A few guidelines for veterinary care and signs to look for in your dog which would indicate the possible need for a visit to your veterinarian as soon as you can.

---

If you do not yet have a veterinarian, the guidelines below will help you establish a beggining rapport with your vet pertaining to your dane. Often times, your breeder will be able to recommend a vet that they have used for many years. If you currently have a vet and this is your first time as a dane owner, take the time to ask your vet the questions listed below:

• Have you cared for Great Danes before ?
• How many current Great Dane clients do you have currently ?
• Have you had experience in emergency bloat situations ?
• Are you capable of and willing to perform emergency surgery for bloat ?
• What is your after hours procedure to obtain emergency care for any problem ?
• Have you had experience with Pano or Hod in a Great Dane ?
• Will you accept and understand that I will not feed Science Diet to my dane ?
• (If you purchased a puppy and wish to crop ears) - Do you do cropping ? How many crops have you done ?
• (If you purchased a bitch to show and breed) - Are you capable and willing to perform pre and post pregnancy care ? and Are you able and willing to come to my home for emergency care during delivery of pups ?
• Are you willing to go along with my recommendations for a vaccination protocol ?

• Appearing under or excessively over weight
• Not gaining weght (puppies grow rapidly - height/weight should increase weekly if not daily)
• Excessive urination - (Puppies pee a lot)
• Extended periods of loose stools or diarhea (Change in diet will cause this)
• Straining to urinate or defacate
• Blood in stools or urine
• No bowell movements
• Excessive scratching at skin or chewing of legs, toes, etc.
• Limping or inability to apply weight on a leg
• Excessive shaking of head or scratching at ears
• Shortness of breath with moderate excercize
• Coughing and Sneezing
• Hair loss in patches
• Lack of appetite
• Excessive eye matter
• Excessive gas (This may also be caused by the diet)
• Repeated vomiting or dry heaves
• Lethargy (Puppies sleep a lot but are often rowdy in between)
• Open wounds which continue to bleed
• Foul odors on your dane for which there is no apparent reason

If your dane is injured or in a state of lethargy, it may be necessary to 'man-handle' the dog to move it to a different location or load in your vehicle.
First - try to muzzle your dog as dogs in pain may bite out of fear; If you do not have a muzzle, you can loosely tie a cloth material or womens nylon around the muzzle. If there are 2 people available, manually picking up the dog is easy, either by lifting with supporting neck - if that isnt working for you, use a blanket, sheet, or towell and push, pull, or gently roll the dog onto this to use like a stretcher

Danetalkers Great Dane Lovers Society Created and designed by DP & The Danes

In Remembrance of September 11, 2001 We must never forget Click Here For A Special Tribute

Danetalkers promotes responsible dog ownership and ethical breeding