Boston Terrier Secrets » Health Problems

Arthritis Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment For Your Boston Terrier

Colleen — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:41:41 +0000

It may be small changes in your pet that you don’t notice overnight. Maybe your Boston has a harder time waking up in the morning … maybe she looks like she’s in pain when going on long walks on jumping off the couch. Arthritis isn’t always easy to spot.

None of us want to accept the fact that our dogs are getting older…

Don’t stress though …

There are plenty of things you can do to help make your Boston Terrier more comfortable and pain free so she continues to have a great quality of life!

Some common indicators of arthritis are:

Avoiding once enjoyable activities— like jumping, running, and walking.
Depression or change in mood.
Change in eating habits.

Of course these symptoms could also be the sign of something more serious such as cancer… or it could be the sign of nothing at all, so it’s always important to consult with your veterinarian when addressing health issues.

Your veterinarian should be able to give your more specific information regarding the diagnosis. Your vet will most likely run a series of blood tests, physical exams, X rays, and/or MRI imaging to determine what type of arthritis your dog suffers from and what caused it.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in dogs. It’s a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage in your dog’s joints to wear down as time goes by. As the cartilage wears down, the bones start rubbing together and eventually damage the bones.

Unfortunately there isn’t a cure for osteoarthritis, however, the pain can be managed with diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other medical procedures. Osteoarthritis most commonly causes pain in places on the body that carry weight such as the hips, knees, and shoulders.

When you meet with your vet, he should explain the different treatment options available to you. There are a lot of new medications, steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs that help decrease swelling and ease pain. Supplements are also often used to help fortify damaged joints.

Surgery for Arthritis

Surgery is normally only considered to be a treatment option for younger dogs suffering from arthritis. The vet goes in and surgically tries to reconstruct joints for more stability. Sometimes they opt to perform an arthroscopy to remove chips of damaged bone.

Your vet will let you know if your dog is eligible for surgery. They usually take your dog’s age, general health, and the progression of the arthritis into consideration when making a decision.

6 Things You Can Do to Make Your Dog’s Life Easier!

If your dog is suffering from arthritis, here are some things you can do to make his/her life easier!

Have food and water bowls available at a comfortable height, and available on every floor of the house (for multi-level houses).
Padded surface to sleep on in a warm, draft-free area of the house!
Add non-skid runners to slippery floors.
Use ramps for places your dog needs to climb on.
Supervised time outside (a dog with arthritis should not be left alone).
Keep your dog groomed. Dogs with arthritis can’t reach certain spots they used to groom themselves.

Keep Your Dog Happy and Active!

Once you’ve treated the arthritis and made changes to your dog’s environment you want to make sure you don’t limit your dog too much. Try to incorporate moderate exercise into your daily routine. Make it as fun as possible and use treats as an incentive!

Put your doggie on a diet! Managing your dog’s weight will make managing her arthritis easier too!

Remember, arthritis in dogs isn’t necessarily the end of the world. There are many treatment options available to make life easier.

If you have any tips or suggestions for the readers please leave a comment below!

The Mystery of Probiotics- De-Mystified!

Colleen — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:43:25 +0000

Probiotics are all the rage right now, especially for crazy Boston Terrier owners! If you haven’t had the chance to read about what they are, and what they can do for your dog, then keep reading— because today I hope to answer all your questions!

Probiotics are friendly microorganisms or “good” bacteria that help maintain the balance in the intestinal tracts of our dogs (and us)!

What Do Probiotics Do?

Probiotics are essential to great Boston Terrier health! These microorganisms help defend against diseases and illnesses in your pet.

Imagine that Probiotics are a powerful bacterial army that defends the body against dangerous invaders. If your dog has the proper ratio of probiotics in his intestines, these friendly bacteria will actually help prevent a wide range of future health problems.

Keeping the balance between friendly and harmful bacteria can certainly be a challenge, but it should also be a priority, since it’s so key to the health and longevity of your Boston terrier. Here are some factors that contribute to throwing off the healthy bacterial balance:

Medications
Poor diet
Pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals found outside
Stress
Poor immune system
And getting older!

So What Exactly Are the Benefits of Probiotics?

