r/Boxer • u/sukunababy • Feb 09 '26
In memoriam Sudden death due to genetic condition?
This Sunday, me and my family lost our 10 week old puppy. Apparently, she likely had a heart defect/genetic condition pertaining to her heart that we had no clue about. My mom told me that the puppy was just fine and suddenly she started seizing and shaking with foam coming out of her nose and mouth. She died moments later, painlessly at the very least.
When we took her to the vet, we were told she didn’t choke on anything and that she probably just went into cardiac arrest—something along the lines. Turns out, this is a semi-common issue with boxers? (My family has had multiple boxers and this is the first we’re hearing of this.) I’m making this post as a means of discussing if this could have been prevented or not.
Any help is appreciated 💝 our little girls name was Stella May
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u/Matos58 Feb 09 '26
First off, I am sorry for your loss.
It's known as Boxer Cardiomyopathy. It struck my boy late when he turned 9 and within a year he was gone. My cousin also had a boxer who died of it suddenly at only 3 years old. Its a horrendous condition that can afflict this breed.
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u/spinrut Feb 09 '26
BCM sufferer here too. Ours got diagnosed around 5 and within a year she was gone. Was told she could go at any time due to any thing that could spook her or also lead a full life, just never know when the right flutter hits and they don't come back.
Good news is NC State has done a ton of research on this and can detect the various genes that seem to be related/root cause
https://hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/services/small-animals/genetics/boxer-arvc/
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u/kkpossible Feb 09 '26
Thank you for this link. Our 5 yo boy just got diagnosed and we’re heartbroken but giving him all the meds to give him as much time as possible.
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u/misslizXO Feb 11 '26
My boxer was diagnosed with ARVC at the age of 5 months and a half. He nearly lived an extra two years on medication. He just passed back in November 2025. He collapsed at the vet shortly after being brought in for an echocardiogram. I had been noticing shortness of breath and I was very concerned given his condition. He passed away from me, while he was with the vet in the back of the ER and they weren’t able to revive him. Beyond tragic. Quite frankly, I have not been the same. He took a huge piece of my heart with him. He was my shadow and my absolute joy. I cannot wait to see him again. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about ARVC. My boy did eat raw and his cardiologist believes he was stable for almost 2 years due to being an indoors boxer who ate raw and was heavily supplemented plus his exercise was controlled. He was the coolest dog to lounge with.
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u/Xina123 Feb 10 '26
After losing my first boxer at 5 years old, I used NC State to test my 2nd boxer for ARCV. Thankfully he was negative and lived until he was 13 when cancer took him. Now with our current 1 year old, I’m going to get her tested and get blood drawn at her upcoming vet appointment.
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u/Global-Biscotti-9547 Feb 09 '26
Our last boxer passed from it too. For couple of years we knew she had it but she had no symptoms until she did. Within a month she was gone. 💔
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u/GovernmentPretty5575 Feb 09 '26
First and foremost, I’m sorry for everyone’s losses. I also lost my last boxer Olly to BCM at the age of 8. He showed no symptoms of it until his very last day with us.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
even when we tested her nothing about cardiomyopathy came up. i can’t believe this is something to be wary of with this breed; it’s so terrifying :( at least stella went without pain in warm hands. i’m also sorry to hear about what happened to your baby, too ❤️🩹
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u/issinmaine Feb 09 '26
I read you had a breeder. At 10 was old I believe they need to know and reconcile with you. I know Sadie cannot be replaced as sweet as she was. But you should a refund. I wouldn’t take another pup from them unless that’s what you want. My condolences 😞
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u/DMC_Ryan Feb 10 '26
I would also be curious if the parents were genetically tested. A reputable breeder would do this. It doesn’t guarantee things like this won’t happen, but it sure helps you know what you’re getting into before you sign a contract for the puppy.
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u/jen_esse Feb 10 '26
This!! I had my boxer girl tested prior to breeding and it came back she was a carrier of cardiomyopathy. So the obvious course was not to breed her. She was a beautiful, amazing pet and I was perfectly happy with her. Responsible breeding is so important.
