Wheat Allergy in Dogs; What Works for Buffy.

For some time Buffy has had an allergy to wheat based products, bread, pasta and dry dog food all contain wheat (or worse yeast). Buffy's problems were caused we think by a wheat ear becoming lodged in her ear canal one hot dry summer out gambolling through the local fields. 

Border Terriers as all owners will affirm, love their free running field time, following the scents of "beasts" and returning periodically and then dashing off again. I am sure that there has to be an internal trip switch in Border Terriers between their nose and their ears so that when an "interesting smell" is encountered the trip switch clicks in and their ears stop working. It was one of those hot summer afternoons that Buffy's problems started.

Buffy of all our Borders went straight for the hedgerows and would often come back with scratches, Buster was a field bouncer (running then jumping up in the long grass) and Bobby was a chaser, running in large circles. It was not unusual for them all to scratch off the dust dirt and debris from their adventures while out. When we arrived home we always checked them over and rubbed them down before they entered the house, looking at paws and legs for ticks and getting the loose dirt off them. But I never used to check their ears and it was a week or two before I noticed that Buffy was scratching one ear more than usual. I looked inside and one ear had mucus and that started the Vet visits and she gradually deteriorated. The wheat ear was extracted with a lot of mucus and her ear treated but the allergic reaction had been triggered.

The consequences of Buffy's allergy to begin with were HUGE Vet bills, biopsies, drugs, eye treatments, ear treatments, skin treatment and food additives. After changing Vets twice we found someone who offered real alternatives to costly drugs and regular treatments. 

To start with it was dietary; restricting and removing all Buffy's access to any carbohydrate (that was very difficult). In Buffy's case carbohydrates metabolised into strong sugars which fed bacteria which in turn fed Yeast which in turn feed on her skin (turning it black and causing fur loss).

Step one was putting her on a raw meat diet; and giving her steroids to enable her immune system to kill the yeast and using a medicated yeast killing bath wash twice a week, along with anti-fungal ear and eye treatments. I thought here we go again more Meds and more bills; but after two weeks her fur had grown back, she had stopped scratching and was back to herself. When the Meds stopped and she was just on raw meat I was expecting another flare up - but nothing happened.

After a lot of research and with the help of an understanding Vet Buffy is now virtually normal. Winter is the worst period as she can find scraps of food that can cause flare ups. 

She has moved on to Butchers Tinned Dog food (loaf not jelly and available in any good supermarket) and we add a spoonful of coconut oil to her food. I don't know why coconut oil in her food works but it does. It somehow stops any reaction starting in her gut and keeps her skin resilient. Her fur has completely grown back, even over the badly yeast damaged skin on her legs and her flare ups have decreased significantly. Now a flare up is unusual and down to once maybe twice a year. 

Buffy is now nearly 13 yrs old and enjoys sitting in the sunshine in the summer; this picture is her on her chair in the garden as I write this update.

I started looking for natural alternatives to Vet prescribed Meds to manager her flare ups and I discovered Apple Cider Vinegar. This kills the yeast on her skin naturally. We mix 20 ml in a litre of warm water and wash her weekly, especially in the creases at the top of her legs, behind her ears and along her tummy. The smell is not unpleasant and quickly disappears. I also use it as an ear flush / wash once a month just to keep her ears clean.

The diet strategy with coconut oil and periodic skin cleaning with diluted Apple Cider Vinegar works for Buffy. If your dog has an allergy try it (but don't use diluted Apple Cider if your dog has cracked skin, broken skin or open sores, remember vinegar is a mild acid).

Finally if you think your Border Terrier smells of biscuits or old bread? I can tell you that is the yeast growing naturally on their skin. Most dogs don't develop beyond smelling like biscuits (as Buffy did) but some go onto have allergy problems. I wish I had used Apple Cider Vinegar on Buffy long ago to kill that natural yeast; once its triggered into aggressive mode it is very hard to control. I can only offer it you as a precaution.

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Another Year in the Life of Buffy.

