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Boxers/Low-energy

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Expert: - 11/12/2010


Question
Hi Angela,
I have a very high-energy 3 year old, 85lbs. male boxer.  He is fed 2x per day and waits patiently by his bowl each day. He has a 30 min run every morning and is walked an additional 2x every day.
However, the last 2 days the complete opposite has taken place...no energy, no appetite, he has to be coaxed into going for his run, which in the past, he was always the first one to the door.  
Prior to this he was out with me all day while I was raking leaves.  It was a cool day, but sunny. He was playing with his ball and sitting on the wet grass.  (Perhaps a cold in his bladder?)  He now seems to pee alot and for a longer than norm. period.
I'm not sure if he has picked something in his travels.(something he may have eaten)
I plan on taking him the vet today, but I thought I would run these symptoms by you first.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

The symptoms could be any number of things wrong and it is wise to have the vet check him out any time his behavior changes suddenly as in this instance as it is usually an underlying medical condition. I'd ask the vet to do a complete blood panel, check his thyroid and stool sample at the bare minimum.If he is drinking alot more and urinating a lot more then I'd ask about diabetes screening too. Good luck and thanks much for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
Hi-Tower Boxers
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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