Wurroit Bedlingtons

Bedlington Health Considerations

Bedlington Terrier Health Considerations.

Please Note: This page is under construction​

We are currently researching latest data and recommendations regarding these health issues.

Copper Toxicosis

Refer to our other CT dedicated "pages" within this website for further information regarding C.T. testing and health concerns.

Ears

Ears are a significant concern for Bedlington Terrier owners and we frequently hear from owners who are concerned about the ears of their dogs. We too have had problems with the ears of some of our dogs. In regards to ear problems, prevention is much more important than treatment. Ears problems are best alleviated by proper care including cleaning and hair removal.

Removal of hair from the ear canals is easy and should be done very regularly. This is easily done by gently gripping the hair between the thumb and forefinger and gently twisting and pulling at the same time. If the hair is oily and difficult to grip a small pair of straight haemostats are very hand to have. Be careful not to pinch the inside of the ear canal as you work. 

Ear canals can be cleaned with cotton buds and a product known as Epi-Otic but do not use this product too often, we find that once a week is sufficient. If you dog has ongoing problems we recommend the use of a "Herbal" preparation marketed as "Ear Clear" which is available from many vets.

In our experience, a big "trigger" for ear problems is a diet which is high in grains and "fillers". We strongly recommend a grain free diet which is low in other carbohydrates. All of our dogs are predominantly on a Bones And Raw Food (BARF) diet which we believe supports the long term health and vitality of our dogs.

Feet

There is a condition known as Hyperkeratosis which can result in cracked and corny pads on the dogs feet. In Bedlington Terriers this is an inherited trait carried through the female line but which affects only male dogs.

You will often see Bedlington Terriers with feet which are stained brown due to chewing. This is most often seen in dogs which have a diet high in grains and carbo-hydrates. These products in the diet result in high blood glucose levels which causes irritation of the sensitive skin between the toes and in the ear canals. The dog then tries to alleviate the irritation through scratching and chewing resulting in the skin breaking down and becoming a site for opportunistic yeast infections.

Eyes and Eye Tests

Cataracts are a problem that are generally associated with the "genetics" of the dog. Other causes of cataracts include the normal aging process, diseases such as diabetes and problems with the liver, kidneys or pancreas. In determining the best way forward in regards to treatment it is important to establish cause before embarking on a treatment regime. Trauma to the eye can also reult in the development of cataracts.

What should you do if your dog does develop cataracts? If you are taking your Bedlington to the vet for any reason ask the Vet to check the eyes, regardless of the age of the dog. You are paying for an appointment, take full value. Consult with your Vet if you are concerned about cataracts and take with you notes recording when you first noticed "cloudiness" in the eye. Have you observed vision problems with the dog? Is the dog running into things? All of your information can help your Vet to determine possible causes and treatments.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Retinal Dysplasia

Entropian

Cushing's Syndrome

The most common cause of hyperadrenocorticism is a benign (non-spreading) pituitary tumor, Malignant tumors of the pituitarty, which metastiasize through the body, are a less frequent cause for hyperadrenocorticims. An even less common cause is a tumor of the adrenal gland (adrenal tumor - AT), but when it does ocur, it may be a benign tumor or a malignant metastasizing tumor. Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) includes tumors of the adrenal galnds, as well as pituitary overgrowth. 

This information obtained from:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hyperadrenocorticism

Further information available here:

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hyperadrenocorticism

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

See also Sorcha and Cushings (In Development).

Renal Dysplasia

Hips and Hip Dysplasia

Knees and Patella Luxation

Heart

Sadly, it is not unusual for a Bedlington to be diagnosed with a heart murmur, this is a vibration in the heart due to abnormal blood flow in the heart. From the information I have been able to access, murmurs can be graded from 1 - 6. A grade 1 mumur is difficult to detect even with the aid of a stethoscope. We have had pups recorded with grade 1 murmurs that have disappeared by the time the pup is 12 weeks of age. The more serious the murmur the easier it is to detect and the more likely it is to cause a problem.

Heart murmurs have a number of causes including congenital abnormailites, anaemia and fevers. Low grade murmurs may self-correct. We had a pup affected by parvo-virus that developed a mumur while affected which then disappeared.

Also, poor dental health/oral hygiene has been linked to the development of endocarditis which may affect the valves of the heart and result in mumurs.

Cardiomyopathy or thinning of the walls of the heart may also cause a murmur though the causes of this problem are not well understood. 

Heart worm infestations will also cause a murmur.

Accurate diagnosis, treatments and ongoing veterinary monitoring of a dog with a heart murmur are essential for the ongoing health of an affected dog.

Much of the preceding information has been sourced from the following websites.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-books/dog-heart-murmur.aspx



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Contact Details
Bob & Erica Whitehead
Alice Springs, NT, Australia
Phone : 0407 713 026
Email : [email protected]

 

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