Boxer Puppy with Juvenile Cataracts
 

Hi all. This is my first post. I am a boxer owner and lover and have been offered a boxer puppy by a breeder for free. The only problem is that the breeder's vet has noticed that this puppy has juvenile cataracts. It is unsure was the future prognosis will be. Has anyone else had experience with this? I have googled of course and it looks like many dogs can live with this forever with no problems while many also require surgery and many have cataracts that dissolve completely. I'm torn and need some advice.

I may have heard that white boxers can be blind? Hopefully it's not true.:(

Some white boxers are deaf. We have had three whites so far and none of them have been though.

Oh that's what I've heard!!! I had also heard that cataracs don't necessarily affect the dog's sight like in humans??? Not sure if this is true but there is a vet that answers many questions like this and may reply soon.

Thank you. I'm so torn as to what to do. The puppy comes from championship lines with no eye issues at all. Had he not been white he would have been the pick of the litter. I have read that juvenile cataracts are most often hereditary so it wouldn't be in this case. I've also read that it is not a common boxer problem. So I'm optimistic it may be the dissolving type. If the cloudiness was in just one eye, I would definitely accept the puppy but it is in both eyes so I'm worried. Right now the puppy is not affected by it and is playing and carrying on like any other boxer puppy would.

I hope this vet replies soon as I need to make a decision today. And my heart says go for it.

If you have the patience and love necessary to take care of this dog, assuming he does end up with "special needs," as well as the money for surgery if he eventually needs it, then I would say go for it. He deserves a loving home just like any other dog and, since you seem to love boxers so much, you might just be the right Mom for him. I have a special needs dog and she's just a delight. Certainly a challenge at times, but it doesn't make us love her or enjoy her any less. Your heart should steer you in the right direction!

My gut and my heart are telling me to go for it. The positives in this puppy far outweigh the negatives. Just want to know what I'm getting myself into.