When my humans notice me acting weird, it might mean I’m not feeling so hot. They should look for stuff like when I’m being a couch potato (more than usual), not wanting my dinner (which is impossible for me), or walking like I’m 100 years old. If my tummy is making weird noises, I can’t stop coughing, or I’m sleeping even MORE than my usual 18 hours a day, something’s probably up. My humans need to watch how I act because sometimes I start being grumpy or clingy before I look sick. Trust me, catching this stuff early is way better than waiting until I’m too sick to steal food off the counter. There are lots more sneaky signs my humans should know about to keep this gentle giant healthy and happy.

Recognizing General Signs of Illness

 

First things first – if I’m not bouncing around like my usual goofy self, something might be up. You know how I normally act like a small horse who thinks he’s a lap dog? Well, if I’m lying around looking like a sad mountain, that’s your first clue.

When I don’t want to play fetch or do my famous “lean on everything” move, you should probably start paying attention.

And here’s a big one – if I’m turning my nose up at food, you KNOW something’s wrong! I mean, come on, I’m a Great Dane. I could probably eat a small car if you put some kibble on top.

So when I’m not doing my usual vacuum cleaner impression at dinner time, or when I’m ignoring those amazing treats you wave around, that’s like me waving a giant red flag with my tail.

The thing is, we dogs are pretty good at hiding when we feel crummy, so you humans need to be detectives. Watch me closely, and if you notice these weird changes in my behavior, don’t wait around.

In fact, behavioral changes often appear before physical symptoms, so it’s important to stay alert.

Get me to the vet so I can get back to being my lovably enormous, slightly clumsy self!

Digestive and Gastrointestinal Symptoms to Monitor

First up, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous topic of throwing up. Yeah, I know, gross! But if I start barfing more than usual or can’t seem to stop, my humans need to pay attention. It might mean something’s bugging my belly on the inside.

And here’s something that’ll get my family worried – when I don’t want my dinner! I mean, come on, I’m a Great Dane! I LOVE food. If I’m suddenly turning my giant nose up at my kibble or acting like mealtime is boring, that’s a red flag waving like crazy. My humans should take notes when their food-loving giant isn’t interested in chowing down.

The cool thing is, when my people keep track of this stuff, they can spot problems before they get terrible. That means we can trot off to see the vet before I’m feeling totally rotten. Regular grooming routines can help prevent skin infections as well, making it easier to catch any issues early on.

When my humans pay attention, they can catch tummy troubles early and get me to the vet before I feel awful!

Trust me, us big dogs need our humans to notice when something’s off with our stomachs. We’re counting on you to be our health detectives!

Musculoskeletal Issues Indicative of Illness

My Bones Are Talking, and They’re Not Happy!

Woof! Let me tell you something about being a Great Dane – we’re walking skyscrapers with four legs. And just like tall buildings, sometimes our joints creak and groan more than we’d like!

You humans mightn’t realize it, but my joints and bones are like the foundation of a house. When they’re happy, I’m bouncing around like a giant puppy (which I am, even at 150 pounds). But when they start acting up? Oh boy, that’s when things get interesting.

Let me paint you a picture: yesterday I wanted to chase that pesky squirrel in the backyard, but my knees were like, “Nope, not today, buddy!” Instead of my usual graceful gallop, I looked more like a wobbly giraffe learning to walk. Not exactly the fierce hunting machine I had in mind.

And don’t get me started on stairs! Some mornings I stare at those steps like they’re Mount Everest. My humans probably think I’ve suddenly become lazy, but really, my joints are staging a protest. “We demand better working conditions!” they seem to say.

The worst part? When I try to get up from my favorite napping spot (which is NOT supposed to be on the couch), I sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies – snap, crackle, pop! My humans always look worried when they hear me making these sound effects.

Here’s what I’ve learned, though – when my body starts sending these not-so-subtle hints, it’s time to visit my favorite person: the vet! Sure, they poke and prod me, but they also help figure out why my giant frame isn’t cooperating like it used to.

