Jack Russell Care Network

HEALTH AND YOUR JACK RUSSELL

The first rule of good pet ownership is to have your dog de-sexed by the age six months, never delay this procedure. There are always costs involved in dog ownership, spaying and neutering only need to be done once and the health benefits will save much in future vet expenses that result from keeping and entire dog.

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EARS After brushing, its a good idea to check your dogs ears. Most JRT's will not need their ears cleaned, however it is wise to check that they look clean and have no discharge, unpleasant smell, fungus or ear-mites. Any build up of grime can be gently wiped away with a soft tissue, if more cleaning is needed you can use a home made ear cleaning solution.

Always ensure that your dogs ears are nice and dry after swimming or baths, especially before bedtime, this is important for dogs that have furry ears that hang down very flat against the head.

Please note: If there is any discharge or offensive odour, then it is essential to take the dog to the vet for correct diagnosis of the cause that could range from a foreign body like a grass seed deep in the ear canal, fungal yeast infection or some other kind of infection. A Vet can identify the condition and treat with the correct ear drops or medication.

A basic ear cleaning solution remedy can be made with one part white vinegar to one part water. Dip a cotton ball or swab in the mixture and wipe out your dogs ears. Use a separate swab for each ear to avoid cross contamination if there is an ear infection.

TEETH Brushing your dog's teeth promotes healthy teeth and gums. A natural toothpaste can be made with baking soda and water. Wrap your finger in some gauze and dip it in the baking soda paste to gently clean your dog's teeth.

If there's lot of tarter and plaque build-up on your JR's teeth,  it would be wise to have the teeth professionally cleaned and then establish your own daily tooth cleaning regime. Giving raw, meaty bones (never give cooked bones) to your JR will help keep the teeth clean and healthy.

Please note: Never use toothpaste designed for humans, it will often contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener (in some gums and candy too) that can kill dogs, also they won't like the taste of toothpaste much.



SKIN A Jack Russell Terrier's skin is not always trouble free, and as with other dogs one thing that can occur is a "contact" allergy to plants and or a flea allergy.

Although the least cause for allergies in dogs it's not uncommon and reasonably straightforward to eliminate it as the cause for the skin symptoms.

This presents as a red rash, quickly turning into blisters or pustules and then becoming scabby, all this can occur within 24 to 48 hours.  Plants such as rough Buffalo grass, Paspallium grass, Plumbago, and Wandering Dew are very common culprits, and since some JR's have little or no fur on their belly, this will increase skin exposure. A flea allergy can have a similar appearance.

Some relief can be offered with the use of Curash creme or similar nappy rash creme based on zinc (never use anything with Lanolin or plant extracts).  Anti-itch  powders containing zinc are also available.

Caution: Cremes and powders containing zinc should be used with caution and in small quantities as a remedy for occasional use only. Dogs tend to lick ointments when applied and ingestion of products containing Zinc can be harmful to your dog.

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One percent 1% Cortisone creme can also offer relief and is available from chemists, (non prescription but you usually need to ask for it) buy the best brand available such as Ego.  Take care that your dog does not lick or ingest Cortisone based products.

Clear your yard of the above-mentioned plants and also avoid such things as Plumbago (blue star flower) hedges on your walks. Treat the dogs for fleas, Advantage is one of the most effective products in Australia, this includes washing the bedding and keeping the environment free of fleas. Neem oil is also useful and can be diluted and sprayed around the garden as well, fleas will often inhabit a sandy area of the garden or under the house.

Use Cotton blankets and bedding, avoid wool when there is a rash present.

Please note: Contact allergy as described above is the least common allergy in dogs, so if in doubt take your dog to the Vet especially if skin rash symptoms persist after taking the above steps. Some dogs can have food allergies or atopic allergies or other medical conditions that cause skin ailments, and these need further investigation.  There is also a possibility of the scabs or rash developing a secondary bacterial infection, so monitor closely.

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Having said all that, I have almost completely eliminated the occurance of "contact" allergy symptoms in my Jack, so I speak from first hand experience.

If there are hives, swelling, trembling or signs of distress, take your dog immediately to the vet, this can be a sign of severe allergic sypmtoms and even Anaphylactic shock , which needs to be treated immediately.

