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Health

Medical Conditions

Find information here on medical conditions that Great Danes could suffer from, written by specialists in each field of study.

Pneumonia

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a silent, sudden killer.

Whilst the following article has been provided by NGDR in good faith, it has been written by the owners of the Great Dane referred to below and not by a veterinary specialist. This it is not an alternative to professional veterinary advice, which should always be sought if your dog becomes ill.
Our Liability is limited – see Disclaimer for details.

This is a true medical account involving a Great Dane, told in the owner’s own words to alert and warn all other dog owners.

Alan Rickman was our whole world—we couldn’t have children, so he was our child. He was only three years old. We used to look at him and beg him to stay with us until he was old…aware of the more common risks to Danes of bloat and having felt so lucky to save him from pneumonia the first time.
 
Last September he was hospitalised with pneumonia at Langford (Bristol)—one of the best veterinary centres in the country, whilst we were on doggy-holiday in Devon. They saved him and he made a good recovery, and with medication (a low‑dose steroid for inflammation and something for his reflux) he was doing well. Regular check‑ups showed he was stable and no major concerns.
Then one Saturday afternoon he started struggling to breathe. We rushed him straight to the out‑of‑hours vet, where he got IV antibiotics, fluids and pain relief. He walked out that night. We thought we’d caught things in time again. We asked the vets if he should stay in, but they seemed happy for him to go home with more medication to treat.
 
The next morning at 7:30am we checked on him. He was still struggling but breathing more calmly and we thought he was improving. Five minutes later he went into cardiac arrest.
 

We did CPR all the way to the emergency vets, but we couldn’t bring him back. We had a post‑mortem done, and the results broke our hearts but also gave us answers.

Here’s what every dog owner needs to know:

1. Pneumonia can leave permanent lung damage.
Even after a dog “recovers,” the infection can cause scarring (fibrosis) and chronic inflammation that never fully heals. That damage makes the lungs vulnerable to future collapse.

2. ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is a silent, sudden killer. ARDS is a catastrophic reaction—the lungs flood with fluid and stop transferring oxygen. It can strike hours or days after an internal flare‑up, and even with intensive care it’s often fatal. Alan’s final diagnosis was ARDS.

3. Steroids can mask the warning signs—even during regular check‑ups. Alan was only on a tiny dose of prednisolone. It made him look well and allowed him to enjoy his life, but underneath, a chronic infection was brewing for weeks or months. Despite regular vet visits and him seeming stable, the usual clues (like fever, coughing, or obvious lung sounds) were suppressed. If your dog has a history of pneumonia, ask your vet about the long‑term risks of chronic inflammation and whether additional monitoring—like repeat chest X‑rays or imaging—might be warranted.

4. Out‑of‑hours vets are essential—but they aren’t always close enough. Know where you emergency services are and how long it will take you.

We did everything right. We had a plan, we knew where to go, and we got him there quickly. Yet even with the best care, we couldn’t outrun the disease that had already taken hold.

This experience has made us realise how vital it is to have emergency centres within a reasonable distance/time. When seconds can matter, every minute of travel feels like an eternity. It probably wouldn’t have changed anything for us, but even if it helps 1 in 1000 dogs, it would be worth it.
 
We hope this post encourages conversations about better access to out‑of‑hours care for everyone.
 
Alan was only three. He was our boy and whilst he lived his best life, it is crippling to us that it was too short for all the joy he brought others.
 
We’re sharing this because if our experience can help even one other dog family spot the signs sooner, or be better prepared, then his short life will have made a difference.
 
Please hug your dogs a little tighter tonight. And if they’ve ever had pneumonia, don’t assume the danger has passed. Ask your vet about the long‑term picture and risks.
Bloat (GDV)

The following advice is a guideline and may not apply to your circumstances. Always consult a Vet where possible.

Our Liability is limited – see Disclaimer for details.

‘Bloat’ or gastric dilatation is when the stomach fills up with gas like a balloon. GDV is life threatening because it prevents blood in the veins returning to the heart and causes the stomach wall to die – these result in shock and death if something is not done quickly. Great Danes are one of several deep chested breeds that are predisposed to torsion.

Death is almost certain unless the owners recognise the symptoms and rush the dog to the Vet immediately!

If you notice any of the following signs...

  • Your dog retches from the throat but nothing is produced other than small amounts of frothy mucus.
  • Your dog tries to defecate unsuccessfully.
  • Your dog adopts the ‘Sphinx’ position, (arches his back).
  • Your dog’s stomach goes hard and/or swells up like a balloon and is taut as a drum-skin.
  • Trying to bite, or worry the abdomen.
  • Your dog is extremely unsettled.

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Contact your Vet immediately.

Bloat is a true emergency – be prepared to drive to the Veterinary surgery straight away!

The chance of survival decreases alarmingly if you delay getting the dog to surgery more than 60 – 90 minutes after the first signs. 

So, whether you are about to catch a plane, serve a meal or go to bed…   

DON’T…

Instead take your dog immediately to the Vet. It will relieve great pain and could save your dog’s life.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle. It affects humans, dogs, cats, cows, and other species. In dogs, it is known to occur in several pedigree dog breeds with more frequency than others. Predisposed breeds include the Great Dane, Dobermann, Newfoundland, and Irish Wolfhound. In these breeds, DCM can be inherited in family lines.

What is DCM?

As the name suggests, DCM results in thinning of the heart muscle, with gradual dilatation and rounding of the heart chambers. This means that the heart is unable to pump efficiently and so the dog starts to show signs of heart failure. 

The heart is a muscular pump, made up of four chambers. The two atria, or receiving chambers, receive blood from the body (right side of the heart) or the lungs (left side of the heart). The blood moves during one heartbeat from the atria into the ventricles, or pumping chambers. One-way valves between the atria and the ventricles stop blood from leaking back in the wrong direction (i.e. from ventricles to atria). It is especially important for heart function that the muscular walls of the heart, the electrical activity of the heart and the valves within the heart are working properly.

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Epilepsy

If your animal may be, or is suffering from Epilepsy, and you need help and advice.

Useful contact for Canine Epilepsy

  • The Phyllis Croft Foundation for Canine Epilipsy (Registered Charity no. 1075076). Was founded to bring comfort, support and information to the owners of epileptic dogs. The Trustees are dog lovers helping others to keep their epileptic dogs into old age. 
  • PCFCE Helpline: 01277 630145 – Margaret James (Secretary). 

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