Boxer Health Problems

The Boxer breed is prone to many different types of health issues. Constant check ups by a veterinarian are required when you own a Boxer. If their health is not monitored they can become very sick and this will shorten their life span.

The most common health issue among this breed is heart problems. One of the most prevalent heart problems that they experience is aortic Stenosis. Aortic Stenosis is a genetic heart condition that causes the blood leaving the left ventricle of the heart to become obstructed as it does so.

Another genetic heart condition that is displayed in this breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is when the heart becomes inflamed and stops working like it normally would. The symptoms or this condition are very easy to spot in Boxers. They will no longer want to exercise and may even pass out.

Atrial Septal Defect is the last common heart disease that is experienced with this breed. Atrial Septal Defect is characterized by an opening in the wall of the heart between the right and left area of the upper part of the heart. This wall in the heart is called the Septum. When this happens the blood flow to the lungs is increased and is commonly referred to as a heart murmur.

Boxers are also have a genetic predisposition to eye problems. Corneal Dystrophy is one such condition. This happens when the cornea of the eye becomes obstructed by a cloudy material.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another genetic eye disease that affects Boxers. This condition is used to describe degenerative legions of the retina.

A common joint condition amongst the Boxer population is Hip Dysplasia. This happens when the pelvic joint starts to slowly deteriorate. This symptoms for this condition are quite noticeable. The Boxer will begin to have problems walking and will lay down most of the time.

Congenital deafness is also seen a lot in White Boxers. White Boxers are characterized by the fact that most of their coat is white. Congenital deafness is when a dog is deaf from birth. White Boxers should not be bred as they are more prone to genetic conditions and birth defects.

When choosing a Boxer as a pet, the fact that these dogs are prone to several different genetic diseases should be considered. As they are predisposed to the above mentioned conditions, they will need more care than other dogs.