ANY QUESTIONS?

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

(All Questions & Answers from January 2010 and earlier can be found on Viv's Old Qs & As)

Q:Hi Viv
 
Let me tell and ask you about Monty my Border who is 14 in May. Your Question and Ans has helped us so much. He has been (and is)the best dog. Still managing over a mile a day on his wee walks and lots more when on an adventure. Now at thirteen he has so many of the issues that crop up on your page. He has always been a little niffy in a "pleasant" doggy way, now its old doggy way, he gets his ear probs twice a year and as for his little once black (now almost white in places) coat, strip twice a year! it would win prizes for regrowth and carpeting my house. 
 
1. We (not to expertly) have always striped him ourselves. I find surgical gloves a great help, giving a great grip while you can still really feel what your doing. He now has moles and growths is it still better to strip him if poss around these or should I leave the grey wire puffball be? 
 
2. Monty was sick every morning with bile for over a year and we had a nightmare week when his body seemed to be shutting down and he was constantly sick on the 5th day he suddenly drank again and of he went. We changed his feed on the advice of the vet to no avail, blood tests seemed to show nothing and like us humans it was an age thing. We saw your Ans. saying Wellbeloved suited Borders well and after a months changeover we had 6 mnths with only the occasional sickness. Thank you. It is becoming a little more regular again now so we are off to the vets on Mon. Any other ideas to share on this one.
 
3. My angel puppy who never once made a puddle in my house now has the occasional accident I think its when he has been roused from a deep sleep I've seen him do it and its like a senior moment he isn't aware I am even there. He is surprisingly alert at all other times although he has forgotten that for 13 yrs he has barked once when he wants out for any reason and now just stands at the door aimlessly. He does need to piddle more often vet said age but I wondered if it could be related to the sickness.
 
4. We have been considering a puppy for a few years but think we probably left it too late and it might just be an irritant to him, although he is still full of beans 50% of the time. Have you had experience of older dogs and pups? Is it better to wait?
 
Thanks again for you colum it has been very helpful and informative for us. We hope to keep Monty healthy and full of life for as long as poss most importantly pain free (if the stoical little beggar would let on anyway). He is the only dog in a very large extended family and has been the "first adopted dog" for many children and has converted many non doggy people. To these people they don't say there's a Border its a Monty and he is known by all as the "Little Gentleman".
 
Gail Woods

A:Hi Gail,

Goodness what a wonderful read, Monty sounds delightful and reading your letter brought tears to my eyes reminding me of all my dear departed oldies (the oldest making his early 20's, now sadly all have gone and my oldest border now is a young 8 year old).

I will try to come up with some useful replies to your questions, firstly I'm so pleased that Wellbeloved did give 6 months relief but sorry to hear that the sickness is increasing. Do you soak Montys food and how often do you feed him? I would suggest at least 2 small meals a day and the food being well soaked, you could always try another food such as Burns or Autarky (senior), does Monty like fish, if so another food I have great faith in is Fish for Dogs, my oldies always seemed to digest this very easily.

With regard to bringing a puppy into Montys life, difficult to advise either way, though like you I worried about the effect a very young boisterous puppy would have on an OAP, but did find that it worked well giving the oldies a new dimension to their lives, but always made sure that the puppy treated the old ones with respect and that they had their space and quiet time as often as they needed.

Now to Montys little accidents, not being a vet I cannot say whether the sickness and piddling are related, though from experience Borders do seem to suffer with slight dementia as they get older, I have seen it in one or two of mine. There is a drug available from the vet called Vivatonin (think that it the correct way to spell it) which may help, there is possibly an even newer drug I seem to recall a customer telling me of one recently, if you are visiting your vet ask what is available. Just a thought going back to soaking the food well, it does seem to stop them from drinking vast amounts when on a dry food diet.

Lastly the stripping, it sounds as if you have been doing a great job with the surgical gloves, now that Monty has a few lumps and bumps I would carry on as before and if you feel that those little areas are best not stripped then gently scissor over them (clipping is not good as it will take the tops off the warts etc.)

I do hope that this is of some help and thank you for the kind words about this page, if I can be any further help be email again, but please do let us know how things go for Monty.

Wishing you all well

Viv

Q: Hi Viv,

I have taken in a nine year old Border Terrier "Polly",My Sister-in-Law was ill for some time before she died. I think that Polly had been neglected as when she came to my home her coat was really matted. A man from a mobile company (Dial A Dog) came to the house and did a good job He stripped her, cut her claws,cleaned her eyes and bathed her. I really don't know how to keep her coat in good condition as she is different to other Border Terriers I have read up about. Her top coat is soft creamy Poodle type curly "fur".  Apparently both parents and the rest of the litter had the usual straight hard coat. I use a wire brush to groom her but I wonder if I should have her professionally groomed for the Summer. For her age she is a very active fun loving dog, she and I can walk about the same distance ?. I would be thankful for any advice.

