Head Tremors

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Idiopathic head tremor
is a condition that effects all dog breeds
and is frequently seen in Labradors, Boxers and Bulldogs.

Idiopathic means a disease
that is of uncertain or unknown origin.
That means the exact cause of head tremors
has yet to be determined.

When a dog has idiopathic head tremors it
will shake its head without having any control over it.
No one really knows why this occurs,
most dogs show symptoms of head bobbing
(usually up and down but it can also be side to side).
In most cases the symptoms occur at the age from 6 months to 3 years.

Usually a typical idiopathic head tremor episode
will generally last around three minutes.
Once the head bobbing is over,
your dog should return to normal,
as if the tremors never occurred at all.

If your dog does appear to have been affected,
contact your local veterinarian immediately.
This condition is totally unresponsive
to seizure medications and the best way to handle
an episode seems to be to focus the dog’s attention
on a toy or treat. Episodes tend to get milder
and less frequent with age.

Diagnosis

It is very important to let a veterinarian
make an official diagnosis
because the same symptoms occur in other diseases!

These symptoms may also occur with epilepsy,
brain tumors or other neurological diseases.
It will be important to have an experienced,
reputable vet for this
since some vets incorrectly diagnose
head tremors as seizures and will put the dog
on medication for the rest of it’s life.

When your dog has these symptoms
you can help the vet with his diagnosis
by making a video of the head tremors
and to make notes and log exactly when
and for how long the head shaking occurs.

Officially there is no known cause
but here is a list of possible causes/triggers
supplied by our members
who have dogs with idiopathic head tremors:

females during the heat cycle
from eating a particular food
from being given a particular supplement
after flea and/or tick treatment
after being given heartworm medication
after an intensive work out or from being stressed

Treatment

Again there is no medical treatment
but here are some things you can do
to help your dog through it.

First of all make sure your dog is safe
(remove sharp objects around him and make sure he doesn’t fall).
Second of all be calm, if you panic
your dog will sense it and panic too.

Keep in mind that even though it looks bad
your dog is not in any pain.
And third distract your dog
with a treat or toy try to keep the dogs attention.

The current theory is that the tremors are a result
of dysfunction of the proprioceptive fibers in the neck.
Abnormal sensory input, causing alternating contraction
and relaxation of muscle groups, may be responsible.
This explanation, while almost impossible to prove,
would explain why those affected stop shaking
if something is done to focus their attention
on an object such as a toy or treat.

Tricks
A lot of people give a little bit of honey
or other sugary treats (peanut butter, vanilla ice cream)
allthough there is no medical proof this works
so many of our members said it worked
so it might be worth trying.
Also gently massaging your dogs head and neck
seemed to work for a lot of dogs.

Entropion and Ectropion

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Ectropion and entropion in dogs are both conditions that can affect a dog’s eyelids. Dogs who have ectropion have eyelids that roll outward, where as dogs with entropion have eyelids that curve inward. Both are problematic for the cornea. With entropion, the lid rubs against the cornea, causing irritation. With ectropion, the cornea is exposed and can easily become irritated or infected.

Causes
Both of these eye conditions are linked to genetic factors, and some breeds are predisposed. Entropion is common among Retrievers, Spaniels, Great Danes, many Terriers and Bulldogs. Ectropion is common among Basset Hounds, Retrievers, Spaniels, Bloodhounds and Bulldogs. Often, when the conditions are inherited, the symptoms are seen when dogs are a year or younger. Other causes include trauma to the eye. Entropion can occur as the result of other diseases, as well as genetic causes.


Symptoms
With both ectropion and entropion, you will notice that your dog’s eyes appear red and irritated. The main observable symptom will be the dog’s eyelids: if they curve inward, this is a symptom of entropion, and if they curve outward, this is a symptom of ectropion.

Other symptoms of ectropion include discharge, watery eyes, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). With entropion, some of the common symptoms are watery eyes, conjunctivitis and with both conditions the dog will result in rubbing at their eyes with their paws.

Treatment

Ectropion can often be managed with eye drops, which keep the eye moist, and ointments. In some severe cases, surgery may be helpful in correcting the problem.

Entropion is best treated with surgery. The surgery will remove part of the eyelid, tightening it so that it will fit properly, and not roll outward. One of the risks of this surgery is removing too much tissue, causing ectropion to develop. Often, the surgery will be done in two phases to prevent that outcome.

With both entropion and ectropion, the prognosis for the dog’s treatment is very good.

