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We Love Our Saint Bernard Puppies! We Are In Florida - We Ship Puppies. |
Your dog is special! Your best friend and a source of unconditional love.
Chances are that you chose your AKC Saint Bernard Puppy because you like
Saint Bernards and you expected to have certain traits that would fit your
lifestyle of the Saint Bernard: Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable.
Good with babies, the elderly and other pets. Eager to please and responsive to
training. Brave and ready for adventure. Devoted, loyal, and protective.
Intelligent and friendly.
One
more huge fact to write is that your Saint Bernard Puppies
personality as any dogs
behavior will be directly related to yours.
Needs
daily exercise - Especially when training. Your pet needs to
burn energy before
they can give you all that undivided attention.
They are like children as they also need to get
playing outside and play.
However, no dog is perfect! You may have also noticed these characteristics:
* They sheds, and may drool
* Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a younger dog
* Doesn’t do well in the heat
* Prone to boredom and separation anxiety when left alone and will find trouble
* Takes up a lot of room due to her massive size
Full of personality, and we love them for it! You have a
social and benevolent companion, content to
snuggle and requires the closeness.
With training, sufficient exercise, early socialization they make the perfect family pet.
The
Saint Bernard originated in the Swiss and Italian Alps. They were
originally
employed by the Monks at the St. Bernard Pass to rescue
travelers trapped in avalanches.
The Saint Bernard can have a long or short coat that is very dense and designed to protect
them from cold temperatures. The Saint Bernard is naturally friendly and welcoming,
with a kind spirit. They are known to be very patient, tolerant of children and also protective.
The Saint Bernard is a giant breed that is slow moving but will swiftly defend family members if they are
threatened. Saint Bernards thrive on affection from their family but are sometimes demanding of
attention. The Saint Bernard is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of
8-10 years. That is not to say that they will not live longer because they do. It depends
on the environment and everything in it.
You will want to take
good care of your baby. That is why we have summarized the
health concerns of the Saint Bernard.
over the life of your St. Bernard. By knowing about health concerns specific to Saint
Bernards, you and your doctor can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and
hopefully prevent some predictable risks.
Many
diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they are related
to your
pet’s breed. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and
veterinary practitioners that the conditions described herein have a
significant rate of incidence and/or
impact in this breed.That does not mean your
dog will have these
problems;
This is no way a list of what will happen. This just means that a Saint
common issues seen in Saint Bernards to give
you an idea of what may come up
in her future.
Of course, we can’t
cover every possibility here, so always check with your doctor
if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms.
This
guide contains general health information important to all canines as
well as the
most important genetic predispositions for Saint
Bernards. This information helps you
and us together plan for your
pet’s unique medical needs. At the end of the booklet,
we have also
included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Saint
looking and feeling her best. You will know what to watch for, and we
will all feel better
knowing that we’re taking the best possible care of your pal.
Dental
disease is the most common chronic problem in pets, affecting 80% of
all dogs
by age two. And unfortunately, your Saint Bernard is more
likely than other dogs to
have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to
infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. If we don’t prevent or treat dental disease,
your buddy will lose her teeth and be in danger of damaging
her kidneys, liver, heart,
and joints. In fact, your Saint Bernard’s
life span may be cut short by one to three years!
We’ll clean your
dog’s teeth regularly and let you know what you can do at home to
keep
those pearly whites clean.
Saint
Bernards are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections—the same
ones that all
dogs can get—such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.
Many of these infections are
preventable through vaccinations.
Obesity can be
a significant health problem in Saint Bernards. It is a serious
disease
that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and
digestive disorders, back pain
and heart disease. Though it’s
tempting to give your pal food when she looks at you
with those
soulful eyes, you can “love her to death” with leftover people
food and
doggie treats. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or
perhaps take her for a walk. She’ll
feel better, and so will you!
Gastric
Dilatation and Volvulus, also known as GDV or Bloat, usually occurs
in dogs with
deep, narrow chests. This means your St. Bernard is more
at risk than other breeds.
When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on
itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off
blood supply to the
stomach, and sometimes the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is
quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. Your dog may
retch or heave
(but little or nothing comes out), act restless, have
an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a
prayer position (front feet down,
rear end up). Preventive surgery in which the
stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option.
If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately!
Saint
Bernards are especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition
known as
dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes
so large, thin, and weak that
it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, he may
act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. We’ll conduct
a yearly electrical heart screening(ECG) and/or an echocardiogram starting at age
one to look for abnormal heart rhythms early. If found, we’ll treat this condition
with medication and may
also recommend dietary supplementation.
Not
many things have as dramatic an impact on your dog’s quality of
life as the proper functioning of his eyes. Unfortunately, Saint
Bernards can inherit or develop a number
of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away,
and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every
examination to look for any signs of concern.
