Few Questions :)

[CrazyDogMom]

Since myself and my husband are now THOROUGHLY invested in bulldogs (yay! [emoji1]) I have a few questions after searching the forum for answers.

We all talk a lot about tear stains and how to get them to go away, but not much about prevention.
Here's what I have been doing, and would appreciate ANY suggestions:

Changed food to Blue Wilderness Puppy Formula=instantly shinier coats, less stinky stinkers, happier pups, doesn't take as much food to fill them up since it's a higher quality protein than the food the breeder was feeding
Filtered water
Heaping tablespoon of yogurt with morning meal
Heaping tablespoon of cottage cheese (mostly because they LOVE IT) as a bedtime snack
Cleanse faces, pee-pees, etc twice daily with baby wipes morning and night
MalAcetic wipes about four times weekly depending on how stinky, and what they get into
Bathe about twice a month (Also depending on how stinky and dirty they are)
Ear cleaning weekly - also depending on itchiness, and my daily mommy exam of every inch of their bodies for new things to worry about! Ear wax and smelly ears being 2 of those things!

My new baby, Jackson, doesn't have a snout! Haha, he's noseless. What are some recommendations for prevention of breathing problems in the future? He already is a very snorty pup, and I want to make sure I'm doing what I can to prevent future problems.

AND last but not least
Vitamins. What should I be giving my babies? I've read a lot about fish oil, Olive oil, etc. I would just like your opinions and suggestions for brands.

My girls both have super shinny baby soft coats, aren't smelly even after not having a bath for almost 2 weeks, have regular poops and pees, no tear stains, yeasty ears, etc. I just want to keep them that way, and get Jackson there.
Thank you everyone!
-Brandi
Pictures for your troubles
Jackson's beautiful green eyes

Team marshmallow

 

[Christie H]

So cute..you will get plenty of advice here. Also something to think about is putting Apple Cider Vinegar in their water.

 

[Cali Doll]

Oh my gosh, he is so freaking cute!!! I'll leave the advice to the others.

 

[RalphieBoy]

Yes, I would recommend Apple Cider Vinagar.

 

[harveyspecter]

consider having his stenotic nares done - surgically removing the wedge shape part of his nose to widen his nostril airways.

Vitamins - nuvet plus - there is a code here that you should use. Only available as a wholesale item but with the code, they will ship it to you. This works like a charm. His eyes cleared, redness on his underbelly cleared.

 

[ddnene]

Ok… I'm gonna try to answer most of your questions… Lol

First off you seem to be doing great w/the cleaning, I don't bathe my doggies that often… about every 8 weeks unless they get into something. Have you thought about giving them a grain-free kibble?!! I'm not sure if Blue Wilderness is grain-free but you can check for other great rated dog foods on Dog Food Reviews and Ratings | Dog Food Advisor I give my bulldog Fromm's, but there are many great options to choose from. Grain-free really helps keep allergies at bay w/the bulldogs. I would agree w/Harvey about checking out the nares on you baby Jackson. I will copy a thread on here for you to read… it sounds like he may need to have that done. I give my dogs NuVet Plus supplements and they are thriving. Good luck w/your babies and please let us know if you have anymore questions… sounds like you are taking great care of your babies!!!

English Bulldog News Forums - Brachycephalic Syndrome

 

[CrazyDogMom]

Ok… I'm gonna try to answer most of your questions… Lol

First off you seem to be doing great w/the cleaning, I don't bathe my doggies that often… about every 8 weeks unless they get into something. Have you thought about giving them a grain-free kibble?!! I'm not sure if Blue Wilderness is grain-free but you can check for other great rated dog foods on Dog Food Reviews and Ratings | Dog Food Advisor I give my bulldog Fromm's, but there are many great options to choose from. Grain-free really helps keep allergies at bay w/the bulldogs. I would agree w/Harvey about checking out the nares on you baby Jackson. I will copy a thread on here for you to read… it sounds like he may need to have that done. I give my dogs NuVet Plus supplements and they are thriving. Good luck w/your babies and please let us know if you have anymore questions… sounds like you are taking great care of your babies!!!

English Bulldog News Forums - Brachycephalic Syndrome

Thank you! They're my babies and I want then to be as healthy as they can be from the start! Blue Wilderness is grain free, I picked it because my husband and I share the feeding duties and we're both bad about waiting until the lady second to get food, even for ourselves lol so we needed something we could run to petsmart and pickup. My babies seem to stick their little noses in everything and end up with dirty faces, that only a good bath can fix that's why I bathe the little turkeys so often. I just ordered the NuVet Plus, and will start giving it to them ASAP! I'm taking little Jackson to the vet Monday and will bring up the surgery with them.