My advice to fellow four-legged friends (and their humans)? Don’t ignore the signs! If you’re moving like you’re stuck in slow motion, or if getting up feels like solving a math problem, speak up! Well, bark up! Your humans need to know when something doesn’t feel right.

Regular check-ups are like tune-ups for cars, except way more fun because there are usually treats involved. Plus, catching problems early means more time for the important things in life – like stealing socks, greeting every visitor like they’re royalty, and perfecting my “starving dog” face at dinner time. Remember, maintaining a close relationship with a veterinarian is crucial for keeping our giant bodies happy and healthy!

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Signs

My lungs and heart work just as hard as your tiny Chihuahua’s down the street. Just because I’m huge doesn’t mean I’m invincible! My respiratory and cardiovascular systems need just as much love and attention as any other pup’s.

So here’s the deal – you humans need to watch out for weird breathing stuff or coughing fits. Trust me, when something’s wrong with my breathing, it’s not pretty for anyone involved. These signs usually mean something’s going on inside that needs fixing, and fast!

Sign	What It Might Mean	What You Should Do
Won’t stop coughing	Could be sick or allergic to something	Time to call the vet
Breathing looks hard	My heart or lungs might be in trouble	Get me help right now!
Breathing super fast	I might be stressed out or getting sick	Keep a close watch on me
Heart beating weakly	My ticker’s having problems	Emergency vet trip – let’s go!

Look, I don’t want to scare you, but this stuff is no joke. When I can’t breathe right, I can’t do all my favorite things like stealing food off counters or knocking over small children with my enthusiasm. So please, keep those eyes peeled! Remember, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can affect my heart health, so staying alert is key!

Behavioral and Neurological Changes Suggesting Illness

First off, watch out if I start getting grumpy for no reason. But if I start snapping at my doggy friends or acting scared of things that never bothered me before, that’s your cue to call the vet. Trust me, I don’t want to be the neighborhood bully!

Watch for my grumpy mood swings! If I snap at friends or act scared, it’s vet time, not playtime!

Also, keep an eye on my energy levels. I know what you’re thinking – “But you sleep 20 hours a day anyway!” Fair point, human. But if I’m not getting excited about walks, treats, or even dinnertime, something’s wrong. When a Great Dane turns down food, you know it’s serious business.

Speaking of sleep, if my snoozing schedule gets weird or I start whining more than usual, I’m probably trying to tell you something. We dogs aren’t great with words, so whining is our way of saying, “Hey, I don’t feel so hot.” It’s important to recognize signs of distress to ensure my well-being.

The bottom line? You know me better than anyone. If something seems off about your giant goofball, don’t wait around. Get me to the vet so we can get back to our regularly scheduled couch cuddling!

Final Thoughts

Sometimes us big dogs get sick, but we’re not always great at telling you humans about it. I mean, I can’t exactly walk up to you and say “Hey, my tummy hurts!” So let me give you the inside scoop on what to watch for.

First off, if I’m not attacking my food bowl like it owes me money, something’s wrong. Us Great Danes are walking garbage disposals, so when we turn our noses up at dinner, that’s your first red flag right there.

Also, keep an eye on my energy levels. If I’m sleeping more than usual (and trust me, we already sleep A LOT), or if I don’t want to play fetch, you should probably worry. When a Great Dane doesn’t want to lumber around the yard like a gentle giant, that’s not normal.

Watch how I walk, too. If I’m moving like a creaky old rocking chair instead of my usual graceful gallop, my joints might be bothering me. And if I’m panting like I just ran a marathon when all I did was walk to my water bowl, that’s not good either.

Oh, and here’s a gross but important one – check out my bathroom habits. I know it’s not glamorous, but changes in that department can tell you a lot about how I’m feeling inside.

The bottom line is this: you know me better than anyone. If something seems off, trust your gut and call the vet. We Great Danes might be huge, but we need you to be our voice when we’re not feeling our best!

References

• https://www.gallant.com/blog/5-common-great-dane-health-concerns/
• https://blog.myollie.com/great-dane-health-issues/
• https://manypets.com/us/blog/common-health-problems-great-danes/
• https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/great-dane
• https://seapet.com/identifying-common-great-dane-health-issues-and-how-to-address-these-problems/