Dane DispatchNov2017

Ice appeared to be a happy and comfortable dog, but what we didn't know
was that her spine started undergoing changes later in her life. In a normal dog
this probably would have been easier to see, but in a dog with an abnormal
skeleton the changes were hard to detect. Her active and playful behaviour
did not show any indications either. During a veterinary examination xrays
showed the extent of these changes, which were extreme and no doubt very
painful. The changes were beyond repair and only likely to get worse so the
kindest option was to euthanase.
Dwarfs can occur in any breed. In some breeds dwarfism is deliberately bred -
Dachhunds, Corgis, Bassets etc. In Great Danes we obviously want to stay
away from this condition. It appears to be a random occurrence, but to be
safe the pairing that produced the dwarf should not be repeated.
Ice was just like her life - short, but full of happiness and love. RIP sweet baby
girl.
By Shannon McKay
We chatted with Yolanda Beukes, owner of the late Saxony Icing onda
Cake.
SAGDA:
Yolanda:
SAGDA:
Yolanda:
SAGDA:
Yolanda:
SAGDA:
Ice was a Dane with dwarfism. How old was she?
Ice was born in July 2012 so that made her 5 years old.
At what stage did you realise that she was different?
At about 4 months I took her to a vet because she didn't reach
the same growth milestones as her brothers and sister. We were
referred to a specialist vet who in the following weeks, with more
check-ups, confirmed that she had dwarfism.
How much was she smaller than other danes?
Ice weighed about 40 kg and was 45 cm at her withers.
Did she act differently than normal sized danes? (My smallest
Munchkin cat acts like she is a lioness).
Yolanda: Ice had the typical small person fighting spirit and didn't back -
off for anything. She ruled the house :)
SAGDA:
Yolanda:
How many siblings did she have, and are they all normal?
She had 6 siblings and all of them are healthy and strong.
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