Dr. Beau Diskin says that Probiotics are absolutely necessary to help with the following:

Manufacture B group vitamins, biotin and folic acid.
Reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Produce natural antibiotics, which can protect against harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E.Coli and shigella.
Regulate and stimulate many aspects of the immune system.
Improve lactose intolerance.
Display significant anti-oxidant activity.
Inhibit the growth of some yeast (eg. Candida Albicans).
Detoxify harmful chemicals and carcinogens from the body via the intestinal system.
Increase energy levels.
Regulate and increase hormone levels.
Remove toxins ingested through foods (eg. Pesticides and Herbicides).
Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from your diet.
Removal of toxins as waste products of digestion.
Reduce food intolerance (eg. Lactose and Gluten).
Reduce inflammation.
Digestion of food.

So How Do You Know If Your Boston’s Bacterial Balance Is out of Whack?

Some common indicators of an unhealthy digestive tract are:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Flatulence
Skin Problems
Sluggishness

As you are well aware, these symptoms could also be indicators of many other health problems. So you should always consult with your vet if you have concerns about your Boston Terrier’s health.

The fact of the matter is, dogs that have the optimal ratio of “good” bacteria in their intestines are better equipped to ward off the growth of unhealthy organisms.

I suggest that you supplement a well-balanced diet with a high quality dog probiotic and give your Boston Terrier the health that he’s truly worthy of!

Have a favorite probiotic? Leave a comment below to help future readers of this article!

Boston Terrier Skin Allergies

Hereditary Skin Diseases in Boston Terriers

Colleen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:56:02 +0000

The Boston Terrier, a high-spirited, intelligent dog is the result of cross-breeding the English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Boxer, and White Terrier. Nicknamed the American Gentleman for his kind and gentle disposition, the Boston terrier, is a smooth, short-coated, compactly built dog with beautiful colours- red brindle, black brindle, or black, with white markings.

The Boston Terrier is a relatively healthy breed requiring little grooming and maintenance, but it is susceptible to certain hereditary skin problems.

A minor problem affecting its coat is a gradually spreading baldness that is sometimes found in female Boston terriers at about six months of age. It starts around the ears and moves down to the underside of the neck and the trunk and then down to the inside of the rear legs. The skin underlying the areas of hair loss is usually normal and does not have the signs of secondary infection.

Allergies could be a possible underlying cause for hair loss and secondary skin infections. Boston terriers are listed among the breeds that are prone to atopy (inhalant allergies).

The most common skin disease is the Demodectic mange, or red mange, caused by microscopic Demodex canis mite living in the hair follicles and within the skin layers of adolescent puppies or immunodeficient adult Boston Terriers. It is a genetically inherited defect of the immune system causing patchy to widespread hair loss and secondary bacterial skin.

There are three types of Demodicosis: Localized, Generalized, and Pododermatitis.

Localized Demodicosis usually causes small patches of red scaly skin and hair loss mostly on the face, but can occur anywhere on the body. These lesions are not itchy unless they get infected and are found in 3-6 months old puppies passed on by the carrier mother. Mild cases in puppies normally heal spontaneously and need no treatment. Demodex is not generally contagious between dogs.

In Generalized Demodicosis the skin is very red, with severe hair loss, crusts and sores, dark pigment, and deep infections accompanied by fever and loss of appetite. There are two groups of this type: juvenile onset when the pup is between 3 and 12 months old but recover with or without treatment and adult onset mostly in dogs over 2 years old which is difficult to cure, but can usually be controlled.

There is an inherited tendency to have Generalized Demodicosis so affected animals should never be bred.

Demodectic Pododermatitis is limited to the paws in adult animals is chronic and extremely difficult to treat.

Since these mites live in the hair follicles and in the dermis, deep skin scrapings are essential for diagnosis. Generalized demodicosis is treated with antibiotics. 90% of localized and 30-50% of generalized demodicosis get better with no treatment. The veterinarian aided by modern medication can control if not completely cure this infection.

Another disease inherited from the English Terrier and the Bulldog are Mast Cell Tumors or Mastocytomas in skin tissues These are raised, button like skin growths with raw pink surfaces which can be malignant and spread internally.

Cushings Disease is another skin disease found in the Boston Terrier caused by an excess of cortisone-type hormone in the dog’s system. The use of too much cortisone-type medications, cortisone-containing eye drops or ear ointments or an over-active tumor of the adrenal gland or a tumor of the pituitary gland can cause the disease.

The signs of Cushing’s include a thin, poor hair coat, potbelly, increased water intake and frequent urination. The disease is very treatable and the changes can be reversed but if left untreated it can cause diabetes mellitus or life threatening blood clots.

