As we continue our blog series on 'Common Household Toxins' it's important we share some common signs and symptoms of toxicity in dogs.
It's important to remember that every case is different and depending on what toxin has been digested can change the signs or symptoms a dog may show.
If at any time you are worried your dog may have digested something they shouldn't have or you are concerned about any changes in behaviour, you should always consult your vet for an immediate examination. A quick diagnosis and medical care is the best chance your dog has at a full recovery. 

Be sure to consult with your vet immediately should you be worried about your dog's health at any time. 

​Origin:
The original Boston Terrier is very different from the one we know and love today. Sadly, the breed was bred for pit fighting as such, was originally a much larger dog, weighing around 20kg.
They are one of the few breeds of dogs that have originated out of America, and as their name suggests – they originate from Boston in Massachusetts. The breed was created by crossing the English Bulldog with a English White Terrier (the latter now being an extinct breed.)
The original Boston Terrier, known as the Olde Boston Bulldogge, was then bred down over time by cross breeding with French Bulldogs and then leading to the Boston Terrier that we know today. It was in 1893 that the ‘Boston Terrier’ was first recognised by the American Kennel Association. Thankfully, the breed we know today is a very VERY distant relative of its original breeding.
 
Purpose:
As mentioned, the original Olde Boston Bulldogge was bred for a pit fighting dog. Thankfully, overtime they have bred into smaller companion dogs making them ideal for families as well as being great therapy dogs.

Coat care:
The shorthaired and smooth coat of the Boston is easy to maintain, requiring brushing at least once a week and bathing only when needed. Their eyes will require more attention and should be wiped and cleaned gently daily to avoid any build up. They are prone to catching grass seeds in their ears, so should also have these checked daily. They are a breed that produces little to no doggie odour and is only an average shedder.


Health & Temperament:
This happy little dog is very gentle, keen and intelligent. Training, with the correct approach, is easy although they are known for being a little challenging to toilet train. Their small size should not fool you, they are little pocket rockets who require a good amount of daily exercised. Without this, they can become quickly bored and destructive. Prone to small dog syndrome, they love to be a part of the family but it’s important they know they are not the boss, this can quickly lead to serious behavioural issues.
With the right balance, the Boston makes for a wonderful family pet and are fantastic companions for children and the elderly. When well socialised from a young age, they get along well with most other animals too.
The protruding eyes of the Boston do mean that they require extra care. The breed is prone to a number of eye conditions including juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, cherry eye, dry eyes, late-onset cataracts just to name a few. They are also prone to deafness, luxating patellar (dislocation of the knee caps) and tumours. Breeding parents should be well researched and health reports conducted when looking for a pup.
Being a brachycephalic breed (short, squished faces) they are a breed that struggles in extreme weather changes, both hot and cold so need to be watched closely when exposed to high and low temperatures.

As our beautiful doggies enter their golden years of life, it's time for us to reassess their day to day activities and what we can adjust to help make them more comfortable. Below are some great tips on where to start! 

​A dog’s diet and their weight plays a huge roll in their life expectancy as they age. Moving your dog to a ‘senior’ diet involves reducing the amount of fat and protein in the diet, to make it easier on your dog’s organs to process and to reduce weight gain as their exercise begins to decrease as well.
A senior diet or a specific diet suggest by your vet can help to support kidney function, arthritis and joints as well as heart health.
It's essential, as your dog reaches their later years in life, that they aren’t carrying any extra, unnecessary weight. Extra weight adds extra pressure to a dog’s joints and can worsen arthritis.
A raised food and water bowl for taller breeds is a great way to reduce stress and tension in the neck and back for older dogs. The less bending down they have to do, the easier it will on these areas for them. 

​Although the level of activity your dog can handle will decrease as they age, it’s important to continue a suitable amount of exercise to help keep your dog healthy, keep them from gaining weight and to help support their joints.
You will find you may need to reduce the pace on your walks and also the length and may even need to include some little stops and breaks along the way. It’s best to avoid large hills and any steep inclines or declines, as this just creates extra work for your dog.
Keep in mind the time of day for your walks too, as cooler weather will aggravate arthritis and heat can be overwhelming on the heart of an older dog.
A great alternative to walks for older dogs is water exercise, including swimming and hydrotherapy.
If transporting your dog and you are unable to assist them in and out of the car or if you have stairs around your home, a ramp is a great idea to help them move around. 

​Daily grooming and body checks of your dog are a great way to keep an eye on any new lumps and bumps that may appear, which is very common in older age. Be mindful of any warts or skin tags when brushing as these can easily be caught in a brush and open up into bleeding sores.
Keeping your dog’s nails well clipped and at a shorter length will also assist with their mobility, as they can easily grow into their pads causing a great deal of pain. 

​Senior dogs should be spending most of their time inside, enjoying the quiet life. They have no reached their retirement and deserve some good R&R now. You should assess your dog’s sleeping and resting areas for the day and night and ensure that access is easy, with not gaps or small spaces they could fall into or get stuck (ie: between a couch and wall or down the side of a raised bed) Orthopaedic beds are great for providing support and comfort whilst still being soft and gentle on their joints. Beds that are too soft can be difficult for an older dog to get in and out of and very firm or solid beds will offer no comfort or relief to their arthritis.
During the cooler weather, arthritis and sore joints can flare up, so keeping a safe but warm environment will ensure your dog stays comfortable. Electric blankets and direct heat can quickly cause a dog to overheat so should be avoided, however a warmed room without a chill in the air can be a lot more comfortable to them. 

​We are so lucky now with how far pet care and research has some and now have a variety of options to offer support and relief to our older pets. Your vet can suggest a number of options to offer pain relief and joint support as your dog ages. These range from oral medications to injections. Your vet should always be consulted prior to beginning any new medication or supplements for your dog as this could affect other medication they are currently taking or other organs.
There are also options of physiotherapy and more natural approaches such as red light, acupuncture and natural herbs and supplements through a holistic vet as well. 

Run by MackIllop Family Services, Paw Pals works to provide support workers and therapy dogs to students who face any difficulties to learning. Paw Pals aims to help improve confidence, behaviour and self-regulation for students who require the support.
Amazingly, with the support of the community, Paw Pals have been able to help over 1300 kids, working across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The demand for their support continues and their program is continuing to grow, enabling them to help more and more students every day. Due to this demand, the appeal to the community for donations and support is always there.

Lara Shannon, a Paw Pals Ambassador shares the impact the dogs have on the students.

“Children respond to a compassionate wet nose. The program is trauma-informed and much more than bringing a dog to school, but if you’ve ever melted when looking at a pair of soft brown eyes, you will understand why Paw Pals works.
“Dogs have an innate sense of responding to human emotion, body language and needs. When children meet MacKillop’s Paw Pals, it’s the start of getting back in touch with their education.”

Paw Pals offer two services, school group sessions which allow up to 8 students at a time in a session to 1 on 1 sessions, which can be taken anywhere the student feels comfortable.

The results from Paw Pals speak for themselves and parents and children involved cannot speak highly enough of the program, with many saying the confidence and attendance records of their children improving greatly.