The investigation department received a call in February, reporting the improper rearing of a German Shepherd. The dog was being chained in a deserted yard without any shelter, left outside to endure the harsh winter. The chain used to tie up the dog was only long enough for the dog to lie down. Our investigators brought the case to the attention of the Yunlin County Animal and Plant Disease Control Center, who then proceeded to communicate with the owner. According to the owner, the dog was a stray and he only recently took in the dog. He already had other dogs living in the house with him so there was no more room for the german shepherd to stay indoors.
As the owner was incapable of improving the poor living environment of the dog, he was required to transfer the animal to the Control Center. Since there is no animal shelter in Yunlin County, the Control Center then brought the dog to an animal hospital that they worked with. TSPCA set off to Yunlin as soon as we learned about the situation. We then adopted the dog, and named it Biggie. We hoped to find Biggie a foster home, while trying to get him adopted into a loving family.
German Shepherds, because of their intelligence and loyalty, are often trained to perform tasks such as guarding, searching, or rescuing. Unfortunately, these helpful comrades also inherit a number of genetic diseases, therefore one must take extra caution when taking care of them. Among many kinds of diseases they are prone to, canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and elbow dysplasia (CED) are the most common, and may lead to joint dislocation, arthritis, or walking difficulty. Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is another disease seen most commonly in large breed dogs. It is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated by excessive gas content, due to factors such as rapid eating or strenuous activity after eating. When the dog starts showing signs of dry heaving, abdominal distention or pain, please seek medical attention immediately, as this is a rapidly progressive life-threatening condition. In addition, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EDI), systemic lupus erythrmatosus (SLE), degenerative myelopathy (DM), and von willebrand disease, etc. are also genetic diseases keepers should be aware of.
TSPCA once again affirms that adopted animals are just as loving and loyal as purchased ones. When planning on keeping a dog, please be sure to acquire sufficient knowledge on how to care for one. Owners should know that it is necessary to spend time training and keeping them company.
If you are willing to give Biggie the chance to live in a loving family, please contact us : adoptions@spca.org.tw
References:
Illnesses in German Shepherd Dogs
http://pets.thenest.com/illnesses-german-shepherd-dogs-6351.html
Top Vet Animal Hospital
http://topvet.topet.net/clinic_45.htm
