Pets Smile Plus

Continued from part two.

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 the attack

> The type of muscular activity your Boxer exhibits during seizure

> Any abnormal behavior during the attack

> Frequency of the seizure

What you do in such instances is not panic and time the 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 the span of 24 hours, or if he has a second attack before he could completely recover from the first seizure attack.

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

To keep your Boxer from hurting himself during the seizure, move away furniture from the immediate area and protect him from water, the 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 the 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 the stairs until he has fully recovered. In the 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 the fur and bite marks on the skin tell if your Boxer has them. To check further, spread some newspapers and place your Boxer on top. Brush him and look for the 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.

The eggs hatch into larvae that seek nice, dark places while feeding on flea’s droppings, dust, human shed skin, dandruff and other such tasty morsels.

The larvae turn into hardy pupae that could survive for months before changing into adult fleas.

Fleas are host to tapeworms. Both problems are likely to occur together in your Boxer and, therefore, the treatments are also usually given together by the vet.

A bit of garlic a day may keep the fleas away from your Boxer.

Heart ailments

-Bradycardia or slow heart rate may be a symptom of thyroid disorder in Boxers.

-Dialated cardiomyopathy constitutes a serious, emergency case.

Your dog may collapse from it or the back legs have sudden pain and paralysis.

It is a serious heart condition whereby the heart muscle is enlarged and thin walled. Your Boxer will experience shortness of breath, coughing and can’t take to exercise.

Another serious heart condition is called cardiac conduction disease that is affecting Boxer’s longevity. It was previously known as Boxer cardiomyopathy but the new term is used to differentiate it from dilative cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac conduction is difficult to deal with due to 3 factors.

-One is many Boxers will not show any symptom (asymptotic) but will just drop dead suddenly from it.

-The Boxers develop this disease later in life, often after they have been bred.

-There was no good screening method for it until the one recently developed by Ohio State University researchers, called the 24-hour Holter monitor test.

However, there is still no assurance that Boxers cleared now from cardiac conduction disease by the Holter test will remain so in the future.

Many breeders and Boxer experts are now working to refine the test procedures, expand the database and come up with a guideline to select only, for breeding purposes, those Boxers with high probability of being free of the disease.

There are also concerns elimination of too many dogs from the gene pool would be bad for the breed diversity and could cause more problems in the future. Some opinions hold that extensive culling should only get done after more studies on genetic diversity in Boxers.

Hip dysplasia

This is a bone disorder whereby there is an improper fit of the large femur bone with the hip socket, causing lots of pain and lameness.

It occurs more in males

This articles is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health3.php

Part 1 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health.php
Part 2 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health2.php

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

Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at times, but it’s well worth it. Here are several tips that should help things go much smoother and faster… plus reduce the frustration both you and your dog feel!

Conduct play training where by the training tasks are made into fun games and your dog’s play drive is used as motivation. There are a lot of really good books available on this type of training.

Intelligent dogs can also be stubborn, so you may have to outwit them!

While training your dog, you have to make him want to do what you want him to. You can’t make him do stuff unless it is fun. Otherwise you are wasting both your time and his.

Try to make your dog’s training so fun that it becomes his or her favorite activity. This will make learning much easier and more enjoyable.

Most dogs love to play! You can make your dog the happiest just by spending some time with them, giving your undivided attention each day. Without this, your dog will feel ignored, bored, or think they’re in trouble. When this happens they’re more likely to chew, tear things up, and not listen to you.

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

The Pomeranian is a lively and intelligent toy breed dog. This dog has a double coat with a soft dense undercoat and longer, harsh outer coat. He is short backed with a plumed tail that is held high and folds over to sit flat on his back. This animated dog seems to always be smiling.

The ideal weight for this breed is 4 to 6 pounds and the breed limits are 3 to pounds. The dog should be sturdy when examined. He is compact with the distance between shoulders and buttocks a bit shorter than the distance between withers and ground.

The Pomeranian has a triangular head with the top of the skull being rounded with a well pronounced stop. He resembles a fox in appearance although his muzzle is rather short. The almond shaped eyes are bright and alert and dark in color. He has small ears that are upright at the top of his head and carried perfectly erect. The nose and eye rims should be black with the exception of the blue and brown colorations.

