Discover Common Health Problems in Boxer Dogs also you can learn boxer dog health problems symptoms. All you need to know about Common Health Problems in Boxer Dogs.
Are you thinking of taking in a Boxer dog? Undoubtedly this is an excellent idea since the Boxer is an ideal dog for family life since it is a docile, loyal, attached, and ideal dog to live with children.
The Boxer can weigh up to 33 kg and has a robust body with specially developed musculature in the hind legs, thorax, and neck.
This aspect can make it seem like an aggressive dog, but this thought is far from the truth. The Boxer, if adequately trained and socialized, is an excellent companion. Below are some of the common health problems in boxer dogs.
Gastrointestinal conditions.
The swelling often is among common health problems in boxer dogs. Bloating causes gases trapped in the dog’s stomach to twist its organs. If you notice that your dog has a swelling, you should take him immediately to a veterinary hospital so that they can save his life.
As a precautionary measure, feed your Boxers small portions of food several times a day instead of a large meal and limit water intake and exercise before and after eating. This breed is also genetically prone to ulcerative colitis or inflammation of the intestine.
Dogs with this condition experience life-long incurable diarrhea instead of having normal bowel movements.
Hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is among the common health problems in boxer dogs. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease affecting the hip joint, which is the hip that unites the femur.
This disease’s symptoms vary depending on its severity and progression; however, signs of discomfort and pain are always observed when exercising. Progressively, loss of muscle tissue will be observed.
Neurological disease.
When the Boxer reaches adult age, it can develop degenerative myelopathy, which is nothing more than a neurological disease common health health problem in boxer dogs. This is among the
common health problem in boxer dogs. The disease affects the spinal cord and nerves at the rear end. The dog loses stability and cannot walk.
The disease does not affect the dog’s brain, so it remains conscious and does not appear to be in pain. Although many owners opt for euthanasia, you can purchase a custom-made cart so that your dog can regain a certain amount of mobility in the hind legs.
Allergies.
Boxer dogs are very susceptible to allergy problems. Allergy can be defined as a pathological reaction of the immune system, which causes the body to react in an exaggerated way to an allergen. This allergen can come from food or the environment, among others.
The Boxer dog is especially susceptible to both skin and food allergies. Skin allergies will manifest mainly through inflammation, redness, lesions, and itching. Food allergies cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, or weight loss.
It is essential to provide the Boxer with an excellent quality feed to avoid food allergies and go to the vet if you observe signs of skin or food allergy in our pet.
Hypothyroidism.
Some of the allergies that a Boxer dog can suffer are closely linked to the endocrine system. These dogs are especially susceptible to various disorders, one of the most important being hypothyroidism.
The thyroid gland is essential for the proper functioning of the body. In the case of hypothyroidism, this gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormones.
The main symptoms are fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight gain, and skin lesions. Fortunately, hypothyroidism can be treated through drugs that replace the body’s own thyroid hormones.
Heart problems.
The Boxer dog health problems symptoms appear in many ways. The breed is a breed with a predisposition to heart problems that can mainly be distinguish between these two conditions:
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (CDM): This is one of the most common coronary diseases. In CDM, a portion of the myocardium (heart muscle) is dilated and consequently causes failure to contract, limiting blood pumping.
Aortic stenosis: The aorta artery is responsible for sending clean blood to the entire body. When there is stenosis, the flow from the left ventricle to the aorta artery is compromised due to a narrowing of the aortic valve. This compromises coronary health and blood supply to the entire body.
The main symptoms of heart problems in dogs are excessive fatigue during physical exercise, shortness of breath, and coughing. Given these symptoms, it is essential to urgently go to the vet to make a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
In conclusion,
There are many reasons that can motivate you to buy or adopt a Boxer. This is a cute, loyal, protective, and loving dog, although it can be prone to developing a number of serious inherited diseases.
As it happens when hosting any animal in our home, it is important to acquire enough responsibility so that your pet can enjoy a good quality of life. This can be achieved by being observant in detecting the boxer dog health problems symptoms.