It's been an exceptionally busy year in the family, with new ventures and schools to wrap into the routine. And Buffy? Well let me tell you about her eventful year;

Last Christmas (2019) I discovered that she had a mammary tumour that was growing very quickly. Our Vet told us the success of removing the entire tumour was small as tendrils often weave into stomach and lung tissue and it would be a difficult operation for a 13 yr old dog. The tendrils would be difficult if not impossible to remove.

The forecast was that this operation would probably give Buffy another 8 to 10 months of life (with medication and Veterinary support). After some debate, we thought that this was worth it to give her the chance for more life and time with us. So it was an easy decision in the end, albeit an expensive one.

It was a very anxious few hours while we waited to see if she would survive the surgery. The house was quiet and pensive, everyone went to their own spaces and waited. I was concerned that she may not survive the long operation, but kept my fears to myself. 

When we eventually got the call that she was not only alive but thriving there were tears of happiness and we couldn't wait to get her home. The Polish Specialist Surgeon who was called in to do the operation did an amazing job removing all the cancerous tumour and most of the tendrils. Thank you, is never enough in situations like this, nor is a big box of chocolates but everyone in that Vets Surgery knows Buffy and knows how grateful we are for the work they do.

Buffy quickly settled back into the family routine, but only a couple of months later the cancer was back. Not as vigorous, but now spread through-out her system. We were warned that this may get into her brain and spine.

We thought that at one of her monthly appointments in July of 2019 that the Vet we saw was going to insist that we let her go (our normal Vet was on Holiday). He finally understood having read her record that Buffy was no ordinary dog and still had lots of life and spirit in her. He adjusted her medication and said gravely she would probably pass away naturally by September 2019.

Fast forward to Feb 2020 Buffy is still here and sleeping by my feet as I write this. She is still eating like she always has. Any Border Terrier owner will tell you the first sign their dog is unwell is when they don't want to eat or drink. Buffy will soon let you know if you're late putting her food down! She eats heartily and her routines are normal. She has decided she will not go out for walks anymore although she is happy ranging around our garden, sniffing out and checking the hedgerows.. 

Buffy sleeps (and occasionally snores) 20 out of every 24 hours, waking only to eat, check out the garden and have her medication. She is coming up to her 14th Birthday on 3rd March 2020 and although she is frailer than she was, she still wants to be part of our family and we love her.

With the help of our Vet (who loves her as much as we do) she is enjoying her twilight time sleeping in the sunshine (she has always loved lying in the sunshine).

Her sight is failing as is her hearing, but her spirit is still strong.

Thank you for following my stories of life with our Border Terrier(s). If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Buffy waiting for "Mum" to come in from
the car, one sunny day in Sept 2019.

Celebration of a Life Well Spent.

Bobbie passed away peacefully in the arms of my partner on the afternoon of January 3rd 2018. She was nearly seventeen years old and one of the smartest dogs I've ever had and she was also top dog; not only in our family but also in the wider circle of family and friends dogs that she saw often. Bobbie was the leader of the pack in every sense of the word. 

Her intelligence and her ability to predict what Louise or I may say or want was uncanny. Don't get me wrong although she was a lovable house dog she was courageous (maybe foolish as well) and a true terrier when out in the country. She once chased ducks by swimming up and down the Kennet and Avon Canal for over an hour with very concerned long boat owners passing slowly by watching her. On the hunt she forgot her name.  At the seaside she would chase seagulls who inevitably teased her by flying 100 metres and landing and repeating for as long as she would keep going. When she was 5 yrs old she got stuck down a badgers hole and had to be dragged out. She was a true character and was loved by all who came into contact with her. 

I had been cuddling her some of the morning and later on Bobbie refused her lunch and refused favourite snacks and water; I knew we were nearing the end of her wonderful life. However poorly she had been in the past she would always eat and hungrily so, as if she had not been fed in days (even if it was only a few hours ago). I called Louise and said I think Bobbie may be near the end and she decided to have the afternoon off work and came home straight away. 

Louise arrived and after just fifteen minutes having a cuddle with Bobbie in her arms and talking to her Bobbie passed peacefully away.

