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Dog Health Care Advice Article

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.

Deafness

Boxer 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.

Daniel Lesser
Dog and Puppy Articles, Pictures and Resources
http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health2.php

Part 1 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health.php
Part 3 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health3.php

About the Author

Daniel Lesser
Dog and Puppy Articles, Pictures and Resources
http://www.thingsfordogs.com

Written by: Daniel Lesser

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Dog Health Care Advice Article

Keeping a dog's fur healthy and looking great isn't as difficult as you think. It does take some work to keep it in good condition but it is definitely worth the effort. With a little extra work you can make your dog's coat shine but also protect his skin from disease.

Dietary changes you can try Your dog's skin and coat are linked to their diet and nutrition. Due to this, many skin conditions and coat problems can be treated through homeopathic dietary methods. Fatty acids are essential when trying to enhance your dog's hair coat condition and tissue repair. You can try the method of raw egg on their kibble, but nowadays you have several dog supplements available that can help you increase your dog's coat and skin health. Salmon Oil is an excellent source of fatty acids and oils that will benefit your dog's coat and also their arteries and immune system. Additionally you can find products that will enhance your dog's coat and help prevent shedding. Cod liver oil is an essential ingredient in this type of dog nutritional supplement as well as garlic, soybeans and crude proteins that help promote healthy skin and fur. To keep your dog´s coat glossy, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to your dog´s food. Safflower, canola, corn or soybean oils are options to consider.

Grooming your dog It is important that you bathe your dog every so often to keep the skin clean. However bathing your dog too often can cause problems to the skin, specifically robbing the dog's skin of essential oils. One bath a month, after the age of six months is good enough to keep a healthy look to the fur and skin. Veterinary dermatologists suggest bathing your dog at most once a week, but only if you are using specific shampoo designed for your dog. There are many different kinds of shampoo and conditioners that help keep the skin healthy, but some do other things as well. Many protect against flees, while some keep the fur shiny and strong. It is best to consult your veterinarian before starting any bathing. If your dog develops an itch or skin irritation it is most likely because you are bathing him or her too much and should reduce the amount of baths your are giving. Otherwise it is recommended that you keep your dog's fur clean and healthy.

Trimming your dog's fur is another way of keeping the skin and fur healthy and still looking great. In warmer climates a long coat can cause skin irritation and skin disease, as well as keep your dog's energy at a minimum due to extreme heat. Trimming the fur down a little bit will help keep the dog cool and help prevent skin irritation.

You can purchase any grooming supplies from your local pet store and same with the shampoo. Consulting your veterinarian is always important before purchasing anything. I hope this summary offers you a brief understanding of how and what you need to do to keep your dog's fur and skin in good condition.

About the author:

Cindy Frendo runs her own puppy training and dog training school from her hometown of Ottawa, Canada. She also runs her own website at puppytrainingrevealed.com

Written by: Cindy Frendo

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