Boxer
Breed description- see AKC for detailed standard
lifespan 8-9 years
Bandit and Dixie's pictures are compliments of Debbie Dowling at Double D Boxers <debbied@dishmail.net>Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problems
Abnormal dentition (extra incisor)
Alopecia - Seasonal flank
Aortic and Carotid body tumors
Aortic stenosis, Subaortic stenosis (Polygenic)
Atrial septic defectsCardiomyopathy
Corneal ulcer - superficial
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Crytorchidism
Cystinuria (Sex Linked Recessive)
Deafness (recessive)
Dermoid cysts
Distichiasis ( two rows of eye lashes)
Esophageal dilation
Endocardial Fibroelastosis
Fibrosarcoma
Gastric torsion
Gingival hyperplasia
Granulomatous colitis
Histocytoma
Inguinal hernia
Invertebral disc degeneration
Oligodendroglioma
Mastocytoma
Melanoma
Persistence of right venous valve
Short skull
Ulcerative keratitis
Umbilical hernia
Vaginal hypoplasia
Acepromazine is considered to be very safe but it can cause hypotension (lowering of blood pressure). This effect may be exaggerated in Boxers and there have been anecdotal reports of death of Boxers after the use of acepromazine. In addition, acepromazine seems to make it easier for dogs with seizure disorders to have a seizure. This medication should not be used near the time of dipping or treatment with organophosphates for flea control. M.R.
Boxers are prone to aortic stenosis and possibly other cardiac conditions. An early diagnosis of heart or respiratory disease could markedly prolong your dog's life and also make him much more comfortable. M.R.
Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disorder that occurs in young dogs, primarily terriers. The most commonly affected breeds are West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers and Cairn Terriers. It has been recognized in other terrier breeds and in Boxers, Labs, Great Danes and Dobermans. It usually shows up before 10 months of age.
Excessive bone development occurs along the mandible (jaw) and the temporal region. Affected dogs have difficulty chewing and swallowing and may drool as a result of this. There can be great pain on opening the mouth but some dogs do not seem as pained as others. There is often fever accompanying this disorder. Weight loss can occur from the difficulty in eating. Atrophy (shrinking) of the muscles over the head and jaw areas can occur. X-rays show excessive bone production, sometimes very severe.
Mike Richards, DVM
Boxers are very prone to mast cell tumors in the skin and I usually remove suspicious looking lumps and have them examined by a pathologist. Lots of times they are benign lesions when we do this but it is important enough to find the mast cell tumors that surgery to remove other tumors is warranted.
Seasonal flank alopecia usually causes hairloss, dark pigmentation of the skin, flakiness and is not pruritic (doesn't itch). It usually starts in the winter and gets better in the late spring or summer when the days get longer. I have heard other reports of Vitamin E being a little bit helpful for this condition and some vets recommend trying melatonin -- but I am not aware of any scientific studies that support the use of this medication at the present time. The good thing about this is that most dogs recover. And when the problem returns the next winter you already know what it is.
Mike Richards, DVM
3/17/99
This page was last edited 04/29/08
