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Boxers/Boxer Dog rear leg issue

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Expert: - 8/2/2009


Question
I have a white male 9 year old boxer. Last six months he has shown signs of losing control of his rear legs. Sliding all over and crossing with his foot curling under sometimes. Blood work came back ok and no tick disease which was a concern from the vet. He seems to be in no pain at all and pred did nothing but increase urine freq. He is happy and healthy other than his rear legs going astray. Any idea what it could be? Nerve damage? Any help or ideas is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jessica,

What you have described to me sounds a lot like DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY or DM.
DM is a neurological disease affecting the spinal cord and nerves coordinating the rear quarters.
Please see the American Boxer Club website for more information at http;//www.americanboxerclub.org then look under health, there is alot of information there that will explain the disease in detail. Good luck and thank you for your question.
Sincerely,
Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

Boxers

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Angela Donald

Expertise

I'll be happy to answer questions about boxer dog allergies,behavior,behavior modification,breeding,care,coat color genetics,diet,ear cropping,exercise,genetics,grooming,health,history,pedigrees,showing and training.

Experience

I am a dedicated dog enthusiast and guardian of boxers for 40 years, a boxer conformation show exhibitor and breeder as well as a canine behavior consultant with a special interest in the boxer breed. I currently share my life with six boxer dogs.See our family of Boxer Dogs

Organizations
American Boxer Charitable Foundation

Publications
I currently contribute regularly to Dog-Canine Blog.I am the founder and publisher of The Boxer Behavioral Journal,a scientific journal with detailed behavioral case study information,which someday I hope will add valuable knowledge to the breeding,care and health of the breed.I am also a freelance writer with my latest article: Distinctive Behaviors of Boxer Dogs found at http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerdogbehavior.htm and distributed on the world wide web.

Education/Credentials
I have a MBA from AU.I have gotten real life experiences from my 40 years of the family owning boxers and other canine breeds, through my boxer rescue rehabilitation efforts, obedience training of the breed, more than 20 years of study on dog-canine behavior, genetics, health research,from my work as a canine behavioral consultant,exhibitor and breeder. My quest for canine knowledge is a never ending journey.

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