Are Boxers Healthy Dogs?

Are Boxers healthy dogs? Yes and they are also very active pets. They are friendly and energetic dogs that were originally bred in Germany around the 19^th century. They were originally bred for hunting making them perfect companions for those who have an active lifestyle. Are Boxers healthy dogs? Even though they are generally healthy, they are still prone to some health issues. In this article, we’ll answer your question, are boxers healthy dogs? We will also give you the most common health issues that Boxer dogs usually experience at some point in their lives.         

Are Boxers Healthy Dogs: Common Health Issues

When it comes to knowing if are boxers healthy dogs, it’s important to note that there are certain conditions that Boxer dogs are prone to due to their genetic basis. This means that there are diseases or disorders that they are more prone to experiencing or are more likely to happen to them than to other dog breeds. Responsible breeders screen boxer pups for these common conditions, and when possible, they avoid breeding pups who show signs of certain genetic traits. Nevertheless, any of these conditions can still happen to boxer pups or dogs that are healthy or are well – taken care of.

Are boxers healthy dogs? Just like other dog breeds, boxer dogs can develop various health problems such as cardiomyopathy, bloat, degenerative myelopathy, and ulcerative colitis among others. In the next section, you’ll learn what these conditions are and how they can affect the health of your Boxer dogs.

Boxer Cardiomyopathy

Are boxers healthy dogs? Boxer dogs are more likely to develop a specific type of heart problem that other dogs won’t likely experience. This condition is called Boxer Cardiomyopathy. It’s so specific to them that the illness itself is named after the breed. It’s important to note that other dog breeds can also develop it.

Boxer Cardiomyopathy is a condition that if it is unrecognized or not treated properly can be fatal to your pet. This condition causes the heart to beat irregularly. In very severe cases, this may result to sudden death of the dog.

You will notice your pet is developing such disease if he has trouble breathing. This is the most common sign that your Boxer has some sort of heart problems. Observe your pet if he starts panting during playtime or whenever you are walking him. If you think your pet has a “weak heart,” then avoid exercise or reduce playtime until you let him be examined by a vet. 

Degenerative Myelopathy

Are boxers healthy dogs? Another common health issue of Boxer dogs is known as Degenerative Myelopathy. This is a nerve disease that begins in the spinal cord of a dog breed. If your pet boxer is suffering from this illness, you will start to notice that he/ she will lose motor function particularly in its back limbs. He can get a bit clumsy, so to speak. This weakness will become more apparent as the disease progresses along with loss of urinary and bowel control. Your pet Boxer might also have some struggle whenever he’s getting up off his crate or bed, and this is because degenerative myelopathy causes muscle atrophy. Eventually your dog can become paralyzed by the disease.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for this disease as of this writing. If you eventually find that your Boxer has developed it, there are a few things you can do to help ease the pain. One of the management treatments out there is called Kinesiology tape. So far, the kinesiology tape has help lots of dogs suffering from this disease. Make sure to also provide them with a comfy bed they can rest on. You should also ensure that they are trimmed and cleaned because since they spend a lot of time lying down, they can acquire bedsores. 

Dogs that become partially paralyzed by this disease are usually given wheelchairs. This is because dog wheelchairs can somewhat slow down the disease from progressing. Dog wheelchairs also remove the stress on the dog’s joints which can allow them to move more and also exercise. If not, lack of exercise and stress can greatly contribute to the progression of disease. Make sure to bring your pet to the vet if you’re seeing signs of struggle in your dog’s mobility.  

Gastric Dilation

Are boxers healthy dogs? Gastric dilation is more commonly known as “dog bloat.” This is another health issue that boxer dogs are more likely to experience compared to other dog breeds. What a lot of people don’t know is that bloat can potentially be a fatal stomach condition. It’s more common in large dog breeds like Boxer dogs and German Shepherds.

Bloat can definitely be prevented since it’s mostly caused by unhealthy eating habits. For instance, if your pet eats one large meal every day, or if he/ she eat too quickly, it can cause bloat.

You can help reduce bloat by simply monitoring your pet’s eating habits. If you observe that your Boxer like to scarf its food, then make sure to adjust and only give it smaller amounts of meals throughout the day. You should also ensure that your Boxer don’t get to run around after eating. If they run, it will cause them to pant. Panting will cause them to swallow air and expand their tummy which can contribute to bloat.

Bloat occurs when your Boxer’s tummy is over – filled with food. If a vet suspects that your pet is suffering from bloat, they usually try to get a stomach tube that can pass through your pet’s throat. They will also do an X – ray to ensure that the condition is not more serious.

If bloat is not quickly prevented, it can cause GDV or Gastric Dilation and Volvulus. This occurs when an over – filled stomach twists around; this will require your pet to go through surgery. And this is because when your pet’s stomach gets twisted, the blood supply between their spleen and stomach gets compromised. In just a few hours, your pet can die from loss of blood in the stomach along with physiologic shock. Make sure to prevent bloat so that it won’t lead to GDV.

We hope in this article, we’ve answered your question, are boxers healthy dogs? Stay tune for more posts!