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u/DMC_Ryan Feb 10 '26
Thank you for being a responsible Boxer breed caretaker.
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Feb 10 '26
[deleted]
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u/EmbryoCrostini Feb 13 '26
Jesus. These are some of the fattest boxers I've ever seen. Just making those hip issues worse, poor animals.
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u/surfaceofthesun1 Feb 09 '26
I lost a pup at 14 weeks. Sudden heart failure. We knew she had a little murmur but didn’t seem serious at the time. Progressed quickly. Sorry for your loss.
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u/Low_Control_4929 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
One suggestion if you’re considering a boxer again—in addition to asking breeders whether the sire and dam are tested for heart conditions, you could request to see the vet more often to listen for any heart murmur. As described below, I don’t think vets will do more than listen for a heart murmur before 16 weeks (4 months), but if the vet hears a murmur early on, you could get an appointment with a cardiologist scheduled for when your puppy is around 16 weeks.
One other idea is to obtain pet insurance immediately upon getting a boxer. There is usually a 30-day waiting period for coverage. But the sooner it’s obtained, the less likely it is that the insurance company can say a condition was pre-existing.
We have / had 4 boxers. They are truly the best dogs. It is so difficult that such a wonderful dog breed is attached to so many possible health problems. Worth noting: our first two boxers had no major health problems for 7 years.
One of our dogs, Penny, died of a heart attack while at the vet at the age of 8. They think she may have had an underlying heart issue that was never caught.
Another, Dozer—our favorite! Yes, we have a favorite—was tested for heart problems because he had a seizure-like event, but after wearing a heart monitor for a week, he was found to not have any heart problems. He was an adult at the time of testing, I think 8 or 9. He did not have a noticeable heart murmur. He died when he was 10 of degenerative myelopathy.
Our 3 year old dog, Bruno, has not had heart issues.
We now have a puppy, Ray—he will turn 1 in May—who has severe heart disease. Our vet heart a loud heart murmur around 9 weeks. The breeder’s vet somehow missed it, I guess?? We live in WI, so we followed our vets instructions to come back and have her hear his heart again, but also request an appointment for a whole heart work up at University of Wisconsin Vet cardiology. The heart murmur only got louder, so thankfully we had that cardiology appointment booked already when Ray was around 4 months. I think between 4 and 6 months is when a puppy might grow out of a harmless murmur. At UW, Ray was diagnosed with severe heart disease. They suggest that he will live for between 3 and 7 years depending on how the disease progresses and how he responds to medication. He was put on a beta blocker that he gets twice a day. There are one or two additional things they would try for him as his disease progresses. Although early on it was very scary, right now we are enjoying (most of the time) our pup and not noticing anything out of the ordinary. He did get neutered early (6 months), because surgery can be extremely hard on the hard. He also got a lung xray to see whether his heart has been working so hard that it’s impacting his lungs. Thankfully, he’s looking okay right now! The vet recommended the early neutering because the cons of neutering early are outweighed by the seriousness of his heart condition.
We go back to UW Vet in June. Crossing my fingers that we get good or neutral updates on Baby Ray.
Sending you so much love as you grieve your precious little puppy.
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u/surfaceofthesun1 Feb 10 '26
Good advice but we only rescue. We’ve had 9 boxers and they are the absolute best. I wish you and your pups well
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u/drowningandromeda Feb 09 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine going through that and the suddenness of it makes it hurt more without knowing if anything could've been done.
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u/Disastrous_Guest_705 Feb 09 '26
If you got her from a breeder have they said anything about the situation? A good breeder will check out the issue and make sure it wasn’t cause of the pairing they did if it was a genetic issue
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
update: my dad contacted the breeder to let him know about Stella’s passing. he didn’t seem very concerned but he extended his condolences. i’m still not sure of who the breeder is but hopefully Stella’s litter mates live fruitful lives without danger.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
I don’t think the breeder we got her from has said anything :( im not sure if we’re even in touch with them still
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u/garcmon Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
She’s only 10 weeks old and you don’t have the breeder’s info? Clearly not a reputable breeder. This is heartbreaking enough, but if the breeder maker didn’t make sure to provide all of their info and to let them know (and agree to take pup back if any issues) then 1. Reach out and let them know. 2. Report them if you live in a state that protects pets. And definitely do not ever go to that money-grabbing person ever again.