Their sensitive skin prevents them from handling both extreme heat and cold. They should be checked daily – special attention being paid to their eyes and ears-for any external parasites such as ticks or mites. Caution should be taken when considering any medications for the Boston Terrier as they can be very sensitive to anesthetics, vaccines, and other drugs.

Nancy Richards is a dog owner and trainer for more than 10 years. She is also the President of the Dog Training Institute. Learn more on Boston Terriers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Richards

Flea and Tick Reviews: The Complete Guide

Colleen — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:29:35 +0000

Buying flea and tick medicine for your dog can be a challenging and frightening task. If you haven’t discovered a product that works well for your dog yet, you may want to spend some time doing a little research before making a purchase.

There’s so much information to read and things to consider before buying a flea and tick repellent.

I’ve spent several hours researching customer reviews and experiences with various flea and tick products, and below is a summary of my findings. I hope this information can be of use to you!

The products that will be discussed below are: Frontline Plus, Advantage, Capstar, Program, Comfortis, Sentinel, and Revolution.

1. Frontline Plus

Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Fipronil: 9.8%, (S)-Methoprene: 8.8%
Inert Ingredients: 81.4%

Price
The average price of Frontline Plus for dogs up to 22 lbs. is about $12.33/month.

Description
Frontline Plus prevents flea and tick infestations in dogs. And not only does it kill adult fleas, but it also kills flea eggs and larvae. In addition, it kills all stages of deer ticks, brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks.

The active ingredients in Frontline Plus are Fipronil and (S)-Methoprene; they act as an insect growth regulator. These ingredients inhibit the life cycle of pest and collect in the oils of the skin and hair follicles. They’re continually released from the hair follicles onto the skin and coat of your Boston terrier, resulting in long-lasting flea and tick control.

Another great thing about Frontline Plus is the fact that it’s waterproof for up to 30 days and it’s gentle enough to use on puppies, pregnant, and lactating dogs.

My Thoughts
Frontline Plus is probably the most popular flea product for dogs on the market right now. Most veterinarians recommend it to their clients, and for the money involved, I’d say it’s a satisfactory flea repellent.

Quite a few of the reviews that I’ve read, state that Frontline’s effectiveness diminishes with long-term use. So, if you’re thinking of purchasing this product, it might be a good idea to buy another type of flea repellent as well, and rotate them from month to month.

2. Advantage

Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid; I-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl) methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine: 9.1%
Inert Ingredients: 90.9%

Price
The average price of Advantage for dogs up to 11-20 lbs. is about $9.25/month.

Description
Advantage Flea Control for dogs claims to kill 98-100% of fleas within 12 hours. The prevention lasts for up to 4 weeks from the application date and it kills fleas before they are able to lay eggs. If your dog becomes re-infested with fleas, they are killed within two hours.

Pre-existing pupae in the environment can continue to emerge for six weeks or longer depending upon the climatic conditions.

Advantage is waterproof and remains effective following shampoo treatments, swimming, or after exposure to rain or sunlight.

My Thoughts

Users seem to be generally satisfied with this product. A lot of people seem to have switched from Frontline Plus to Advantage and are experiencing better results. It’s also slightly cheaper, so that’s a plus as well! However, you should remember that Advantage doesn’t provide protection against ticks.

3. Capstar

Ingredients
Contains 11.4 mg of Nitenpyram

Price
The average price of Capstar for dogs between 2-25 lbs. is about $4.66/month.

Description
Capstar’s fast acting formula begins working within 30 minutes and will kill almost all adult fleas within four hours of ingestion. It doesn’t prevent future infestations though, so it‘s recommended that this product be taken in conjunction with Program.

Capstar is probably best suited for a breeder or a kennel where the risk of flea infestation is high and needs to be addressed on a daily basis.

My Thoughts
Capstar is good for new pets or visiting pets, but is not necessary for pets that are consistently on Frontline or Advantage.

4. Program

Ingredients
Lufenuron- 90 mg

Price
The average price of Program for dogs between10-20 lbs. is about $8.83/month.

Description
Program is an oral flea preventive. This flea medicine doesn’t kill adult fleas that may be living on your pet. So it’s usually used along with Capstar, in order to make it a complete flea management system.

Program is a safe and easy oral solution for flea prevention. The main ingredient, lufenuron, is an insect development inhibitor. It was created to be absorbed with your pet’s meal so it should be taken with a full meal in order to work at its full potential.

My Thoughts
The Capstar/Program flea management system seems to be good when paired with one another; however, the Capstar pill is a daily medicine, so I find it inconvenient.