I am sure now that Bobbie was hanging on, waiting for Louise to come home. In Louise's arms she found peace and tranquility; and she knew that she was loved and safe. She passed peacefully with words of love and devotion ringing in her ears (and more than a few tears). We are sad but also very happy that we had such a special, special dog in our lives for so long (nearly Seventeen years). We have so many great memories and thousands of pictures of her, she will never be forgotten.

Although I always counted her as my dog I knew she was really Louise's. She would wait by the door for her car to pull up as she came in from work, she knew if Louise came home early or late by the sound of her car. Bobbie would always choose to sit with Louise in the evenings and follow her around. Yep she was Louise's dog and I guess I just looked after her (or her me) while Louise was out. Nonetheless I regarded her as my best friend and companion and I miss her sorely.

The strange (and sad) thing is Buster passed away on the 6th January 2016; two years almost to the day that Bobbie passed. The first week in January has a unique place in our calendars now.

Bobbie had not been able to walk because of arthritis since late October 2017 so we got her a dog cart to go out in. This picture is her on a walk in the woods in December 2017.

Bobbie in her dog cart.

Bobbie watching Louise.

Bobbie watching children play on Swansea Beach.

We have her ashes back now and she sits with Buster. Gone but never forgotten. If you have a dog, treasure every moment, life is short.

The loss of a pet can be devastating and sometimes you need some help to get through. Long after Bobbie passed I found this ebook by Robin Jean Brown, The Dependable ROAR Method.

If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Choosing a Border Terrier Puppy

One of the questions I am asked most by friends and people referred by friends and family (and occasionally online) is "what should I look for when I'm choosing a Border Terrier puppy?" 

To answer that question and help guide new prospective owners, I've written this summary of what I think based on my experience both as a breeder and as a long term owner of Border Terriers. 

I strongly recommend that you buy from a breeder that is Kennel Club Registered (UK) and has certificates and documents for you to see (both for himself and for his dogs). This link will take you to the Kennel Club Border Terrier Puppy search page. 

If you've never had a Border Terrier before; please do lots of research and a good place to start is the Border Terrier Club and look at other pages and posts within this blog. The only thing I will say is that they shed hair - a lot; all year round and that is something that some folks will not like. However a vacuum cleaner that is specifically designed for pet owners is a good solution as they pick up hair efficiently and filter out all the dust. This link takes you to some of the best selling Pet Hair Vacuum Cleaners. Personally I prefer the bag-less pull along type with a long flexible hose as it is the most versatile.

My Book to help Border Terrier owners groom their dog(s) available on Amazon.

Remember that the Border Terrier is a hardy and very intelligent dog and learns very quickly, so assess the breeder first as the early weeks environment is very important. Are the puppies exposed to family life and noises (like vacuum cleaners and washing machines) or are they kept outside in a barn or a shed? Does the breeder own both parents? If yes make sure you see them, if not ask to see some photo's of the Father and see copies of the stud dogs certificates.

Visit the Breeder twice (first at around 7 weeks and again the week before you collect at week 10) and try and see several Breeders if you can. Border Terrier puppies seem to be available all the time but peak times seem to me to be during January / February and again during August / September. 

You may get very excited and want to see the puppies before they are seven weeks old, but it it really isn't worth it as you will not be able to assess them effectively.

Genetic Disorders

The first thing to be aware of is that there are some genetic disorders that may be present. Thankfully they are very rare and I have only covered the ones that you can spot during your visits (although there are others like early stage cataracts from one year old and heart problems and very rarely gut problems that only a Vet will find after testing the dog). These disorders don't mean the dog is not suitable for you but they may cause problems in the dogs later life and that usually means cost of ownership is higher. If you knowingly take on a dog with a birth disorder love it as you would a normal one (because the dog doesn't know he / she is not normal but please don't breed with it).  disorders are;

• Overshot or undershot bottom jaw, (meaning that the bottom jaw is either too long or too short). What it means for the dog is that the teeth top and bottom will be out of sync and will not mesh together when chewing. As the second teeth come through they could be distorted and your Vet may recommend taking some out as they come through to improve the bite.