The stance of the Pomeranian is a proud one with the head carried high. He has a compact body and moderately muscled shoulders. His feet should be set straight ahead and not turn to the inside or point out.

The double coat of the Pomeranian helps give it it?s fluffy appearance. The coat is longer in the neck and chest and shorter on the legs. The tail has long lustrous hair that flows over the dogs back. There are many colors and patterns permissible in the breed. The black and tan pattern allows for tan above the eyes, on the forechest, muzzle, throat, legs and feet. The brindle pattern has a base color of red, gold or orange with black stripes. A Parti-color Pomeranian is white with patches of any other color and has a white blaze on the head. Poms can come in red, sable, orange, cream, white, black, brown and blue.

Although the Pomeranian can appear to be somewhat dainty, he is also a lively extrovert with extreme intelligence that will steal anyones heart. He has a free moving gait and lively step. They make wonderful companion dogs as well as great show dogs.

Lee Dobbins is a pomeranian owner and dog lover. Visit her site http://www.Pomeranian-Pages.com for more dog care articles and training tips.

Potty Training Your Puppy:

Make sure you feed your dog at regular times every day as this makes bathroom breaks regular as well. Feed your puppy 2-3 times a day.

As soon as he is finished eating, take him to a grassy potty area. Speak the words go potty or go in the grass before and while he is eliminating. Be sure to praise him when he is done.

What you are doing is building word associations with the dog that will allow you to encourage his potty activity on command.

This comes in handy when you and your dog are at unusual locations and at pit stops during long haul travel. It also saves you from cleaning unwanted fecal material off the carpet at home.

It is a good idea to train your puppy to use a place where you can easily clean up and dispose of the droppings into the sewer. This is because worms that infect dogs and make them sick get spread around through the eggs or larvae found in the feces. Some, like the roundworm, can also infect children.

Reprimanding Your Puppy:

Talk to puppies like you would to children when they do something wrong.

Tell them no and show them immediately what the correct behavior should be and reward them for doing it right. After a few times they’ll know how to do it right.

For example, tell him NO when you catch him chewing the shoes. Then immediately give him his own toys to chew and cheer him on to chew on the toys. Praise him for doing so.

Use sparingly those reprimanding words like No, Stop that, get off and bad dog! Instead use more praises to reward good behavior in your dogs, this way the reprimands will take on stronger meaning.

A correct reprimand is short, sharp and immediate.

Only reprimand when you catch your dog doing something wrong, and punish only with your voice.

Hitting, kicking, slapping or spanking your dog can create more problems and usually makes existing problems worse. You may just end up with a barking and chewing dog, one that is leery, hand-shy, fearful or aggressive.

If you really have to spank one with your hand, just slap him across the behind.

Repetition and Rewards:

Repetitions are a crucial aspect of any dog’s training. You should always reward them for doing something right while training. The more often he is rewarded, the better and quicker he will learn. Create situations where your dog can get plenty of practice at doing the right things.

Be sure to praise and love on him when he does a good job. This is simple but not always easy to do. Bad behaviors like biting, constant yelping and barking and tearing the house apart get our immediate notice. What we easily forget to acknowledge are the good parts - when the dog is lying down quietly, chewing on his own toys, leaving the carpet unsoiled.

Praise and reward are the most important part of maintaining your dog’s good behavior and preventing him from getting into trouble.

Dog Toys, Games and Treats:

Foods, treats or praise will bring out the best responses from your dogs during training.

Treats can come in the form of their favorite food, toy or something they really love to do.

Some favorite treats are ice cream, cheese, ham and chicken. One Boxer dog even fancies a handful of ice cubes to crunch on though he’s not thirsty. Test human food treats a little at a time though, because some dogs can be sensitive to certain things. Milk products for instance, can give a puppy diarrhea.

The all time dog favorites of fetching, tug-of-war, and hide and seek games can be made more treasured using your dog’s favorite ball or toy, and giving him plenty of stroking in between throws.

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

Pet Boxers, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they get lonely, bored and into trouble.

Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly intelligent one, Boxers need both physical and mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and fearless courage in tact.

