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Health Testing Information

There are many Health Tests that are important for Boston Terriers to have before being bred. The 4 important ones to start with are as follows.

B.A.E.R ~ Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response  (BAER) or brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) detects electrical activity in the cochlea and auditory pathways in the brain.

http://www.offa.org/deafbaer.html

The B.A.E.R. Test is a Hearing Test, Bostons can be uni laterally or bi laterally deaf. Each ear is tested individually.The response is collected with a special computer through extremely small electrodes placed under the skin of the scalp: one in front of each ear, one at the top of the head, and one between and behind the eyes.

Here are some pictures of Dogs being BAER Tested at our BAER Clinic at the Arizona Show Jan 2009. This can be done without sedation, results are immediate after the test. 

Thank you Alex for taking the pictures. Two Bostons owned by Cypress Kennels and one Old Boston Bulldogge owned by Wired Kennels. 

Here is a sample of what a Normal B.A.E.R Test Print out looks like

My Blue Puppy's Results ~Normal Hearing in Both Ears

Here are Examples of a dog deaf in one ear (Uni lateral), and a dog deaf in both ears (Bi lateral)

Uni lateral deafness dog deaf in the right ear                        Bi lateral deafness dog deaf in both ears

Both dogs are Fawn/White. This color tends to have more of this problem than the other Colored Bostons. It is VERY important to do B.A.E.R Testing especially if the breeder sells puppies for breeding!

CERF stands for Canine Eye Registration Foundation

http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

The CERF Test is done by an Opthamologist.  CERF was established with the goal of eliminating heritable eye disease in dogs.

Here are some pictures of a CERF Test being done

Here is a copy of a Normal CERF Test on Cinder-Ella

OFA Patella Test. (Patellas are like a Dog's Knees)

Boston Terriers have a problems with slipping Patellas, which can be as slight as a "hitch in their Get a long",to as extreme as major surgery to try to repair if affected. The findings are recorded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.  The same organization that records other test results as well is instramental in the Hips and Elbows on breeds like German Shepards, Labs, Golden Ret. Bostons and many more.    http://www.offa.org/

Here are some pictures of an OFA Patella Test

These are Katie's Test Results Normal both sides.

12 Point Puppy Check

I take my puppies to have a very thorough 12 point Vet Check before they go to new homes or stay here.

I was very fortunate to find a Vet Clinic only an hour away, with 2 Veterinarians whom I really like that do this check.

If you are in the Southern California Area and would like information on the Clinic and the Checks call

Small Animal Care Center 951-654-7396 You do not have to have a litter for this Check up. New puppy Buyers are encouraged to have thier new puppies checked and treated here!

All though I could skip the drive, time, and cost, the peace of mind knowing that the puppies are healthy, or have something that needs to be treated before going home, is very, very important to me! I also feel more comfortable in being able to provide new families with a print out of the exam, for their confidence that they will have a healthy new member of their family.

Here are some pictures of the exam being done

(Yes I know this is not a Boston :0) He is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who bravely volunteered for the pictures!)

                                    Checking Eyes                                                                          Checking Ears

               Checking the Heart for Murmors or ?                                                Checking the Male Parts

Checking for a Hernia and Testies

Here is what the print out looks like from the 12 point exam on one of My Bostons

Juvenal Cataract DNA Test

This DNA Test is very important to do, especially in the colors that are more likely to have it like Fawn and Cream. There is a line of cream dogs (most are related to) that have had almost all their cream dogs be affected with JVC by the time they are 1-2 years old. This is not just a color related problem, but a Boston Terrier health problem.

It is awful to have an old dog go blind, but really horrible to have a young dog go blind when you can prevent it, by simply testing and breeding your dogs right. This DNA TEST tells you if your Dog is Clear Non Carrier, A Carrier or Affected.

Pictures of the sample collecting for the DNA Test

                              It does not hurt them, just a rubbing on the inside of their cheek with a swab.

3 swabs each dog and paperwork to match.

These are Fawn Buddy's JVC DNA Results

He is CLEAR, meaning he will not produce a puppy with Juvenal Cataracts!!!

This Test as well as the BAER Test are very important to have done to any breeding Boston especially Fawns! 

DNA Color Testing By Vet Gen

This is not a health test but a DNA Test to see what colors your Colored Boston Terrier carries for.

picture of a Color Test  Results

Color results for Cypress Farms Lilac Boy Kassonova

Vaccination Protocol

I have been researching the newest findings, for the best way, to envoke immunities in my puppies and what Vaccination Schedule to stay with or change to. Here is an article that I am strongly considering.

Right now I am giving them a Neo Par, and expensive Parvo shot, and then a 5 way. I think I might be going to do this schedule.

http://www.neotechvaccines.com/NEOTECHCoreVaccines.pdf

http://www.neotechvaccines.com/NEOTECH_CoreVaccineSchedule.pdf

Let us introduce you to the First…the Safest…and the most Effective canine parvovirus vaccine developed.

NEOPAR® was:

• The First vaccine to combat canine parvovirus and the First to succeed in halting the spread of the virus among our canine pets.

• The Safest vaccine to be used for the young puppy. NEOPAR® vaccinated puppies are protected earlier and with less stress to their immature bodies than with other parvo virus vaccines.
  
  NEOPAR® is proven to be:
• The Most Effective in protecting your pet from canine parvo virus. It provides a long term and a high level of protection. 
   

 NEW VACCINATION PROTOCOL
by Dr. Jean Dodd

All of the 27 Vet Universities in the US have followed the immunization protocol as suggested by Dr. Dodd for years. All of these Hospitals will be changing their Vaccination Programs. This is welcome news and you should print this out and take it with you to your Vet should you need reinforcement against over-vaccination.
.
VACCINATION NEWSFLASH :DR. J. DODD’S VACCINE PROTOCOL
I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats.
Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to Vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects. Politics, traditions, or the doctors economic well-being should not be a factor in a medical decision.
NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (I.e.: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced. Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines.
Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8 - 14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced.
Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system.
A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age.
Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at l year 4 mo) will provide LIFETIME IMMUNITY.