Health and Wellness

The BTCA Health and Wellness Committee was formed in 2004 as an offshoot of the Health Survey Committee. This committee is currently composed of five members:

  • Paul Pruitt – Chair

  • Valerie Armstead, M.D.

  • Deb Dusi

  • Linda Freeman

  • Lucy Heyman

  • Jean Bolt

The mission of the Health and Wellness Committee is to provide an information resource on health issues and communicate this information to Bedlington Terrier Club of America members. The Committee will also advise the BTCA board on health issues and possible areas of health research on behalf of the Bedlington Terrier.

This section of the website will eventually contain articles of interest and reference for each major area of health and wellness.

If you would like to contact the Health and Wellness Committee, send an email to:
Wellness@BedlingtonAmerica.com

  Health and Genetics Links

AKC Canine Health Foundation Discoveries Newsletter links

Fall, 2019 newsletter

AKC Canine Health Foundation Leptospirosis Study

In recent years, leptospirosis has become a re-emerging disease for dogs due to a reported increase in the number of diagnosed cases within North America.  Infected dogs can develop severe illness and in some cases, it may cause death.  The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation in collaboration with Ohio State University is conducting research on this disease.

To show our support the Bedlington Terrier Club of America pledges to match donations toward this study up to $7,000.

Click here for a form to send in with your donation.

ABOUT LEPTOSPIROSIS

Leptospirosis is usually spread by contact with an infected animal’s urine and enters a dog’s body through open cuts, scrapes and skin wounds or splashes onto their mucous membranes (eyes or mouth). Infection is also spread through contact with items contaminated by an infected animal’s urine or through an animal bite.

ABOUT THE STUDY

In order to determine the geographic areas of highest risk, investigators at Ohio State University, with support from AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), are using an existing large international database of dogs to determine the occurrence, region, and changes over time of canine leptospirosis. Grant #02380- A: Estimating Prevalence and Identifying Risk Factors for Canine Leptospirosis in North America will determine current “hot spots” for canine leptospirosis and evaluate them in detail. Maps will be created for use by dog owners and veterinarians to identify areas of greatest risk. The maps and corresponding data will allow individuals with dogs living or traveling to higher-risk areas to protect them against leptospirosis.