Jack Russell Terriers

Lens Luxation

This is the most common hereditary disorder in Jack Russell Terriers. Although this is more prevalent in terrier breeds than in any other breed, it does not mean that it is common. It is important that breeders have their dogs tested so that they will not breed dogs that will pass this condition along. It is important that owners should be aware of it before they adopt a purebred dog, or in case it happens to their dog.

Lens Luxation is when the lens of one or usually both eyes becomes displaced. If it happens to one eye, it will eventually happen to the other. In severe cases the dog’s eye may have to be removed, however, the dog can survive.

This condition can appear suddenly, or you may notice the dog having problems seeing. It is most common in terriers between ages of 3 to 8 years old.

The displaced (luxated) lens falls out of its normal place behind the pupil when the ligament fiber which holds the lens in place deteriorates. Subluxation is the partial separation, and is often times an indication of an eventual total luxation.

The lens can be displaced to the rear, which is the posterior. In this case, the eye will appear normal.
However, you may notice a difference in your dog’s behavior. If your dog starts bumping into things or missing the first step of the staircase, you need to get his eyes checked by a veterinarian.

If the lens is displaced forward, this is anterior luxation. This is more severe. The lens will rub against and irritate the cornea, causing tearing and a bluish cast over the eye. Anterior luxation has a high probability of causing glaucoma. If the lens touches the cornea it will cause damage leading to cornea edema. Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately because the lens now restricts the flow of ocular fluids, creating eye pressure and great discomfort.

The treatment needed will vary according to the severity of the disorder. Surgical removal of the lens will alleviate pain and can allow partial vision. However, this surgery is expensive and is not always effective. Sometimes a combination of eye drops and oral medication can help.

It is thought that primary lens luxation (PPL) is only carried forward if both parents are carriers of the disorder. If both parents are carriers, all of the offspring will also be carriers.

Secondary lens luxation is not a hereditary disorder. It is associated with trauma to the eye, such as puncture or injury.

CERF Testing

The CERF test was created to test for heritable eye diseases in order to reduce the chance of passing these diseases along. All terriers that will be bred should be tested before breeding. They should be tested within one month before breeding since problems may have developed since a test that is one year old. Some people ask, “Why is the CERF test only valid for one year?” The main reason is that some of these conditions do not appear or test positive until the dog is older. For more information on particular eye diseases that show up later, click here.

A CERF test is a painless examination of the dogs eyes. CERF the Canine Eye Registration Foundation maintains a registry for dogs tested by certified ACVO (American College of Veterinary opthamologists) for major heritable eye disease. Click on this link to find a clinic that administers the CERF test near you.

Primary Glaucoma

Glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye. Glaucoma usually leads to partial or total blindness. So the sooner this is treated the better. Early signs to watch for include the dog rubbing his eye with his paw, rubbing his eye against you, or rubbing his eye against the furniture or carpet. Don’t think this is just a common thing and let it go unnoticed. Other signs include fluttering of eyelids, or squinting with one eye. The cornea may look cloudy, or the blood vessels in the white portion of the eye may increase in size. The pupil of the affected eye will usually dilate in the early stages of the condition. It may still react to changing light, but will react more slowly. Glaucoma usually initially affects just one of the eyes. If the pupil in one eye is larger than the other, something is definitely wrong.

Corneal Dystrophy

Corneal dystrophy affects the opacity of the clear surface of the eye. In most breeds, corneal dystrophy appears as gray-white, crystalline or metallic opacities in the center of the cornea or close to the edge. This disorder is uncommon in Jack Russell Terriers. It is more common in Airdale Terriers and Boston Terriers in which the progression may be rapid and lead to blindness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

PRA is the deterioration of the visual receptors of the retina. This is actually a name given to a group of hereditary retinal diseases in dogs. Almost all forms of PRA eventually lead to complete blindness. This disease also occurs in mixed breed dogs.

The first sign of most types of PRA is night blindness. Dogs will often bump into objects in a dimly lit room; a room in which a person can see well enough to avoid the object. Gradually dogs with PRA will lose their ability to see in well lighted rooms and will go completely blind. They will frequently have dilated pupils. Sometimes owners will notice increased shininess or hyper-reflectivity to the back of the eye.