• Hip Dysplasia. This is where the hip ball joint does not fit snugly and deeply into the hip socket. You can feel this when you pick the puppy up. Use your thumb to gently but firmly stroke up the hind leg and over the hip. If the joint feels knobbly or the puppies leg does not move fluidly it may be an early sign. Ask if the puppies have seen a Vet yet as all Kennel Club puppies will have seen a Vet and been tested.

Finally remember that genetic disorders can skip several generations and may only affect one puppy in a litter and that most litters are born healthy with no disorders. Only a Vet can diagnose any condition and advise you on a treatment or care of a specific puppy. 

The Visit.

Take someone with you and arrive when you said you would. Take an old sock or an old unwashed tee shirt as well. If you're going to be late phone ahead and say when you expect to get there as the breeder may have several appointments scheduled. If you buy a puppy (reserve) on your first visit leave the breeder your old tee shirt or sock so that the puppy becomes used to your smell.

Listen carefully to what the breeder tells you about the breed, about the parents and about themselves. This will tell you what the motives of the breeder are and the environment the puppies are experiencing. 

Ask to see all the puppies including any that are already sold or that the breeder is keeping. If the breeder is keeping any ask why? It may be the breeder wants one for competition showing or future breeding or because the puppy has a disorder. Seeing all the puppies together gives you the chance to see them interact with their siblings. 

If the breeder is Kennel Club registered they will show you their certificates and registration documents and this is when to ask if they have "shown" any dogs in competition. Ask how many litters the Mother has had and when as this will give you an insight into the Mothers underlying health.

Border Terrier pups exploring our kitchen at 3 weeks old.

Choosing Your Puppy.

All Border Terrier puppies are beautiful but which one is right for you? Lets look objectively at the puppy pack.

Watch all the puppies with their Mother before you interact with any. Some will play with each other, some may stay close to their mother and some will be exploring away from the others. Notice also the difference in sizes. 

There is always at least one greedy one that grows quickest so ask the breeder if they have given supplementary feed to any puppies and if so which ones. These ones I think make the best pup for a new owner. They are healthy and have already learned that there is life outside their Mothers suckle so they adapt quickly to new settings.

The greedy one who is bigger than the rest makes a good working dog. Already used to getting it's own way by pushing others out of the way it adapts quickly to hunting. This dog also makes a good solo companion dog.

The ones who explore are the ones that are ahead of the development curve and already testing the boundaries. These puppies will be easy to train but in my experience they are "the escapers." They are bold and courageous but will need a firm upbringing. Watch them when the front door opens and make sure your rear garden is secure. That said they make great family dogs and if you already have a dog this little explorer will fit in easier than the greedy one who will try to be top dog when he / she begins to mature.

The ones who stay close to their mother or stay mostly in a small group if she is not there are the ones who are also easily trained; but this time it's because they are a little behind the development curve, and so they will also take a little longer to get used to their new life. These dogs make the best companions for children as they become playful and full of life once they are settled. They also make the loyalist of companions as they know and value their place in the pack. Don't get me wrong all Border Terriers are very loyal, but these little puppies will grow into dogs that know they belong in the family pack and are loyal to every member of the pack (whether it's a parent or child or another dog), as opposed to being rather more focused as a one person dog in the family pack.

Do not automatically choose the puppy that seems to choose you, as one will come wandering up to you. Think about it rationally based on what I've said because I know the impulse to choose the puppy that chose you can be overwhelming. This is when your friend or partner steps in and talks about the pups based on my summary above and any other research you have completed.

If you like one buy it there and then (this means normally leaving a deposit with the balance due on collection). Make sure the price includes vaccinations, vet checks and certificates. If you don't want to buy; trust your intuition and walk away.

Finally on a sober solemn note. Puppies at seven weeks are still fragile and it is not unheard of for a puppy that was chosen and deposit paid to suffer some trauma, maybe an accident when the tired mother crushes the pup overnight or an illness takes it's life. If that happens to you the breeder may offer you another puppy. Do not say yes automatically without seeing the puppy and making a rational assessment.

