new boston terrier puppy patella

Question
QUESTION: I got a new puppy form a breeder and we love her so returning her is not an option.  The vet checked her out said she is healthy but he mentioned her one knee was 'squishy' but he thought her gait was very good so he was not worried about it.  He further added that small breeds like hers often have this issue and they grow up just fine w/o problems and often outgrow it when they mature-- growing more bone ridges to hold the knee in place.  What is your opinion and are we foolish to keep our little mittens-- we have a 5 year old who loves her to pieces and there is no way we can take her away now.

ANSWER: Hi Kim - Keep little Mittens..... with good food and supplements she may be just fine.  Only time will tell and MUCH love from you and your child.

Here are some ideas for her wellness:

Make sure you are feeding a good quality food:  
Innova Puppy, Wellness Puppy, Natural Balance, Solid Gold - are a few examples of good foods....if you want to change the food over do it slowly - do a 50/50 mix... ( the old food and the new food mixed for about 3 weeks )
Always make a slow change over or you will get LOOSE poops..

Next,  give your little Boston kid some NuVET Wafers:
only about .60 cents per day - if she is under 10 lbs then just 1/2 a wafer per day.
(.30 cents per day for the 1/2 wafer)
NUVET plus will do many things for your kid but Mainly help with JOINTS, Patella ( knees) and hips.... A plus for your Boston!
Here is the site - learn more:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

When your order NuVET make sure they know you are referred by Pet Nurse Marie at order code 81098 and The Doggie Chalet Hotel.
The product is sold by the Manufacturer and a VET referral code is needed.  They have no problem selling to you with my referral code.
( 81098)

Please keep in contact with me on a bi-monthly basis...I would like updates on your Mitten's Growth.
My personal e-mail   -    mtnmom@gci.net



Thanks
Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse


JOIN my Yahoo group

HOW to save $$$ on your vet bills:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/savemoneyonvetbills/


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Our puppy mittens, which we kept is a wonderful little girl.  I put her on solid gold -- switching 50/50 and she got horrible diarrhea with blood in it.  Vet said to keep her dehydrated and give her rice if it continues.  I read that solid gold can cause this problem in puppies so I decided to try orajin instead.  I will begin switching her to that .  I also give her plain yogurt 2 tsp a day to try and reseed her intestinal track with good bacteria.  What do you know about food-related poop issues and why does a good quality food like solid gold cause such intestinal distress?

Answer
Hi Kim - I don't believe that Solid Gold would be the cause of a bloody stool.  When that happens it is because of a intestinal upset such as a virus.  Also, major stress can cause some blood in the stool, too.  I have never heard of Solid Gold brand causing any troubles in a pup's poop unless you changed to food too quick. I see you did a 50/50 mix.... I wonder if you Mittens already had some virus in the belly?  NOT sure....

I sure hope she is better soon.  Again, never heard of blood in a stool related to a slow dog food change over.

Yes, yogurt is great for her.  YOU may want to increase it and make sure she is getting the ACTIVIA with the good and active cultures.

BEST of luck


Marie Peppers LPN MA