Online Wellness Care Guide for Boxers
Useful tips and information that can help you keep your Boxer happy and at his best for years to come. Routine veterinarian visits are paramount as is proper animal nutrition, diet and exercise.
Boxer Shorts ---- A Brief History of the Boxer
Powerful, intelligent and alert, Boxers are instinctive guardians and love being around people, a trait that helped them gain popularity as couriers during times of war and as a guide dog for the blind. The breed originated in Germany in the late 19th century and was used for dog fighting and hunting. They are known for standing up on their hind legs when fighting and almost appear to "box" with their front paws. However, there are several alternative theories as to the origin of the breed name. Imported to America after World War I, Boxers grew in popularity in the late 1930's.
The Use of Supplements: In Support of Healthier Boxers
Supplements are no longer an afterthought but an important element to your Boxer's nutrition and care. Consult your veterinarian regarding the types of supplements that could benefit your Boxer's physical health and mental well-being.
Some of the benefits supplements may provide for your Boxer include:
- Relieves chronic joint pain and inflammation, enhancing joint mobility.
- Helps immune system function and modulation.
- Helps alleviate certain types of cancers, in addition to heart disease, diabetes, and cataracts caused by diabetes.
- Gives new-found energy to both active and older dogs.
- Helps support brain function in older animals.
- Helps control obesity.
- Relieves chronic joint pain and inflammation, enhancing joint mobility.
- Helps immune system function and modulation.
- Helps alleviate certain types of cancers, in addition to heart disease, diabetes, and cataracts caused by diabetes.
- Gives new-found energy to both active and older dogs.
- Helps support brain function in older animals.
- Helps control obesity.
Fun Facts about Boxers
Boxers are descended from the Bulldog and Mastiffs, which were also used for hunting.
The Boxer was one of the first breeds selected in Germany for police training.
The Boxer comes in shades of tan, brindle and white.
The tail of a Boxer was originally docked and the ears cropped so that wild animals could not grasp them when hunting.
Cancer:
Boxers have been called "cancer factories" and cancer is the #1 health concern in Boxers. They are very prone to various types of cancers, such as brain cancer, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, lymphoma, bone cancer (osteosarcoma), and mammary (breast) cancer. Potential signs of cancer to watch for: rapid weight loss; bumps/lumps; decreased energy; swelling at base of tooth; and neurological signs (seizures, difficulty walking, head tilt, brain "fog" confusion, and/or blindness).
Bone, Spine, Joint and Muscle Disorders:
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs is a slowly progressive destruction of the white matter of the spinal cord, similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease in people (a.k.a. ALS). It is a genetic mutation in Boxers, striking primarily older dogs and leading to the loss of many bodily functions. A DNA test for DM is available. Another disease common to Boxers is inflammatory myopathy, in which skeletal muscle cells are attacked by the immune system, or become inflamed due to infection or unknown causes. Boxers are also prone to developing spondylosis, which is a condition where bone spurs develop across the bottom of the vertebrate; while these often cause no clinical signs, sometimes they cause severe back pain and/or loss of both flexibility and range of motion. Joint disease (hip and elbow dysplasia) is also common in Boxers.
Bloat and Colitis:
Boxers are also more likely than many breeds to bloat (gastric dilation and volvulus), a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood flow to the stomach and other abdominal organs such as the spleen; this requires immediate medical and, often, surgical care. It strikes very suddenly and a dog that is fine one minute can be dead a few hours later from toxic shock. Another condition common in Boxers is histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC), which is an inflammatory bowel disease of the colon (large intestine) of young Boxers. It is suspected to be caused by a defect in the immune system defense linked to bacterial invasion and inflammation of the colon. It is a chronic/lifetime disease for many Boxers, but colitis can be controlled with specific antibiotic therapy, proper diet and nutrition.
Heart Disease:
Boxer Cardiomyopathy (BC) is a complex of diseases of the heart characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can cause fainting or even sudden death due to heart failure. One type of BC is caused by a nutritional deficiency of carnitine. Another type is genetic, and a third type has an unknown cause. Male Boxers are most prone to BC. Another heart defect that occurs in this breed is aortic or sub-aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve that causes the left ventricle of the heart to work harder to pump blood to other organs. The heart muscle thickens, leading to more pressure on the heart and aorta.
Boxers have been called "cancer factories" and cancer is the #1 health concern in Boxers. They are very prone to various types of cancers, such as brain cancer, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, lymphoma, bone cancer (osteosarcoma), and mammary (breast) cancer. Potential signs of cancer to watch for: rapid weight loss; bumps/lumps; decreased energy; swelling at base of tooth; and neurological signs (seizures, difficulty walking, head tilt, brain "fog" confusion, and/or blindness).
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs is a slowly progressive destruction of the white matter of the spinal cord, similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease in people (a.k.a. ALS). It is a genetic mutation in Boxers, striking primarily older dogs and leading to the loss of many bodily functions. A DNA test for DM is available. Another disease common to Boxers is inflammatory myopathy, in which skeletal muscle cells are attacked by the immune system, or become inflamed due to infection or unknown causes. Boxers are also prone to developing spondylosis, which is a condition where bone spurs develop across the bottom of the vertebrate; while these often cause no clinical signs, sometimes they cause severe back pain and/or loss of both flexibility and range of motion. Joint disease (hip and elbow dysplasia) is also common in Boxers.
Boxers are also more likely than many breeds to bloat (gastric dilation and volvulus), a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood flow to the stomach and other abdominal organs such as the spleen; this requires immediate medical and, often, surgical care. It strikes very suddenly and a dog that is fine one minute can be dead a few hours later from toxic shock. Another condition common in Boxers is histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC), which is an inflammatory bowel disease of the colon (large intestine) of young Boxers. It is suspected to be caused by a defect in the immune system defense linked to bacterial invasion and inflammation of the colon. It is a chronic/lifetime disease for many Boxers, but colitis can be controlled with specific antibiotic therapy, proper diet and nutrition.
Boxer Cardiomyopathy (BC) is a complex of diseases of the heart characterized by an irregular heartbeat that can cause fainting or even sudden death due to heart failure. One type of BC is caused by a nutritional deficiency of carnitine. Another type is genetic, and a third type has an unknown cause. Male Boxers are most prone to BC. Another heart defect that occurs in this breed is aortic or sub-aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve that causes the left ventricle of the heart to work harder to pump blood to other organs. The heart muscle thickens, leading to more pressure on the heart and aorta.
General Information for Your Boxer's Well-Being
Providing the foundation for good health and nutrition that has lasting benefits is vital for the health and well-being of your Boxer. This starts with regular veterinarian examinations but it does not stop there! Being proactive about your Boxer's health helps identify diseases and illnesses early, which can help keep your Boxer healthier over her lifetime.