It is hard, but try not to get excited about your new puppy until you have him or her home.

This little dog will be your companion for many years and whilst you will have to work at training him / her (and there will be periods of exasperation for both of you), you will not find a better family dog. One of mine is nearly seventeen (see my others posts) and still a happy active (if not also a very stiff) family member.

I hope my thoughts will help you choose the right Border Terrier puppy for you. If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Have a great day.

Cheers

Mike

Summer Life

Since my last post we've been very busy travelling (sometimes with our dogs and sometimes without). 
The June heatwave has finished and yesterdays temperature of 34' C (93'F) has been replaced with a comparatively rather chilly 18'C (64'F). It's overcast and grey outside and rain showers are forecast; so it's back to a usual West Country Summer (the Glastonbury Festival has started so it's bound to rain this weekend even if it's not forecast).

My dogs are not too bothered by the heat and Buffy will often sit outside on a patio chair in the sunshine and after a while come inside and sit on the stairs. In the summer typically all our outside doors are open and the dogs can come and go as they please.

Bobbie (pictured below on Tuesday and who will be seventeen in September) alternates between lying on her soft memory foam bed and the tiled kitchen floor. I change their water on average three times a day during very hot weather.

Bobbie watching children dance

Bobbies arthritis continues to cause her mobility problems and she is on regular medication and supplements that help her (see my previous posts), but even so some days are worse than others and she struggles to lift her front paws high enough to get in the back door. Yet on a good day she will break into a run when she's out on our walks. She has become hard of hearing (I hesitate to say deaf) and so all walks are now on her long extender lead. Even though she is obviously stiff, if she sights (or scents) a rabbit, or an unwitting bird gets too close she will give chase and have every intention of trying to catch it. Border Terriers never lose the "chase" instinct however old they get.

Her intelligence spirit and character have not diminished with age and she is still a very loving attentive dog. I now count the days that we have left with her. I shouldn't, I know I shouldn't, but she is such a special dog and we all love her so dearly that I can't help fearing the day that we will lose her. I think as we lost Buster unexpectedly on 6th Jan 2016 to a stroke; which was very poignant as I'm a stroke survivor. It has made me even more aware of the fragility of life and we treasure every moment with our dogs and with each other. 

As a special treat Bobbie now sleeps at the end of our bed and hardly moves all night long. She has to be carried upstairs and carried back again downstairs. When the time for bed comes, she sits at the bottom of the stairs waiting without even attempting the climb. It's worth mentioning that if you carry your dog occasionally, you must always support their back legs. If you carry your dog with it's back legs unsupported you risk causing a back injury (especially in older dogs). 

Whilst it may read as if I'm overly fearful of losing her; I want to reassure you that the situation is that I'm a realist and that my focus is on appreciating her life and making sure she enjoys the rest of her days with us and us with her. 

Life is for living and a little pampering doesn't hurt.

Thanks for spending some time with me and my dogs. If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Cheers


Mike

Ageing Border Terriers & Supplements

As I write Storm "Angus" is battering Britain, it's a cold and dark morning. It is raining hard and has done so all night. Both my Border Terriers are reluctant to go out and are happily dozing and snoring in their comfy bed. I often wonder what they dream about as their legs twitch and their lips curl; maybe they are dreaming of their last leafy walk through our local woods sniffing and exploring? 

Bobby is nearly entirely deaf now and suffering from the early onset of arthritic hips and she has stiff back legs and she sees the Vet regularly. She is still a happy and cheerful Border Terrier and will still chase birds and rabbits if she see's them but she is slower and tires quicker. She is sixteen years old and I think doing great! I wanted to tell you all partly why I think that is in this update.

Sometime ago my Vet recommended the doggie version of Glucosamine Sulphate with additives, it's a YuMove product. Now I buy this one from YuMove on Amazon as it's a lot cheaper than getting the same one from the Vet (her idea because they have to add overheads and I am a monthly visitor). When I first started Bobby on them the difference was noticeable in just four days as she became more willing to move about and she was able to jump up onto her place on our Sofa. Now over a year later she is still a bit stiff in the morning but during the day she is virtually free of stiffness.

