Hello. My dog, Henry, is a 10-yr-old boxer who has recently been having some problems.?

Question

A few days ago be began acting very lethargic. He has been having balance problems and tends to list to the left when he walks. He also flinches away from contact around his head/face and has been having minor seizures. He's eating fine, but throws up any water he drinks within a few minutes of drinking it. He's also having some problems with incontinence (sp?).
We took him to the vet on Thursday and she said it's probably meningitis, epilepsy, or a brain tumor, so we are taking him to a neurology clinic tomorrow to get a spinal tap.
I was just wondering if anyone else has seen these symptoms in their dog and what it ended up being.

Answer 1

Sounds like Canine Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome to me and it is fairly easy to treat. The urine problem is it when he is asleep and wakes up and there is a spot? Urine leakage is common in older dogs and Proin treats it well and is cheap. My 94lb GSD took it an dit cost under $20 a month.

Answer 2

Hello, I understand your concern for your beloved pet, but your best bet is to follow your veterinarian's advice and consult a veterinary neurologist (as you have planned). I also understand your need to want to share this with other posters, but chances of getting the answer to your question or a diagnosis from the average poster is slim.

Boxers are genetically prone to neoplasia (cancer), and especially with a geriatric patient, the concern and suspicion is raised even more. However, it could be a true epilepsy (which is known to be idiopathic - meaning there is no real explained cause) or an infection with an inflammatory response such as meningitis, which the spinal tap will be able to rule in/out. Vestibular syndrome, resulting from inner ear and midbrain disease, could also show neurological signs you listed above.

As a fellow veterinarian, I have seen and treated many boxers with brain tumors, and given your dog's signalment, unfortunately it is brain tumor until proven otherwise. I hope that you will get some definitive answers soon. If the results of the spinal tap are inconclusive and if you have the means, you could also look into further diagnostics such as an MRI or CT. Trust your veterinary neurologist and your primary care veterinarian; next to yourself, they know your dog the best and what his realistic prognosis is as well as the most appropriate treatment plan for him. You and Henry will be in my thoughts.

Answer 3

Since of the character of malignant tumors, bleeding could be very rough to manipulate whether or not it is a breast tumor on a canine or skin cancer on a cat's nostril. Please determine with your vet, or a 2nd vet, or a vet college to get an opinion: (1) can the tumor be eliminated (2) what's the probability of it returning in a short while (3) what is the probability that the melanoma has spread to different organs. Centered on the solutions which you can make a decision if her first-class of life (and yours) is compromised through the messiness and make a decision to treat (which can also be very expensive) or make the difficult choice to euthanize. I've handled a few historical, and some younger, pets with melanoma. One 6 year historic Newf ***** had a lump the dimensions of a peanut on one breast. It bled and oozed clear fluid so I took her to Cornell. Once they did the surgical procedure, they discovered it had already unfold to her belly tissues and said that she'd be lifeless within 3 months, so I let her go with out waking her up. I don't believe in chemotherapy for animals.Puppies have practically the identical cost of carcinoma as people, but they don't get foremost lung cancer from smoking, they get it when cancer spreads from somewhere else. This can be a rough resolution to make for your phase and i'm sure you'll make the proper one.

Answer 4

RACHEL--the truth is Vets are using your love for the dog as an excuse to make money--I know we all love our dogs and cats and birds--believe me I know more than anyone about loving pets. But out of love--understand that your dog is not able to say what and how he feels--he is not doing good---he is sick--he is 70 years old in human age--his systems are shutting down. There is no set age for this to happen--5 --10--12 years?? Who knows...it happens!! There are NO guarantees of any treatment working successfully--but you still pay. The honest reaction to this is to ask if the treatment has a high success rate and is worth the money at this age. You may be prolonging the misery--and your baby cannot tell you to stop and let her go. This is a tough gut wrenching decision to make--but a new pup would take up the void and give more happy years of devotion. Sorry but I had to write this as an alternative idea for you. Best of luck with this.

Answer 5

im not sure...i do have a boxer too. I love the breed. Downside though is they do have a shorter life exspectansie. :(
I read all about Boxers all the time online and i have read that cancer is very common with this breed.
So sad. I feel for you a lot right now...im sure you're stressed to the max.
I hope things work out for you....i cant imagine how you must feel right now. Whatever happens im sure it's for the best and he'll be happy.
Im sure this is a given but give him lots of hugs and kisses as he's not feeling so well. He'll understand. Boxers are affectionate dogs and thrive off the attn.

Answer 6

I'm glad you're taking him to a specialist. They can have vestibular disease, which throws off their balance and can make them quite dizzy. This might explain the nausea. The vet will run some tests to try to determine the cause. Did your regular vet run bloodwork? Metabolic disease or infections could also affect him this way. Good luck with him! Let us know how he does!

Answer 7

I hope your dog doesn't have the samething my brother's Boxer had over a year ago. She was about 11 years old & she had a brain tumor.
I wish you and your Boxer all the best of luck!!!

Answer 8

Rachel - I've been there having a sick dog and not knowing why. I hope all works out well for you and your dog.

Answer 9

i had one many yr.s ago, it turned out interear infection but you do what you think ,,,,,,look in ear see any red,, c-ya<>IS<>