How to keep Boxer out of trouble

Their high prey drive (some owners called it play drive) needs proper outlets or they could get destructive as house pets, and tend to fight among themselves especially if the other family Boxers are of the same sex. The female, it seems, is more aggressive than the male.

Keeping Boxers busy is the best way to keep them out of trouble! Tire them out with long walks, 3 times a day. Give them plenty of exercise, play with them, especially the inquisitive puppies or they would tear up your home out of boredom, pent up energy and frustration.

For all your love and caring, be prepared for wet slobbery drool and kisses and love in return.

What some proud owners say about their pet Boxers:

* \\Having a Boxer is like having another human in a dog body with you. You can talk to Boxers and they would understand. They demonstrate feelings just like human does. If they are loved, they will love and protect you.\\

* \\Boxers are the most loyal companions. My Boxers bring me up when I am down. They are the canine clowns of the dog world. They are the only dogs for me.\\

* \\They are a gift! The two I have are always smiling and they cheer me up when I?m not too happy. They can be your friends for life!\\

* \\My Boxer can take up my moods or lay quietly by my feet for hours.\\

* \\Boxers are so intuitive, so easily bored and heartbroken. They are the definition of devotion and courage.\\

* \\If I treat my Boxer puppy as an intelligent animal and talk to him almost like he\\’s human, he is more responsive and better behaved, as though he\\’s picking up on my sentiments by the way I am speaking to him.\\

* \\Boxers can be very manipulative. They are a lot smarter than they look! Don?t get taken in by their innocent-looking face or let them walk all over you no matter how much their eyes make them look like they are truly sorry.\\

* \\Give up being house-proud and enjoy your \\devil dog\\. Don?t have potted plants because you?ll end up with empty pots. Don?t run to answer the phone because you?ll be rugby-tackled and end up flat on your face.\\

* \\Bringing a puppy or even an older dog into your home and your life is a major decision. It brings with it responsibility and commitment, but it also renders supreme joy, laughter, and sadly, but inevitably, tears. Not one of us who has ever shared his life with a Boxer would have it any other way.\\

* \\Boxer dogs think they are human. Treat them like one - love them, talk to them, cuddle them and value them and you will get your love back unconditionally 10,000 times.\\

Daniel Lesser
Dog and Puppy Articles,
Pictures and Resources
http://www.thingsfordogs.com/boxer-owner-comments.php

Some Dogs like Boxers unfortunately, are prone to several potential health problems such as:

- 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 the pertinent information, in case of an illness, that would assist your veterinarian to administer the correct diagnosis and treatment. Below are some common afflictions of Boxers.

Alapechia (Lost of hair on the trunk)

Seems to be more common in male Boxers.

One, which died at the age of 12 years and 4 months, was diagnosed with seasonal alopecia. He used to go bald once a year but the 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 the veterinarian immediately.

The stomach gets filled with air and twisting and this can happen suddenly. The symptoms include restlessness, drooling and nausea and the 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.

Watch out for both external and internal lumps, eye ulcers or cherry eye as they called it, as well as dermodicosis or skin sores.

Mast cell tumors are malignant and they do not occur very often but can form either in the skin or within the body.

The related disorders reported along such tumors are round raised masses in the skin of your Boxer, lack of appetite, vomiting and abdominal pain. Check for tarry stools due to bleeding in the upper intestinal tract.

Boxers of any age can develop mast cell tumor but older ones, above 8 years, are more prone to it.

Never take tumors in your Boxers lightly, even a small one! The veterinarian would usually have them removed immediately because of their high susceptibility to cancer.

One owner noticed her Boxer had a bump the size of a mosquito bite that did not go away even after 10 days. The vet diagnosed it a malignant tumor and removed it the very next day. The owner felt so relieved that the tumor was removed before the cancer had a chance to spread.

Another owner found both his Boxer girls had lumps and had it checked out immediately. The vet removed the lumps due to their breed and the Boxers were all fine now!

Yet another owner was not so lucky.

I have had the pleasure of raising two great Boxers but both passed away much too young of cancer. The last one, Nick, died one week after being diagnosed with anal cancer. It spread rapidly and he was only 7 years old!

Part 2 is available at http://www.thingsfordogs.com/dog-health2.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