5. Sentinel

Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Milbemycin Oxime 5.75 mg and Lufenuron 115 mg

Price
The average price of Sentinel for dogs between 10-20 lbs. is about $11.66/month.

Description
Sentinel for dogs is an oral preventive that is unique because it also guards against heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and prevents the development of flea eggs. This product does require a prescription from the vet though.

For complete control, this product may be taken with Capstar, which treats flea infestation immediately.
There are numerous side effects associated with this product, so please read the warning in advance.

My Thoughts
This product is great because it provides flea and heartworm protection. However, it doesn’t provide protection against ticks and there are side effects associated with it.

6. Comfortis

Ingredients
Spinosad- 270 mg

Price
The average price of Comfortis for dogs between10-20 lbs. is about $16.16/month.

Description
Comfortis is the first FDA-approved, chewable tablet that kills fleas and prevents future infestations for up to a month. You’ll need a prescription from your vet in order to purchase Comfortis though.

Comfortis starts working within 30 minutes of administration; the main ingredient (spinosad) kills fleas by causing excitation of the insect’s nervous system, which leads to paralysis and rapid death.

There are many side effects associated with Comfortis that you should be aware of before administering this product to your pet. Please read all precautions and safety labels before use on your pet.

My Thoughts
The benefits aren’t worth the risks. I’ve read several reviews where people have had horrible results with Comfortis. It makes some pets extremely ill causing vomiting and diarrhea.

7. Revolution

Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Selamectin 60 mg

Price
The average price of Revolution for dogs between10-20 lbs. is about $15.66/month.

Description
Revolution is a monthly topical treatment that protects your dog from heartworm, fleas, ear mites, ticks, and sarcoptic mange. This medicine requires a prescription from the vet.

About 1% of dogs will experience digestive upset while on this product and it is not advised to be used on ill or underweight pets.

My Thoughts
I can’t wait to try this product. Until now I had never really heard too much about Revolution. Based on what I’ve read about it though, it sounds like an absolute miracle product! One product that treats all the maladies that may occur in your pet!

So that’s all for now! I hope the whole flea prevention stuff makes a little more sense now!

Remember, this just a start to your research. You should probably try a couple of these products for yourself before you find a permanent flea and tick solution for your dog!

Good luck to you and your pup! Leave a comment below if you have anything to add!

The Best Flea Medicine

Rawhide Bones: Learn The Pros And Cons … And How They May Affect Your Boston Terrier

Colleen — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:53:02 +0000

People always find it necessary to inform me that the rawhide bones my Lucy loves so dearly, are bad for her.

To be honest, I had heard this several times before; but I just chose to ignore it.

When I heard it again this week, I decided to research it for myself, and finally put this subject to rest!

Rawhide bones are made up of the inner lining of the hide on a cow. And some people believe that dogs like them so much because it’s in their natural instincts to chew. When dogs were “wild creatures” they attacked their prey and pulled away the hide of animals to get to the flesh.

Yes, I know it’s hard to imagine your sweet little Boston as a “wild creature” but it’s in their DNA!

The Pros Of Rawhide Bone Chewing

Promote healthy teeth and gums
Their primate relatives chewed bones
They enjoy it
It keeps them occupied and burns calories

The Cons Of Rawhide Bone Chewing

Bones may get stuck in your dog’s mouth
May cause gastrointestinal problems
May cause constipation
Rawhide may encourage your Boston terrier to chew.

If you’re not sure whether the rawhide will cause problems for your pup, your best bet is to choose a Nylabone. They’re generally indestructible and come in a variety of sizes and flavors.

And if you can’t bear the thought of taking away this one simple pleasure from your dog, just use caution.

If you notice that your dog’s chewing off large pieces of the bone and swallowing them whole, you’ve got a problem. This could cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse – choking. Take away the bone when it gets small enough to swallow whole.

Also, remember that rawhide bones generally don’t contain nutritional labels. But that doesn’t mean the bones don’t contain calories. Many experts suggest a maximum of 2 hours chewing per day.

After evaluating all this research, I will continue to let Lucy splurge every once in a while with a yummy rawhide. I know what to watch out for now and hope you do too!

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Just post them below!

5 Tips To Ensure Your Dog’s Coat Is Healthy

Colleen — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:04:01 +0000

Do you love it when people comment on your dog’s good looks? Do you spend a lot of time grooming and bathing your dog so she’ll get compliments when you take her out in public?

If you want to ensure that your Boston Terrier’s coat will always look top of the line, just follow these five simple steps.

1. Keep your dog healthy!
Usually the first sign of poor health is a poor looking coat. Many times dogs experience thinning hair or dandruff when there’s something going on internally.

2. Feed your dog high quality dog food.
Make sure you’re feeding your dog a high-quality dog food that has plenty of Omega 3 Fatty acids. Look for a food that contains a Omega 6:3 ratio. This is such a simple step that often goes overlooked.

3. Perform regular health checks.
Make sure to check your dog for parasites on a regular basis. Worms, fleas, and ticks can cause your dog’s coat to lose its luster and quality. Your vet will most likely perform a fecal exam to check for parasites and you should have your dog on a flea prevention program as well. Have your vet check for allergies as well.

4. Regular Grooming
Always comb your dog before bathing him. Luckily, Boston Terrier’s don’t have long hair so brushing them is not that difficult. You may not think it’s necessary to comb your dog, but it’s good to do anyways as brushing/combing removes dead surface hair.

5. Regular Bathing
Use a shampoo that was designed for dogs. If you use people products on your dog, you may dry out your dogs’ coat. And make sure to rinse really well! Soap residue causes flaking and dullness.

Stick to these 5 simple steps and your Boston terrier will be looking and feeling good for a long time!

Recommended Daily Water Intake For Dogs

Colleen — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:11:43 +0000

Water is extremely important to the health of your dog. Sixty percent of your adult dog’s body weight is accounted for by good old H2O, and 84% for puppies.

Dogs get fluids from eating and drinking and they also get what you call metabolic water, which is produced by the oxidation of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, and accounts for about 10% of your dog’s daily hydration needs.

H2O Does All Of The Following:

1. Carry nutrients throughout the body.
2. Lubricate body tissues.
3. Produce milk in the lactating female dog
4. Combine new cell materials.
5. Detoxify or flush out waste.
6. Regulate body temperature. Dogs cannot sweat so when dog pants it causes the evaporation of water from his tongue.

How Much H2O Does Your Boston Terrier Need?

Your Boston terrier should have access to H2O at all times. Healthy Boston terrier’s should be consuming about 1 cup (8oz) per five pounds of its body weight.

Lucy (my Boston terrier) weighs about 25 pounds (yes I know, she’s a big girl), so she should be getting about 5 cups per day from her food and water consumption. Careful though, dog’s can be over-hydrated as well, which can lead to a condition called, hyponatremia.

Not all water’s good for your dog … if it hasn’t been treated properly it can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Tap water is generally considered safe though, but just as with people, it may be high in nitrates, iron, or magnesium, which can pose long-term health risks. Filtered water is always going to be the better choice.

What Does Your Boston Terrier Drink Out Of?

Your dog’s bowl should be cleaned regularly. The cleanest water in the world isn’t going to do a bit of good if it’s served in a dirty bowl. Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to clean and should be sanitized daily.

Also, make sure to replace your dog’s water throughout the day to ensure that it’s clean. Every time you drink something, make sure to think of your dog as well. Hydrated dogs are healthy dogs, so never cut your dog’s water intake!

Now Here’s A Cute Video Of A Boston Terrier Drinking!

Dental Dog Treats – How To Make Them From Home!

Colleen — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:00:12 +0000

This dental dog treats recipe was developed specifically to address the needs of your dog’s teeth and gums.

These dental dog treats are not only delicious, but they also help exercise your dog’s gums and clean her teeth. I found this recipe over at Best-Dog-Treat-Recipes.com. They have a lot of great recipes, so feel free to check them out.

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
¼ cup spinach powder
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup bran
1 T bone meal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions

Mix everything with a mixer in a large bowl or place everything in your bread maker.
If you are using a bread maker, set it for the dough cycle.
When the dough is mixed, divide it into several equal balls.
Roll the dough to a ¼” thickness.
Use small cookie cutters to cut into shapes. The ones that I use are about 1” across.
Bake at 300 degrees F for about 45 minutes. Check to make sure that the biscuits don’t get too dark.
Turn off the oven and let them continue to dry overnight or for several hours.

Your finished product should come out very hard, and should not move at all when you press your finger into it. It’s good for the treats to be hard because it will help remove built-up tartar.

Feed your dog hard, crispy treats on a regular basis in order to maintain good dental hygiene. It’s also best to avoid feeding your dog table scraps. Human food often contains sugar and other substances that aren’t good for our pets.