Bulldog Weight

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A lot of dogs are overweight these days, putting them at risk of joint pain, diabetes, and shortened life spans. Several studies show that more than half of all pets are overweight or obese. The reasons for this obesisty is the same reason for obesity with people. An unhealthy diet and not enough excersise. Just as we’re eating larger portions and more snacks than a decade ago, so are our pets. Because our lives are busier, we’re less likely to get the exercise we need and less likely to take a long walk with our dogs. It might seem that an extra pound or two on our fourlegged companions isn’t so terrible. But that little bit can be a significant percentage of a pet’s total weight.

Some owners disregard the health hazards associated with overweight pets and instead focus on how cute their fat puppy looks. But overfeeding a fat dog is basically a form of cruelty. Overweight and obese pets not only have shorter life spans but also suffer from more medical problems during their lives, including back pain, arthritis, kidney disease, and diabetes, they’re also more expensive to care for as a result. Your dog can become stressed, depressed or agressive from an unhealthy lifestyle or diet. So it’s not only in the best interest for their physical health it is also very important for their mental health to get the right food and in combination with the right amount of excersise.


Bulldogs Weight

With Bulldogs I think this is even more important than with most other breeds. The Bulldog is a dog that might be hard to judge on weight cause of its unusual build. A lot of people think that Bulldogs are overweight when they are not. Some dogs are just build with broad chests will be labeled fat. But on the other hand there are a lot of Bulldog owners who love the natural chubbyness and wrinkles of the bulldog and by adding more pounds they think they are making their dog look better. Conclusion: You need to know the difference between muscle and fat and know that overweight dogs are not cute but unhealthy and unhappy.

How to Weigh your Dog

For puppies and small dogs you can use a kitchen scale.  To weigh your dog correctly, weigh yourself while holding your dog, then weigh yourself and substract your weight from the total. To check up on your dogs health it is best to regularly check your dogs weight. On average a Bulldogmen will weigh about 53-56 pounds (25-30kg)  and bitches  will weigh about 49-52 pounds (21-26kg). When your dog weighs more than the average it does not necessarily mean your dog is overweight.  If you have any doubt about your dogs weight contact your vet.

1 kg is ± 2.2 pounds

Read more on Dog Food and Dog Diets here:
http://baggybulldogs.com/2012/07/05/dangerous-dog-food-and-food-tips

Dog Medication

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Luckily, most people understand
that there are human medications,
and there are dog medications

But the last few years more and more people
think they are veterinarians themselves
and think they can do without a vets visit

On the internet there are several lists
that are spread with titles as:
‘Human Medication approved by Vets’

I think this is a dangerous trend.
It is true, even though there are not many,
there are some human medications that work for dogs as well,
but before you can give any medication you have to make a diagnosis
and only a skilled veterinarian can do this

Do not think, that just because you got a lot of experience
as a dogowner that this makes you a skilled Vet!

With the bad economy, people try to be inventive
and try to diagnose their dogs by searching the internet
and giving them human medications

Because of this a lot of Dogs get poisoned.
In the US there was an estimate made
that in a single year that about 100.000 pets were poisoned

The Top 3 reasons of Pet Poisoning:
1. Medication for humans
2. Flee and Tick products
3. Human food

Even giving your dog baby aspirin,
formerly thought of as safe,
is not only harmful to your dog’s kidneys
but studies show it has no effect on dog’s pain!

Only give your dog medication that is for dogs.
Do Not give any pet medication from other species as well.
Cat Medicine are totally different than dogs for instance

Some of the human medications do work for dogs
but only use them under vet supervision and recommendation.
Always consult your vet before giving your dog any medication
so you don’t risk overdosing or harming your own dog!

Some videos on Pet Poisoning:

Bulldog Farts

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It can be hilarious and stinky…Bulldog Farts.  Bulldogs are quite the stinkers !

A lot of bully/molosser dogbreeds have this problem. Some say it is a digestive problem some say it is because of their short noses they take in more air when eating/drinking wich eventually comes out the other end as farts. The last option is from my own experience less likely cause i know a couple of breeds that fart just as much or more and dont have a short nose (great dane for example).

Allthough it can be quite funny, you don’t want to have to put on a gasmask at home cause of your bulldog so here some tips to prevent those bulldogbombs;-)

– Feed your dog with dogfood, dont give leftovers and stick to dogfood and dogcookies
– Let your bulldog eat and drink on a good level (like 20 cm’s from the ground)
– There are special anti-fart dogcookies on the market (yes I know funny, but its true)
– Put in some boiled rice with the dogfood daily or buy dogfood with rice in it
– I haven’t tried it but I heard canned green beans with rice together also works
– If your dog eats too fast and almost doesnt chew his food put in a tennisball in his food so he cant take it all in at once

If all the above fails….

