The condition is often diagnosed granulomatous colitis. The exact cause of the problem isn t known although many researchers feel it may be infectious. In the beginning stage of the condition, the Boxer doesn t appear ill and the stool is the only symptom. Granulomatous colitis is usually a slow progressing disease. It causes increasing debilitation and even with the most persistent treatment, may prove fatal to the dog.
Boxers also seem to be predisposed to intervertibral disc degeneration.
To diagnosis the condition a veterinarian will use radiographs as well as palpating the dog s back with his hands to check for pain and discomfort. Male Boxers are more often prone to cystine urea and cystine stones of the urinary system. There is an odd condition in Boxers, which is when seemingly resting dogs faint or collapse. The condition varies in severity with the worst cases appearing very similar to the Adams-Stokes syndrome in humans. Explaining why the dog faints is often difficult since it appears healthy in all other regards.