Content
- Deafness in White Boxer Dogs
- hip dysplasia
- Heart problems
- Allergies
- hypothyroidism
- Observe to treat the disease in time
Are you thinking of adopting a Boxer dog? No doubt this is an excellent idea, since the Boxer is an ideal dog for family life, as it is a docile, loyal, attached dog with a strong protective instinct that makes it ideal for socializing with children.
The Boxer can weigh up to 33 kg and has a strong, robust body and specially developed muscles in the hind legs, chest and neck. This aspect can make it look like an aggressive dog, but this thought is far from reality, as the Boxer, if properly trained and socialized, is an excellent companion.
As when bringing any other animal to our home, it is important to acquire the necessary knowledge so that our pet can enjoy a good quality of life. To help you, in this PeritoAnimal article we will talk about most common diseases in Boxer dogs.
Deafness in White Boxer Dogs
The white Boxer is not accepted as a Boxer breed by the FCI, however many breeders consider this to be a purebred Boxer puppy, only of a different color.
First we must clarify that the white boxer is not an albino dog, albinism is caused by geners that are different from those that cause the white color in Boxer, known as semi-recessive genes.
White Boxers do not have to suffer from any disease, but unfortunately a high percentage of them suffer from deafness, and this hearing disorder starts in the first weeks of life. This problem is believed to be due to the lack of pigment-producing cells in the inner tissue of the hearing set.
Unfortunately, this situation has no treatment, which means that we cannot improve the deaf dog's quality of life.
hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is especially common in large breed dogs, like the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever or Great Dane, although the Boxer does not have a "giant" size it is also susceptible to this condition. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease that affects the hip joint, which joins the hip to the femur.
The symptoms of this disease vary depending on its severity and progression, however they are always observed signs of discomfort and pain when exercising, avoiding the full extension of the hind legs. Progressively, loss of muscle tissue is observed.
Pharmacological treatment is only intended to relieve symptoms, so one of the best options is surgical intervention, although only the veterinarian can decide whether the patient is fit or not to undergo this type of treatment.
Heart problems
The Boxer breed is a race predisposed to heart problems, we distinguish mainly between these two conditions:
- Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy: It is one of the most common coronary diseases. In MDC, a part of the myocardium (the cardiac muscle) is dilated and, as a consequence, there are failures in the contraction, which limits the pumping of blood.
- aortic stenosis: The aorta artery is responsible for sending clean blood throughout the body. When there is stenosis, the flow from the left ventricle to the aorta artery is compromised due to a narrowing produced in 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 exercise, difficulty breathing and coughing. Faced with these symptoms, it is essential immediately consult the veterinarian to make a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Allergies
Boxer dogs are very susceptible to allergy problems. Allergy can be defined as a pathological immune system reaction, which makes the body react in an exaggerated way to an allergen, this allergen can come from food or the environment, among others. Boxer is especially susceptible to skin and food allergies.
Skin allergies manifest themselves mainly through inflammation, redness, lesions and itching. In contrast, food allergies cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence or weight loss.
It is essential to provide Boxer with an excellent quality feed to avoid food allergies, as well as consult the veterinarian if you notice signs of skin or food allergy in your pet.
hypothyroidism
Some of the allergies that Boxer dogs can suffer are directly related to endocrine system, which in these dogs is 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 case you suffer from 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 with medications that replace the body's own thyroid hormones.
Observe to treat the disease in time
Knowing our puppy well is essential to treat him properly and keep him in top condition. For this, it is essential to spend time with him and observe him.
If we look at the frequency with which you eat, drink and fulfill your needs, as well as your usual behavior, it will be much easier for us to notice any changes in time that could be a sign of illness.
Adequate follow-up of the vaccination schedule, as well as regular exercise and good nutrition, will also be keys to preventing the disease.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.