Boxer Health
Health Testing is a very important part of Breeding Boxers.
Registered Breeders are aware of the available tests that can be undertaken to ensure all Breeding Stock are of good Health.
All our Dogs have been thoroughly Health Tested and have passed with Excellent Results at the time of Breeding.
Kriscross Boxers has used & recommends Specialist -
Dr David Davies BSc BVMS (Hons) FACVSc
We have now upgraded our 24hr Holter Machine from ALBA Medical (USA) to a
NEMON DR-200 , Digital.
We use Service Type ll : For a Full Cardiologist Report
Dr Carl Sammarco, BVSc, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)
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At Kriscross we Health Test all our Breeding Dogs
Test Results are displayed on this page below and on their own pages.
Ausculation : Checking for Heart Murmurs
Thyroid Tested yearly:
(ARVC) Gene Tested , USA
(DM) Gene Tested, USA
Girls have full blood Panel done before Mating
24hr Holter Test : Full Cardiologist Report with Interpretation & Conclusion
Our Stud Boy is Hip Scored
Vaccinations: C5 yearly
Worm & Heartworm monthly using Interceptor Spectrum
We feed Advance dog pellets combined with chicken breasts/thighs
Natural yogurt, cheese, sardines, carrot/Broccoli/pumpkin etc ....
Apple/Banana
Our dogs are allergy free, no skin issues
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*News Update March 2013 *
* 24 hr Holter Testing is currently being completed for 2013 *
Service Type ll with Cardiologist Report
In the Boxer Dog less then 50 (PVCs)/24hrs is considered Normal.
Greater then 50 PVCs, but less 300 with no triplets or runs are equivocal.
Test Results: Will be added to each dogs profile page
* May 2012 *
24hr Holter Tests now completed on all our dogs for 2012.
Test Results are displayed on each dogs profile page.
* February 2011*
24hr Holter Tests now completed on all our dogs for 2011.
Test Results are displayed on each dogs profile page.
Info on the 24hr Holter Test (ARVC/BCM)
(arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy)
It is a electrical problem within the Heart which causes the heart to beat erratically which can result in weakness /collapse or sudden death (young or old)
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* Update January 2010 *
We are currently DM testing (DNA) all breeding dogs
* University Of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine *
However as with the ARVC DNA testing , DM testing should not be over-emphasized and is another factor in health testings that is available in the U.S.A.
It is another form of DNA testing that is available to maintain or improve in a good breeding program.
N/N = Clear (2 normal copies of the Gene)
A/N = One Normal Gene/One mutated Gene
A/A = 2 Mutated copies of the Gene
Test results :
George de La Finca Sapho : N/N Clear
Happy de La Finca Sapho : N/N Clear
Kriscross QT Pretty Impressed : N/N Clear
Infanta de La Finca Sapho : A/N (One Normal Gene/One mutated Gene)
Kriscross Miss Calandria : N/N Clear
Kriscross La Reina : N/N Clear
Kriscross Te Quiero Tobiano : Clear by parentage
Kriscross Te Amo Casanova : Clear by parentage
Kriscross Te Adore Isabella : Clear by parentage
Info on DM ( Degenerative Myelopathy )
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New Test Available
On the 30th of April 2009 Veterinary Cardiologist Dr Kathryn M. Meurs from the Washington State University discovered 1 mutant gene for Boxer Cardiomyopathy.
(ARVC) Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.
At this stage they do not know if this is the only mutation in the Boxer or if there will be many different mutations.
(All profits for this testing are donated back into Canine ARVC genetic research.)
Cardiomyopathy is one of the most common form of heart disease in Boxer dogs which causes sudden/unexpected death in boxers young and old.
Due to the recent discovery of this mutant gene Kriscross Boxers is going to take advantage of this new test and will be testing all breeding dogs. If future developments are made in this area we will continue to support this program and will test further.
Kriscross has now tested all our Breeding dogs for the (ARVC) gene test.
Test Results:
George de La Finca Sapho : Negative
Happy de La Finca Sapho : Negative
Kriscross QT Pretty Impressed : Negative
Kriscross Miss Calandria : Negative
Infanta de La Finca Sapho : Negative
Looje Sargent Peppers : Positive Het (One Normal Gene/One mutated Gene)
Kriscross Al Capone : Negative
Kriscross Te Amo Casanova : Negative (by parentage)
Kriscross Te Quiero Tobiano : Negative (by parentage)
Kriscross Te Adore Isabella : Negative (by parentage)
Kriscross La Reina : Positive Het (One Normal Gene/One mutated Gene)
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Health Conditions that can be present in the Boxer.
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Boxer Cardiomyopathy (ARVC/BCM):One of the most common causes of sudden/unexpected death in boxers. (young & Old). This condition is thought to be inherited. It involves the heart to beat erratically by abnormal heart rhythms involving the ventricles (the main blood pumping chambers) of the heart which can result in weakness, collapse or sudden death. It is important that all breeding stock are properly screened for this disease by a Cardiac Specialist.
Aortic Stenosis/sub-aortic stenosis (AS/SAS) :Is one of the most common heart defects occuring in boxers. Stenosis is the narrowing of the aorta, right below the aortic valve, which forces the heart to work harder to supply blood.. Reduced blood flow can result in fainting and even sudden death. Diagnosis must be made by a veterinary Cardiologist after detection of a heart murmer. Breeding dogs must be properly screened for this disease and affected dogs must not be bred from. |
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Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a slow progressive wasting disease of the hindquarters. (DM) is similar to multiple sclerosis in people and it affects the central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system is responsible for carrying nerve impulses or messages to and from the muscles.Axons carry these messages and are similar to electrical wires. As with electrical wires, axons require insulation and without insulation the message leaks out. In the progression of DM, the myelin sheath (insulation) on the axon is damaged or slowly destroyed rendering the muscle incapable of carrying out a movement.= spinal weakness and paralysis.
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Thyroid Disease in the Boxer describes Hypothyroidism an inactive thyroid gland which can be responsible for conditions such as epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy, hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions or show neurologic problems. While not considered life threating the quality of life for a dog suffering from hypothyroidism is much reduced.
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Hip Dysplasia is thought genetically determined but this has not been established as enviromental factors such as nutrition and rapid growth and over excercise of a young dog can play a major role in its development.
While some are questioning the frequency and severity of hip dysplasia in the boxer, alot are testing for this.
It is a malformation of the hip joint leading to osteoarthriitis. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint where the top of the thigh bone (femur) fits into a socket in the pelvis. Hip dysplasia occurs when the socket is poorly formed or the ligaments are loose enabling the ball of the femur to slide part way out of it's socket. Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease which becomes worse with time.
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Cancer : Boxers are particularly prone to skin tumours most are harmless but veterinary advice is advised.
Boxers with white markings and white boxers should be protected from the sun.
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Allergies : Boxers can be prone to allergies which can be enviromental or food related.
These often show up with itchy scaly and sometimes infected skin.
Boxers do not tend to do well on foods that have a high grain content (corn/wheat).
Best advice is to follow your breeders food guide.
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