Is it shameful to admit perhaps a boxer ....

[adeinert]

What did the ultrasound, x-rays, and endescopy show?
Those are the tests routinely done for digestive issues. Those are necessary to have any idea of what type of digestive order such as IBD that you are dealing with. Also, I've been told you must try a diet for 6-8 weeks minimum. So far, if no tests have been done and the diets were tried for shorter periods, I would feel helpless also since nothing has had a chance to help him. What did the bloodwork show?
If your vet hasn't suggested these things and is confused, I would call Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa right away and get the first available appointment. They will diagnose him for you and then you can treat this. I would have never found my Desi's aliments without the necessary tests. You just can't guess about digestive disorders. Now I have clear picture of what to fight and we are winning the IBD battle!

What meds has your vet tried? That may give us an idea of what he thought your boy may have. I have spent the last year on kidney, pancreatitis and IBD lists and the meds are all pretty standard with slight variation.
There is also a very well respected holistic vet in St. Pete. People from my area drive up to 2 hours to see him. I started with a holistic vet to get my raw feeding diet worked out.

I recall you have talked about breeding, at least you know this is what happens with our breed and are prepared to do whatever necessary for your babies. Let us know what happens at FVS. They have specialists of all sorts on hand so you don't have to make a visit and not have the correct vet on hand to make a diagnosis. Sounds like lower GI, but I'll leave that up to the experts, the vets and the reference I suggested is the best place in the area and most extensively equipped.

Good luck!
Ashlie

 

[ATTHEANA'S]

Thanks sweetie.

Ill try anything. My vet hasnt done any xrays or ultrasounds. Hes done all the fecal test and blood test. Nothing found. I am trying another food especially for digestive problems.

ohhh and btw about breeding. I think that has been nipped in the bud. I really dont want to add to the burden of breeds. especially after I found this male in the shape he is in. I cant bare the fact that someone may get one of my pups and mistreat them. So now instead I wanna focus on this male and maybe rescue or foster care other boxers. I am really hoping that if I fail with this male that it wont cut my chances to help other wonderful boxers in the future.

I couldnt image life without boxers.

 

[SoleilBxrs]

ohhh and btw about breeding. I think that has been nipped in the bud. I really dont want to add to the burden of breeds. especially after I found this male in the shape he is in. I cant bare the fact that someone may get one of my pups and mistreat them. So now instead I wanna focus on this male and maybe rescue or foster care other boxers. I am really hoping that if I fail with this male that it wont cut my chances to help other wonderful boxers in the future.

I couldnt image life without boxers.

appicon WHOO WHOO appicon.. thats one of the best things i've heard all week so far. im sorry your boy is having trouble... i would definately have an ultrasound, endoscopy and x-rays done too. don't give up! give him lots of kisses. best of luck. keep us posted!

-Kat

 

[ATTHEANA'S]

I spoke this evening with a rep from the florida boxer rescue. My husband and I have a big decision to make. The Rep was very wonderful and informative and even went as far as to call our vet and find out starting prices. Its going to cost alot and we need to decide whether we can afford to get him the care he needs. With the four hurricanes and two with direct hit to us. Im not sure we can afford it. I guess I need to know its ok. Florida boxer rescue has offered to take him and get him the care he needs. I know in my heart its the best thing for him but every time I think about it I cry! I know I want the best but thinking I wont see him agaiin kills my heart. Guess I need some strength and what better way to get it from people who love boxers as much as I do. ARGH this is really really hard!!!

 

[lorishields]

I also wanted to add...that it sould like he may have some SA....just reaching from what you said, about notr be able to crate or confine him ......stress also adds to his bowel problems, so he may have two things working against him......no simple fix for either .....it seems you really got a tough case .....good luck to both of you

I'm glad you mentioned that Shannon! My Linc who had some serious SA would NOT crate! And after awhile he'd poop pudding! He would stress so much that he'd have 2 inches of drool in front of the crate and 2 inches of hershy's syrup in the back!

We got him on some SA meds and sought a trainer. We can't trust him fully uncrated, but he's gained some self-confidence and he's back to solid poops!

If this is his issue as well, he really needs somebody that is able to work with him and his issues. I hope that your rescue will be able to help you both!

Sometimes letting go is the best thing to do if you can't afford the time or the money on your pet.

 

[megan313]

My Roxie had terrible separation anxiety and had horribly loose stools for soo long, HERES WHAT WORKED FOR US...

We had her on clomicalm for the SA, but decided to get her a companion instead and that helped...

We put her on Canidae (you have to leave them on a specific food for sometimes a month minimum before seeing results)

NO TREATS (until her stools firmed up and for about 3 months after, then slowly re-introduced the treats) That included bones and pig ears.

I think keeping him outside may be causing some of the loose stools, (maybe hes eating stuff he shouldnt)

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[adeinert]

If you love your boxer. take him to the vet and get him healthy. You could never live with yourself if you gave up on him. The volunteers of the rescue have no other resources than you. We live in a disposable society and if your baby is this sick, please stick with him.
I spent a year with a sick baby and I know that nobody else could have brought him through that because of the love I have with him.

It sounds like you haven't really started searching out the issues with a qualified vet doing all the necessary testing, start there and then see what answers you receive. This board is loaded with people solving vet issues on the health board, please come back and share those results.

What was said when he was neutered? If he hasn't been with the health issues you mentioned, then that may be a critical starting point.

I'm glad you've realized that more people breeding only contributes to the troubles for boxers. Too many people think boxers are disposable. I hope this guy doesn't have that same fate. Rescues do clean up the messes of irresponsible people but I hope you will follow the advice of the volunteer that called and the caring people here and take your boxer to the vet. They don't have miracle workers or angels working for them, they have plenty of needy boxers to care for and it's caring boxer owners who pay those bills not some deep pocket corporation. Don't think that rescues are these magic groups that have the means to make miracles happen. The only difference between rescues and people who give up dogs is love.

How can we say one dog is too sick to love and care for? From what it sounds like, it could be a very simple answer but the necessary procedures haven't been tried. You other boxer's vet is a very reputable vet in Tampa, let him be checked out there.

Ashlie

 

[adeinert]

Ill try anything. My vet hasnt done any xrays or ultrasounds. Hes done all the fecal test and blood test. Nothing found.

So now instead I wanna focus on this male and maybe rescue or foster care other boxers. I am really hoping that if I fail with this male that it wont cut my chances to help other wonderful boxers in the future.

I couldnt image life without boxers.

I am confused. If you've spend thousands of dollars on him where have you had him vetted that you only got a fecal and a blood test? That's not even a hundred in our area.

If you're really wanting to "focus" on him, don't dump him. No rescue or breeder with a right mind would ever let you have a dog after you abandoned one. If you don't want to help him or can't fullfill your responsibilities with him, why would you with another?

I very much would like to hear the results of the $1000 of testing so the members here could give you some feedback based on their experiences.

Ashlie

 

[lorishields]

No rescue or breeder with a right mind would ever let you have a dog after you abandoned one.

Not true. Do you know how many BYB's are out there who don't give a flip who they sell their dogs to?

They certainly 'aren't in their right mind', but there is a NEVER ENDING SUPPLY of boxer pups for ANYONE who wants one!!

 

[Maniago]

No rescue or breeder with a right mind would ever let you have a dog after you abandoned one.

I am sure she meant any reputable breeder