3 Health Ailments Common To Boxers

Before you go shopping for Boxers, make sure you know what may be in store for you later down the road.

Boxers have several common ailments that are likely to spring up at some point. Here's 3 that you need to be aware of before choosing a Boxer as a pet.

--Epilepsy/seizure disorder

When your Boxer is between 2 to 5 years old, he may develop seizure disorder. When he has an epilepsy attack, he’d be unconscious and appear like he is not breathing. But don't worry--he is. He is not suffering.

You need to record certain information that would be important to your veterinarian regarding such episodes, including:

> Duration of the attack

> The type of muscular activity your Boxer exhibits during seizure

> Any abnormal behavior during the attack

> Frequency of the seizure

The key in such instances is not panic and time the attack by looking at a watch or clock. It may only take place for 30 seconds but may seem forever to you. You need to contact a veterinarian if it lasts more than 5 minutes.

Emergency treatment is definitely called for if your Boxer goes into seizure for 10 minutes or longer, twice in the span of 24 hours, or if he has a second attack before he could completely recover from the first seizure attack.

Remain by your Boxer’s side; be there when he comes out of the seizure to calm him. Stroke and comfort him.

To keep your Boxer from hurting himself during the seizure, move away furniture from the immediate area and protect him from water, the stairs and any sharp objects. If you can, place a pillow under his head to protect him from head trauma.

Unlike seizure attacks in human, animals do not swallow their tongue. So don’t put your hand or spoon or any other object into your Boxer’s mouth when he has an attack. You might get bitten.

Also, keep children and other pets away from your sick Boxer.

Coming out of the seizure, your Boxer will be groggy, confused and feel like he has done something wrong. He may make unusual sounds and stumble around.

Do not allow him on the stairs until he has fully recovered. In the mean time, sooth him by talking to him softly, offer him some water, stroke and comfort him.

And if he doesn’t recover fully after 30 minutes, consult your veterinarian or any emergency vet facility.

--Flea-infected Boxers

Flea-infected Boxers can develop skin diseases, especially those allergic to fleas.

Black specs in the fur and bite marks on the skin are tell-tale signs if your Boxer has fleas. To check further, spread some newspapers and place your Boxer on top. Brush him and look for the black specs falling off.

Fleas live up to 6 weeks, feeding on blood and during that time would have laid hundreds of eggs that mostly land on your Boxer’s bedding, carpets and other favorable nests around your home.

The eggs hatch into larvae that seek nice, dark places while feeding on flea’s droppings, dust, human shed skin, dandruff and other such tasty morsels. The larvae turn into hardy pupae that could survive for months before changing into adult fleas.

Fleas are also host to tapeworms. Both problems are likely to occur together in your Boxer and, therefore, the treatments are also usually given together by the vet.

A bit of garlic a day may keep the fleas away from your Boxer.

--Heart ailments

There are 2 types of heart ailments to be on the lookout for with your Boxer dogs...

Bradycardia or slow heart rate may be a symptom of thyroid disorder in Boxers. These are usually diagnosed during a checkup by your veterinarian, so make sure and get your Boxer's annual checkups performed.

Dialated cardiomyopathy constitutes a more serious, emergency case. It is a heart condition whereby the heart muscle is enlarged and thin walled.

Your dog may collapse from it or the back legs will suffer from sudden pain and paralysis. Your Boxer will also experience shortness of breath, coughing, or they won't take to exercise.

If you see any of sign of these heart ailments, contact you veterinarian immediately.

Boxers make great pets for many years. But you still need to know what's in store for you. So take this information and store it away--it may save your Boxer's life.