Hey there i read all the information on the forums about the under bite but i still have one small question, I just brought my puppy in for her first shot and the vet said that she had a severe underbite and at about 6 months she will need her 4 top teeth pulled, so she will be able to close her mouth. I dont think it is that bad, I cant even put my pinky finger in between her under bite. So do I listen to the vet, and will her mouth shut? thanks
under bite (4 teeth needed pulled)
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MxRxSth
Boxer Insane
There was a post about this at one time and I tried to find it for you but could not locate it. I know it is normal for Boxer's to have an underbite and I am sure that someone will have some good advice for you. Your puppy is still a baby and give him time to grow so for now I would not listen to the vet and let nature's take its course and see what happens. This is just my opinion.
Here is one post that I just found for you. I thought it had something to do with a pencil but was not sure. Hope this helps.
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102613&highlight=pencil
Here is one post that I just found for you. I thought it had something to do with a pencil but was not sure. Hope this helps.
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102613&highlight=pencil
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SandyHG55654
Banned
There was also one called "overbite" (mis-named) that talked about underbites. It had several posts to it. You could do a search for it. 
An underbite, of itself, is not ever going to stop a dog from being able to close it's mouth. Boxers are indeed supposed to be undershot - but there are breeds around that are far more undershot than boxers! Look at bulldogs. They're far more undershot and don't get their teeth pulled either.
A boxer isn't supposed to be quite that undershot, of course (the lower teeth should exceed the upper by about one pencil-width). But even if an individual *is* that undershot - it still is NOT going to prevent them closing their jaw.
Is there any other problem there? If the dog has a wry mouth, for example (one mandible longer than the other, resulting in a crooked bite) then it's going to be a problem for them.
Either way, I would quietly ignore your vets statement until such time as you see whether or not it is indeed a problem. And if it is, get a second opinion on whether or not teeth-pulling is going to help.
A boxer isn't supposed to be quite that undershot, of course (the lower teeth should exceed the upper by about one pencil-width). But even if an individual *is* that undershot - it still is NOT going to prevent them closing their jaw.
Is there any other problem there? If the dog has a wry mouth, for example (one mandible longer than the other, resulting in a crooked bite) then it's going to be a problem for them.
Either way, I would quietly ignore your vets statement until such time as you see whether or not it is indeed a problem. And if it is, get a second opinion on whether or not teeth-pulling is going to help.
daddysgirl
Boxer Pal
I went through this too! DON'T pull those teeth!
My first visit to the vet with my Lillie when she was 8 weeks old, and subsequent visits, resulted in the same recommendation from my vet. By the time she was 4-5 months old, I was told they HAD to come out, or they would cause her complications (mouth not closing/opening, problems eating). I wasn't comfortable with the idea, so I took her to another vet to get a second opinion. I figured for a small fee of an examination, by another vet, it would be worth it if I didn't have to put by Lillie-button through a surgery.
Gosh am I glad that I took her! The 2nd vet I took her to said. ABSOLUTELY NOT! It was explained to me that: yes it is true she has a very pronounced undershot, and yes she MAY have problems sometime in the future, but that is no reason to go ahead and operate at this point.
Why "Fix" what isn't "broken"?
That was almost a year now, and I am keeping my eye on her, and will continue too, but she's bright, healthy and definately NOT having problems eating. Yikes, at just over a year, she eats MORE then my 2 year old male.
Hang in there...and definately get a second opinion, you won't be sorry!
Sending big slurps, and a "toothy grin",
Kelly & Lillie
My first visit to the vet with my Lillie when she was 8 weeks old, and subsequent visits, resulted in the same recommendation from my vet. By the time she was 4-5 months old, I was told they HAD to come out, or they would cause her complications (mouth not closing/opening, problems eating). I wasn't comfortable with the idea, so I took her to another vet to get a second opinion. I figured for a small fee of an examination, by another vet, it would be worth it if I didn't have to put by Lillie-button through a surgery.
Gosh am I glad that I took her! The 2nd vet I took her to said. ABSOLUTELY NOT! It was explained to me that: yes it is true she has a very pronounced undershot, and yes she MAY have problems sometime in the future, but that is no reason to go ahead and operate at this point.
Why "Fix" what isn't "broken"?
That was almost a year now, and I am keeping my eye on her, and will continue too, but she's bright, healthy and definately NOT having problems eating. Yikes, at just over a year, she eats MORE then my 2 year old male.
Hang in there...and definately get a second opinion, you won't be sorry!
Sending big slurps, and a "toothy grin",
Kelly & Lillie
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