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vom Wächter German Shepherds |
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In Memory Of
Celhaus Volatile Blitz, aka "Blitz"
2/6/06-8/1/08 |
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The story of Blitz is heartbreaking...I came home the early morning hours of 8-1-08 and went to feed my dogs as usual. I always feed Haze and Blitz first, as my dogs are kenneled in pairs in the dogrun. Haze came running into the barn and I called for Blitz, with no answer. I knew something was wrong and ran out to the run and found her lying on the ground. She was obviously gone, and I could not believe it. Blitz was only just 2 years old. I searched for answers why, and pieced together what I think happened... Blitz and Haze were great friends and they played together non stop with lots of wrestling. Haze liked to jump on Blitz back and bite her neck, or she would lay on her belly and let him "attack" her. It appears that his lower jaw got caught on her collar and they both panicked and pulled. With the pulling and twisting, they could not break free from each other, and it cut off her air supply. Once Blitz passed out, Haze was then able to get free but his jaw was injured and swollen. It was too late by then, though, as she was gone. This theory was confirmed by the vet who found blood from Haze's mouth on Blitz neck and fluid in her lungs. I immediately vowed to never again allow collars on my dogs, unless I was present and they were necessary for transport, etc. I thought in the past about removing their collars, hearing about incidents of dogs getting hooked up on a fences and strangulating themselves; but my worry about loosing a pup to never return took precidence. All of my dogs are microchipped, but with living in the country, I could not be sure that a local farmer would know to take them in to be scanned if they ever got loose. I am guilt ridden and very heartbroken...
Blitz was a real sweetheart and a very easy dog. She was obedient and full of energy. She like to climb up my chest and look eye to eye, and she was very gentle. I still cannot believe this accident happened and I hope I never have to see a pup go so young and for such foolish reasons again.
Information on Blitz:
Blitz was a 2 year old black and tan German Shepherd Dog. To my great disappointment, I found out that Blitz may be a carrier for Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) at a very young age. EPI occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough enzymes for normal digestion to occur. It is not fatal, but it necessitates expensive food additives for the life of the dog.
EPI is thought to be an autosomal recessive trait in German Shepherds. Blitz did not develop the disorder, but could pass it on to her puppies, so I chose to spay her.
The condition is typically not detectable until about age 2, and then only through symptoms. There is no genetic test currently available for EPI. The condition was undetected in Blitz's father's line until he was diagnosed at age 2 1/2, just months after Blitz's litter (his first as a stud) was whelped.
I intended Blitz to be one of our breeding females, but had her spayed to eliminate the risk of continuing to pass EPI through the line. My goal is to produce the healthiest puppies possible, and I refuse to take chances on passing this disease. The breeder who whelped Blitz also neutered Blitz's father and immediately notified all of the owners of his pups so they too could take appropriate action.
Blitz was a great dog with fantastic drive and endless energy. She was the fastest and most agile dog that I had here on my farm. Blitz was extremely obedient and very willing to please. Blitz had a great personality with a very funloving desire to play and run. Her life was way to short for a dog with such energy and happiness. I will miss her dearly.
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