 

[Vikinggirl]

Hi and welcome to EBN to you and Penny and Angel. Your babies are gorgeous. You have already been given great advice from above member, and the routine you are following is excellent. I agree that it would be beneficial to add apple cider vinegar to the drinking water daily. There are a lot of health benefits to ACV. You can also add Kelp to the evening kibble. Kelp provides all the vitamins your babies will need.

Benefits Of Kelp For Your Dog.




Benefits of Kelp


Kelp is a recognized food supplement for humans. Now vets and advocates of an holistic approach to pet health recommend it for dogs and other animals. This seaweed is rich in natural salts and minerals, and it has a number of benefits for your dog's health.


Natural Dog Arthritis Fix


Thyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary Glands


Kelp is known for being iodine-rich. Thyroid problems are often associated with an iodine deficiency, and kelp as a natural source of iodine is a long-standing medical treatment for people with thyroid problems. The rich mix of iodine and other minerals in kelp makes it an ideal supplement to keep your pup's entire glandular system, particularly the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, in healthy working order. This in turn ensures your dog's metabolism works efficiently, which is an important element in maintaining a healthy weight. If your pet has hypothyroidism, where the thyroid function slows down, kelp is recommended as a supplement to the standard thyroxine treatment usually prescribed by vets.


Allergies and Fleas


Anything which helps flea control is good news for dog owners. Diane Stein, in her book "The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats," says after three weeks of kelp supplementation there is a noticeable reduction in fleas on animals who have an infestation. This suggests that kelp repulses fleas and that using the supplement regularly is a useful addition to chemical flea treatments. Kelp also reduces itchiness in those dogs with skin allergies and improves the overall condition of your dog's skin and coat.


General Health


Kelp also supports many of your dog's other body functions. It cleanses the digestive system and keeps its juices balanced. Because it is high in iron it fortifies the blood, which then helps the heart to pump more efficiently. In older dogs especially it is recommended for strengthening the immune system, which can protect them from a range of diseases. Also, dogs on kelp supplements are thought to heal faster from surgery, because the amino acids in the seaweed support tissue repair. And it could help you and your dog to live longer. The Japanese have long maintained that eating seaweed is a source of their longevity.


Dosage


In her book "The Pet Lover's Guide to Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs," Barbara Fougere warns that levels of iodine in kelp are not always consistent. Too much iodine can give your dog iodine toxicity with symptoms such as watery eyes and nose, stomach upsets and lethargy. She says that kelp must be given in measured doses and not freely added to your dog's food. The dosage should be according to your dog's size. Maximum daily doses by size are 1/4 teaspoon for small dogs, 1/2 teaspoon for medium-sized dogs and 1 teaspoon for large dogs. Avoid kelp harvested along the U.S. coastline as it probably contaminated with industrial pollutants. Deep ocean kelp and Norwegian kelp are considered the best sources.


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Why Kelp Is Great for Your Dog




Kelp has been touted as a highly beneficial supplement for humans for some time. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals, some of which are hard to get from other sources. But did you know that kelp has numerous benefits for dogs as well.
Feeding your dog kelp on a regular basis can do great things for his health. Here are some of the benefits you can expect to see:




Shinier coat and softer, healthier skin




Better digestion




Increased immune function, which means less sickness and quicker healing from injuries




Greater milk production in lactating females




Healthier puppies born to parents that were given kelp




Kelp is especially beneficial for glandular health. This results in greater balance throughout the dog’s system, as well as less incidence of hyperthyroidism and other glandular disorders. The thyroid and pituitary glands directly affect digestion, so this explains in part why dogs that eat kelp digest their food and absorb nutrients better. They have a more efficient metabolism, too.




Dogs also need plenty of fiber to keep their digestive systems in check, and kelp is a great source of fiber. This keeps the digestive tract clean and helps prevent absorption of toxic metals. A diet high in fiber also helps fight inflammation, rheumatism, and the development and growth of tumors.




Puppies can benefit greatly from kelp as well. It contains many of the things they need to grow up healthy and strong. Kelp given to reproducing dogs will make birthing easier and result in better health and increased survival rates for their puppies.




