Thinking about taking in a boxer dog? Without a doubt, this is an excellent idea since the boxer is an ideal dog for family life, since it is a docile, loyal, attached dog and ideal for living with children.
The Boxer can weigh up to 33 kg. and it has a strong, robust body with specially developed muscles in the hind legs, chest and neck. This aspect can make it seem like an aggressive dog, but this thought is far from reality, the Boxer, properly trained and socialized, is an excellent companion.
As happens when welcoming any animal into our home, it is important to take on enough responsibility so that our pet can enjoy a good quality of life. To make this task easier for you, in this AnimalWised article, we will We talk about the most common diseases in boxer dogs
Deafness in White Boxers
The white Boxer is not accepted as a Boxer breed by the F. C. I, however, many kennels consider this to be a purebred Boxer dog, just a different color.
First we must clarify that the white boxer is not an albino dog, albinism is caused by genes that are different from those that cause the white color in Boxers, known as semi-recessive sw genes.
The white boxer does not have to suffer from any disease, but unfortunately a high percentage of them suffer from deafness, this hearing disorder beginning in the first weeks of life. This problem is thought to be caused by a lack of pigment-producing cells in the inner tissue of the ear joint.
Unfortunately, this situation has no treatment, which does not imply that we cannot improve the quality of life of the deaf dog.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is especially common in large breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or Greater Danish, although the boxer dog does not have a "giant" size, it is also susceptible to this condition. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease that affects the coxofemoral joint, which is the one that joins the hip with the femur.
The symptoms of this disease vary depending on its severity and progression, however, there are always signs of discomfort and pain when exercising, avoiding full extension of the hind legs. Progressively, loss of muscle tissue will be observed.
Pharmacological treatment is only intended to relieve symptoms, therefore, one of the best options is surgical intervention, although only the veterinarian can decide whether or not the patient is suitable for this type of treatment.
Heart problems
The Boxer breed is a breed with a predisposition to heart problems, we mainly distinguish between these two conditions:
- Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (MDC): This is one of the most common coronary diseases. In MDC, a portion of the myocardium (the heart muscle) is dilated and consequently produces failure of contraction, which limits the pumping of blood.
- Aortic stenosis: The aortic artery is responsible for sending clean blood to the entire body. When there is stenosis, the flow from the left ventricle to the aortic artery is compromised due to a narrowing of the aortic valve. This compromises coronary he alth and blood supply to the entire body.
The main symptoms of heart problems in dogs are excessive fatigue during physical exertion, shortness of breath and cough. In the face of these symptoms, it is essential to urgently go to the vet to make a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Allergies
Boxers are very susceptible to allergy problems. Allergy can be defined as a pathological reaction of the immune system, which causes the body to overreact to an allergen, this allergen can come from food or of the environment, among others. The boxer dog is especially susceptible to both skin and food allergies.
Skin allergies will manifest themselves mainly through inflammation, redness, lesions and itching. Instead, food allergies cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, gas, or weight loss.
It is essential to provide the Boxer with excellent quality feed to avoid food allergies, as well as go to the vet if we observe in our pet signs of skin or food allergy.
Hypothyroidism
Some of the allergies that a boxer dog can suffer from are closely linked to the endocrine system, which in these dogs is especially susceptible to various disorders, hypothyroidism being one of the most important.
The thyroid gland is essential for the proper functioning of the body, in the case of hypothyroidism, this gland a 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 with drugs that replace the body's own thyroid hormones.
Observe to treat the disease in time
Knowing our dog well is essential to treat it properly and keep it in optimal condition. To do this, it is essential to spend time with him and observe him.
If we observe the frequency with which he eats, drinks and relieves himself, as well as his habitual behavior, it will be much easier for us timely notice any change that could be indicative of illness.
Adequate adherence to the vaccination schedule, as well as regular physical exercise and a good diet, will also be key to preventing the disease.