Molly

A: Hi Molly,

I'm very sorry to hear about the death of your sister-in-law, how lovely of you to give Polly a home.

The grooming that you had sounds very good, but I'm not sure how long ago this was.  Borders are usually stripped twice a year but some may be done more frequently.

You say that Pollys' coat is very soft, if she has been spayed this may have changed the texture, though the fact that your groomer was able to hand strip is good (as sometimes soft coats are very reluctant to let go).

Yes you should continue to brush Polly to stop the coat getting matted again but do be careful not to scratch the skin with a metal brush. 

I hope that this helps a little.  Without seeing Polly it is difficult to say if she is in need of another strip.  Maybe if your groomer is in your area he would give you his opinion.

It sounds as if Polly is good company for you out walking and at 9 years old should still be fit and active.  But bear in mind that she is heading towards double figures and will start to take things a little more sedately in the years to come, though in true border fashion she will still no doubt be eager to be out and about.

Good luck with Polly I hope she gives you many years happy companionship.

Best wishes

Viv

Q: Hello Viv,

A: Hi Paul,

I am sorry to hear that you are unable to find a local groomer that is willing to hand strip your border, having just covered this issue I understand how frustrating it can be for you especially as you want to learn how to do it yourself.

Unfortunately I do not know of any groomers in your area, possibly the nearest border terrier person is in Hertfordshire, if this isn't too far get back to me. However, have you given any thought to trying to get tuition from a video/dvd there are a few available, one that has good feedback is available via WWW.caninecoatcare.com, this will hopefully help to get you started.

Do let us know how you get on, if you need further help please let us know.

Best wishes

Viv

Q: Hiv Viv,

Robbie my BT is nearly 2 years old.  He is an intact dog with a good pedigree and is from a reputable breeder.

However compared to other borders he has a very thin and sleek coat, so much so that some people often mistake him for a german shepherd pup.  He has a little  bit of BT fuzz round his muzzle but no real thickness of coat round the rest of his body.

Is this just a non typical coat pattern or is it maybe aged related and therefore something that will correct itself as he gets older?.  Maybe there are some supplements that might help ?  All his  litter mates (all bitches) seem to have developed  typical border coats by now.

Maybe I am just destined never to have the work of coat plucking

Grateful for your thoughts

Joan

A: Hi Joan,

Robbies' coat doesn't sound vastly untypical for a border, they do vary and can do so within a litter, and I take it from what you say that the rest of the litter were female, so there is not another male to compare him against. Being entire will probably help to keep his coat from being thick and woolly but as he is now 2 years old I don't think it is going to change a lot now, is there any sign of a double coat at all? Do you feel that Robbie suffers with his coat as it is? Supplements may help, you could try Yumega it does boast wonderful results.   If Robbie is generally in good health then the fact that his coat is not in need of regular stripping should perhaps be seen as a blessing, just think of the work or money you are saving!.

Do let us know if there is any change in Robbies' coat.

Best wishes

Viv

Q: Hi Viv,

Our one-year old border terrier bitch has a rash on her belly.  It does not appea to bother her.

Someone suggested it is an allergy.  Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Robert Richie

Hi Robert,

Apologies for the delay in replying to your question, I hope that maybe by now your borders rash has got a lot better. You don't say if it has been there for long, but you did mention that it doesn't bother her. Unfortunately it is difficult to suggest a remedy, or diagnose what it can be at this distance (not to mention the fact that I am not a vet!). All I can say is that yes it is possibly an allergy, but whether that is due to diet or external factors I am unable to comment.

It may be advisable to consult a vet if the condition persists. 

Wishing you and your dog all the best.

Viv

Hello Viv,

I live in Maidstone Kent and wondered if you knew anyone that would strip my border terrier.  I do it myself but to be honest I am not very good at it.

Kind regards,

Elaine

Hello Viv,

We have an 8 month old Border Terrier who is great and gives us lots of fun and enjoyment.

We give him 2 meals a day: one in the morning, which is dried Hills Science and one in the evening, which is a bit of Hills plus home cooked liver/kidney/heart, which he loves.

However some days he is fine other days he is sick for no apparent reason.  He is a scavenger outside.  Our garden is mainly clean.  Sometimes he just throws up phlegm.

Stools good but recently with a bit of jelly like.

Should we just keep him on dried food, or wil this phase pass.  He drinks plenty of water and is very active.

Hope you can help,

From Mel and Norman