HEALTH IN THE BOXER

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The boxer is generally a very healthy breed compared to some other breeds. With the right diet and regular excercise your boxer could live to a ripe old age. Reputable breeders nowadays are trying hard to breed away from any serious problems relating the boxer breed, most are getting all their breeding stock heart-tested from A.S (See Below), and if any problems arise then they will not breed from that animal. The heart-testing scheme has been a great success and the percentage of clear adults is deffinetly on the increase.

*AORTIC STENOSIS-is one of the most common heart defects occurring in boxers. Stenosis is narrowing of the aorta, right below the aortic valve, which forces the heart to work harder to supply blood. Reduced blood flow can result in fainting and even sudden death. The disease is inherited but its mode of transmission is not known at this time. Diagnosis must be made by a veterinary cardiologist, after detection of a heart murmur. Breeding dogs must be properly tested for this disease and affected dogs must NOT be bred from.

FOR THE RECENTLY UPDATED UK BOXER HEART-TESTING LIST PLEASE CLICK HERE

*CARDIOMYOPATHY-Cardiomyopathy is a serious inherited disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes including genetic predisposition and viral infections. The disease occurs most often in Doberman pinscher and Boxer and may result in heart failure and sudden death. The signs usually include exercise intolerance and fainting. Treatment depends on the type of the disease and may include medications or implantable devices.

Available health screening tests: echocardiography and Holter monitoring.

*BLOAT -Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)-Bloating and twisting of a dog's stomach is a serious condition veterinarians call gastric dilation volvulus, or GDV. May be caused by overeating, especially in predisposed breeds, but often there is no underlying cause. A dog with GDV will have a distended abdomen and may appear restless and depressed and have dry heaves.

*HIP DYSPLASIA; Hip dysplasia is a progressive degenerative condition of the pelvic joint that can lead to severe lameness and pain in large breed dogs. It can be very debilitating, but with the help of several ingenious surgical techniques, the function of the leg can be restored-sometimes almost to normal capacity. Dysplasia of the elbow joint is also common.

*HISTIOCYTIC ULCERATIVE COLITIS (HUC)-Histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that occurs predominantly in Boxer breed. It causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcers form in places where the inflammation has killed the cells lining the colon; the ulcers bleed and produce pus. Young boxer dogs with relatively mild signs of HUC may respond moderately well to medical and dietary therapy with fair prognosis.

*HISTIOCYTOMA-Histiocytoma is a type of benign skin tumor. Histiocytomas look like red, dome-shaped, sparsely haired nodules that appear rapidly (Fig. 2). They often are ulcerated, but are non-painful. The most common places of tumor development include the head, neck, especially in young dogs. More rarely, growths may occur on the trunk and feet. Breeds mostly affected are Flatcoat Retrievers, English Bulldogs, Scottish Terriers, Greyhounds, Boxers, and Boston Terriers.

*CRYPTORCHIDISM-Cryptorchidism is a birth defect in many dog breeds when one or both testes fail to descend normally. The testes (testicles) develop in the abdomen and gradually descend into the scrotum. They should be present there at birth, or shortly after. If they have not descended by the time the dog is adult, he is described as either unilateral chriptochid (when one testis is still retained in the abdomen), or a bilateral chriptochid (when both have not descended). Check with your vet during the time of vaccination.
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FOR THE LIST OF CARDIOLOGIST NEAR YOU PLEASE CLICK HERE

Here at Dibrid we ALWAYS get all of our breeding stock heart-tested for AORTIC STENOSIS. If you would like to contact our cardiologist Mrs Sue Roberts then her details are listed below, she will heart test your boxer for you and give you an instant grading of '0'to'6'along with a verification certificate for you and your vet. Cost approx £30-£40 the more dogs you take the cheaper it will be.

Mrs Susan Roberts BVMS CERTVC MRCVS
Plumpton Farm,
Pecket Well,
Hebden Bridge,
West Yorkshire.
TEL; 07850-740356
FAX/MESSAGE; 01422-846515
E-MAIL; slrcardref@aol.com
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SERVICE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE PRACTICE BASE:
Torrington Orthopaedics
IES House,
Mission Street,
Brighouse,
West Yorkshire,
TEL; 0845 600 8346
FAX: 01484 404771

*HAND OUT SHEET FOR NEW PUPPY OWNERS*

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Visit SLR Cardiology Referrals CLICK HERE

ANOTHER GREAT CARDIOVASCULAR WEBSITE-CLICK HERE

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