUT IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION. 

Its symptoms include retching with no vomiting, extreme salivation, obvious discomfort, and distention of the abdomen. Gulping food can bring on an attack of bloat, so Weimaraners should be fed twice daily to avoid the hunger pangs that lead to eating too fast. some breeders believe that foods containing soybeans shouldn't be fed to breeds that are susceptible to bloat because the beans can produce gas. It is noted that you should not exercise a dog 1 hour before eating or after eating, as many cases of bloat occur in the evening, after the dog has perhaps shared the family's pizza or some other highly-spiced food and then exercised.

 The exact cause of bloat is unknown but it is believed that it involves a problem with abnormal motility. With a motility defect, food has a longer than normal stomach retention time to distention. Over time repeated distention of the stomach leads to stretching of the ligaments which normally hold the stomach in place. If the ligaments are no longer able to stabilize the stomach, it is free to rotate when distended and this leads to Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus.

 Treatment of the condition is very complicated and consists of several steps. These steps are decompression, shock management, surgical stabilization and recovery. Treatment of each dog is undertaken on an individual basis and is dependant upon the response to the previous step.

Update on Bloat: Results of a 5 Year Bloat Study-http://mhwc.org/rescue/  Go to Home page, click on Breed information

VON WILLEBRAND DISEASE (vWD): 

The blood-clotting disorder Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) was first identified in humans in the 1920's by a Finnish doctor Dr E. A. von Willebrand. It is a haemophilia - like disease, typified by the reduced quantity or absence of a certain clotting factor - the (vWf) factor - in the plasma. The factor is a glycoprotein and is necessary for the normal platelet function of blood clotting. Platelets are components of blood that assist with clotting. Reserch has shown that 12 blood clotting 'factors' exist - vWD affects levels of factor V111.  vWD isn't so much a disease as a condition of all the inherited bleeding disorders, in animals and humans it's the most common. The defect isn't sex linked so both male and female can suffer from the 'disease'.  Puppies who have inherited a double dose of the gene, are rarely seen because affected puppies usually die during fetal development or shortly after birth. Carriers of this genetic defet may show no symptoms until some other stress further comprises the ability of the body to form clots. Something as simple as a puppy teething, spaying or neutering your dog or a heat cycle in females.                    

vWd is unlikely to cause death, with most forms of the disease mild or in many cases diffcult to detect. However, in soe cases and particular breeds (eg Scottish Terriers) Type 111 vWD cases can be life threatening  or servere.

There are two forms of vWd - Inherited and Acquired. Inherited vWd (autosomal recessive) is the most common form of vWd in dogs and is divided into three types

TYPE 1: Probably the most common as it is found in most breeds of dogs and inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Bleeding disorders are due to reduced levels of vWf and is generally less severe than the other two types. 

TYPE 11: Low concentration of abnormal vWf. Also inherited as a dominant trait and is the rarest of the three.

TYPE 111. The complete absence of vWf in affected dogs, thus the most severe of the three. Inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.  Any episodes of bleeding usually require transfusions of blood or supply of the missing vWf.      

 

Acquired vWD:

Because the production of Willebrands disease in the body arises almost exclusively from the endothelial cells lining blood vessels, any disease process altering the endothelial metabolism and protein synthesis can affect willebrands levels. Auto-immune disease, especially thyroid disease, can disrupt Willebrands production and function. The disruption cause a secondary, aquired form of Willebrands.

A gene Test allows an accurate assessment of the disease and is 100% accurate. Research has shown that carrier or affected dogs can show variable levels of vWD expression, therefore some affected dogs may bleed severely while others dogs may show very little bleeding.

It should be noted that vWD is not a death sentence for dogs, in fact many dogs with the disease can live quite normal lives and show no complication e.g. carriers of the recessive form who do not have the disease. 

FOR MORE INFORMTION GO TO:  http://www.geneticscienceservices.com/

 

IMMUNODEFICIENCY: 

One of the inherited problems that can affect your puppy is "Immunodefiency". This disease affects the dogs immune system and can cause problems when the system is challenge by an infection or following a vaccination. There is no specific cure for this inherited disease.

What sort of problem will I see? The infection may take many forms, and may include:

Pneumonia and Upper airway infections

Gastro-enteritis, Vomiting and diarrhea

Dermatitis, dry or weepy infections, or Parasitic infestations

Generalized Lymph node enlargement (enlarged glands)

Arthritis, recurrent fevers of unknown origin

This may result in a puppy which has retarded growth, and generalized wasting.

Therefore the puppy or dog will be seen to be forever getting one infection after another.

Research suggests that these dogs have a white blood cell problem which prevents them from successfully coping with infections that from time to time occur in normal dogs.

 

REACTION TO VACCINATIONS:

AUTO-IMMUNE:

Acute reaction to combination shots, auto-immune reaction, sometimes occur in a small number of Weimaraner puppies. The first modified live virus shot may go smoothly, but the subsequent shots cause a severe immune system reaction from the puppy. Lethargy is noted which is rare for a puppy. A rising temperature, elevated white blood count, plus a lack of interest in food; the puppy may eat much less enthusiastically or not at all. The fever continues and lymph nodes swell. Swollen joints and weakness make puppy unable to stand. A trip to the veterinarian is imperative. Treatment varies from giving large amounts of steroids to giving aspirin with antibiotics.

The Board of Directors of the Weimaraner Club of recommends when vaccinating Weimaraner puppies, the Distemper and Parvo shot vaccines be administered separately, a two week interval between each vaccine. Any other vaccines should be administered separately as well. While this protocol helps, it does not prevent the auto-immune response in all puppies. The shot schedule is more time consuming, but worth the effort.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:  http://www.weimclubamerica.org/

HIP & ELBOW SCORES 

SEE BELOW FOR HIP & ELBOW SCORES OF OUR  CURRENT DOGS AT HOME & STUD DOGS WE HAVE BRED

DOG	HIP SCORE	ELBOW SCORE	REGISTRY
Aust Ch Bromhund Dictate Emall	6-8=14	0-0=0	AVA
Aust Ch Bromhund Graphic Charge	Pending
Aust Ch Ghostwind Just Jazz	4-4=8	0-1=1	AVA
Aust Ch Bromhund Winning Edge	Pending
Aust Ch Weijarra Daman Has Style	2-2=4	0-0=0	AVA