Saturday

Boxer Diet : Changing Food From Nutro Natural Choice Chicken, Rice & Oatmeal to Taste of the Wild Salmon & Sweet Potato

Greetings Fellow Boxer Lovers!

Today is the day we changed Astrid an Bodhi's Food over from Nutro Natural Choice to Taste of the Wild. 

Previously I'd purchase Nutro at Petco, it was about $52 for a 40# bag at Petco and about $42 for a 40# bag at PetSmart. 

Today I went to Benson's in Carson City, the food was about $37 for a 30# bag, comparable pricing, but now my Boxers are getting 100% Natural Food, made in the United States.  In California actually!

I really like the service at Benson's (you can only buy Taste of the Wild at Specialty food stores.  The guy picked up the bag, carried it to my car, put it in, shut the back of the FJ and opened my door for me to get in.  Now THAT's servicve!

HEY! You know what I JUST noticed?  Nutro is now called Chicken MEAL, rice & oatmeal.  I never remember it saying 'meal' in there before.  Perhaps this caused the onset of Bodhi's food alergy?

Things that make you go, hmmmmm

Anywho, I'm mixing the foods now for the adjustment.  However the guy at Benson's (note to self, get his name next time) said it will be an easy transistion since the protein/fat ratios are very similar. 

Astrid and Bodhi really like the new stuff!  I'll let you know how it goes!

I've not heard from the Dr. yet RE Bodhi's biopsy, I'll let you know there too.

Off to go snuggle with the fur family :)

Alethea Anderson
The Boxer Blogger

Have you Hugged your Boxer(s) today?

Friday

Boxer Blog : Bodhi Had Surgery, 2 lumps removed... (picture)

Bodhi's 2 surgery spots...

He's doing well, one biopsy, we should know in 2 days.

Stitches out in 2 weeks!

Bodhi is on some pain meds, but at full spirits the 2nd day home :)


Alethea Anderson
Boxer Blogger

Have you hugged your Boxer today?

Wednesday

Boxer Allergies : Boxer Itching Ear : Boxer Shaking Head : Boxer Losing Hair


Greetings Boxer Lovers!

I'm back!  I know I'm always on the web working my home business, always blogging on my other blog, but I've been neglecting my Boxer Blog for some time.  I most certainly have stories to share about this duo of crazy critters LOL

So Bodhi has been in and out of the vet for visits several times since late Summer 2009.  It all started when we noticed he was tilting his head, but not the curious cute way that Boxers do.

Then  he started shaking his head and holding his ear up in the air....  Then he started itching his ear....

I peered in the canal and it was icky and gross... So I cleaned out his ear, nothing, still itching and shaking.  SO, I called the vet.

The Dr. checked his ear and said he had an ear infecton, so he got drops I had to put in twice a day (have you ever given ear drops to a dog who does not like it?)  EEK no fun!

The Dr. said often ear infections are caused by a simple itch.  Like they get a little cut in their ear, they scratch it, when they scratch the ear gets hot and red, perfect breeding ground for bacteria...

After the 14 days of drops were given, his ear still bothered him.  So BACK to the vet for a checkup.  Different medication, treating it as bacterial instead of viral this time.  So pills and a different ear drop.

Just about 2 months later, back again, ear still bothering him.  Now the vet thinks it is a food allergy!  He recommended we swap out his Nutro Chicken, Oatmeal and Rice for Taste of the Wild, a 100% natural, no grain dog food.   He also said to watch any people snacks he gets as it could be a cracker, a cookie or anything someone is sneaking to him.  So I've been the people food patrol and getting house members and guests to cooperate is very frusterating!!!

In the middle of all these visits we had Bodhi checked for some lump appearing on his side.  One the size of a pea, the other the size of a BB.  Dr. said just to 'keep watch'. 

Well this past week we brought Bodhi BACK to the vet (ear still bothering him a little bit not much), but now his rear end and rear feet are losing hair.  He's looking like a little bald butt!  And, 2 of the lumps have grown a bit...

The vet told me to change his food... we're going to.  Also he said since the balding is equal, i.e. it's both rear feet, and on both sides of back, like a mirror image, that it is most likely internal.  (he said if it were a patch here, patch there it'd more likely be a skin disorder or something)

Since Bodhi tends to be a bit lofty in the weight area, the vet also suggested a Thyroid test, as this often is a cause to balding in Boxers.  So we took the pre-test (the $30 vs the $100) and it showed low levels, meaning he 'might' have a thyroid problem.  SO.  He is now on Thyroid medicine!

To top it off, my precious Bodhi is at the vet today having surgery to take the lumps out.  This is one expensive Boxer!  (he's the one we got papered from a "Boxer Breeder")  It's going to range from $200 on up depending if they need to biopsy one or all of the lumps (there are 3 now, we noticed another)

Fingers crossed they find these lumps to be NOTHING.  I told Bodhi he is not allowed to have any more lumps and bumps!

I'll update tonite when he gets home from the vet.  I wonder if he'll have stitches and a lamp shade on?

Alethea Anderson
Boxer Blogger

Have you Hugged YOUR Boxer today?

Saturday

Boxer Dogs Chasing Laser Light

Here are Bodhi and Astrid having a little fun chasing the laser light around the house.  Ceramic tile makes for great sliding!



Have you hugged your Boxer today?

Alethea Anderson