Common Ailments
Border Terriers, as with all dogs can suffer from a range of ailments. Here are some of the more common things to be aware of:
-
What is it?
A common external parasite. Fleas bite the dog to feed on blood, injecting saliva that stops blood clotting. This saliva often causes an allergic reaction in the dog.
Symptoms:
• Intense skin irritation and scratching.
• The Wet Tissue Test: If you see black "grit" in the coat, place it on a wet white tissue. If the grit turns blood-red, it is flea dirt.
What to do:
Treat the dog immediately with a veterinary-approved product. You must also treat the dog's bedding and the house (carpets/soft furnishings) to kill eggs and larvae.
-
What is it?
Tiny orange mites that appear in late summer (usually starting in July). They act as a severe irritant to the dog.
Symptoms:
• Immense irritation and itching.
• Clusters of bright orange dust/specks, usually on the feet, legs, and belly.
What to do:
Treat the affected areas with Benzyl Benzoate (available at chemists) or check if your standard flea treatment covers mites.
-
IWhat is it?
Grey insects about 2mm long. They lay small eggs ("nits") which stick to the hair and can look like dandruff or scurf.
Symptoms:
• Visible "scurf" or white specks in the coat.
• Scratching that creates bald patches.
What to do:
Use insecticide sprays or baths to kill both the adults and the hatching larvae. Repeat treatments are often necessary to break the lifecycle.
-
What is it?
Arachnid parasites, often found in areas with deer, or other mammals. They sit in grass and crawl onto the passing dog. Once onboard they might walk around before biting into the skin, and staying attached for days while sucking blood. They start small and black but swell to the size of a pea and turn beige/grey.
Symptoms:
• A visible lump on the skin (looks like a grey/beige wart or pea).
• Redness or infection at the site if not removed correctly.
What to do:
Remove the tick using a tick-removal tool or special forceps. You must grasp the head of the tick and keep twisting to ensure it detaches. If you pull the body and leave the head in the skin, it can cause a nasty infection.
-
What is it?
Internal parasites that live in your dog’s intestines (Roundworm, Tapeworm, Hookworm) or respiratory system (Lungworm). They are usually contracted by sniffing contaminated soil/faeces, swallowing infected fleas (Tapeworm), or eating slugs and snails (Lungworm).
Symptoms:
• General: Weight loss despite a good appetite, a dull coat, or a "pot-bellied" appearance in puppies.
• Tapeworm: You may see segments that look like grains of rice in the faeces or around the dog's rear end. This often causes "scooting."
• Lungworm: Coughing, breathing difficulties, or bleeding from minor cuts (as the blood fails to clot).
What to do:
1. Regular Treatment: Administer a high-quality worming treatment regularly (usually every 3 months, but frequency depends on the product).
2. Prescription vs. Shop: Be aware that many off-the-shelf supermarket brands do not kill Lungworm. Consult your vet for a comprehensive treatment plan.
3. Hygiene: Pick up your dog's faeces immediately and control fleas, as fleas can transmit Tapeworm.
Please note that the information on this page is not veterinary advice and if you ever suspect your dog of having a serious problem then please consult with your vet.
-
What is it?
Anal glands are scent-marking glands located on either side of the anus (at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions). Usually, these empty naturally when the dog passes a firm stool. If the dog’s motions are too soft, the glands fail to empty and can become overfilled or infected.
Symptoms:
• A distinct, unpleasant smell.
• Dragging the rear end along the floor ("scooting").
• Chewing or licking near the tail area to relieve irritation.
What to do:
If the glands are not emptied, this could lead to an abscess. If you are unable to empty them yourself (using a specific squeezing technique), take the dog to the vet to have them emptied professionally.
-
What is it?
A common condition often caused by a change in diet, eating something unsuitable (scavenging), or stress. However, it can also indicate serious issues like gastroenteritis, parvovirus, or foreign bodies in the gut. If left untreated, this could lead to dehydration, which is dangerous for dogs.
Symptoms:
• Loose, watery, or frequent stools.
What to do:
1. Fast the dog: Withhold food for 24 hours to let the gut rest.
2. Hydrate: Give glucose and water to prevent dehydration.
3. Restart food: Start feeding light, easy-to-digest foods like chicken or fish with plain mashed potato.
4. Vet: If the diarrhoea persists or the dog seems unwell, seek veterinary help immediately.
-
What is it?
Border Terriers can suffer from various ear issues. These problems can be caused by ear mites, fungal infections, or secondary infections caused by the dog scratching an itch.
Symptoms:
• Scratching or rubbing the ear.
• Shaking the head frequently.
• Skin inside the ear looks red or inflamed (compared to the other ear).
• The ear might smell.
What to do:
Do not guess the treatment. Because there are different causes (mites vs. fungus), you need veterinary advice to get the correct ointment. Ensure you complete the full course of treatment to clear the problem entirely.
-
What is it?
An acute, life-threatening emergency where the dog’s body temperature rises rapidly. Border Terriers are susceptible due to their double coats (especially Blue and Tan dogs, whose dark coats absorb heat). This often happens in cars, even with windows open.
Symptoms:
• Severe distress and frantic panting.
• Extremely high body temperature.
• Collapse or inability to stand.
What to do:
Act Immediately—Time is critical.
1. Cool: Submerge the dog in cool water (not freezing) or hose them down gently.
2. Hydrate: Offer drinking water (preferably with a dessertspoonful of salt).
3. Recover: Dry the dog and put them in a cool place.
4. Vet: Even if they recover quickly, take them to the vet to check for shock.
-
What is it?
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents. Border Terriers are known scavengers, so this often happens after eating grass, rubbish, or something unpalatable. While often a minor stomach upset, it can occasionally signal a blockage, poisoning, or serious illness.
Symptoms:
• Heaving, retching, or drooling.
• Bringing up undigested food or yellow bile/froth.
• Lethargy or looking miserable.
• Warning: If the dog is trying to vomit but nothing is coming up, this could be "Bloat" (GDV), which is a critical emergency.
What to do:
1. Check: Look at the vomit. If there is blood, or if it looks like coffee granules, go to the vet immediately.
2. Water: Allow small amounts of water frequently, but do not let them gulp large amounts.
3. If the vomiting continues then you should take the dog to the vet as this could be a sign of something more severe.
4. As a one off the dog should simply be monitored for further symptoms as vomiting is common.
Parasites
Sometimes dogs pick up small parasitic insects that may need action: