NinjaAndBama
Boxer Pal
One of my best friends had a boxer that passed suddenly at 7 years of age less than 2 years ago. He had a SUDDEN paralysis in his hind legs and then after MUCH testing, passed away, just 3 days later. His breathing suddenly became labored and he died in the car, while they were trying to get him emergent care in the middle of the night. I know there were MRI tests and a spinal tap test, among others. However, there was never a diagnosis for what happened. Since everything is worth considering, I'll add that they initially thought he had an ear infection from the way he was reacting before the paralysis started.
After this, she adopted one of my two sweet boxers, Ninja. Being pregnant, mourning the loss of her puppy and chasing a 3 year old around the house...she was in no position to train a puppy and needed a boxer that loved children. This was one of the greatest gifts I had ever given (and most sacrificial) but knowing that Ninja would be even more spoiled, loved and grow up with 2 little boys (he loves little boys)...I couldn't resist! Ninja was 2ish at the time and is now 4ish. He's the happiest I've ever seen him and we get to keep him several times throughout the year, as the family travels often. We tell him he has TWO families, we hyphenate his name, and consider our home his 'vacation resort home'. He has gained 15-20 pounds (He gained his muscular frame and lost his lanky puppy frame about the time they adopted him), has an occasional ear infection (which he has always suffered from), and has the typical boxer allergies...but we've seen no decline in his health. He is always updated on his shots, heartworm meds and the same flea/tick preventional methods are used. His food is high quality and expensive to accommodate his allergies to grain and white potatoes. Yes...WHITE potatoes. crazy, i know.
Last night, at his 'new' home, he began shaking his head suddenly as if something was in his ear. This continued through the night, although they checked his ears, cleaned them out, put in his ear drops and even gave him a small dose of benedryl. He seemed a bit soothed but still woke up a random points of the night shaking his head. (They said he was shaking his head differently than the normal ear-infected shake that he gives when his ears become inflamed or irritated).
This morning, Ninja (4 years old) lost use of his STRONG hind legs. Gasp. My heart sunk. This CANNOT be a coincidence, since their previous boxer had no genetic connection to NInja. My immediate thoughts were: something in their soil or outside or there has to be something he is exposed to or has ingested. They rushed him to the vet and the vet ran bloodwork, an xray, and checked him over for tick bites, ear problems and did a standard neurological exam. She said that his levels were all normal. He had a low grade fever and his white blood cell count MIGHT be a tad high but nothing they would typically see for an infection. The xray looked perfect. She said the bloodwork showed no signs of parasites, no signs that toxic matter had been ingested or exposed, no typical tick bite infection showed up and no tick bites were detected anywhere. His ears were red and inflamed, but you just have to know that Ninja almost always has irritated ears and paws. There were no mites or bugs in his ears either. No vomiting. No panting. Normal breathing, heartbeat and strong bloodflow to his hind quarters. She did say that she could tell that something was 'off' neurologically with him. (Almost as if he were dizzy with vertigo or his equilibrium were unbalanced.) She stated that she would give a referral for further neurological testing. However, she stated that she would recommend watching him over the next 48 hours and gave him an antibiotic shot, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds. He was beginning to walk better as they arrived at the vet, but is still shaking his head and struggling to get his hind legs to move correctly. He has NEVER had any issues with his hind quarters in the past.
I know this is a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone had experienced similar symptoms or anything with their boxer that may help us figure this out. Waiting is hard, knowing that her other sweet Boxer suffered a similar attack that seemed to have led to his death, and rather quickly. If environmental factors play any hand in this, we are in middle Tennessee. However, the tests showed nothing that I can fathom would be environmental.
Lastly, please know that these are AMAZING boxer parents. I do not believe this has ANYTHING to do with their parenting whatsoever. They are as worried and heartbroken as I am. They are even taking him to a SECOND vet as we speak to get a second opinion on the matter. They are as analytical as I am (if not more).
Any answers, similarities, thoughts or questions are welcome as I am worried and looking for answers today!
After this, she adopted one of my two sweet boxers, Ninja. Being pregnant, mourning the loss of her puppy and chasing a 3 year old around the house...she was in no position to train a puppy and needed a boxer that loved children. This was one of the greatest gifts I had ever given (and most sacrificial) but knowing that Ninja would be even more spoiled, loved and grow up with 2 little boys (he loves little boys)...I couldn't resist! Ninja was 2ish at the time and is now 4ish. He's the happiest I've ever seen him and we get to keep him several times throughout the year, as the family travels often. We tell him he has TWO families, we hyphenate his name, and consider our home his 'vacation resort home'. He has gained 15-20 pounds (He gained his muscular frame and lost his lanky puppy frame about the time they adopted him), has an occasional ear infection (which he has always suffered from), and has the typical boxer allergies...but we've seen no decline in his health. He is always updated on his shots, heartworm meds and the same flea/tick preventional methods are used. His food is high quality and expensive to accommodate his allergies to grain and white potatoes. Yes...WHITE potatoes. crazy, i know.
Last night, at his 'new' home, he began shaking his head suddenly as if something was in his ear. This continued through the night, although they checked his ears, cleaned them out, put in his ear drops and even gave him a small dose of benedryl. He seemed a bit soothed but still woke up a random points of the night shaking his head. (They said he was shaking his head differently than the normal ear-infected shake that he gives when his ears become inflamed or irritated).
This morning, Ninja (4 years old) lost use of his STRONG hind legs. Gasp. My heart sunk. This CANNOT be a coincidence, since their previous boxer had no genetic connection to NInja. My immediate thoughts were: something in their soil or outside or there has to be something he is exposed to or has ingested. They rushed him to the vet and the vet ran bloodwork, an xray, and checked him over for tick bites, ear problems and did a standard neurological exam. She said that his levels were all normal. He had a low grade fever and his white blood cell count MIGHT be a tad high but nothing they would typically see for an infection. The xray looked perfect. She said the bloodwork showed no signs of parasites, no signs that toxic matter had been ingested or exposed, no typical tick bite infection showed up and no tick bites were detected anywhere. His ears were red and inflamed, but you just have to know that Ninja almost always has irritated ears and paws. There were no mites or bugs in his ears either. No vomiting. No panting. Normal breathing, heartbeat and strong bloodflow to his hind quarters. She did say that she could tell that something was 'off' neurologically with him. (Almost as if he were dizzy with vertigo or his equilibrium were unbalanced.) She stated that she would give a referral for further neurological testing. However, she stated that she would recommend watching him over the next 48 hours and gave him an antibiotic shot, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds. He was beginning to walk better as they arrived at the vet, but is still shaking his head and struggling to get his hind legs to move correctly. He has NEVER had any issues with his hind quarters in the past.
I know this is a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if anyone had experienced similar symptoms or anything with their boxer that may help us figure this out. Waiting is hard, knowing that her other sweet Boxer suffered a similar attack that seemed to have led to his death, and rather quickly. If environmental factors play any hand in this, we are in middle Tennessee. However, the tests showed nothing that I can fathom would be environmental.
Lastly, please know that these are AMAZING boxer parents. I do not believe this has ANYTHING to do with their parenting whatsoever. They are as worried and heartbroken as I am. They are even taking him to a SECOND vet as we speak to get a second opinion on the matter. They are as analytical as I am (if not more).
Any answers, similarities, thoughts or questions are welcome as I am worried and looking for answers today!