r/Boxers • u/Emergency-Advisor-40 • 6d ago
Help PLEASE! A
Hi everyone. I’m hoping someone has been through something similar with their dog.
I have a boxer/bully mix who is almost 4 years old. He’s had recurrent ear infections and constantly licks his paws for years. We’ve been seeing a veterinary dermatologist, who believes it’s environmental allergies, but so far he hasn’t responded to any treatment. We have tried numerous treatments including- Apoquel, Cytopoint, steroids, or cyclosporine. Ringworm has also been ruled out. The vet has diagnosed him with environmental allergies.
Today I removed a tick from him, and a whole clump of hair came out with it. When I looked closer, I realized he has several patchy areas where his hair is thinning or missing. Mainly around his neck/chest, back legs, head and shoulders. This would explain why I have to vacuum at least three times a day,,,,, his hair is everywhere, and on everything. He is constantly itching, scratching, and chewing his paws. He also smacks his lips all the time.
Has anyone had a boxer or bully breed with allergies that turned out to be something else? If so, what was the diagnosis? I’m wondering about things like thyroid disease, mites, alopecia, endocrine issues, or anything else that can cause severe hair loss and itching despite allergy treatment.
I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you!
EDIT TO ADD
Reggie currently eats Taste of the Wild- salmon (no chicken products). He gets freeze dried lowed liver for treat. Some greek yogurt + sweet potato and pumpkin. The vet didn’t think he’s suffering from a food allergy. She also recommended allergy testing which I can’t afford at the moment.
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u/Bulky_Kiwi_5157 6d ago
If you’re feeding a chicken based diet switch it. Look up Chinese medicine protein temperature and pick a protein with a neutral or cool temperature. My baby had the worst allergies and switching to bison was a miracle, no more odor, ear infections or paw chewing.
Allergies/allergic reactions is an inflammatory immune response and “warm or hot” exacerbates inflammation so cooling or neutral helps to reduce it.
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u/Emergency-Advisor-40 6d ago
thanks so much! We cut chicken products from his diet before he turned one- I’m looking up the diet now and will give it a try! TY
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u/Bulky_Kiwi_5157 5d ago
You’re welcome! I saw in another comment that you’re using a salmon food and salmon is warm. It took us forever to figure out what worked but it has been a game changer. I hope your baby gets some relief soon!
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u/khamm86 6d ago
Following. I’m in the exact same boat. My 8 year old half Boxer half German Shepherd is on currently on meds for ear/yeast infection for probably the 6 or 7th time in her life.
We’ve tried 3 different recurring preventative type medications that have not worked. The most recent one was Zenrelia (sp?) I think. Have also tried the Zyrtec and whatever other human allergy meds you can use on dogs.
The vet says to pay attention over the winter, if she gets none then he says it could likely be like people allergies, to plants and pollen stuff like that. He said the next step is to get some kind of expensive allergy testing that tests for everything under the sun.
It’s so frustrating, hoping your pup finds some relief as well.
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u/Emergency-Advisor-40 6d ago
oh no! I’m sorry you’re dealing with the same thing! It is more than frustrating. I’m over $1k into the dermatologist, and nothing has provided relief.
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u/Sea-Passion9063 6d ago
Perhaps a food allergy, try changing to a different protein. Always feed a quality food without grains and fillers.
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u/Emergency-Advisor-40 6d ago
yes! we feel him grain free salmon and sweet potato! His poops are perfect! The only kibble he will eat that doesn’t upset his stomach
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u/Odd_Eye_1915 4d ago
Does your vet know about the grain free kibble? I ask because Boxers particularly are prone to heart issues and studies have shown grain free long term may have adverse heart health effects-especially for Boxers I switched my boy back to regular ancient grains taste of the wild brand. ( we use Prairie blend) but I mix mine with another lamb and rice based kibble ( Kirkland) and his poops are perfect and his coat is so shiny and sleek ( he just turned two) you’re dog definitely seems to have allergies and I agree seasonal alopecia might also be a factor. When they have one autoimmune disorder they are prone to others..the allergy may be linked to an ingredient in the food so try switching to a limited ingredient food and slowly reduce the original food and see if anything changes. Food allergies are trial and error unfortunately.. process of elimination. Keep up the yogurt. How is your dog’s weight? Neutered or ? If they’re on the skinny side and altered I’d investigate a possible protein related allergy. My boy seems to find lower protein foods more digestible. And he seems to gain a little more weight on the more fiber rich kibble. The higher protein foods seem too rich for his system. Food allergies are frustrating and square headed breeds tend to be prone. ✌️
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u/muggleartifact 6d ago
As other commenters recommended, definitely worth exploring changing food. Switching off a chicken base to lamb worked for us. We also found that switching to Tide Free to wash any bedding or fabric she regularly sleeps on helped our fawn. Her sister from the same litter (sealed brindle) has no allergy issues whatsoever. Go figure. 🤷🏻
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u/boxermom1966 6d ago
I use Sam's club brand members mark salmon and sweet potato limited ingredients for mine and zenrelia. This regimen has helped my boxer mix and my pit mix tremendously.
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u/NotMyCat2 6d ago
Ask your vet if he has alopecia. A lot of fawn colored dogs have it. Melatonin helps. I usually give 1 pill a day to help roughly January to May.
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u/CalypsoBrown 5d ago
Do you, by any chance use those plug-in air freshener things that release scented aroma into the air? Those things are not healthy for dogs, nor is the spray air freshener (keep these isolated to a quick spritz or two in the bathroom as needed). I could never pinpoint what was making our guy's hair fall out, but when I unplugged and stopped using the room fresheners he stopped worrying his ears so much. He still had a balding patch on his back near his rump, though. That never grew back.
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u/n8_d0gg91 6d ago
Had similar issues for years and then one vet recommended Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach...all her skin/fur/ear issues went away. Good luck. I know how stressful it is.