Thursday, October 21, 2010

Those yucky ears!

(Above is Smokey aka now Buddy...he is owned, loved and adored by his new family.  He is from our last litter and is now a year old)

You know, one of the problem with not just owning dogs, but especially bulldogs is their ears....shh...you might not want to say that too loud, because if yours are like mine, they will run and hide....and won't come out.  We have bought ear cleaning solution, for $6.95 a bottle...This costs under $2...There is much savings in this!

Anyways here is the solution that we use for our babies....you need the following ingredients:


White vinegar
Powdered boric acid
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Betadine antiseptic (or the generic version, known as Povidone-Iodine Solution)
Please note:  do not use "Betadine Scrub", use "Betadine Solution"
Directions for mixing the solution together:

Pour 180 milliliters of isopropyl alcohol in to a plastic applicator bottle.  Add 7 milliliters of boric acid powder.  Be careful not to get any boric acid on your skin or clothes.  If you do, wash it off immediately.

Shake the solution extremely well, until the boric acid powder is dissolved, or for five minutes, whichever comes first.

Add 60 milliliters of white vinegar.  Shake the solution some more, until the boric acid powder is dissolved, or for another five minutes, whichever comes first.  

Add 5 milliliters of the Betadine antiseptic, and shake it up some more.  Be careful not to get any Betadine on your skin or clothes.  If you do, wash it off immediately.

The ear cleaning solution is now ready to use.

To use the ear cleaning solution:

It is recommended that you use the ear cleaning solution in your garage or outdoors, as the dog will shake it out of his ears and it will fly in to the air and stain things.

Squirt the solution inside your dog's ear until the ear canal is completely full.  Massage the outside of the ear to help slosh the cleaning solution around inside.  Release the dog and let him shake out the ear cleaning solution from his ears.  

If you get any of the ear cleaning solution on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.

Be sure to shake the solution up really well before each and every time you use it.  The boric acid has a tendency to settle at the bottom of the bottle.  Store at room temperature.

Use the cleaning solution daily until you start to see some improvement.  Gradually cut back to once per week when you are happy with the condition of the ear.  When the ear seems completely free of infection, you can go two weeks between treatments.

Warning:  Do not use this ear cleaning solution on dogs with ruptured ear drums, or on dogs with open sores or wounds in the ear area.  An ear exam by a veterinarian is recommended prior to beginning treatment with this ear cleaning solution.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Treats

Our boys have their own business and we make all of our treats, fresh and natural for our girls, but it is dangerous and can be LETHAL for a bulldog to have a raw hide!  DO NOT give them a raw hide.....we tried that at first, before we knew better and almost lost our Leia.  So people ask....what DO you give your babies..to chew on??

Well besides our homemade treats, we give them "Kong balls"....there are the name brand ones and the off brand ones that can be found at Walmart (and are cheaper too).  These are rubber toys that can be filled with spray cheese, peanut butter, etc.  Our girls, Libby and Leia will knock you down for these.  Literally...ask me how I know, lol.  Also you don't need to get the brand name spray cheese.  The generic Cheese Whiz in the grocery section works JUST fine (and has the same ingredients) and it will save you between $3-$4 per can...ridiculous what you pay for name brand huh?  Especially when you go through as much of it as we do!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Bulldog Tips

(Pictured above is Spunky (Izzy).  She is owned by Larry and his family.  She is from our very first litter.  If you are a owner of one of our pups from other litters, just let me know and send me a picture and I will put your baby on here:)

Our next tip is for their folds.....to clean their folds, just use Acne pads (Stridex or generic) from the store.....they are great for getting into their folds and helping them stay clean :)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Snack: Bulldog Reeces Cups


1 pkg of Carob chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup yogurt
Mini muffin pan
mini muffin liners

Blend yogurt with peanut butter in blender.  Pour into mini muffin liners.  Freeze.  Melt Carob chips and put over peanut butter mixture in cups.  Keep in the freezer......Yummy!

Be careful!  You might get knocked down for it :)

Bulldog Tips

I am starting a new series called Bulldog Tips.  These are for people that either already own a bulldog or one of ours or is looking to own one in the near future.   It could be recipes for treats, advice, health and well being etc.
In these, you will see pictures of our PAST puppies from past litters.