According to the CERF website, an important test done by ophthalmologists to diagnose PRA is an electroretinogram (ERG). This test detects the small electrical signals given off by the cells of the retina when they respond to light. The ERG is done by placing a contact lens on the eye and 2 small electrodes on the head. A bright light is then flashed into the eye. If the retina is normal, a distinctive signal is given off by the retina which is amplified and measured on a computer. If the retina is abnormal, the signal will be reduced in amplitude.

PRCD (progressive rod-cone degeneration) is the most widespread form of PRA and affects many breeds including poodles, American and English cocker spaniels, Labrador retrievers and Portuguese water dogs. The rods and cones in the eye can start to degenerate at one year of age and the dog can be totally blind by the time he is 3 to 5 years of age.

A marker-based test for PRCD has been developed by the researchers at the James A. Baker Institute. This test can be used for Portuguese water dogs, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, English cocker spaniels and Labrador retrievers. This test is based on the fact that the researchers have found a set of genetic markers on the canine chromosome 9 that usually indicate the presence of the gene mutation that causes PRCD.

May 23rd, 2009 | Tags: canine, canine eye disease, disease, glaucoma, hereditary, heritable, jack russell terrier, jrt, lens luxation, PLL, portuguese water dog, pra, prcd | Category: Jack Russell Terrier Breed Info, Jack Russell Terrier Genetic Health Problems | Leave a comment

How to brush my dogs teeth is the first question that comes to mind when you realize that your dog is prone to the same diseases and problems that we have when we don’t take care of our teeth. As with any health care for your canine friend, it is a lot easier if you start while your dog is still young. While your dog is a puppy, get him use to you cleaning ears, brushing teeth, trimming nails, etc. But don’t fret if your dog is already grown and has bad breath - there are still many things that you can do. If your dog already has dental problems, have your dogs teeth cleaned by your veterinarian. Then you can start a maintenance program. What to Use When Brushing My Dogs Teeth Let’s start with what not to use. Don’t ever use your toothpaste on your dog. Human toothpaste contains flouride which is harmful if swallowed. It is also made to foam, which would make brushing your dog’s teeth difficult. Dog toothpaste is made so that it can be swallowed. It does not require rinsing. To brush your dog’s teeth, place your hand over the top of his mouth (the long part between his eyes and nose, and gently pull up the skin on the sides of his mouth that cover the gums. Then brush the exposed teeth. You can use a dog toothbrush or a finger toothbrush. There is also a bone shaped toothbrush made for letting your dog brush his own teeth - Farnam Easy Brush(tm) for Dogs. If your dog will not let you brush his teeth, you can still buy a doggy toothbrush and doggy toothpaste and let your dog chew on the brush like Cocoa. Be sure to check the brush for any loose bristles before putting the toothpaste on the brush. Push the toothpaste down between the bristles so that your dog will not just lick the toothpaste off the brush. Another great product to use is Greenies. Signs of Dental Diseases in Dogs Does your dog have bad breath? That is the most obvious sign of a problem. Don’t overlook it thinking that all dogs have bad breath. By two or three years of age, many pets start to show signs of dental problems or oral disease.

Cocoa brushes her own teeth.

Some puppy and dog owners say their dog has metallic breath. This may be a sign of bleeding gums from teething or chewing. Check your dogs mouth. If your dog is not eating, drinking, playing, or is vomiting or has diarrhea, call your vet.

Other problems that may be related to dental problems are a change in chewing habits, pawing at the mouth or face, and even a decrease in the amount of food eaten.

Your dog’s teeth should be clean and not have any yellow or brown spots. The gums should be a healthy pink color and hug the teeth. If you have any questions or concerns about your dog, call your veterinarian.

Check out other products for Dog Health Care at PetSmart.com

March 22nd, 2009 | Tags: bad dog breath solution, dog bad breath, how to brush a dogs teeth pictures, how to brush my dogs teeth | Category: Dog Health Issues | Comments (1)

Even though dental health month (February) is almost over, don’t forget that your dog’s dental health is important all year long.  As with humans, poor dental health in your dog can be detrimental to his overall well being.

Infected gums and teeth can lead to many health problems such as heart and kidney infections. Dental infection can spread to the stomach and intestinal tract.  Joints may also be affected.  The plaque and tartar accumulations on your dog’s teeth contain billions of bacteria that can spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, the only symptom of poor dental health you may notice is your dog’s bad breath.  Other symptoms may be reluctance to eat or play with toys, lethargy, bleeding gums, and eroded teeth. With regular home and professional care, tooth loss and other serious problems can be avoided.

