Common Problems With the Boxer Breed
Some of the common health problems associated with the boxer breed are serious, even life-threatening. When purchasing a boxer puppy, or especially with an older boxer, it's important to be aware of these conditions and to understand their signs and symptoms. Fortunately, most veterinarians can test for these conditions or they may be preventable if appropriate measures are taken by the boxer's owner.
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Canine Hip Dysplasia
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Canine hip dysplasia, most often seen in boxers and other large dog breeds, results from improper hip growth that makes the hips loose and causes increased movement. Over several years, the dysplasia may turn into arthritis. Boxers inflicted with this disease often have problems walking up stairs or become slow when they rise or may even exhibit personality changes from dealing with persistent pain. They become prone to more injuries from exercising. Some boxers may have a genetic disposition to the disease, but dysplasia may also be caused by a puppy experiencing malnourishment or excessive exercise. Other common hip dysplasia symptoms, according to The Arthritis and Glucosamine Information Center, include a lack of motivation, stiffness, grumbling when handled, sensitivity when touched, a popping sound in the back legs and a reluctance to walk, jump or play. Testing for canine hip dysplasis is completed at your veterinarian's office through an x-ray examination.
Bloat
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Bloat, or gastric dilation, the gassy, bloated feeling you experience when you eat too much, is a much more serious condition when experienced by deep-chested dogs like the boxer. When bloat occurs suddenly in this breed, it causes the stomach to swell so much that the abdominal cavity twists, a condition called torsion. When torsion happens, the boxer is unable to burp up the gas and the twisted intestine will not allow the food to move through the intestines or be ejected through vomiting. The condition is sometimes fatal, causing death within 6 to 12 hours, or may induce shock or a coma. Symptoms of bloating include a swollen stomach, drooling, white or gray gums, and the failure to bring anything up when the dog tries to vomit. Bloat commonly happens when the boxer eats too quickly or may be the result of a genetic disposition. Simple remedies to prevent bloat include giving the boxer yogurt or digestive enzymes, allowing the boxer to eat in a peaceful place, giving smaller meals and switching to a natural dog food. Take your boxer immediately to a veterinarian or animal emergency clinic if he displays any signs of bloat.
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Aortic Stenosis
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Aortic stenosis is one of the most common heart defects in boxers, according to The American Boxer Club. Boxers are genetically disposed to the condition. Aortic stenosis causes the aortic valve to narrow, which forces the left ventricle to work harder, causing heart muscle thickening and increased pressure. This increased pressure and reduced flow can result in abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), fainting or sudden death. Diagnosis of the condition is determined by a veterinary cardiologist after the boxer is at least one year old.
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References
- Photo Credit boxer image by Carmenx from Fotolia.com