Uhh….Good Luck..! 😀

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How to scrape the paint of the ceiling using your Bulldog

Luckily there are some Bulldogs seriously ANTI-FART 😀
Like this one…can’t stand the sounds of farts…hihi

Do you know any other fart preventing tips..or advice/videos etc?
Please post as a comment

Related Blogs:
Bulldog Food Tips
Dangerous Dog Foods
Bulldog Weight
Bulldog Health and Care
The Health of the English Bulldog Breed

A tip from Bulldogmom22:
The thing I’ve found works to keep fart at a minimum is yogurt in their kibble.
But it has to be given every meal and it takes a good month to see results.

Allergies

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Skin Allergies are very common among dogs and they are very hard to treat. Some breeds have a genetic tendency to develop allergies, unfortunately the Bulldog is one of those breeds. 

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So, how do you know if your Dog is allergic and what is the best treatment?

The best way to treat a skin allergy, is to first find out what kind of allergy it is, before starting any treatment. Ask your veterinarian for an allergy test. This diagnostic test is an intradermal skin test, similar to the one performed on humans. There are several kinds of allergy test, none of the allergy test (blood or skin testing) is a 100% accurate but in most cases it will help target and treat the allergies better. In general the skin test is proven to be more accurate than the blood tests but it is also more expensive.

Allergy Testing

A lot of dogs don’t get tested for allergies but do get treatment from the vet with antibiotics, steroids or medicated skin washes. This will only treat the symptoms and not the cause! The best thing to do is get a full allergy test from the vet, this can be quite expensive but it’s worth it, it will eventually save you money and more important it will save your dog from any misdiagnosis or mistreatment.


Types of Allergies

Environmental and Seasonal Allergies

The most common of all the types of allergies.  This can be anything in the environment in- and outside the house, from grasses, pollens, molds and dust mites to cottons, wool, cleaning materials and so on. But it can also be an allergy to flea or tick medication or an allergy to the flea itself called flea bit dermatitis. Environmental allergies can be caused by inhaling a substance or through skin absorption. If we know what type of environmental allergy it is, we can either remove the object or irritant that causes the allergy, or if that’s not possible, treat the specific allergy and it’s symptoms.

In the case of some airborne allergens, your dog may benefit from allergy injections. These will help your dog develop resistance.

If your dog suddenly has an allergic reaction, be sure to check your dog’s environment:

  • Did you use a new type of laundry detergent, softener or cleaning materials?
  • Do you have a new rug or made any other changes in the home?
  • Did you wash your dog recently or gave him flea or tick treatment?

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Food Allergies

The most common Food allergies in Dogs are: grains, soy, corn, potatoes, wheat or a specific kind of meat or fish. Dogs with a food allergy will commonly have itchy skin, gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or vomiting or even breathing difficulties. In most cases a well balanced high quality diet will cure all of the symptoms. However this might mean you will have to change your dog’s diet to fresh meat, home cooked meals or an all natural hypo-allergenic food which can be quite expensive.


Most common Allergy Symptoms

  • Itching and biting
  • Hives and Skin Bumps
  • Chronic Ear Infections
  • Stinking coat, paws or ears
  • Swollen or Running Eyes
  • Butt twirling
  • Interdigital Cysts (itchy red spots between the toes)
  • Hot Spots (wet and red spots on the skin)
  • Constant licking or Sneezing
  • Hair loss or crusts on the skin
  • Bacterial or yeast skin infections

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Treatments

Antibiotics
The kind of antibiotic medication used to treat your dog will be prescribed by your veterinarian after diagnosing and determining which type of organism is to blame
Antihistamines
Such as Benadryl, Zyrtec or Claritincan can be used, but may only benefit a small percentage of dogs with allergies. Always contact your vet first.
Steroids
A short term boost which gives the dog temporary relief. Long term usage of steroids may do your dog more harm than good.
Allergy Shots
In the case of some airborne allergens, your dog may benefit from allergy injections
Diet
In the case of food allergies a well balanced and high quality diet is a must

Prevention

Bathing
Bathing may help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens and pollens from your dog’s skin. Discuss with your vet what prescription shampoos are best. Beware bathing can also work counterproductive when fighting of certain infections so be sure to consult your vet before bathing a dog with skin problems/allergies.

Cloting
If your dog has allergies like grass put clothing and/or boots on them when going outside. If your dog won’t walk with boots make sure to clean their paws and bellies after a walk.