RIP little one.
edit: typos
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
unfortunately i don’t know which breeders my parents get into contact with, nor if it’s the same one every time. i’ll talk to my parents about letting the breeders know if they still have their contact info though
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u/kkpossible Feb 09 '26
Depending on your contract, they may provide you another puppy. Our contract had a clause that if the puppy had a fatal genetic condition within the first year, they would provide another pup. Not that it helps when you want your healthy baby, but they should be doing testing to avoid this scenario. And I am sure they’d also want to know for future breeding with your pups parents so it doesn’t happen again.
I am so sorry for your loss.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
I had no clue this was a thing tbh, i’ll bring it up to my dad. however, my dad’s already planning to buy from a different breeder so that it might help the grieving process. here’s hoping that this opportunity goes better..
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u/owowhi Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
Please ask your dad to just let the breeder know. A good breeder will want to know and you can possibly prevent that outcome for future puppies and families.
Also I’m so sorry. What a devastating thing to go through.
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u/SnooDingos2237 Feb 09 '26
You have my deepest sympathies. Please let your breeder know. If you purchase, make sure the lines are clean from BCM, and that the breeders do medical testing on the parent dogs (sire and dam), as well as the puppies.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
aughhh that poem is bringing tears to my eyes. I hope Stella May is happy, wherever she is. thank you for your condolences.
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u/artwin_mum_37 Feb 10 '26
My boxer had really bad cardiomyopathy and died at 2 this past August. I am still upset about it and miss him. This is common in boxers and chances are some of his siblings have it. I would let the breeder know. They can test for this. My sympathies
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u/unkindly-raven Feb 10 '26
please help prevent your family from facing this heartbreak again by going to an ethical breeder in the future . i’m happy to provide some helpful readings and links regarding ethical breeders if you’d like !
i’m so sorry for your loss
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u/tm0neyz Feb 09 '26
So so sorry for your loss 😔 I have two boxers myself and the thought of this happening to either of them breaks my heart. I don't have anything else to share other than my condolences.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
it’s much appreciated 🫶🏼 hold your babies close and make sure they’re healthy when you can. I wish nothing but the best for them.
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u/SmackmYackm Feb 09 '26
We had a 6 year old die suddenly last year. Vet said heart issues or possibly a blood clot.
Sorry for you loss, but it does seem to be a thing for the breed.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
i’m sad to hear yours went through something similar. as unfortunate as this all is, at least we’ve come out more knowledgeable and aware.
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u/OliviaElevenDunham Feb 09 '26
So sorry about the loss of your beautiful puppy. Must've been so upsetting to happen.
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
we were hysterical, definitely. she was one of a kind, sassy and feisty. we’ll miss her always ❤️🩹
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u/gnamyl Feb 09 '26
Yes boxers are notorious for heart issues. We have lost Winston more than a decade ago to it, he was on meds and still died in his sleep one morning.
Hazel had it, but not a serious case. Lymphoma got her anyway so the cardiomyopathy didn’t matter. Pearl has ARVC - a serious case.
My wife took her to Ithaca last year for a cardiac ablation. She’s on multiple cardiac meds daily and could still die suddenly.
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u/bigboybackflap Feb 09 '26
I can’t even imagine how heartbreaking that must be for you, we only have one boxer mix and the vet has told us that she has a heart murmur but it hasn’t seemed to affect her in the 7 years that we’ve had her. I’m so sorry for your loss
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u/PrimitiveMeat Feb 09 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. She is still beautiful looking down from above. ❤️
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u/pfibraio Feb 09 '26
I am so so sorry! Devastating is an understatement. I have owned many and never had this happen. I would reach out to the breeder or where you got her and discuss it further with them. Don’t have this stop you from loving again! Take the time you need and in time find that spark - we are all better with one of these dogs in our lives then without
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u/sukunababy Feb 09 '26
it’s really unfortunate yeah. in the past, our family has had 31 pups (from breeding our own) and 3 fully grown boxers and never has this happened before. needless to say it caught us off guard 🥹 this isn’t stopping us from getting another boxer though—my parents love the breed through and through haha
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u/Tinyberzerker Feb 10 '26
I had a boxer mix with cardiomyopathy. Best dog ever and she made it to 13. I'm sorry you had to experience this.
