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Boxers/wobbly back legs

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Expert: - 8/14/2010


Question
Hi. My Boxer is 11yrs old. No other health problems other than very wobbly back legs, started 3months ago. Almost does the splits on certain surfaces and when she does walk she drags her toes as you can hear her nails clipping the surface.  No obvious pain. Unable to take her walking now for fear she will wear her toe nails down to skin. Happy and eating. Very sad as we feel we will have to make a devastating decision soon. Any ideas please. Many thanks.

Answer
Hi Chris,

I'm sorry to hear of your boxers decline. The problem you have described is most likely Degenerative Myelopathy also called DM. While the dog doesn't experience pain is can and most often becomes a debilitating disease. Some owners have found some relief for their pets through custom carts and medicines including herbal supplements. Please also visit my website here to learn more
http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerhealthissues.htm , thank you 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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