Boston Terriers

WORMS

There are many species of worms, and a number of these live in the tissues of dogs and most other animals. Many create no problem at all, so you are not even aware they exist. Others can be tolerated in small levels, but become a major problem if they number more than a few. The most common types seen in dogs are roundworms and tapeworms. While roundworms are the greater problem, tapeworms require an intermediate host so they are more easily eradicated.

Roundworms of the species Toxocara canis infest the dog. They may grow to a length of 8 inches (20 cm) and look like strings of spaghetti. The worms feed on the digesting food in the dog’s intestines. In chronic cases, the dog will become pot-bellied, have diarrhea, and vomit. Having passed through a stage when he always seems hungry, eventually, he will stop eating. The worms lay eggs in the dog that pass out in his feces. They are then either ingested by the dog, or are eaten by mice, rats, or beetles. The dog may then eat these and the life cycle is complete.

Larval worms can migrate to the womb of a pregnant bitch, or to her mammary glands, and this is how they pass to a puppy. The pregnant bitch can be wormed, which will help. The pups can, and should, be wormed when they are about two weeks old. Repeat worming every 10 to 14 days and the parasites should be removed. Worms can be extremely dangerous to young puppies, so you should be sure the pup is wormed as a matter of routine.

Tapeworms can be seen as tiny, ricelike eggs sticking to the puppy or dog’s anus. They are less destructive, but still undesirable. The eggs are eaten by mice, fleas, rabbits, and other animals that serve as intermediate hosts. They develop into a larval stage and must be eaten by the dog in order to complete the chain. Your vet will supply a suitable remedy if tapeworms are seen or suspected. The vet can also do an egg count on the dog’s feces under the microscope; this will indicate the extent of an infestation.

There are other worms, such as hookworms and whipworms, that are also bloodsuckers. They will make a Boston Terrier anemic, and blood might be seen in the feces, which can be examined by the vet to confirm their presence. Cleanliness in all matters is the best preventative measure for all worms.

BLOAT (GASTRIC DILATATION)

This condition has proved fatal in many dogs, especially large and deep-chested breeds. However, any dog can get bloat. It is caused when gases build up in the stomach, especially in the small intestine. Carbohydrates are fermented and release gases. Normally, these gases are released by belching or by being passed from the anus. If for any reason these exits become blocked (such as if the stomach twists due to physical exertion), the gases cannot escape and the stomach simply swells and places pressure on other organs, sometimes cutting off the blood supply to the heart or causing suffocation. Death can easily follow if the condition goes undetected.

The best preventative measure is not to feed large meals or exercise your Boston Terrier immediately after he has eaten. You can reduce the risk of flatulence by feeding more fiber in the diet, not feeding too many dry biscuits, and possibly by adding activated charcoal tablets to the diet. boston terrier nc

READING LABELS, PART 1

There are two agencies that work together in regulating pet food labels. The first agency, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), is a non-governmental agency made up of state and federal officials from around the United States. They establish pet food regulations that cover areas like guaranteed analysis, nutritional adequacy statements, and feeding directions. Each state decides whether or not to enforce AAFCO’s regulations. Most do; however, some do not.

The second agency, the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine, establishes and enforces standards for all animal feed. This federal agency oversees aspects of labeling that cover proper identification of products, net quantity statements, and the list of ingredients.

Learn how to read dog food labels, especially when you consider how many brands are out there. Slight changes in wording can make the difference between a quality dog food and one that may not appear to be what it seems.

PRODUCT NAME

You may think the name of your dog food is just a name, but in most cases, it can make a big difference. Specific words used in the name can indicate what is in the food and what is not. For example, a brand name like “Beef Dog Food” must contain at least 95 percent beef, but if it is called “Beef Formula for Dogs,” it is required to contain a minimum of only 25 percent beef. Other words like dinner, platter, nuggets, or entree fall under this 25 percent minimum requirement.

Another word to watch for is “with.” A dog food called “Dog Food with Beef” only has to contain a minimum of 3 percent beef. The word “with” was originally supposed to highlight extra ingredients, but recent amendments to AAFCO regulations now allow the word to be used in the product’s name. Also, the word “flavored” can be deceiving, because it means that only a sufficient amount of flavoring needs to be added for it to be detectable. Therefore “Beef Flavored Dog Food” may not include any beef at all and may only be flavored with very small amounts of beef by-products. boston terrier club

TYPES OF DOG FOOD

First, you should pick a dog food that is specially formulated for your dog. This will ensure that your Boston Terrier is getting the proper nutrition for growth and digestion. There are three types of dog food available on the market today, and all of them have good and bad points. You must choose the type that best fits you and your Boston Terrier’s needs.

Dry Food

The good thing about dry food is that it is the least expensive, can conveniently be left in bowl for longer periods of time, and helps control tartar. However, it is the least appealing to dogs.

Canned food

Canned food is the most appealing to dogs, but it spoils quickly, is the most expensive, and requires more to be fed because the energy content is relatively low, especially for large or active breeds.

Semi-Moist

Semi-moist food will not spoil at room temperature and comes in prepackaged servings, but it also contains large amounts of sugar and preservatives in order to remain fresh without refrigeration.boston terriers puppies nc