Boxers 101: 5 Common Health Issues & How to Prevent Them
Updated July 17, 2023.
If you're considering adding a Boxer to your family or you already have one, you might be wondering about the most common health issues in this breed. Boxers are known for their energetic and playful nature, but like all dogs, they are prone to certain health problems. Being aware of these issues and taking steps to prevent them can help you keep your furry friend happy and healthy for as long as possible.
One question that's often asked is, "how long do Boxers live?" The answer is that, on average, Boxers have a lifespan of 10–12 years. With proper care and attention to their health needs, many Boxers can reach the upper end of this age range, and some can live beyond it.
Here are the 5 most common health issues in Boxers with some tips on how to prevent them.
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Stomach issues
When it comes to health issues in Boxers, cancer is, unfortunately, a major concern. In fact, Boxers are at very high risk for several types of cancer. So if you've been wondering what Boxers usually die from, the sad truth is that cancer is often the cause.
Of the various types of cancer that can affect Boxers, brain tumors are among the most common. These tumors can cause symptoms such as seizures, changes in behavior, and difficulty walking or standing.
Another type of cancer that is particularly prevalent in Boxers is lymphoma or lymphosarcoma. This cancer affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and can show up almost anywhere in the body. Boxers are more prone to lymphoma than other breeds, and it's one of the leading causes of death in Boxers.
Signs of lymphoma include:
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of the face and legs
- Increased thirst and urination
Skin cancer in Boxer dogs is also fairly common. They are particularly prone to skin hemangiosarcoma, which can occur anywhere on the body and tends to spread rapidly. This type of skin cancer is more likely to develop in this breed than in others.
This type of cancer can manifest as lumps that are firm to the touch. They are usually found on the head, lower legs, rear, and abdomen. It's important to regularly check your Boxer's skin for any unusual lumps or growths, especially in areas that are prone to skin cancer.
How to Prevent Cancer
Boxers can minimize cancer risk factors by following a raw, natural canine diet and living in a chemical-free environment with no fragranced products. Exercise your Boxer in places that aren't treated with lawn care chemicals or weedkillers to reduce their exposure to toxins.
Another way to minimize the risk of cancer in Boxers is to limit their exposure to sunlight. Provide shade and keep your Boxer indoors during the hottest parts of the day. If caught early, skin hemangiosarcoma may be treatable with surgery. That's why it's important to take your dogs to regular checkups.
2. Heart Disease
Heart disease is unfortunately very common in Boxers, and two of the most prevalent heart conditions in this breed are cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis. Here's a closer look at each of these conditions:
Cardiomyopathy: This heart disease is specific to Boxers and is characterized by an irregular heartbeat. Signs of cardiomyopathy include coughing, rapid breathing, fainting, or sudden heart failure. This condition is often genetic and can be diagnosed through an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram.
Aortic stenosis: Aortic stenosis is another common heart condition in Boxers. This condition is characterized by a loud murmur that can be heard in the left base of the heart and may radiate to the right base. The pulse quality may also be weak. Signs of aortic stenosis include chest pain, coughing, breathing difficulties, and muscle weakness. This condition can be diagnosed through a physical exam, electrocardiogram, or echocardiogram.
How to Prevent Heart Disease
Preventing heart disease in Boxers can be challenging, as some conditions are genetic. However, there are steps you can take to help manage these conditions and reduce the risk of complications.
Treatment for cardiomyopathy aims to normalize the heartbeat. Your veterinarian will determine whether medication is necessary for your Boxer. Limiting hard exercise is important for Boxers with aortic stenosis to reduce the risk of complications. Medication may be needed in severe cases to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
3. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal condition in dogs, including Boxers. It's caused by a combination of genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. In this condition, the head of the femur and the hip socket in the pelvis don't fit together perfectly, causing the loose hip to rub against the socket. This results in bone spurs, pain in the hip joint, and degenerative joint disease. Early signs of hip dysplasia include lameness in the hind legs and a 'bunny hop' gait. Diagnosis typically involves X-rays at the veterinarian's office. Obesity and unbalanced nutrition can exacerbate this condition, so it's important to maintain a healthy diet and weight for your Boxer to help prevent hip dysplasia or manage it if it occurs.
How to Prevent Hip Dysplasia
Preventing hip dysplasia in Boxers involves a combination of good nutrition and regular exercise. Feeding your Boxer a diet high in iron can help. Iron-rich foods include beef, chicken, and leafy greens. Moderate exercise and keeping your Boxer active can also help them stay physically fit and increase muscle mass, potentially reducing their risk of hip dysplasia.
4. Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a spinal cord condition that causes hind limb weakness, loss of coordination, and paralysis in dogs. The condition is progressive and can lead to dogs losing feeling in their hind limbs, resulting in paw dragging. Early symptoms of the condition resemble osteoarthritis, such as difficulty rising from a lying position. Degenerative myelopathy is most common in middle-aged to older dogs and, unfortunately, has no cure. Early detection is key in managing the condition and improving the quality of life for affected dogs.
How to Prevent Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a genetic condition that cannot be prevented. However, maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help minimize the risk of muscle atrophy and improve your dog's overall well-being. Additionally, physical therapy can help maintain muscle strength and prevent further muscle deterioration.
5. Stomach Issues
Boxers are prone to developing digestive issues, including granulomatous colitis, which is a severe form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Signs of granulomatous colitis include bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and debilitation. In some cases, digestive issues in Boxers may begin as vomiting, discomfort after eating, or bad gas. If you notice any unusual symptoms, it's important to consult your veterinarian. They may administer wormers or test for parasites with a fecal sample to rule out any underlying health conditions.
How to Prevent Stomach Issues
Preventing stomach issues in Boxers involves a combination of good nutrition, avoiding chemical inputs, and minimizing the use of drugs. Additionally, fasting your Boxer for 12–24 hours can help reset their digestive system, but it's important to consult with your veterinarian before fasting to ensure it's safe and appropriate for your Boxer's individual needs.
Keep Your Boxer Healthy
By being aware of the common health concerns in Boxers and taking steps to prevent them, you can help your furry friend live a long and healthy life. Remember to provide prompt medical attention if health issues arise, and consider getting pet insurance to minimize the costs of veterinary expenses. With your love and care, your Boxer can live their best life by your side.
Boxers 101: 5 Common Health Issues & How to Prevent Them (Mishahara ya Boxers 101: Masuala ya Afya ya Kawaida na Jinsi ya Kuzizuia) Ikiwa unafikiria kuongeza Boxer kwenye familia yako au tayari una moja, unaweza kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya matatizo ya kawaida ya afya katika jamii hii. Mbwa aina ya Boxer ni mnyama mwenye nguvu na mchangamfu, lakini kama mbwa wengine wote, yeye huathiriwa na matatizo fulani ya afya. Kujua na kuchukua hatua za kuzuia matatizo hayo kunaweza kukusaidia kumfanya rafiki yako mwenye manyoya awe na furaha na afya kwa muda mrefu iwezekanavyo. "Swali linaloulizwa mara nyingi ni, ""Mbwa wa Boxer huishi muda gani?""" Kwa mfano, Boxer ana umri wa miaka 10-12. Kwa utunzaji unaofaa na uangalifu kwa mahitaji yao ya afya, Boxers wengi wanaweza kufikia mwisho wa juu wa safu hii ya umri, na baadhi wanaweza kuishi zaidi ya hiyo. Hapa kuna baadhi ya matatizo ya afya ya kawaida katika Boxers na jinsi ya kuepuka. - Ugonjwa wa moyo - Dysplasia ya kiuno - Degenerative myelopathy - Masuala ya tumbo linapokuja masuala ya afya katika Boxers, kansa ni, kwa bahati mbaya, wasiwasi mkubwa. Kwa kweli, mbwa aina ya Boxer huwa na hatari kubwa sana ya kupatwa na aina kadhaa za kansa. Kama unajua kwamba Boxer ni hatari kwa ajili ya afya, basi ni kweli kwamba kansa ni moja ya sababu. Kati ya aina mbalimbali za kansa zinazoweza kuathiri mbwa-mwitu, uvimbe wa ubongo ni mojawapo ya aina za kawaida zaidi. Matumbo hayo yanaweza kusababisha dalili kama vile mshtuko wa moyo, mabadiliko ya tabia, na ugumu wa kutembea au kusimama. Aina nyingine ya kansa ambayo ni ya kawaida hasa katika Boxers ni lymphoma au lymphosarcoma. Saratani ya tumbo huathiri lymphocytes, aina ya chembe nyeupe za damu, na inaweza kuonekana karibu mahali popote mwilini. Boxers ni hatari zaidi ya kupata lymphoma kuliko jamii nyingine, na ni moja ya sababu kuu za kifo katika Boxers. Dalili za lymphoma ni pamoja na: - Kupoteza hamu ya kula - Kuvimba kwa uso na miguu - Kuongezeka kwa kiu na kukojoa Saratani ya ngozi katika mbwa wa Boxer pia ni ya kawaida. Hasa huathiriwa na hemangiosarcoma ya ngozi, ambayo inaweza kutokea mahali popote mwilini na kuenea haraka. Aina hii ya kansa ya ngozi huelekea zaidi kutokea katika jamii hii kuliko katika jamii nyinginezo. Aina hii ya kansa yaweza kuonekana kama makunyanzi ambayo ni magumu kugusa. Kwa kawaida hupatikana kwenye kichwa, sehemu ya chini ya miguu, nyuma, na tumbo. Ni muhimu kuangalia ngozi ya Boxer yako mara kwa mara kwa ajili ya makundi yoyote ya kawaida au ukuaji, hasa katika maeneo ambayo ni hatari ya kansa ya ngozi. Mbwa wa Boxer anaweza kupunguza hatari ya kansa kwa kufuata chakula cha asili cha mbwa na kuishi katika mazingira yasiyo na kemikali na bila bidhaa zenye harufu nzuri. Mazoezi ya Boxer yako katika maeneo ambayo si kutibiwa na kemikali za kutunza nyasi au dawa za kuua magugu ili kupunguza mfiduo wao kwa sumu. Njia nyingine ya kupunguza hatari ya kansa kwa mbwa aina ya Boxer ni kupunguza mwangaza wa jua. Msaada wa Boxer wako wa ndani na wa ndani katika sehemu za joto zaidi za siku Ikiwa itagunduliwa mapema, hemangiosarcoma ya ngozi yaweza kutibiwa kwa upasuaji. Kwa hiyo ni muhimu kuwapeleka mbwa wako kwa uchunguzi wa kawaida. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Kwa bahati mbaya, ugonjwa wa moyo ni wa kawaida sana katika Boxer, na mbili ya hali za moyo zinazopatikana zaidi katika jamii hii ni cardiomyopathy na aortic stenosis. Kwa mfano, kwa mfano, ugonjwa wa moyo wa Boxer, ambao ni ugonjwa wa moyo wa Boxer, unajulikana kwa kupigwa kwa moyo usio wa kawaida. Dalili za ugonjwa wa misuli ya moyo zinatia ndani kikohozi, kupumua kwa kasi, kuzimia, au kushindwa kwa moyo ghafula. Mara nyingi hali hiyo ni ya urithi na inaweza kugunduliwa kwa kutumia electrocardiogram au echocardiogram. Ugonjwa mwingine wa moyo unaopatikana kwa kawaida kwa mbwa aina ya Boxer ni ugonjwa wa aortic stenosis. Hali hii huonyeshwa na kelele kubwa ambayo inaweza kusikilizwa katika msingi wa kushoto wa moyo na inaweza kuenea kwenye msingi wa kulia. Ubora wa msukumo wa moyo waweza pia kuwa dhaifu. Dalili za upungufu wa damu hutia ndani maumivu ya kifua, kikohozi, matatizo ya kupumua, na udhaifu wa misuli. Hali hii yaweza kugunduliwa kupitia uchunguzi wa kimwili, electrocardiogram, au echocardiogram. Jinsi ya Kuzuia Ugonjwa wa Moyo Kuzuia ugonjwa wa moyo katika mbwa wa Boxer kunaweza kuwa jambo gumu, kwa kuwa hali fulani ni za urithi. Hata hivyo, kuna hatua unazoweza kuchukua ili kusaidia kudhibiti hali hizo na kupunguza hatari ya matatizo. Matibabu ya ugonjwa wa misuli ya moyo yanakusudia kurudisha mwendo wa moyo kuwa wa kawaida. Daktari wako wa mifugo ataamua ikiwa dawa zinahitajika kwa Boxer wako. Kupunguza mazoezi magumu ni muhimu kwa Boxers na aortic stenosis kupunguza hatari ya matatizo. Dawa zaweza kuhitajiwa katika visa vikali ili kusaidia kudhibiti dalili na kuboresha ubora wa maisha. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Hip dysplasia ni hali ya kawaida ya mifupa katika mbwa, ikiwa ni pamoja na Boxers. Husababishwa na mchanganyiko wa chembe za urithi, lishe, na mambo ya mazingira. Katika hali hii, kichwa cha femur na socket ya kiuno katika pelvis haifanyi kazi pamoja kikamilifu, na kusababisha kiuno huru kutikisa socket. Hilo husababisha mifupa ya mifupa, maumivu katika kiungo cha kiuno, na ugonjwa wa viungo unaosababishwa na uharibifu. Dalili za mapema za dysplasia ya kiuno zinatia ndani kukosa mwendo katika miguu ya nyuma na mwendo wa 'kundi la sungura.' Kwa kawaida utambuzi huhusisha uchunguzi wa miale ya X katika ofisi ya daktari wa mifugo. Kwa sababu ya uzito wa mwili na lishe isiyo na usawa, ni muhimu kudumisha lishe na uzito wa afya kwa Boxer wako kusaidia kuzuia dysplasia ya kiuno au kusimamia ikiwa itatokea. Jinsi ya Kuzuia Dysplasia ya Mgongo Katika Mbwa wa Boxer Kumlisha Boxer wako chakula chenye madini mengi ya chuma kunaweza kusaidia. Vyakula vyenye chuma vingi vinatia ndani nyama ya ng'ombe, kuku, na mboga zenye majani. Mazoezi ya wastani na kuweka Boxer wako hai pia inaweza kuwasaidia kukaa fit kimwili na kuongeza misuli, uwezekano wa kupunguza hatari yao ya dysplasia ya kiuno. 4. Uwe na uhakika Ugonjwa wa myelopathy ya degenerative ni hali ya uti wa mgongo ambayo husababisha udhaifu wa viungo vya nyuma, kupoteza uratibu, na kupooza kwa mbwa. Hali hiyo huendelea na inaweza kusababisha mbwa kupoteza hisia katika viungo vya nyuma, na kusababisha miguu kuvuta. Dalili za mapema za ugonjwa huo zinafanana na ugonjwa wa viungo vya uti wa mgongo, kama vile ugumu wa kuamka kutoka mahali pa kulala. Ugonjwa wa myelopathy ya kuharibika kwa misuli ni wa kawaida katika mbwa wa umri wa kati hadi wazee na, kwa kusikitisha, hauna tiba. Ugunduzi wa mapema ni muhimu katika kusimamia hali hiyo na kuboresha ubora wa maisha kwa mbwa walioathiriwa. Jinsi ya Kuzuia Ugonjwa wa Myelopathy ya Degenerative Ugonjwa wa myelopathy ya degenerative ni hali ya urithi ambayo haiwezi kuzuiwa. Hata hivyo, kudumisha uzito wa afya kupitia chakula chenye usawaziko na mazoezi ya kawaida kunaweza kusaidia kupunguza hatari ya kupoteza misuli na kuboresha hali ya afya ya mbwa wako. Kwa kuongezea, tiba ya kimwili yaweza kusaidia kudumisha nguvu za misuli na kuzuia uharibifu zaidi wa misuli. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Boxers ni hatari ya kuambukizwa na ugonjwa wa tumbo, pamoja na granulomatous colitis, ambayo ni aina mbaya ya ugonjwa wa uvimbe wa matumbo. Dalili za ugonjwa wa uvimbe wa tumbo ni kuhara kwa damu, kupoteza uzito, na kudhoofika. Katika visa fulani, matatizo ya kumeng'enya chakula katika mbwa-mwitu yaweza kuanza kwa kutapika, kuhisi vibaya baada ya kula, au kuwa na gesi mbaya. Ikiwa unaona dalili zozote zisizo za kawaida, ni muhimu kushauriana na daktari wako wa mifugo. Wanaweza kutoa dawa ya kuua minyoo au kupima vimelea kwa kutumia sampuli ya matope ili kuondoa hali zozote za afya. Kuzuia matatizo ya tumbo katika Boxers inahusisha mchanganyiko wa lishe nzuri, kuepuka pembejeo za kemikali, na kupunguza matumizi ya dawa. Kwa kuongezea, kufunga kwa Boxer yako kwa masaa 12-24 kunaweza kusaidia kuweka upya mfumo wao wa kumeng'enya, lakini ni muhimu kushauriana na daktari wako wa mifugo kabla ya kufunga ili kuhakikisha ni salama na inafaa kwa mahitaji ya kibinafsi ya Boxer yako. Kwa kuwa unajua matatizo ya kawaida ya afya katika Boxers na kuchukua hatua za kuzizuia, unaweza kusaidia rafiki yako furry kuishi maisha marefu na afya. Kumbuka kutoa huduma ya matibabu ya haraka ikiwa matatizo ya afya yatatokea, na fikiria kupata bima ya wanyama wa kufugwa ili kupunguza gharama za gharama za mifugo. Kwa upendo na utunzaji wako, Boxer wako anaweza kuishi maisha yao bora kando yako.