Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know... Part 2

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.

Article url: 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

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

---

Parachromis Managuense

Parachromis managuense has a bad reputation, just like many of... Read More

Small Dogs - Different Breeds, Different Personalities

Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More

The Background and Use of Clicker Training For Dogs

Presently, and throughout the 1990s a phenomena swept through the... Read More

Tips For Toys

Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More

Wormy Dogs? - Understand Dog Worms Infestation and Their Symptoms

Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More

Mosquitoes Are a Hazard to Your Pets Health Too

None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and... Read More

Dog Flea Control Management: How To Prevent, Treat, And Kill Dog Fleas

Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More

Interior Decorating for Cat Owners - Protecting Your Pet

Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More

How To Adopt A Shelter Cat - Your New Cat Will Thank You For Reading This Article

If you are thinking of adding a feline to your... Read More

Okay Lets Do A Poodle Again

My wife and I have been married for 32 years.... Read More

Canine Distemper

What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More

Buying a Custom Bird Cage

Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More

Goldfish Tips - Finding Out The Gender of Your Goldfish

Boy or Girl?How can you tell whether your Goldfish is... Read More

Is A Premium Dog Food Really That Much Better For Your Dog?

==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========If you're interested in premium... Read More

Dog Training Collars -- Proper Selection Leads To Training Success

The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More

General Information, Caring For & Breeding Silkworms

BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More

Does The World Need More Cats?

Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More

Dogs - Mans Best Friend

Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More

Horse Manure Management--What are Your Options?

You need a strategy for using or disposing of your... Read More

A Healthy Cat Knows What Tastes Good...

As all cat owners know, a feline can be a... Read More

Analysis of Cat Behavior

The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior... Read More

Your Purrrfect Companion

Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More

Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?

What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More

Does Your Boston Terrier Want To Be With You?

This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were... Read More

Mommy, Can I Keep That Stray Dog?

How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More

Introduction To House Training

The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More

Rimadyl the Wonder Drug - Or Is It?

If Your Dog Suffers From Arthritis, Consider The Natural Alternative:Rimadyl... Read More

Should Your Family Get a Purebreed Dog?

Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More

Introducing a New Kitten to Your Older Cat.

So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into... Read More

Christmas Gifts For Cat Lovers

The act of offering Christmas gifts is always enhanced if... Read More

New Puppies-The Cure For Insomnia-What You Can Do To Help You New Pupppy Adjust

Puppies have a natural instinct inside that causes them to... Read More

Puppy Care 101

Puppy CarePuppy care can be a lot of work, but... Read More

A Pregnant Stray Cat Adopted You ? And Now What?

It happens all too often. A family or cat friend... Read More