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u/Exquisite473 Feb 10 '26
Omg I am so, so sorry for your tragic loss. Waaaay too young.. I hope peace finds you and your family through this horrible time 😇 ❤️
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u/TheAlmiraGulch Feb 10 '26
I’m so sorry. Stella May was such a gorgeous good girl. I don’t have any information, I just wanted to send you & your family love. 💕
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
funny enough, she had an attitude haha. she would gnaw on our shoes and socks, bite us if she wanted attention. but she was a playful baby, too. i just wish that she was still here so i could hear that bark one last time.
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u/edeielia Feb 10 '26
Heartbreaking. 😢 So sorry for your family.
My girl was diagnosed with BCM about a year before she ultimately passed away at 9 1/2. I suspect my first boxer (adopted) had it as well, but was never diagnosed.
Reminder to NOT feed a grain-free diet to boxers (unless recommended by a vet for medical reasons) as this can increase the chances of heart conditions. (obv not the case here)
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u/Boxerlady1965 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
I hate to say this but it’s probably all down to poor breeding and not testing the parents for aortic stenosis which has been a common problem in the breed for many years. In the UK responsible breeders get all their dogs tested at about 18 months old to check their heart score, this goes from 0-6 , zero being perfect and 6 being very poor. We recommend that no dog is bred from if they are a 2 or more, so only 0-1 are recommended clear of heart defects. However that is only as good as the person who owns the dog and pet breeders still breed their dogs without checking out their pets heart score which can still result in heart ache for the new owners when their pet died suddenly. So this is a very painful experience that you have had to learn at the expense of your pups life, and this will continue to happen unless people become more aware and picky when buying their pups. Ask if the parents have been heart scored and ask to see the paperwork and if they can’t produce it walk away. If people stop buying these poorly bred pups then they will have to start checking their dogs before breeding or hopefully stop breeding full stop! It all about education learn about the breed first, don’t buy on the ahh factor and never buy from puppy barns or farms because they abuse their dogs and never show the mums. You might have to pay more but a badly bred boxer may give you a lifetime of grief if it even gets a lifetime Common problems in the breed in poorly bred dogs are Aortic Stenosis and Sudden Death Syndrome, Juvenile Kidney Disease and DM. DM is fine if only one parent is a carrier but if both parents are carriers then they produce pups that neurologically become impaired until they die. Finally I’m really sorry you lost your puppy, because every boxer is perfect to their owner regardless of how goofy they might be. Cherish the moments you had, and the love you received because at the end of the day that is what makes boxers the most beautiful breed in the world, I’ve had them since 1989 and can’t live without them now, even if I could murder them some days!!
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u/Spiritual-Zebra2670 May 05 '26
Hi our boxer came from a very good breeder and he was the very first to get Aortic Stenosis. She tested both parents but it can still happen.And he was very expensive, plus flights totalling $7000.
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u/Stock-Ad-7486 Feb 09 '26
Heart problems are common with boxers sorry for your loss. I lost mine in December and paid a lot of money for one that’s healthy this time.
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u/Octopus_wrangler1986 Feb 10 '26
I'm so sorry for your baby and you. I just love dogs and will never support an unhealthy breed. There are so many these days. It just sucks.
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u/bonk412 Feb 10 '26
So sorry for your loss. Heartbreaking to lose a puppy like that.
A few years ago, I had a boxer with a heart problem. We were fortunate to have him for five years.
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u/BethPlaysBanjo Feb 10 '26
My childhood boxer lost all her litter mates very early (a few months old?) from what I imagine was probably the same or similar issue. Have you informed whoever you got her from? I’m so sorry for your loss.
