Took Dexter (7 + half year old Boxer) to the vet yesterday ... become breathless on walks (noticed 3 weeks ago), then started collapsing when excited, then this week developed a cough as though he was struggling for air. Poor thing couldn't even greet us without having a coughing episode (and this was when we'd only been out of the room for a few minutes). I really thought it was Aortic Stenosis from findings on internet. Vet said his heart was ok and that it was a kind of kennel cough type of thing. She gave him some Metacam (anti-inflamitory). She said that fainting in Boxer dogs is common as they're such an excitable breed. Anyone experienced fainting Boxer dogs? It doesn't help that his sister is "on her holidays" as she's in season and he's missing her!

Fainting isn't 'common' in Boxers.
Nor should fainting be accepted as common or normal!
Yes some dogs experience syncope but it should be investigated properly.

Boxers have two heart conditions known Aortic Stenosis and BCM or Boxer Cardiomyopathy
If you want to read up see [url=]www.boxerbreedcouncil.co.uk
[/url] and click on health button and then AS or BCM for each condition.

I've had 6 Boxers over a 20 plus years span.
Only one had an episode where she went down, in very hot weather, she was continually monitored
and she developed arrythmia's etc (she was graded one for AS). She did come down from
at risk BCM lines.

See info here http://www.martinreferrals.com/collapsing_boxer_dog.asp

It might be better to see a vet that has cardiology as a specialism.
As with these symtoms it could be heart or even something such a hypothyroidism which undiagnosed
can affect the heart function and also causes exercise intolerance.
To check for hypothyroidism is a T4 and TSH bloodtest.

As Boxacrazy said...

Utter rubbish that boxers faint... boxers with a heart complaint can faint just as any breed can.

When I first started breeding boxers in the late 70's vets used to say boxers had bad hearts.  AS was common and did used to cause fainting but since screening this has been almost wiped out. BCM is the new threat but it presents with different symptoms.

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't convinced by the vets comments neither. The vets we go are usually great - they have animals coming from all round the country for treatment and I'm sure they have cardiology specialist there ... will keep an eye on him over the next few days and ask to be referred if no change in him.
Thanks again x

We have had 2 Boxers that have passed out on occasions both have now passed away but both got the the ripe ages of 121/2 and 10 the boxer dog was the first one to start this he had a 0 grade heart test as he was used to breed from the passing out began when he was 10 so the vet thought it could be heart related so he was kept in for x rays and scans and general blood test everything came back clear,he stiill kept fainting not every day just maybe once a week so our vet referred us to a cardiologist where she done more tests and he had to wear a holter monitor for 24 hrs this the results showed nothing the cardiologist asked if he had a T4 test done to see how his thyroid levels were at so this was done as she had seen this in dogs before where it had passed out his results came back with almost non exsistant readings as they were so low so he was put on Soloxiene with every other week blood tests gradually his levels rose but still not to what they shoud be he stiill lept passing out so we lived with him like this,then his wee started to go really yellow so in for more tests they found he had a tumor on his bile duct so we had to let him go.The bitch on the other hand that passed out a couple of times was also scanned and x rayed  the results,she had a Tumor growing to the side of her heart so both have gone to Rainbow Bridge.We have a year old Boxer bitch who has come from tested parents of 0's I would say to any possible new Boxer owners to make sure they make sure they buy from tested clear or just above.Also I must just add my friends boxer faints she has a murmor,she was going to be bred from until she was tested by the breeder and found to be grade 4 so the breeder gave her to my friend after she was spayed.

If he were mine, I would definitely be asking to be referred to a cardiologist. I am a member of another forum and heart conditions are the hot topic. I am definitely not an expert, but from what I have been reading posted by very experienced people, 'normal' vets are not very good at picking up heart conditions. I always think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Just an update on Dexter:
You were right it was dilated cardiomyopathy. They gave him an ultrasound and detected it. Thanks again for your advice. x

So sorry to read this, a dreadful condition and probably the main reason why I will never breed another boxer litter.

I had a Golden with dilated cardiomyopathy. It was the same with him, he started fainting but the vet could hear nothing abnormal when just listening to his heart. No ultrasound available back then so he was x-rayed and that's how he was diagnosed. He lived another happy 3 years with us I'm pleased to say, once he'd been put onto medication. Fingers crossed Dexter will do well on medication as well.

