Lyme Vaccine – Recommended in endemic areas, but do not give at same time as canine distemper vaccine.  Vaccines should be split. 

Do not allow GSMD to become overweight.  Do not give dietary supplements unless prescribed by your veterinarian.  When giving treats, biscuits, etc, if it’s sized larger than your thumbnail then it’s a “meal” not a “treat”.  We recommend feeding foods with meat as the main ingredient and less than 28% protein (preferably 21-22%).  Feed three meals daily for the first year (morning, after work, late evening) for first year, then two daily meals throughout lifetime.  

Neutering:  We recommend that you postpone neutering GSMD until around 18 months of age if possible.  This delay will allow the growthplates to fuse and develop more draft-dog type features.  Early neutering prevents growth plates from fusing due to hormonal changes, resulting in very tall, narrow, Great Dane-type features.  Some behaviors can potentially be avoided by neutering at a younger age, such as leg-lifting, roaming, and aggression, but can usually be managed through proper owner control. 

Spaying:  We recommend that you postpone spaying GSMD until after their first heat cycle.  This delay can prevent incidences of urinary incontinence brought on by a loss of hormones due to spaying.  Spaying before their first heat cycle will eliminate any chances of developing mammary cancer, but some health benefits remain if spayed after the first heat cycle but before the second heat cycle.   Discuss with your veterinarian about the possibility of performing a gastropexy (stomach tacking) at the same time as the spay procedure.  Tacking the stomach to the abdominal wall does not prevent GDV/Bloat, but can help to prevent the stomach from twisting and/or buy valuable time to seek medical attention in the event of a bloat episode.   

SPENIC TORSION:  While uncommon in the general canine population, GSMDs are affected by twisting of the spleen.  It is a life-threatening condition, similar to GDV/Bloat.  Be sure your veterinarian is aware that GSMD can be prone to splenic torsion and spleen abnormalities! 
 www.univet.hu/mal/2001/10/szatmari.htm 

Gastric Dilation Volvulus/GDV/Bloat:  A rapid accumulation of air in the stomach, causing distention and often rotation/twisting of the stomach, cutting off the blood supply at both ends causing the dog to go into shock.  Immediate veterinary care is essential.  Attached is an article from the October 2004 issue of AKC Gazette discussing bloat.  www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm   

Osteochondritis Dissecans/OCD:  Basically a loose flap of cartilage in a joint which causes pain (imagine walking with a sharp rock in your shoe).  The shoulder, elbow, knee, and hock are the joints most commonly affected.  The cause is unknown.  Genetics, nutrition, and activity seem to play major roles.  Relative over-nutrition of calories, protein, or calcium is a more common cause.  Large, rapidly growing young animals are more affected.  Do not feed a diet higher than 28% protein.  Do not give dietary supplements unless instructed by your veterinarian.  Do not let your GSMD play roughly (crashing around into people, objects, or other dogs).  Use caution when GSMD enters/exits vehicles, jumps, crosses slippery surfaces, navigates stairs, etc.  http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/sacs/Lewis/Lewis-OCD/referenc.htm 

Canine Hip Dysplasia/CHD:  The malformation and degeneration of the coxofemoral hip joints.  Causes can be either a genetic predisposition for hip laxity due to polygenetic transmission and/or breed predilection, rapid weight gain, nutrition level, and injury. 

This GSMD litter has four and five generations of normal hips as noted on attached pedigree.  Some of the Swiss data is unavailable.  The U.S.A. GSMDs were not commonly screened for CHD prior to the late 1980’s.  www.offa.org   www.pennHIP.org    

Gastropexy:  A surgical procedure where the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall in order to help prevent the stomach from twisting during a bloat episode.  This can buy valuable time when seeking immediate medical attention during a bloat episode.  Discuss with your veterinarian the pros of having a gastropexy performed at the same time as the spay procedure.  Neutering does not involve abdominal surgery like a spay procedure does, but can still be an ideal time to have a prophylactic gastropexy performed.