Common Boston Terrier Health Problems
The Boston Terrier comes from a small genetic pool and because of this there are several common Boston Terrier health problems that can occur in your pet. The best way to avoid these diseases is to buy from reputable breeders who are able to produce certificates showing the health of their dogs and prove that their dogs are free from the genetic problems that usually plague Boston Terriers.
Another way to pick Boston Terriers that are healthy is to find out all the relevant information in regards to Boston Terrier health problems and decide what you can and cannot live with. Would you be able to deal with a partially deaf dog? Is expensive surgery an absolute no on your list of expenses? Consider these factors and look at the diseases that can sometimes affect a Boston Terrier before buying your pet. Being aware of Boston Terrier health problems will allow you to screen puppies better.
If you want to buy a Boston Terrier puppy you should make sure that your breeder has certificates for all his dogs. This means the dogs he or she is breeding and the puppies. Simple tests like the CERF test that tests for blindness and other eye problems can help determine how likely your puppies are to develop eye problems. Deafness is one of the Boston Terrier health problems that are genetic and a BAER test needs only to be done once in a dog’s life to determine it’s hearing status.
In the case of some Boston Terrier health problems part of the Boston Terrier care will involve surgery. Surgery of any kind is expensive and so you should think about this carefully before buying a Boston Terrier. Juvenile cataracts can develop in young Boston Terriers and although an operation can remove them it is expensive. Certain surgeries may need to be performed to the joints of these dogs so find out if the parents of the puppies have joint problems that need to be corrected with surgery.
One thing you can do to help your dog avoid the eye problems that are part of Boston Terrier health problems is to let your dog’s whiskers grow. Boston Terriers that compete in dog shows have their whiskers removed but this can lead to an increase in eye injury. If you have no intention of entering your dog into competitions then let their whiskers grow to keep their eyes safe. Whiskers act as sensors and help your dog to avoid sharp objects that could scratch their eyes. A sun visor to protect your dog’s eyes in the sun is also a must and never let your Boston Terrier stick it’s head out a moving car window.
Make sure that you find a good vet who has experience treating Boston Terrier health problems. Choosing your vet should be based on his or her experience, not how close to your home the vet’s office or how friendly your vet is. Certainly these things help but they should not be the only factors.
Boston Terrier care need not be difficult once you know the problems that this breed can face. Knowledge is power and this is particularly true for caring for these dogs. This article will give you the steps necessary to avoid having to resort to emergency care for your Boston Terrier.
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