So sorry to read your news, hope that medication will help him.

Big hugs to you and Dexter

Please do get in contact with Dr Bruce Cattanach with Dexters details
as there is ongoing research into Boxers with Cardiomyopathy.
Each case is a piece of a big genetic puzzle.

His email address is bcattanach@steynmere.freeserve.co.uk
If you want his phone number - private message me and I can give it to you.

i hope you dont mind me asking your advice i am new to the site , i bought a bobtail boxer from a breeder about 20months ago and we came to agreement that if all health checks were done he would lift edorsements . so from the day i decide to buy a pup from this breeder i was in contact with him and after i took pup home was still keeping in contact got my dogs heart test done it was hs /1  which i phoned and told him which he then told me he would lift edorsements but at present he was hand rearing some pups that were born as the mother had died so i left it but still kept in touch but recently contacted him about it to be told that one of the pups from the same litter as my dog as heart tumor and also is mother died of the same thing i know under the circimstances i cannot breed my dog as is mother died from this but what i am angry and un sure about how he never new she must of had symptoms but died a year after she had my dog and while having another litter so all pups from this mother could have problems which to date is five  litters , i am now worried about my dog i dont know the symtoms but my dog keeps losing weight quite quick i mean within two days he can lose weight , he goes of his food  i have found spots of blood about my house but never knew were it came from i am really angry with this breeder for not telling me straight away i was on the phone to him the week after my dogs mother died i just feel by him using this dog for breeding he could of put a death sentence on my dog if you have any information about the tumors or symtoms could you help by sending me the information

> i just feel by him using this dog for breeding he could of put a death sentence on my dog

This is irrational, the breeder can only go by the information they have at the time, we do not have crystal balls.

One dog dying of a problem does not mean anything, he was only concerned from the breeding aspect when one of the pups had the same thing.

Might be co-incidence, but they obviously care enough to not risk taking the combination of lines further.

I know it is worrying, but they have done nothing wrong (though 5 litters is rather a lot in my book, maybe some were Singleton's?)

I am sure if you look at your own family you may have a pattern of health issues,a nd the people concerned may or may not allow this to impact on their decisions to have children. 

Both my husbands parents have dies at 60 of Cancer, and he has had a lump removed from his oesophagus, now is the common factor that all 3 smoked or genetics. 

We discussed having a child, but due to this and my age decided against.  I am registered blind, born with congenital cataracts, but these were not of a genetic nature and I have two children with no sight issues, a
and nothing but age related long sightedness in the family.

Thank you - I will email him as every piece of info is a contribution.

Back to vets today for check up - fluid seems to have built up so he's got some Frusedale tablets - talen 1 tonight and he had to RUN for the garden to do pee, bless him.

He's decided not to eat dog food since last Friday, so need to cook pasta, chicken rice etc now. Need to see vet in 4 weeks and if the same will do more blood tests.

Dogs should come with a health warning attached to them (like tobacco) ... who would have thought that a bundle of fur could worry an owner sooooo much!

Thanks for your advice

I'm sure he will be grateful for your contribution.

Oh yes our pride and joy's do cause no end of worry when they aren't quite right
or poorly.

Hope your boy enjoys his homecooked dinners :)

Just an update: Sadly we lost Dexter last weekend. He'd had a good morning - had breakfast, little walk and was just waiting for his scrambled eggs to cool for lunch, he was in his bed beside the radiator and simply drifted off to "rainbow bridge". He still managed to enjoy his final months to a certain extent and I'm very greatful that he didn't appear to suffer. He still had a little play with his toys and loved a cuddle. We'll miss him dearly.

Sorry for your loss, especially hard at this time of year.

So very sorry to hear this.

RIP Dexter, run free at the bridge.

So sorry to read that you have lost your beloved boy.

Hugs

RIP Dexter

Oh no Dexy, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Dexter xxxx

I am really sorry to hear you have lost Dexter. Run free at the Bridge Dexter.

Sorry to hear about Dexter.. He certainly went to the rainbow bridge in my eyes the perfect way - at home, in his bed with his family nearby.

Run Free Dexter xxx