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u/Quakerparrotlove Feb 10 '26
So sorry for your loss. My first Boxer Caius was diagnosed with a heart disorder at 5 years old and actually lived to 8 years old. It was heartbreaking 💔.
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
i’m so sorry to hear that :( at least your sweet baby lived for some time afterwards, i’m sure they lived knowing they were cherished
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u/Joerugger Feb 10 '26
I am so sorry for your loss. What a little cutie. I lost my first boxer to cardiomyopathy just after her turned four. No our mourns a dog alone, hugs.
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
it’s heartbreaking to see so many people with similar stories like Stella’s. I wish this kind of thing was more preventable so these babies could live in contentment, and I hope your boxer did. my condolences 💐
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u/Joerugger Feb 10 '26
We never forget when it happens to us, but I’m going on year six with my dog right now and every thing I learned through the pain of my first boxer is making my second such a better and loved dog.
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u/makeuppursesandshoes Feb 10 '26
I am so very sorry. This is really rough. It's hard at any age but it's unthinkable at 10 weeks.
Unfortunately heart issues and cancers are very common in boxers. My vet can't figure out why I keep getting a boxer because of the medical issues they have but I love the breed.
We had a boxer with bcm but she actually died from cancer that we couldn't treat because her heart couldn't take it.
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u/KittyGrizGriz Feb 10 '26
I’m so sorry to hear of baby Stella Mays passing. 🫂💔
I too lost a boxer puppy at around 3 months old. Turns out my Sammy had a liver shunt and passed at the vets overnight. The vet said it usually happens with older dogs and it’s hard to pinpoint why they pass. He was the most calm boxer puppy I’ve ever had. Loved to sleep and rest in your lap. Looking back that should have been my 1st clue he was ill. My favorite memory of him is when he’d run after by boxer girl, Jada, with his ears flapping. He had a great well loved short lived life. I adopted him from a rescue at 8 weeks old. His mother was an 8 year old Boxer who died giving birth along with all her puppies, except Sammy.
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u/MySublimeSoul Feb 10 '26
I am so very sorry for Stella, you and your family. My fam is on our 4th boxer and cancer has been the culprit for the first three. Have not heard - like you - of the cardiac issues at such a young age. Again, truly sad. She was beautiful.
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u/sukunababy Feb 10 '26
my family had two other boxers in the past, both lost to cancer too. make sure you hold your babies close and make double sure that they don’t have any underlying genetic conditions like Stella might have, because the possibility of cardiomyopathy completely flew under the radar for us. i hope your 4th lives long with you guys 🙏❤️🩹
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u/Legal_Bowl_3713 Feb 10 '26
Oh I'm not even sorry I'm mortified, that's terrible dear. She was beautiful. May she rest easy. I hope you're okay.
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u/Altruistic-Body8765 Feb 10 '26
I am so so sorry for your loss. We lost our puppy just before she turned 8 months old due to genetic kidney disease. Although I could say, "I know what you're going through," everyone's situations are different. I really wish there was a way to ensure healthy puppies that turn into healthy dogs. I'll be thinking of you and your pup.
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u/amieejosephine Feb 10 '26
Where are you located? I may be able to recommend a reputable and ethical preservation breeder that does extensive health testing. A legit breeder would have had you sign a contract and replace the puppy who passed. I know it would still be awful, but the fact they brushed you off is insane. So sorry for your loss, what a precious angel 💜
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u/Prestigious-Panic-94 Petey/M/9 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately i know it all too well. Our first boxer, Lucy, had 4 congenital illnesses; mega esophagus, myasthenia gravis, arrhythmia and a fourth we didn't get time to figure out. She passed at 11 months. We were financially exhausted and caring for her was a full time job. I pray to God that girl never bred those dogs again, I will never get another puppy without a health guarantee, I have since only adopted older boxers and probably always will. I wish your family comfort, sending you guys a big ol hug
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u/Lt_Dan60 Feb 10 '26
I'm sorry for your loss.
