EMERGENCY: If your animal is in immediate danger or showing signs of distress, contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency animal hospital FIRST. The information below is for educational reference only. Guardians.dog and its representatives do not provide veterinary care.

Fill out your dog's info below, print this page, and hand it to your veterinarian.

Veterinary Visit Checklist

Critical LGD-Specific Medical Protocol Questions

Dog's Name

Breed / Mix

Current Weight / Age

Anesthesia & Surgery Protocols

1. Lean Body Mass Dosing

"Anesthesia planning for giant-breed dogs should be discussed with the veterinary team, including how body condition, metabolism, and individual risk factors may affect medication decisions."

2. Acepromazine Sensitivity

"Can we avoid or drastically reduce Acepromazine in the premedication protocol? Guardian breeds (especially mastiff-types and sight-hound crosses) are highly sensitive to it, and it can cause severe hypotension (blood pressure crashing)."

3. Prophylactic Gastropexy (Stomach Tack)

"If my dog is going under general anesthesia for a spay/neuter, can we proactively perform a prophylactic gastropexy to prevent deadly stomach twisting (GDV/Bloat) later in life?"

Growth & Spay/Neuter Timing

4. Growth Plate Closure (Delaying Alteration)

"Instead of the standard 6-month spay/neuter, can we wait until 18-24 months when my dog's growth plates are fully closed? I want to drastically reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears (CCL), and bone cancer (osteosarcoma)."

Parasite Prevention & Pharmacology

5. MDR1 Genetic Sensitivity

"Medication decisions for mange parasites should be made with a veterinarian, especially when higher-risk protocols or breed-sensitive drugs are being considered."

6. Pregnancy & Breeding Safety (If Applicable)

"If we are planning to breed this female, can we ensure the flea/tick chewable is explicitly cleared for pregnancy by the FDA/EMA (e.g., Sentinel/Bravecto) rather than off-label options with known birth defect risks?"

Additional Notes / Questions

About the Author

Written by Jesika VanFossen LGD breed consultant with 28 years of hands-on livestock guardian dog experience, 30+ years of animal husbandry, and founder of URMAH LC, the longest-running registered Turkish Boz Shepherd breeding program in the United States. Trained by Turkish dog experts, Jesika directs a network of breed-specific research platforms including Guardians.dog, Database.dog, and TurkishBoz.com, and maintains an active network of procurement specialists, along with veterinary, behavioral, and breed professionals for expert referral.

Disclaimer: Health & Veterinary Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes only and is not veterinary, medical, diagnostic, treatment, dosage, or emergency advice. Dog health needs vary by individual animal, breed, age, condition, medication history, pregnancy status, environment, and veterinary care. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or qualified animal health professional before making health, medication, nutrition, breeding, or emergency-care decisions.