Cataracts
are a common cause of blindness in older St. Bernards. We’ll watch
for the
lenses of his eyes to become more opaque—meaning they look
cloudy instead of clear
—when we examine him. Many dogs adjust well
to losing their vision and get along just
fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option.
Entropion
is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes
to rub
against the cornea (surface of the eyeball). This is an
extremely irritating and painful
condition that can ultimately lead
to blindness. It can happen in any dog breed; however,
your St.
Bernard is especially at risk for this heritable disorder. Surgical
correction is
usually successful if performed early.
Distichiasis
is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid
and rub on
the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly
inherited diseases in dogs, and
your St. Bernard is more likely than
other dogs to develop this painful condition. If
untreated, these
abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several
treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the
hairs have been permanently removed.
Osteosarcoma
is the most common bone tumor in dogs. It typically afflicts
middle-aged
large and giant breeds like your St. Bernard. Early
symptoms include lameness and leg pain.
Early detection is critical!
Call right away if you notice that your dog is limping. This
is a painful and aggressive tumor, and the sooner it is removed, the better his prognosis.
There
are several types of inherited bleeding disorders which occur in
dogs. They range
in severity from very mild to very severe. Many
times a pet seems normal until a serious
injury occurs or surgery is
performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Von
Willebrand’s
disease is a blood clotting disorder frequently found in Saint
Bernards.
Diagnostic testing for blood clotting time or a specific DNA blood test for Von Willebrand’s
A
number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in
Saint Bernards.
While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be
diagnosed and treated to prevent
undue pain and suffering. With
diligent observation at home and knowledge about the
diseases that may affect your friend’s bones, joints, or muscles you will be able to take
great care of him throughout his life.
When
St. Bernard puppies are allowed to grow too quickly, the cartilage in
their joints
may not attach to the bone properly. This problem is
known as osteochondritis dissecans
or OCD . If this occurs, surgery
may be required to fix the problem. It’s best to stick to
our
recommended growth rate of no more than two to three pounds per week. Don’t
overfeed
him and don’t supplement with additional calcium. Feed a
large-breed puppy diet rather
than an adult or a regular puppy diet. Weigh your puppy every three to four weeks.
Both
hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that
causes the joints
to develop improperly and results in arthritis.
Stiffness in your St. Bernard’s elbows or
hips may become a problem
for him, especially as he matures. You may notice that he
begins to
show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying
down. We
can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to
minimize discomfort and pain. We’ll
take X-rays of your dog’s
bones to identify issues as early as possible. Surgery is
sometimes a
good option in severe and life-limiting cases. Keep in mind that
overweight
dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of
normal weight, causing undue pain
and suffering! Watch what you are feeding.
The
cranial cruciate ligament is one of the four tough bands of tissue
that hold each knee
together. A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a
common injury in active dogs, which includes
your Saint. Usually
surgical correction is done to stabilize the knee and help prevent
crippling arthritis. Physical therapy and multimodal pain management
are necessary to
get the best outcome. Keeping him at the right
weight, feeding a high-quality diet, and
avoiding too much twisting
of the knees (like playing Frisbee) are key in avoiding this
painful injury.
Growing
St. Bernards can suffer from a painful inflammation of the long bones
in the legs
, a condition called eosinophilic panosteitis, pano or
eo-pan. It usually starts at around
six to ten months of age and
shifts from leg to leg. We’ll look for this condition upon
examination; if your pal exhibits pain when the area is squeezed or
palpated. It takes
X-rays to diagnose the problem. Panosteitis
usually causes no permanent damage,
but requires pain medication. If
your dog has the condition and has developed an
abnormal gait to compensate for the sore leg(s), rehabilitation exercises may be required.
seizures are caused by the brain’s reaction to a
metabolic problem like low blood sugar,
organ failure, or a toxin.
Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or
trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called
primary, or idiopathic
epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited
condition, with Saint Bernards commonly
afflicted. If your friend is
prone to seizures, they will usually begin between six months
and
three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the
cause. Lifelong
medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures
under control, with periodic blood
testing required to monitor side
effects and effectiveness. If your dog has a seizure:
Carefully
prevent him from injuring himself, but don’t try to control his
mouth or tongue.
It won’t help him, and he may bite you
accidentally! Note the length of the seizure, and
call us or an emergency hospital.
Because
he has long, dense fur, your Saint requires a lot of brushing and
coat care.
Mats and tangles can lead to skin infections, particularly
moist, painful skin lesions
called hot spots. Brush your pet at least
weekly and keep an eye out for sores,
especially in hot, humid weather. Plan on taking him to the groomer often to maintain a healthy
coat.
Some
dogs tend to form calluses as a result of lying on hard surfaces.