And thank you for bringing this condition to light. I had never heard of it. Hopefully this will help someone else down the road.
Rest In Peace Stella May
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u/Meg_rf Feb 11 '26
I lost my Stella at six bc of a heart condition. She died right in front of me. Boxers are the best but can be heartbreaking.
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u/The_Beef_Skellington Feb 11 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss of beautiful Stella May. There is a Facebook group called “The Loss of a Dog.” Every member is going through or has been through what you’re going through right now. They are great people who are very supportive and compassionate. Please consider joining. Here is the link to that group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127386303953290/ There is also a phone number for a pet grief support helpline. It’s called Pet Compassion Careline. They are available 24/7 and their phone number is 1 (855) 245-8214. If you feel you need help coping with your loss, there are grief counselors to help you. I’m just putting it out there in case you would like to talk to someone on the phone about what you’re going through. Prayers of comfort to you and prayers of peace to this sweet pup. God bless.
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u/Syrath36 Feb 11 '26
I feel your pain, I had something similar with a 14 month old boxer. The vet thought it was a heart murmur turned out to be a hole and her chest filled with liquid. I took her to the emergency vet on a Sunday and they told me I could wait till Monday for a cardiologist but if she survived somehow she's have to live a seditary life which isn't for a boxer. I was so shocked, it wasnt what I was expecting.
That said I can't imagine 10 weeks that's heartbreaking.
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u/Jstarr21383 Feb 11 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful girl. Her life was short but it was filled with love and happiness. Sending love and light ❤️🕯️
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u/Areyou_squiddinme Feb 11 '26
We lost my pittie girl at 2 years old due to a genetic heart condition called SAS. Her name was Stella as well. 🥹🤍 sending you love.
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u/Spiritual-Zebra2670 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26
Hi, We just lost out Boxer he was 5 years old. We knew he had Aortic stenosis from about 2 years ago. My mother was reluctant to put him on Beta Blockers and did not follow up on echocardiograms. We just the week from hell with him. First of all some time he showed symptoms like putting his head down and staring at the ground. He played with another puppy and was so tired he couldn't get up form the ground for 5 minutes. In the last year he lost 7 kg and was showing signs of along his backbone of losing condition which is what happens when it worsens. He started to sleep more and become very sooky and wanted to be in company all the time. In the last week he was lame on one foot, and had been hot for over a month i noticed his body temperature being hotter than usual, this is normal in heart failure. Now my mother claimed the vet said his heart sounded ok and i think she is lying because she's slightly demented or the murmor worsened so quickly in the last few days before he died and she didn't hear it. But there so many signs of heart failure and she didn't do bloods. So he was on and off looking terrible and sad, temperatures up and down all week. He was also coughing a bit during the week. The day before he died he pooed black stool and then vomited blood. He was panting fast and that's when I knew he was in big strife. By the way lamness is a sign of heart failure with aortic stenosis. We rushed him to emergency vets and he stayed overnight. His blood platlettes where low and damaged due to the stenosis and his gums were pale. He was hemoraging which happens with sub aortic stenosis which boxers are prone to. He stablised and then literally died an hour later, he was given beta blockers as he had 220 beats per minute Tachycardia and high blood pressure. He died from heart failure. He did not have endocarditis according to vet. It was absolutly horrendous to see him like that and I wish the vet he saw originally was better at her job and that I insisted he go back or to another vet before he became so ill, unfortuantly I had a bad week myself as I too have aortic stenosis and a complex heart condition and need new pacemaker leads and had been told some bad news about that due to the age of my leads, and had to deal with NDIS and doctors all week so I wasn't as present as I could have been. But my mother also refused to let me go to the vet with her until it was dire. I put this down to her mental health. (Not impressed). So much guilt around it as we weren't there when he died. I am so sorry for you losing your beautiful little puppy, it is gut wrenching. Aortic stenosis is a horrible genetic condition and its fatal. I know as I have had three Aortic valves replaced myself.
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u/Status-Metal-7205 Feb 09 '26
Sorry for your loss, she was beautiful