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The Bouvier des Flandres was bred in Belgium to drive cattle, pull carts and protect the farm. When properly trained and socialized, the Bouvier makes a fine canine companion, but make no mistake - although technically a herding breed, the Bouvier has a strong personality and a guard-dog instinct.
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Bowel incontinence is the loss of the ability to control bowel movements. There are two broad causes of fecal incontinence: reservoir incontinence and sphincter incontinence. In reservoir incontinence, intestinal disease interferes with the rectum's ability to store normal volumes of feces. In sphincter incontinence, a structural or neurologic lesion prevents the anal sphincter from closing normally. Clinical signs, diagnostic testing, and treatment vary based on the underlying cause.
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Boxers show their indefatigable enthusiasm for life with their muscled, wiggly bodies and by wagging their little stub of tail. Always ready for play and affection, Boxers make good family dogs.
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When governor Richard W. Riley signed into law the act making the Boykin Spaniel the state dog in South Carolina, he said it was because of the fierce dedication, stalwart loyalty, noble character, and eagerness for both hard work and lively play exemplified by this native breed.
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Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) refers to a particular set of upper airway abnormalities that affect brachycephalic dogs (dogs with short heads/noses). The most common sign of the condition is noisy breathing, and the increased effort associated with breathing can put a strain on the dog’s heart and lungs.
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Brain injuries are devastating and, unfortunately, often fatal. The typical signs of brain injury in a dog include altered consciousness that may signal bleeding in the skull, decreased blood flow to the brain, or fluid causing swelling within the brain itself. There are many potential causes of brain injury and treatment will always be determined by the underlying problem that led to the injury.
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Brain tumors are generally classified as either primary or secondary. Several studies suggest that the prognosis for a dog with a primary brain tumor may be significantly improved by surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
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Having a litter of puppies is an exciting event, but not without its responsibilities. At appropriate ages, puppies should be dewormed and start their vaccine series. They can start making their way to new homes by eight to ten weeks of age.
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For the next two months, even if everything went smoothly with the birth, you have a lot of work to do! This includes keeping the whelping area clean and dry, closely monitoring the health of the mom and pups, and assisting with feeding and care of the pups as necessary. It is important to have the mother and puppies examined by your veterinarian within 48 hours of birth. The pups should be weighed regularly to make sure they are gaining weight. The mother can experience serious health problems including mastitis and eclampsia, needing emergency veterinary treatment.
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Having a litter of puppies is an exciting event, with many responsibilities. This article outlines how to care for the mother and new puppies after birth, until the puppies are eating on their own. It discusses how and when to wean the puppies, guidelines for feeding the mother, and when to treat the puppies for parasites.