Kelp contains over 100 nutrients that your dog needs. It is a wonderful source of trace minerals, including iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, gold, cobalt, and selenium. Also found in kelp are high levels of B vitamins, as well as Vitamin E and C. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, kelp is also rich in amino acids.




The easiest way to include kelp in your dog’s diet is to give him food that contains it each day. Kelp is also available in dried form, which preserves its nutritional benefits very well. There are also a number of kelp supplements in various forms on the market, but these vary in effectiveness.




Kelp has been called a miracle plant due to its outstanding nutritional value and ability to balance the human system. Including it in your dog’s diet on a regular basis can improve his overall health and help treat a number of existing health problems. Whether included as an ingredient in your dog’s food or given as a supplement, kelp is one of the best things you can give your best friend.

 

[binxrexchubbs]

Welcome! [emoji3] So freaking cute! They look just like Chubbs did when he was a baby. You got great advice above. I keep forgetting to add the vinegar.

 

[g8erjackie]

Thank you! They're my babies and I want then to be as healthy as they can be from the start! Blue Wilderness is grain free, I picked it because my husband and I share the feeding duties and we're both bad about waiting until the lady second to get food, even for ourselves lol so we needed something we could run to petsmart and pickup. My babies seem to stick their little noses in everything and end up with dirty faces, that only a good bath can fix that's why I bathe the little turkeys so often. I just ordered the NuVet Plus, and will start giving it to them ASAP! I'm taking little Jackson to the vet Monday and will bring up the surgery with them.

They are too cute!!!! I too have an issue with waiting until the last minute and live in the city where it's impossible to get the brand of food Ruckus eats quickly, so I set up an auto-ship account with Petflow.com. I swear by them. Free shipping and I don't have to remember to order. They have the best prices on toys and chews too. Ruckus knows what the box looks like and goes crazy when it gets delivered.

In terms of supplements I give Ruckus fish oil in his food and Dasuquin joint supplement. He also loves yogurt and cottage cheese like your pups!

 

[CrazyDogMom]

consider having his stenotic nares done - surgically removing the wedge shape part of his nose to widen his nostril airways.

Vitamins - nuvet plus - there is a code here that you should use. Only available as a wholesale item but with the code, they will ship it to you. This works like a charm. His eyes cleared, redness on his underbelly cleared.

I've been investigating my babies and they're all going to have to have this done -especially Jackson! He has zero space for air to pass thru his little nose
My husband is in denial. I'll have to throw some facts at him about quality of life, etc! Thankfully, my vet has a soft tissue surgery specialist, (and an Orthopedic specialist for any other issues that come up later) and offers laser surgery. Thank God for great vets!

 

[harveyspecter]

I've been investigating my babies and they're all going to have to have this done -especially Jackson! He has zero space for air to pass thru his little nose
My husband is in denial. I'll have to throw some facts at him about quality of life, etc! Thankfully, my vet has a soft tissue surgery specialist, (and an Orthopedic specialist for any other issues that come up later) and offers laser surgery. Thank God for great vets!

the procedure is approx. 4 minutes each nostril. Make sure you have a vet that does the laser version instead of the usual scalpel. More precise, less bleeding and faster healing. This will lessen the strain on his organs when he breaths less through his mouth. He can sustain longer walks as well without getting too exhausted and the need to grasp for air.

 

[My Otis]

Penny and Angel are Beauties. So White they are.

 

[2BullyMama]

OMG... they are precious! LOVE the 'team marshmallow'!!!

We just had Lambeau's nares done and he is 12 weeks old... studies are showing that having the nares done early can prevent some impact to the palate and lessen issue as they grow. Worth a shot in my opinion.... here is the thread about my boy.

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/f...ard/43655-lambeau-getting-nares-thursday.html

 

[CrazyDogMom]

consider having his stenotic nares done - surgically removing the wedge shape part of his nose to widen his nostril airways.

Vitamins - nuvet plus - there is a code here that you should use. Only available as a wholesale item but with the code, they will ship it to you. This works like a charm. His eyes cleared, redness on his underbelly cleared.

Thanks for the recommendation for NuVet Plus! I ordered them the day you replied and got them in 2 days (so awesome!) My babies fur is so soft and shiny! I was told today my little Jackson felt like velvet! Lol kind of a stretch, but his coat has made 180° turn around since we picked him up from the breeder! You could see straight thru his rough, thin hair to his pink puppy skin. We've made a lot of changes with his diet adding yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. but the NuVet is defiantly making a difference!