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This is where you will find potential health risks of the Boxer Breed, and a warning about a serious drug that vets use called "Acepromazine"
Potential Health Risks Of The Boxer Breed :
*Cancer - Boxers are at high risk for tumors. It is a good idea to check your Boxer often for any growth or unusual medical developments. Spaying or Neutering highly reduces the risk of cancer in the boxer breed.Types of cancers listed: Lymphoma, Pre-cancer growth removed, Tumors, Inoperable tumor (intestines/lymph nodes), Hemangiosarcoma, Brain tumor, Sunburn, Allergic reaction to Bee/wasp sting.
*Demadetic Mange - Also known as red mange. The demodex mite is passed threw the dam and into her puppies. The localized form of Demodex is characterized by a few spots that do not itch. These patches usually appear on the head, neck, and four limbs. 90% of those puppies that develope localized demodex will heal on their own. 10% of those puppies will go on to have generalized demodex. The American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology passed a resolution in 1983 suggesting that all dogs with generalized demodex should be spayed or neutered.
*Allergies
*Dry Skin
*Pollen Allergy
*Food Allergy
*Lick Grauloma
*Mites
*Tumors under skin, also warts
*Subcutaneous cysts
*Bloat - Is A life threatening emergency. Sometimes for unknown reasons Boxers develope bloat. Bloat is usually connected with the rapid ingestion of a meal or alot of water. The stomach distends with air and gas, you may notice that the boxers abdomen looks swollen. The dog may try to vomitt and relieve himself. If you suspect Bloat get your boxer to the vet immediately.
* Slight urine discharge; had frequent UTI
*Weak bladder muscle
*Incontinence
*Epilepsy
*Grandmal seizures
*Very mild juvenile epilepsy, onset @ 6 months and lessens with age
*Used to have seizures, but unknown cause
*Aortic Stenosis - A narrowing of the aortic valve that causes obstruction of the blood flow into the circulation which makes the heart work harder and the wall in the left ventricle thicken. The defect can occur below the aortic valve and this is reffered to as sub aortic stenosis
*Cardiomypathy - is a disease of the heart muscle itself. It causes reduction in the force of the heart contractions and this causes a decrease in the circulation of the blood threw the lungs and the rest of the body. The disease may be caused by many reasons; infections(viral), metabolic, malnutrition, toxic degenerative or unknown reasons. Cardiomypathy is thought to be congenital in boxers.
*Heart Murmur
*Stomach Problem - 1 yr. old female can't keep weight on, weighs 35lbs.
*Colitis - end to end bowel surgery due to birth defects
*Severe Gastro-enteritius @ 1 1/2 yrs. of age, can recover
*Epular of the gums
*Impaired immune system, should reslove with age
*One testicle didn't drop
*Spondylosis
*Epulis
*Impacted Anal Galnd
*Trachae problems
*Esophogus problem
*Parvo @ 6 months of age
*Hypothyrodism
*Bad liver
*Fungal infection from forced ear cropping as a puppy
*Tick disease
*Arthritis
*Gingival Hyperplasia - This is an overgrowthof the gum tissue, seen in some older Boxers. Always consult a vet to rule out malignancy. |
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"Acepromazine"
This is VERY serious
Acepromazine Warning
by Wendy Wallner, DVM
There is one drug commonly used in anesthetic protocols that should not be used in the Boxer. The drug is Acepromazine, a tranquilizer, which is often used as a preanesthetic agent. In the Boxer, it tends to cause a problem called first degree heart block, a potentially serious arrhythmia of the heart. It also causes a profound hypotension (severe lowering of the blood pressure) in many Boxers that receive the drug.
Recently, on the Veterinary Information Network, a computer network for practicing veterinarians, an announcement was placed in the cardiology section entitled "Acepromazine and Boxers." This described several adverse reactions to the drug in a very short time span at a veterinary teaching hospital. All the adverse reactions were in Boxers. The reactions included collapse, respiratory arrest, and profound bradycardia (slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute). The announcement suggested that Acepromazine should not be used in dogs of the Boxer breed because of a breed related sensitivity to the drug.
This drug is the most commonly prescribed tranquilizer in veterinary medicine. It is also used orally and is prescribed for owners who want to tranquilize their dogs for air or car travel. I would strongly recommend that Boxer owners avoid the use of this drug, especially when the dog will be unattended and/or unable to receive emergency medical care if it is needed.
Submitted by Wendy Wallner, DVM July, 1997
© (copyright) by Wendy Wallner, DVM July, 1997
If your vet needs more than your word that you do NOT want your dog treated with this drug, tell your vet to get out their "Handbook of Veterinary Drugs". Every vet has one. Tell them to go to the section on ACEPROMAZINE. In this section (1993ed) There is this section:
"Prolonged effects of the drug may be seen in older animals. Giant breeds, as well as greyhounds, appear quite sensitive to the clinical effects of the drug, yet terrier breeds appear more resistant. Boxer dogs, on the other hand, are predisposed to hypotensive and bradycardic effects of the drug."
This should be enough of a warning for your vet.
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