Large breeds like
your Saint Bernard tend to form them on their
elbows and hocks (ankles). Calluses
normally provide protection at
pressure points, but when they become infected the
dog is said to
have callus pyoderma. Pyoderma means skin infection. If you notice
that
a callus has reddened areas, bumps, blackheads, holes, or
discharge it is probably
infected. Because problems are worse in
heavier dogs, keeping your dog at a trim
weight is helpful. Make sure
he has access to soft bedding, and encourage him to use it.
Carpet
fibers may actually be somewhat abrasive, so blankets or padding are
preferred
over carpet. Special pads held on by straps over the
shoulders can take pressure off
calluses or infected areas.
St.
Bernards are prone to a variety of skin problems, including one
called sebaceous
adenitis. You may notice that your dog has dry,
scaly skin with patches of hair loss along
the top of his head, back
of the neck, and back (typically you’ll first notice it when your
dog is between one and five years of age). Treatment is generally
long term, and we’ll
likely try a combination of approaches to
determine what is most effective with your dog.
The response to
treatment is highly variable, but you’ll almost always need to give
fatty
acid supplements and use special shampoos to remove dead skin
and hair. The earlier
the skin is checked out, the better his results.
The
skeleton (all bones in the body) contains approximately 98% of total
amount of
calcium in the entire body. The remaining 2% circulates
throughout the body. Calcium
is regulated in part by Parathyroid
Hormone (PTH). Primary hypoparathyroidism is a
condition seen more
commonly in St. Bernards where not enough of this hormone is
produced, leading to low calcium and high phosphorus levels in the
bloodstream.
Symptoms include anorexia, behavioral changes, muscle
tremors, seizures, panting,
and cataract development. Treatment with
medications and dietary supplements has
shown some success.
Malignant
means deadly or dangerous and hyperthermia refers to overheating.
Some
St. Bernards seem to have a defective “internal thermostat”
and can develop dangerously
high body temperatures leading to heat
stroke, muscle rigidity, and organ damage. This
is especially common
during and after anesthesia, thus we will monitor his temperature
closely to prevent complications following surgical or dental
procedures. DNA testing is
available and carriers should be screened and identified before breeding.
Addison’s Disease is an endocrine system
disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands
fail to produce enough
hormones to keep the body functioning normally. Left untreated,
hypoadrenocorticism can be fatal, and symptoms often mimic many other
diseases.
Fortunately, we can run a specialized timed blood test to
check for this condition.
Though any dog can acquire this disease,
St. Bernards seem to get it more frequently.
Watch for
clinical signs and talk to your doctor to screen for this problem.
Much
of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common
sense, just like
it is for people. Watch her diet, make sure she gets
plenty of exercise, regularly brush
her teeth and coat, and call us
or a pet emergency hospital when something seems
unusual (see “What
to Watch For” below). Be sure to adhere to the schedule of
examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. This is when
we’ll give her
the necessary “check-ups” and test for diseases
and conditions that are common in
St. Bernards. Another very
important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet
health
insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she
will need
throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.
The scientific research proves that every Giant Breed Puppy and Adult will benefit from Joint Supplements. You Puppy will be taking the NuVet (Green Bottle) and the NuJoint (Blue Bottle) We also use the blue Tearless Shampoo and ear cleaner. We like to use the Oatmeal conditioning spray for the benefits. There are many things that may interest you and I have to say that I do love them all. |
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Build
her routine care into your schedule to help your Saint live longer,
stay healthier,
and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot
overemphasize the importance of a
proper diet and exercise routine.
away from objects she shouldn’t put in her mouth.
Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly.
brushing them at least twice a week!
Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Don’t worry—we’ll show you how!
be very alert to the signs of heat stress.
adequate exercise by providing daily walks and ample room to play.
Keep your dog’s diet consistent and don’t give her people food.
Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
Any
abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just
be a minor
or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to
tell when to seek veterinary
help, and how urgently. Many diseases
cause dogs to have a characteristic combination
of symptoms, which
together can be a clear signal that your Saint Bernard needs help.
Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs:
Change in appetite or water consumption
Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or broken teeth
Itchy skin (scratching, chewing, or licking), hair loss
Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping
Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes. It might be time to neuter that boy!!!
Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs:
Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge
Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine
Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes
Dry heaving or a large, tight, painful abdomen
Fainting, collapse, breathing issues, cough
General reluctance to run or play
Leg stiffness, reluctance to rise, sit, use stairs, jump, or “bunny hopping”
Any abnormal shaking, trembling, or excessive involuntary tremors
Matted fur, hair loss, sores
General listlessness, droopy facial expression, vomiting, diarrhea
Your
Saint Bernard counts on you to take good care of her, and we look
forward to working
with you to ensure that she lives a long and
healthy life. Our goal is to provide the best
health care possible:
health care that’s based on her breed, lifestyle, and age. Please
contact us when you have questions or concerns.
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