A complete, balanced and high quality diet will promote healthy coat and skin. Speak to your dog's breeder or dog club about the best diet options. A dull, dry coat and itchy skin, is often indicative of a poor diet.. Evening Primrose Oil or Fish Oil can be added to provide Omega 3 Fatty acids. A diet that includes some vegetables and rice mixed in with the food is good.

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TOXIC TO DOGS

Xylitol “The problem with xylitol,” says Farbman, “is that in dogs it can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar. Just one or two pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum could cause this reaction in a 20-pound dog. The clinical signs most associated with the ingestion of xylitol include depression, vomiting, and hypoglycaemia. In serious cases ... these symptoms may be accompanied by shaky movements, an unsteady gait, weakness, and seizures.”

To avoid problems, read labels carefully and keep all xylitol-sweetened products locked safely away from curious canines. Xylitol-sweetened chewing gum includes some flavours of Altoids and Trident as well as brands that promote xylitol on their labels, such as XyliChew, XyliBrush, Spry, and TheraGum.

If your dog swallows xylitol powder or xylitol-sweetened chewing gum, mints, or other products, go at once to your veterinarian or emergency clinic. Serious symptoms may develop within 30 minutes. Your veterinarian may induce vomiting. Activated charcoal does not absorb xylitol and is not usually recommended. For dogs who do not yet have symptoms, the administration of small, frequent meals for 8 to 12 hours after exposure may help prevent hypoglycaemia."
from http://www.dogicuts.com/index_files/toxic.htm

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Zinc toxicosis Zinc pennies, zinc-coated screws or bolts, and other items containing zinc aren’t foods, but when they are swallowed by dogs, they can wreak havoc.

Pennies minted after 1982 are 96 to 98 percent zinc, with only a thin copper coating. “One puppy of my acquaintance ate some zinc pennies,” says Shari Mann of San Francisco. “The owners did not realize this, of course. She became very, very ill and almost died. X-rays revealed the pennies and surgery removed them. Recovery was long and difficult, but she did recover fully.

Dietary zinc is an important mineral, but its normal concentrations in the canine diet are very low, about 80 to 120 parts per million on a dry weight basis. The large amounts found in pennies, zinc-coated objects, and topical medications like zinc oxide cause acute zinc toxicity in dogs, leading to gastroenteritis, haemolytic anaemia, inflammation, and possible necrosis (destruction of tissue) of the liver, kidney, and pancreas.

The symptoms of zinc toxicosis can be confused with acute gastrointestinal episodes because the patient may be uninterested in food or lethargic while vomiting and having diarrhoea, either of which may be bloody. The swallowed object may not be visible in X-rays depending on its size, whether the dog vomited the object or passed it in faeces, and its consistency. Zinc-medicated ointments and shampoos aren’t visible in X-rays the way pennies are.

Treatment for zinc toxicosis depends on the source of the problem and individual symptoms. Obviously, zinc pennies and similar objects must be removed at once. Some dogs need blood transfusions and other supportive care.
from http://www.dogicuts.com/index_files/toxic.htm

Other Food Toxins
chocolate
Grapes and raisins
Onions
Macadamia nuts
Unbaked yeast dough

Other Hazards
Antifreeze, rat poison, ointments containing vitamin D, wild mushrooms, poisonous toads, prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, garden chemicals, cleaning chemicals, electrical cords, rubber bands, rubber gloves, string, dental floss, fluoride toothpaste, sticks, tennis balls – any of these and a hundred other things around the house can send a pup to the hospital.

Keep potentially harmful items in closets, drawers, or cabinets that your dog can’t open, not on a table or counter top or in a bag left on the floor. Make sure your kids understand these rules. And always supervise your dog’s play indoors and out.

CJ Puotinen - Author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, Natural Remedies for Dogs & Cats, and other books,

For a more extensive list of food and substances toxic to dogs see the ASPCA Poison Control Center page.

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For an A-Z listing of all dog ailments go to
http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/health/healthalpha.htm

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To see Dog Anatomy diagrams go to
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/anatomy/