Epilepsy/seizure disorder

When your Boxer is between 2 to 5 years old, he may develop seizure disorder.

When he has an epilepsy attack, he'd be unconscious and may look like he is not breathing but he is. He is not suffering.

The information that would be important to your veterinarian regarding such episodes includes:

> Duration of attack

> The type of muscular activity your Boxer exhibits during seizure

> Any abnormal behavior during attack

> Frequency of seizure

What you do in such instances is not panic and time attack by actually looking at a watch or clock.

It may only take place for 30 seconds but may seem forever to you. You need a veterinarian if it lasts more than 5 minutes.

Emergency treatment is definitely called for if your Boxer goes into seizure for 10 minutes or longer, twice in span of 24 hours, or if he has a second attack before he could completely recover from first seizure attack.

Remain by your Boxer's side; be there when he comes out of seizure to calm him. Stroke and comfort him.

To keep your Boxer from hurting himself during seizure, move away furniture from immediate area and protect him from water, stairs and any sharp objects. If you can, place a pillow under his head to protect him from head trauma.

Unlike seizure attacks in human, animals do not swallow their tongue. So you don't have to put your hand or spoon or any other object into your Boxer's mouth when he has an attack. You might get bitten.

Also, keep children and other pets away from your sick Boxer.

Coming out of seizure, your Boxer will be groggy, confused and feel like he has done something wrong. He may make unusual sounds and stumble around.

Do not allow him on stairs until he has fully recovered. In mean time, sooth him by talking to him softly, offer him some water, stroke and comfort him.

And if he doesn't recover fully after 30 minutes, consult your veterinarian or any emergency vet facility.

Flea-infected Boxers

Flea-infected Boxers can develop skin diseases especially those allergic to fleas.

Black specs in fur and bite marks on skin tell if your Boxer has them. To check further, spread some newspapers and place your Boxer on top. Brush him and look for black specs falling off.

Fleas live up to 6 weeks, feeding on blood and during that time would have laid hundreds of eggs that mostly land on your Boxer's bedding, carpets and other favorable nests around your home.

- Skin allergy - Food allergy - Cancer - Hip dysphasia - Bloat - Heart ailments - Hypothyroidism - Fleas - Worms

Knowing what they are will help you to better monitor your pet's health and to gather pertinent information, in case of an illness, that would assist your veterinarian to administer correct diagnosis and treatment. Below are some common afflictions of Boxers. Alapechia (Lost of hair on trunk)

Seems to be more common in male Boxers.

One, which died at age of 12 years and 4 months, was diagnosed with seasonal alopecia. "He used to go bald once a year but hair always grew back on," said its owner.

Bloat

Gastric torsion or GDV or bloat in your Boxer can be life threatening so bring him to veterinarian immediately.

The stomach gets filled with air and twisting and this can happen suddenly. The symptoms include restlessness, drooling and nausea and stomach is bloated (distended abdomen). Your Boxer may vomit and continue to retch but nothing would come out.

Cancerous and benign tumors

Boxers are highly prone to cancer.

So any time you see a bump on your Boxer, you should check it out. About 20 out of 100 cases are cancerous.