Also, make sure to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis to keep her pearly whites, white!

If you have another dog treat recipe of your own, please feel free to share it. Either send me an email or post it in the comments section below!

Dogs And Hypothermia

Colleen — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:57:54 +0000

The Cold Weather May Pose A Threat To Your Dog

Hypothermia occurs in dogs when they’re temperature falls below its normal range, which is between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

With all these snow storms and cold weather in the news, I started thinking about all the dogs that live up north, and began to wonder how they’re being affected with the cold weather and snow. Hypothermia is just one of many health problems, that may affect your Boston terrier.

Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about it … I live in Florida!

Which Dogs Are Most Susceptible To Hypothermia

Small dogs
Wet dogs
Short haired dogs
Dogs without access to shelter

Dogs do go into self-preservation mode when they are in extreme temperatures. Dogs try to maintain their normal body temperature by:

Shivering
Piloerection (similar to goose bumps) – this is when your dog’s hair stands up.
Vasoconstriction – this is the process where your dog’s blood vessels narrow to restrict the amount of blood (heat) that flows through them. This helps your dog survive, because it ensures that the most important areas of your dog (brain, liver, lungs) are protected and blood is flowing freely.

Preventing Hypothermia

You should take precautions in the cold weather to prevent hypothermia. Here are some steps you can take to do so:

1. Keep your dog inside as much as possible
2. Consider getting a coat and booties for your dog
3. Try to keep your dog dry, when a dog is wet their temperature drops even faster

Symptoms Of Hypothermia

Shivering
Lethargy
Muscle stiffness
Lack of coordination
Low heart and breathing rates
Fixed and dilated pupils
Collapse
Coma

Beginning Stages of Hypothermia

Hypothermia can be fatal if it goes untreated. If you notice that your dog is suffering from the cold, you should get him inside in a warm, dry area, and try to bring his body temperature up.

Moderate Hypothermia

If your dog has a moderate case of hypothermia (body temp between 90-94 degrees) you should use hot water bottles, warm towels, heat lamps, warm baths, hairdryers and heat pads to bring your dog’s temperature back to normal. Careful not to burn your dog though! Water temp should not be above 105 degrees!

Severe Hypothermia

If you think your dog could be suffering from severe hypothermia, you should call your vet immediately. Your vet may use internal warming techniques which include warm water enemas and stomach flushes.

Also realize that your dog may suffer from permanent damage if he’s suffered severe hypothermia. The degree of damage depends on the length and degree of hypothermia that your dog suffered from.

This article was adapted from Dog Topics.

Canine Flu – Symptoms and Treatment Options For Your Boston Terrier

Colleen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:57:04 +0000

With flu season in full swing, you may be wondering if it’s possible for your Boston terrier to contract the flu.

And the answer is … YES!

Canine flu is similar to the human flu. It’s a highly infectious virus that can be very harmful to your dog.

It’s main line of attack is to damage the respiratory system. And if it goes untreated for too long, it can even progress into pneumonia.

Mild Canine Flu

Your dog may experience a cough that is similar to kennel cough and may experience a runny nose with thick nasal discharge that tends to be green in color.

Severe Canine Flu

Your dog will experience a high fever and the early stages of pneumonia along with the symptoms listed above.

The First Signs

Usually the first sign of canine flu is a cough. So if your dog develops a cough, the best thing for you to do is keep your Boston terrier warm, well hydrated, and make sure he/she’s getting plenty of healthy nutritious food.

How It’s Spread

The virus is spread through direct contact with infected dogs, through chew toys, food, and other household items. So, make sure to keep your dog away from other animals if you suspect he has the flu.

Canine flu is highly contagious, and there’s no vaccine or immunity to it, so every dog has an equal risk of developing it.

Luckily, the fatality rate of dogs with canine flu is only about 5-8%.

Treatment Options

There’s no real cure for canine flu right now. But you vet may prescribe antibiotics to help with your pet’s weakened immune system.

There are also some natural treatment options you may want to consider.

A somewhat popular natural treatment for canine flu is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). There aren’t any known side effects to this treatment. So if you want to try it, just mix in some grapefruit seed extract (mashed up grapefruit seeds) with your dog’s food.

Here are some other natural ingredients that are used to fight canine flu:

• Elecampane
• Fenugreek
• Mullein
• Maritime Pine
• Rosehips
• Kelp
• Coltsfoot

If you’re considering trying one of these treatments, you should consult your vet first of course!