Weimaraner Health
Although many owners will never witness these problems, all responsible Weim owners should be reasonably familiar with the symptoms, causes and treatment.
Bloat
Weimaraners are a deep or barrel-chested breed, susceptible to bloat - a disease common in larger breeds such as Great Danes and Irish Setters. Common symptoms include stomach or gastrointestinal swelling caused by fluid and/or gas. This often causes the stomach to unnaturally twist. This twist or volvulus is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Other symptoms include excessive drooling or salivation, abdominal distension, noticeable discomfort and retching.
This disease can be prevented by feeding your Weimaraner several small meals throughout the day, rather than a single large meal in the morning or night. Weimaraners should also be allowed to rest immediately before and after each meal.
Additional information can be found at Purdue University's Canine Gastric Dilation-Volvulus Research Program.
Hip Dysplasia
Another common ailment is hip dysplasia - an affliction common among larger breeds such as the Weimaraner - wherein the head of the thigh bone works itself free of the cup (or acetabulum) of the hip. This looseness in the joint can leads to excessive surface wear and eventually arthritis and pain.
While environmental factors may contribute to this disorder, it is commonly believe to be almost completely hereditary. Statistics released by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals readily show that breeding of only non-dysplastic dogs can substantially decrease the risk and incidence of the disorder.
We recommend testing your Weim (or any large breed dog for that matter) using standard PennHIP or OFA methods.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)
Generally, HOD is an affliction that affects puppies. It causes swelling and tenderness in the ends of their bones which can impair growth and lead to lameness. Symptoms can be on and off, and include lack of appetite, fever, depression, and swelling of the legs. Although veterinary medicine does not fully understand the cause, it is believed to be related to nutritional and dietary needs. The problem is readily diagnosed via standard X-rays.
Adverse Reactions to Vaccinations
A small population of Weimaraners respond adversely following standard combination vaccines. This can cause the individual dog's immune system to respond vigorously - much in the way it would to stave off infection. Symptoms include fever, elevated white blood cell count and inflammation in the joints and tissues.
There is unfortunately no way to determine which puppies will react in such a way. Because of this, the Weimaraner Club of America recommends new puppies be administered vaccinations of Parvo and Distemper with a two week "cool down" period separating them. Additional vaccines should also be given separately. Note that this method does not stave off the adverse reaction in all puppies.
Other Potential Health Issues in Weimaraners
Weimaraners can also be prone to various allergies, distichiasis, cell cancer, thyroid problems, and a rare bleeding disorder known as Von Willebrands Disease.