Bedlington Terrier Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Bedlington Terrier Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Bedlington Terrier puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Bedlington Terrier lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Bedlington Terrier are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Bedlington Terrier will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Bedlington Terrier puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Bedlington Terrier be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Bedlington Terrier? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Bedlington suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Bedlington Terrier health problems
Eye diseases are the main things to watch for:
- Retinal dysplasia can be the mild form (retinal folds) or the severe form (retinal detachment).
- Cataracts can appear in puppyhood or later in life. They can be mild, or they can significantly affect vision, even to the point of blindness.
- Eyelash abnormalities and tear duct disorders are common.
- Entropion, glaucoma, and dry eye have all been reported in Bedlington Terriers.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) (late-onset, after 7 years old) can occur, but is not common.
Copper toxicosis is a serious inherited liver disease in which copper accumulates in the liver. About 25% of Bedlington Terriers are affected, while another 50% are carriers. Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available for copper toxicosis, so you can find out at any time whether your Bedlington Terrier has the disease, carries the disease, or is completely clear of it.
Allergies cause itchy skin and often lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma). Ear infections can occur due to all the hair in the ear canal.
A serious inherited kidney disease in Bedlingtons is renal dysplasia.
The rate of luxating patella is 8% – the 12th highest rate of all breeds. Hip dysplasia also occurs in Bedlingtons but we don't know the incidence because breeders aren't testing for it.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Bedlington Terrier in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website