You can help your Boston terrier with Down syndrome by making accommodations for his or her condition.
These dogs have difficulties exercising bladder control, so they will often relieve themselves indoors.
Because of this, you should purchase dog diapers. You can also clean up any messes your dog makes.
Just keep in mind that your dog may not be interested in toys. A few simple adjustments can help your dog live a happy and healthy life.
Helping Your Boston Terrier With Down Syndrome
The symptoms of a Boston terrier with Down syndrome include a lack of hair, excessive shedding, and shaking.
As such, it’s important to visit your veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms, as they may be indicative of Down Syndrome.
Taking your dog to the vet early on can also catch other health problems.
You should also avoid letting your dog interact with children and sick family members since he or she might develop problems.
If your Boston terrier has Down syndrome, he or she may also have eye problems. The prominent bulging eyes are a sign of this condition.
Untreated, it can cause blindness, so you must protect your dog’s eyes with glasses or goggles. Another common symptom is squinting, which is caused by water in the eyes.
The eyes may also appear red or watery. It’s rare for you to notice the pain, but it’s very real for your pet.
The eyes may become bulging or enlarged in advanced cases. This is a medical emergency, so make sure you get your pet to a veterinarian to get the proper diagnosis.
Take into consideration the underlying genetic condition
Although Boston terriers are known to be highly intelligent and adaptable, you should not let them get bored by their appearance.
Boston terriers have an outsized personalities and are good companions.
They also play a vital role in a family, so it’s crucial to provide them with enough exercise and early socialization.
Reverse sneezing can occur at any stage of a Boston terrier’s life. It can happen because the dog gets too excited, gulped up food too fast, or has been exposed to pollen in the air.
Nasal secretions then fall onto the soft palate and close over the windpipe, causing a wheezing sound. While it may be hard to soothe your dog, soothing words or stroking its throat may help.
While Bostons are couch potatoes, they are also capable of being canine athletes.
With proper training and socialization, a Boston will learn tricks and compete in obedience, agility, and other sports.
They are not prone to having an attitude and get along with kids and strangers without any problems.
It’s important to remember that BAOS is a progressive disease and it can have severe consequences for your dog. You should be aware of this before bringing a new pup home.
The most common cause of death for a Boston Terrier in their golden years is heart failure. Heart disease in dogs is usually caused by a weak heart valve.
This valve allows blood to leak back around the heart, straining the heart.
If your pet exhibits heart problems, it will usually have a heart murmur and may show other signs of heart issues.
Moreover, heart tests are necessary every year to detect the presence of any underlying problems.
Fortunately, Down syndrome in dogs is not contagious
However, affected dogs can still benefit from socialization with other dogs. Dogs can communicate with each other, and they can even share feces, which can cause bacterial infections.
Breeding an affected dog is not recommended as the genetic defect would probably be passed on to any future puppies.
And if you do try to breed a Boston terrier with down syndrome, you should keep in mind that it is not likely to have a healthy fetus.
A dog with Down syndrome may show odd behavior, such as being difficult to feed and having problems controlling its bladder. Some may become aggressive.
Regardless of how you handle the situation, you should embrace your dog with all its quirks and needs.
And as always, remember to check the temperature of your dog regularly. If your dog is experiencing random pain, it might be a sign of a potential health issue, such as a parasite.
Because BAOS is an inherited disorder, you need to be extremely careful when choosing a puppy.
You should always ask about its genetic background and if it has any secondary health issues. In addition to BAOS, your Boston terrier puppy should also be free of any other underlying condition or genetic abnormality.
You can use a Boston terrier wheelchair if your dog is paralyzed. The benefits of this mobility solution are obvious.
Meet Rose Camilla, an expert in the Terrier dog breed and an active writer and publisher. Camilla has been working with Terriers for over 12 years and her passion for them has only grown stronger with time. She has dedicated her life to understanding, training, and writing about Terriers.