I can thoroughly recommend YuMove! One tablet a day keeps her fit and active and at just 22p a day, (prices correct for November 2016). You get two months supply of 60 tablets for £12.91 with free delivery. They make Bobby more mobile and able to still do the things she likes to do (chasing birds and exploring through the woods); and I think it is absolutely worth it. I believe every dog over twelve years old should be taking one of these a day. 

If this sounds like a promotion you are absolutely right; anything that makes my best friends life better and more enjoyable is worth telling the world about. If you have an old dog that suffers with stiff legs and joints and is becoming arthritic this product will help keep them mobile. My Bobby is living proof :)

I don't take her out on wet cold days anymore and she only gets a long walk in the woods once a week with short walks in between and that seems to suit her well. 

When you have an old dog you do value the time with them a lot more than when you have a young dog pestering you all the time.  You know the clock is ticking and an era is drawing to a close. That is why I do everything I can to make her golden years happier and more comfortable. I love her and having lost Buster unexpectedly in January this year it's made me more attentive to Bobby and Buffy. 

Thank you for reading my updates about my Border Terriers. I hope you and your dog(s) have a great day. If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Best wishes.

Mike

#dogs #BorderTerriers #dogcare #ilovemydog #dogsupplements

Ageing Border Terriers & Supplements

It's a bright cold morning and it's still below zero outside. The lawn is crisp and white and the bushes and trees in my garden are dusted with sparkling silvery white frost that glints in the low sunshine. 

Both my Border Terriers are reluctant to go out and are happily dozing and snoring in their comfy bed. I often wonder what they dream about as their legs twitch and their lips curl; maybe they are dreaming of their last walk through our local woods sniffing and exploring? 

Bobby is nearly entirely deaf now and suffering from the early onset of arthritic hips and she has stiff back legs and she sees the Vet regularly. She is still a happy and cheerful Border Terrier and will still chase birds and rabbits if she see's them but she is slower and tires quicker. She is sixteen years old and I think doing great! I wanted to tell you all partly why I think that is in this update.

Sometime ago my Vet recommended the doggie version of Glucosamine Sulphate with additives, it's a YuMove product. Now I buy this one from YuMove on Amazon as it's a lot cheaper than getting the same one from the Vet (her idea because they have to add overheads and I am a monthly visitor). When I first started Bobby on them the difference was noticeable in just four days as she became more willing to move about and she was able to jump up onto her place on our Sofa. Now over a year later she is still a bit stiff in the morning but during the day she is virtually free of stiffness.

I can thoroughly recommend YuMove! One tablet a day keeps her fit and active and at just 22p a day, (prices correct for November 2016). You get two months supply of 60 tablets for £12.91 with free delivery. They make Bobby more mobile and able to still do the things she likes to do (chasing birds and exploring through the woods); and I think it is absolutely worth it. I believe every dog over twelve years old should be taking one of these a day. 

If this sounds like a promotion you are absolutely right; anything that makes my best friends life better and more enjoyable is worth telling the world about. If you have an old dog that suffers with stiff legs and joints and is becoming arthritic this product will help keep them mobile. My Bobby is living proof :)

I don't take her out on wet cold days anymore and she only gets a long walk in the woods once a week with short walks in between and that seems to suit her well. 

When you have an old dog you do value the time with them a lot more than when you have a young dog pestering you all the time.  You know the clock is ticking and an era is drawing to a close. That is why I do everything I can to make her golden years happier and more comfortable. I love her and having lost Buster unexpectedly in January this year it's made me more attentive to Bobby and Buffy. 

Thank you for reading my updates about my Border Terriers. I hope you and your dog(s) have a great day. If you think this article is useful you can make a small donation to me here  Thank you for your support.

Best wishes.

Mike

(updated January 2017).

#dogs #BorderTerriers #dogcare #ilovemydog #dogsupplements