So take time soon to call your veterinarian and schedule a dental check-up for your best friend!!  With good dental care, your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life.

More information on dental hygiene for your dog and how to keep your dogs teeth clean coming soon!

February 25th, 2009 | Category: Dog Health Issues | Comments (1)

Whether you have a Jack Russell Terrier or another kind of dog, make sure your dog has been vaccinated to prevent Parvovirus. It is a very common and very deadly disease. Here is our story. When my son was young, one of his favorite stories was Tod and Copper from “The Fox and the Hound” (Disney’s Wonderful World of Reading). It is the story about a fox and fox hound who become friends. We got a yellow labrador retriever puppy and I asked my son what he wanted to name her. Of course, he wanted to name “her” Copper. I said that wasn’t a girls name, but that’s what became her name. We did not have much money at the time, so I put off getting her all of her vaccinations. Needless to say, she ended up with Parvo. Parvo is a virus that dehydrates your dog. The dog cannot keep any food or liquids down, just like when you get the flu. The dog will die from dehydration if not treated within a short amount of time. So quick action is the only way to save your dog. Never ignore sickness symptoms. Copper had some extreme smelly diarrhea. It was so bad, that she didn’t have time to hold it to get outside. I knew this was not ordinary, so I called the veterinarian immediately. They had me bring her in the side door to avoid the other dogs, because they immediately suspected parvo. This disease is highly contagious to other dogs. Canine parvovirus is not contagious to humans.

Fast action saved Copper’s life, but it was a very difficult time for me and her. The key is to keep the dog hydrated. The only way to do this was with an IV twice a day. It was very difficult for me to stick the IV needle in her skin to give her the water that she desperately needed to stay alive. Since I knew it was her only chance of survival, I did it. As you can see from the second picture, she lost a lot of weight since she was living on the liquid from the IV until her body could fight off the virus. She was very weak and would lie calmly while she received her IV treatment. I changed the needle one time because the needle I was using was getting dull. She cried in pain with the new needle. I put the old dull one back on and she was fine. It’s hard for me to write about this even now, even though that was 18 years ago. Copper did fully recover. But please don’t let this happen to your puppy or dog.

February 4th, 2009 | Tags: diarrhea and vomiting in jack russell terrier dogs | Category: Dog Health Issues | Comments (2)

November 22nd, 2008 | Category: Funny Dog Videos | Leave a comment

When choosing the bed that is best for your puppy or grown dog, it is important to consider these points: Is your dog potty trained, will your dog grow more, and can your dog be left alone and not chew on the bed. It only takes a few minutes to narrow down your doggie bed search to the type of bed that will work best for your dog.

Beds for Potty Training

The best bed for potty training your dog is a crate. A crate is a box just large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. Portable crates are usually made of plastic while home use crates are made out of metal. A crate is the best bed for a new puppy that is still learning where and when they should go potty.

Growing Dogs

If your dog is potty trained, but still is in the process of growing, you might find a soft flat pillow bed will work best for his needs. Because these beds do not have sides on them, the bed will easily fit your dog throughout his growth spurt. Pillow dog beds are often the least expensive, but can be extremely tempting to puppies that are still in their chewing stage.

If Your Dog Likes to Chew

If you do not want to use a crate for your dog that likes to chew everything in site, you might try a chew proof dog bed. These dog beds range from simple non-chewable frame beds to fancy wrought iron dog beds. Of course the fancy wrought iron frames are much more expensive. Either model will keep your dog from chewing the frame.

Is Your Dog Always Shivering? Treat your special dog to a heated bed!

November 8th, 2008 | Category: General Dog Info | Comments (1)

Jack Russell puppies playing. They are fun to watch.

November 8th, 2008 | Category: Funny Dog Videos | Leave a comment

Jeanne is the proud owner of Brandy. German Shepherds are very smart and loyal.		Dexter the Packer’s Fan

November 8th, 2008 | Category: Dog Pictures | Leave a comment

Charlie was adopted from the pound. Per his owner Rick, Charlie is 100 pounds of love and is part Great Pyrenees and part Boxer. Charlie is very expressive and seems to enjoy having his picture taken.

November 8th, 2008 | Category: Dog Pictures | Comments (1)