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Learn about common health conditions, recommended screenings, preventative care, and resources to help your Swissy live a long, healthy life.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is generally a healthy, hardy breed, but like all purebred dogs, they have several inherited and breed-associated health conditions that prospective owners and breeders should understand.
Responsible breeders utilize recommended health screenings and make breeding decisions designed to improve the long-term health and longevity of the breed. Owners can further support their Swissy's well-being through routine veterinary care, proper nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise.
Owners play an important role in supporting their dog's overall health and well-being.
Simple steps include:
With responsible breeding, preventative healthcare, and attentive owners, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can enjoy active, rewarding lives as devoted companions, working partners, and cherished members of the family.
Before breeding, dogs should receive health clearances recommended by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America.
Recommended screenings include:
Health testing helps reduce the incidence of inherited disease but cannot eliminate all health risks
What is GDV?
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat, is one of the most serious emergencies affecting large, deep-chested dogs like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
The stomach fills with gas and expands. In some cases, it then twists, cutting off blood flow to the stomach and other vital organs. Without immediate emergency treatment, GDV can quickly become life-threatening.
Signs of GDV
Contact your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately if your dog experiences:
Reducing Risk
While GDV cannot always be prevented, owners may help reduce the risk by:
Splenic torsion occurs when the spleen twists around its blood vessels, cutting off its blood supply. It may occur on its own or in conjunction with GDV.
Because the condition progresses rapidly, immediate veterinary treatment is essential.
Signs
Emergency surgery is required.
Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition in which the hip joint does not fit together properly. Over time, the abnormal movement within the joint can lead to arthritis, pain, and decreased mobility.
Both genetics and environmental factors contribute to the condition.
Signs
Breeding dogs should receive hip evaluations through OFA or PennHIP before being included in a breeding program.
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental orthopedic disease affecting the elbow joint and is one of the most common causes of front-leg lameness in young large-breed dogs.
Signs
Treatment depends on severity and may include weight management, rehabilitation, medication, or surgery
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a developmental orthopedic condition that affects growing dogs. The disease occurs when cartilage does not develop normally and separates from the underlying bone.
Swissies most commonly develop OCD in the shoulder, although other joints can also be affected.
Signs
Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition and may include surgery followed by rehabilitation.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis occurs when extra eyelashes grow from the eyelid margin and rub against the surface of the eye.
Common signs include:
Many cases remain mild, while others require treatment to prevent damage to the cornea.
Entropion
Entropion occurs when the eyelid rolls inward, allowing the eyelashes to continually rub against the eye.
Without treatment, the irritation can cause pain, corneal ulcers, and vision loss.
Corrective surgery is often recommended
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures without another identifiable cause.
Many dogs with epilepsy live happy, active lives with proper veterinary care and medication.
Signs
Responsible breeders carefully evaluate pedigrees and avoid repeating breedings known to produce inherited epilepsy
Does your swissy have epilepsy? You are not alone. Please join The Twitchy Swissy: Axel's Home for Epileptic GSMDs on Facebook. The goal of this group is to allow people to freely and openly discuss anything related to seizure disorders in their Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
Although uncommon, inherited bleeding disorders have been identified within the breed.
Affected dogs may experience prolonged bleeding following surgery or injury.
Possible Signs
Dogs with a family history of bleeding disorders should be evaluated by a veterinarian before any surgical procedure.
Cancer can affect Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs just as it can any breed. Age is the single greatest risk factor, as the changes that lead to cancer typically develop over many years. While cancer can occur in younger dogs, it is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and senior Swissies.
Several different types of cancer have been reported in the breed, including:
At this time, there is no evidence that Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are predisposed to one specific type of cancer over another. Like many breeds, Swissies may develop a variety of cancers as they age, making regular veterinary care and early detection especially important.
Signs to watch for
Contact your veterinarian if your Swissy develops:
Routine wellness examinations and promptly investigating unusual changes can improve the chances of early diagnosis and successful treatment.
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