Conditions and Diseases

Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present at birth.The testicle/s, which developed in the abdomen, fail to descend into the scrotum. The usually underdeveloped and non-functional testicle/s should be removed, as it could turn cancerous later in life.If the condition remains after the puppy is more than 2 months old, then the chances are it will remain so permanently.Eye ulcers, if caught early, are easy to treat. Late treatment can be expensive for you as well as painful for your Boxer.Dermodicosis or non-contagious mange first appears as numerous patches anywhere on the Boxer’s skin. The hair will fall off, leaving bald patches in large areas, and the bald skin starts to break down, turning into crusty sores.Atopy is itchy (pruritic) skin disease caused by allergy to something the Boxer breathes in or touch.It cannot be cured and is the number two common allergic skin condition in dogs, after flea allergy dermatitis. Having fleas would make it worse for your Boxer.A Boxer suffering from atopy would have itchiness particularly on the hands and feet.He’d be chewing his paws, scratching his ears, shaking its head, scratching the muzzle or rubbing it on the ground. These same symptoms can also be brought about by food allergy.Acne in young dogs shows as red bumps (papules) and blackheads (comedones) on the chin and lips.Shorthaired dogs like Boxers are more likely to get them. And like in human, they start getting acne around puberty, but the problem would usually go away after one year old or so.However, you may have to help with some topical gel medication similar to the one used by teenagers. Such lesions may become infected and develop pus, which becomes itchy for your Boxer and he starts rubbing his face in the carpet or against furniture.Urinary incontinence in dogs can be due to a neurological lesion – something not normal with the parts of the nervous system that deal with urine regulation.A Boxer with incontinence will dribble urine and if a neurologic lesion is the cause, then this has to be removed.There are also other reasons not related to the nervous system like congenital defect and bacterial urinary tract infection, also known as bacterial cystitis or bladder stone.If your Boxer leaves wet spots where he has slept and he has skin irritation from contact with the urine, then he may have incontinence.However, wet spots around the house alone may simply mean that he drinks a lot more and needs to relieve himself often but you are not allowing him outside frequently enough. Straining while urinating and blood in the urine are two signs of bladder stone.DeafnessBoxer is among the more than 35 breeds of dogs on record to have hereditary sensorineural deafness.The condition cannot be reversed with medications, surgery or hearing aids. Dogs also could become deaf from old age, toxicosis or infection.How do you tell if your Boxer is deaf?He doesn’t respond to spoken commands and only responds to you when he sees you.He keeps shaking his head and pawing his ears or turns in the wrong direction when you call him.He sleeps more than normal and would not wake up till you physically touch him.But not to worry, you can still have a wonderful companion in your deaf Boxer through sign language.Dogs have been known to learn as many as 65 command words in sign language. These include signs for, among others, “stop”, “potty”, “drop it”, “stay”, “lay down”, “sit”, “come” and “cookie”.As extra measures, you want to keep the deaf Boxer in a safe environment as he cannot hear approaching dangers like an approaching car. So keep him on a leash and close to you when in traffic or out for walks.On his nametag, add the word “deaf” so he will not be misunderstood if he ever gets lost. Some suggest putting a bell as well so you know where to find him if he gets lost.And finally, if your Boxer tested positive for inherited deafness in one or both ears, do not breed him or her.Article url: http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health2.phpPart 1 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health.phpPart 3 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health3.php

Everybody needs vitamin D. Usually known as the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ vitamin D is coming to be known as the cancer prevention vitamin, and possibly even more. Normally, vitamin D is synthesized in the skin after exposure to sunlight. However, people with darker skin or those who live in high northern latitudes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.Vitamin D deficiency often doesn’t present with any noticeable symptoms, but it can lead to a number of serious conditions. As vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, many conditions associated with deficiency appear in the bones and teeth. The classic condition associated with vitamin D deficiency is rickets, a bone-thinning disease that used to be commonly seen in children. Characterized by stunted growth and bowed legs, this disease has become less common since the introduction of fortified milk in the 1930s. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can result in the bone thinning disorders osteomalacia and osteoporosis, as well as other illnesses such as high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, and, most recently in the news, cancer.Like vitamin C, vitamin D has long been thought to prevent multiple forms of cancer, but until recently the full depth of its importance to cancer prevention has not been fully understood. Now, as more scientific research is directed at the connection between serum vitamin D levels and cancer incidence, it is becoming increasingly apparent that most people require vitamin D supplementation for at least part of the year for optimal health and cancer prevention.Although an adequate intake of 200-400 IU (international units) has been identified as the minimum amount necessary to prevent rickets and other deficiency diseases, optimal intake levels have never been established. However, some health professionals are currently recommending vitamin D supplementation levels of 1000 IU or even more daily.Thanks in part to greater demand; vitamin D supplements are now available in a wide range of formats, from small tablets to liquid suspensions or chocolate flavoured chewables. There is a vitamin D supplement available to meet every need. Supplements are generally affordable and available at most pharmacies. Additionally, vitamin D can be obtained naturally by consuming fatty fish, fortified milk and egg yolks and, of course, by enjoying a healthy dose of sunshine.