Housekeeping
Avoid using any cleaners or perfumes as possible, try natural cleaners on the floor and places they lay or visit often. Only use all natural, hypo allergenic detergents and softeners to wash your dog’s bed

Diet
As mentioned before a good diet is essential for a dog with allergies, not only for the ones with a food allergy. A highly nutritious, well balanced meal will support their immune system

Vitamins and Supplements
There are many kinds of dog supplements and vitamins available on the market; in pills, powders, drops, some especially for the skin or coat.

Probiotics
Probiotics are  micro organisms that can provide health benefits by adding beneficial bacteria to your dog’s digestive system. You can buy probiotics in pills, supplements, or you can give greek yogurt to your bulldog on a daily basis

Important: Always consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment. A lot of Bulldogs with skin problems are treated for allergies and the other way around, so make sure to get a diagnosis and when in doubt don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. The internet, forums, fellow bulldog buddies can all be of great help, but I can not emphasize this enough, never rely solely on this, always ask for a medical opinion from a veterinarian before starting any treatment. 

Hotspot

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Hotspot-buldog.jpg


Hotspot
Is also called acute wet dermatitis.
Hot spots are common with dogs with long hair or a thick coat.

Causes 

It is usually caused by an allergic reaction to a specific antigen. Insect bites such as the flea bites are the most common cause found. But even small wounds in the neck caused by playing are mentioned. There are more possible causes of hotspot such as food allergies, mange, ear infections, poor grooming, shrubs or plants thorns, anal gland disorders, stress, hot weather and hormonal responses.
Hotspots are rare in colder months or in winter. They are equally common with dogs who live indoors and those living outside.

Treatment 

Although this is not a long-term disease. When hotspot occurs, the spot can disappear with treatment within a week. The hotspot could occur again that same summer, the next year or disappear completely.

You should treat the growth of the hotspot and address the original cause.
The area must first be cleaned with sterile water. Dab the area carefully and dry with a clean cloth. Keep the spot dry for a quicker result. There are different kinds of powders and ointments to dry out the hotspot. We must also prevent the dogs from traumatising the spot even further. You can give them a ‘lampshade’ or socks on the hind legs to prevent scratching. Sometimes it is handy to tape the big toe nail of the hind leg with tape like Leucoplast.

Many dogs that repeatedly suffer from hotspots could benefit from regular trimming (shaving) of the coat during the summer. Also a bath with special dog shampoo or defleaing your dog. Regularly cleaning their ears and anal glands can also be a method of prevention.

Appearance

Hotspots are circular spots, mostly on the head, the neck, the hip and on the side of the body. They are wet, raw, inflamed and usually bare and painful. Dogs usually lick or bite at the spot which causes further irritation. This is why hotspot is also called “Pyotraumatic Dermatitis” due to the fact that the trauma itself plays a major role in the development of the disease.
Hotspot can dramatically change in size in a very short period, what was the size of a quarter can become a spot of 10 cm in 6 hours time.
Always have your dog check by a vet before starting treatment.

Dangerous Foods

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As a responsible dogowner
you should know what foods to avoid
so you can prevent poisoning and keep your dog healthy.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic food,
seek veterinary attention immediately.



Here is a list of Foods
you should not feed to your Dog


Avocado

While avocado may be a healthy snack for dog owners,
it should not be given to dogs at all.
The pit, skin, and leaves of avocados contain persin,
a toxin that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs

Candy and Gum

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods,
and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol.
Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin
circulating through your dog’s body.
That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop
and can also cause liver failure.
Initial symptoms include vomiting,
lethargy, and loss of coordination

Cherries

Cherry plants contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs.
Cyanide disrupts cellular oxygen transport, which means
that your dog’s blood cells can’t get enough oxygen

If your dog eats cherries, be on the lookout for dilated pupils,
difficulty breathing, and red gums, as these may be signs
of cyanide poisoning


Chocolate & Caffeine

Chocolate & anything with caffeine especially dark chocolate
contains theobromine which is similar to caffeine.
This is a very dangerous substance to dogs.
If you know that your dog has eaten chocolate
take it to the vet immediately.
If your dog eats a very small amount of chocolate,
usually it only causes digestive issues.
More on Chocolate Poisoning here

Citrus

The stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants
contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils
that can cause irritation and possibly
even damage to the central nervous system
if ingested in significant amounts.
Small doses, such as eating the fruit,
are not likely to present problems
beyond minor stomach upset

Onions & Garlic

Onions & Garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides
which damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
Onions being the most toxic of the two.
However a very small amounts of garlic
can be good for the dogs coat and helps against parasites

Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and Raisins are extremely toxic
and have a toxin that can cause kidney damage
and can lead to kidney failure

Nuts

Macadamia & Other nuts contain toxins
that effect the digestive system, nervous system, and muscles

Mushrooms

Mushrooms effect many areas of a dogs body.
They can cause shock and even possibly death
Read more on toxic plants and mushrooms

Liver

Large quantities of liver results in vitamin A toxisity
and effects muscles and bones of the animal

Human Vitamins

Human Vitamins containing Iron
damage dogs digestive system wall lining, kidneys, and liver.
Be sure to use a vitamin supplement designed for dogs
More on Dog medication here

Milk and Dairy Products

Milk & Other Dairy Products have lactose and
many dogs don’t have enough lactose enzymes
to effectively break it down. This effects the dogs
digestive system and leads to diarrhea

Raw Eggs

Raw eggs contain an enzyme known as avidin
which restricts the absorption of biotin one of the many B Vitamins.
This can lead to an unhealthy coat and skin problems.
Also eggs can carry salmonella which is poisonous to dogs

People Food
People Food in general should be avoided at all times.
Many people foods have far to many fats, sugars, and salt.
Salt causes electrolite imballances in dogs.
Sugars are not a natural food and causes obesity,
and large amounts of fat and protein can’t be digested correctly
and causes digestion problems as well as liver disfunction

Want to try something new for your dog as a treat or food?
Make sure to check if the food is safe for your dog
and when in doubt always check with your veterinarian

Related blogs:

Toxic Plants and Mushrooms

Chocolate

Human Medication for Dogs?


CPR

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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is a combination of chest compression and artificial respiration. It is normally used when you cannot feel or hear the dog’s heart beat. Once the dog stops breathing the heart will go into cardiac arrest and cease beating. Before performing this procedure please keep in mind that Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is hazardous and can cause physical complications or fatal damage if performed on a healthy dog. It should only be performed when necessary.

Artificial Respiration

Step 1
Check your dog’s vital signs. Talk to and rub your dog to see if he/she responds. If he/she offers no response, CPR will be helpful where:
Your dog has fallen unconscious and has stopped breathing; and/or Has no heartbeat (see how to locate the pulse point below).

Step 2
Contact emergency help immediately. Call your own vet, or an emergency vet or animal hospital and let them know you’re coming. Get someone else to drive while you perform the following procedures.

Step 3
Lay the dog on the right side and check the pulse point. Laying your dog on his/her right means that his/her heart is facing up.
Bring the left leg elbow back to the chest – the point where the elbow meets the chest will be the third to fifth chest space, where the heart is located. This is a pulse point but if your dog is large or obese, it might not be the most ideal pulse point. If you cannot find the heart pulse point, look for the pulse point on the wrist. Run your finger along the dewclaw pad (front or back foot) and you should feel a pulse.

Step 4
Clear the airway. Remove any vomit, blood, mucus, foreign material from your dog’s mouth. Pull the dog’s tongue forward. Align the head with the back and tilt it back a little; this will help to open the airway. Hold one hand under the lower jaw to close it. Place the thumb of the same hand on top of the nose the hold the mouth shut. Alternately you can cup both your hands around the mouth (and lips for a large dog). The important thing is that you don’t want the air to escape through the mouth. Small dog, place your mouth over the dog’s nose and mouth and blow 4-5 quick breaths.
Large dog, place your mouth over the dog’s nostrils and blow 4-5 quick breaths. Watch for the gentle rise of the chest.

Step 5
Wait 2-3 seconds. This allows the air to exhale. Continue breathing in and pausing until normal breathing returns. Be aware that this can take as long as an hour. Continue until the vet is able to insert an oxygen tube into the dog’s airway to provide mechanical ventilation.

Step 6
If your dog’s heartbeat has stopped, perform cardiac massage in alternation with with the artificial respiration.

Compression

Step 1
Place your hand on his/her chest behind her front leg “elbow”

Step 2
Lock your fingers together and lock your elbows.

Step 3
Press down gently but firmly. Press 15 times in 10 seconds

Step 4
Return to artificial respiration. However, if you need to perform cardiac massage as well as artificial respiration, it should be 15 compressions to one breath.

Step 5
Add an abdominal squeeze. Slip your left hand under the abdomen and use your right hand to “squeeze”. The purpose of this movement is to assist recirculation of blood to the heart.

Step 6
Continue alternating. Perform 15 compressions, one breath, and a squeeze.  If two rescuers are available, alternate the compression and the squeeze, one person taking compression and the other the squeeze.