Identifying Boxer Dog Health Problems

In order to raise a healthy and fit boxer dog, you need to know what different kinds of boxer health problems exist. The average life span of a boxer ranges between 8 to 10 years. A few major boxer dog health problems that commonly afflict this breed of dogs include CHD, cardiomyopathy and SAS. Other boxer dog health problems concerns are colitis, gastric torsion, corneal erosion and hypothyroidism. Occasionally, your pet boxer may suffer from rarer ailments like degenerative myelopathy or even brain tumor. Hence, it is strongly recommended that you get your canine friend checked regularly by a vet. The risk of developing various boxer dog health problems can be eliminated to a great extent and treated properly if diagnosed in the early stages. Hence, ensure that your vet conducts specific tests particularly for cardiac concerns, hip dysphasia and other thyroid issues, in order to assess boxer dog health problems in advance.

The following are a few common genetic conditions in brief that this particular breed of dogs is prone to:

AS or SAS

Aortic stenosis or sub-aortic stenosis is a condition in which the aorta constricts, consequently, restricting the flow of blood also in the heart. So, in order to maintain an appropriate blood flow through the body, the heart has to pump harder. This condition can be easily diagnosed, if the dog tires out easily or you can notice soft heart murmurs. Although, such dogs should not be included in breeding programs, they can continue to live a routine life.

Hyperthyroidism

As the name suggests, this condition indicates that the thyroid of your boxer is either not functioning properly or not working at all. This genetic disorder can result in hair loss, inactive lifestyle, slow growth and chronic skin conditions like dry skin or lesions. Fortunately, it can be treated with appropriate medications.

Hip dysplasia

This is one of the most widespread boxer dog health problems, in which the hip joints of the dog wear out regularly, resulting in pain and stiffness. Unfortunately, the situation only worsens with time and age of the dog, since there is no cure for it. Very often, pain management treatment is the only solution to ease the suffering or in extreme conditions, a joint replacement can be considered.

Boxer cardiomyopathy

This condition occurs when the heart of your pet boxer begins to beat erratically. The electrical signals produced by the dog's body cause its heart to deviate from its usual rhythm. In many dogs, the first attack of this irregular beating of the heart can prove to be fatal. This is a characteristic boxer dog health problem that cannot be spotted until the dog is fully mature. A routine examination by your vet is not enough to determine this condition because the inconsistent heartbeats are not constant. Hence, every dog of this breed should be inspected specifically for detecting if he suffers from boxer cardiomyopathy.

Corneal dystrophy

This condition is the outcome of uneven corneal development. Due to irregular development of the cornea, ulcers may form on the cornea. If not detected and treated properly in the early stages, it can cause loss of vision or even total blindness. Pain management techniques and surgical measures can be adopted to treat the condition effectively.