Uncovering Boxer Dog Health Problems

It’s vitally important to know the kinds of health problems boxer dogs can face so you can raise a hale and hearty dog. Boxers typically live between eight to ten years of age. For this reason, there are three common ailments that can affect them. They include: CHD, cardiomyopathy and SAS. Even though these are the most common, the boxer breed can also suffer from colitis, gastric torsion, corneal erosion and hypothyrodism. Some atypical diseases the boxer can get include brain tumors and degenerative myelopathy. Take your four-legged friend to the veterinarian and have him looked over. As long as he gets checked out on a regular basis, any health problems can be circumvented or treated aggressively when caught early. You want a vet that treats your friend like his or her own. Be sure that the vet runs certain exams that aim to look at the chest, the thyroid and the hips.

Listed below are five very common genetic conditions that boxer dogs are prone to get. Each disease is just as important as the next to know.

Aortic stenosis or sub-aortic stenosis (for short, AS or SAS)

When boxer dogs are having a problem with a constricting aorta, the results leads to a restriction of blood flow into their heart. This condition is called aortic stenosis or sub-aortic stenosis. When this condition is present, the heart has to work harder to get the right amount of blood flowing in the body. Should you notice your boxer getting tired quickly or you notice soft murmurs from the heart, then the dog should see the vet. Still yet, these dogs can live a normal life. Though it is not recommended they be incorporated in the breeding programs.

When hyperthyroidism occurs in your boxer, it means one of two things: either the thyroid is not working as it should be or it’s quit working altogether. Some of the effects of hyperthyroidism are hair loss, slow growth, less than active lifestyle and even recurring skin conditions that include dry skin and lesions. There are medications that can help with this disease.

Hip dysplasia, a common health complaint from boxer dog owners to vets. This occurs when the joints in the hip wear out continuously allowing for stiffness and pain to set in. This only gets worse with the dog's age and with time. Hip dysplasia has no known cure although a total joint replacement may be done in very severe cases.

Boxer cardiomyopathy occurs when boxer's heart beats abnormally. The first signs of this of this problem are typically fatal for the dog. Regular routines are needed although a vet cannot conclusively diagnose your dog with this problem because there are not constant signs. Boxers should be screened for this exclusively.

When corneal dystrophy is present, the condition can cause the corneas to develop unevenly. If it is not seen and treated right away, boxer dogs can be completely blind or have some vision loss. There are surgical and pain management techniques that can help out.

Want to know more about how you can keep your boxer dog healthy and happy? If so take a look at my boxer dog site to get a copy of my FREE report! (click the blue link)