Mars Hill Bulldogs

These are supplies I have on hand at all times.  Feel free to provide feedback if you have other items that you have found useful with your bulldogs.

Bulldog Medicine Chest (check with your vet before using medicines for the first time)

• Aquaphor or Bag Balm--Use this on his nose to keep it soft.  
• Plastic RealLemon--If he gets phlegm in his throat and chokes on it, a couple squirts of juice from the plastic lemon will help clear it out.
• Vaseline--Use it on the thermometer when you take his temperature. 
• A good rectal thermometer.
• Clear Eyes, Artificial Tears, or Duolube for irritated eyes
• Aspirin, for minor aches and pains--Most Bulldogs can tolerate aspirin but do not give Tylenol or Advil. Buffered aspirin is better than plain aspirin. Remember that the dosage for aspirin, like most pain relief medication, is based primarily on body weight. A Bulldog should never be given more than one tablet at a time or more frequently than every twelve hours. Some Bulldogs are allergic to aspirin, so check with your vet and use with care.
• Benadryl, capsule, strips  and/or liquid--Use this if the dog is stung by a bee or other insect, and for minor allergies.
• Aveeno Baby Ointment--a good all-purpose ointment for minor skin afflictions. Also good for irritated wrinkles and tail pockets. Do not put in his eyes.
• Pepto-Bismol--for minor stomach upset.
• Kaopectate or Immodium--for minor diarrhea.
• Listerine (the old fashioned, yellow-brown kind)—Use this to clean abrasions, pimples, hot spots, etc.
• Apple Cider Vinegar--can be used on skin irritations, hot spots, as an ear drop, and as a food supplement.
• Gold Bond Powder--for minor skin irritation, itching, etc.
• Styptic powder--Use to stop the bleeding if you clip a nail too closely.
• Ottomax ear drops
• Q-tips--Use for applying medication and cleaning ears.
• Cotton balls--Use for applying medication, for cleaning and to keep ears dry while bathing.
• Hydrogen Peroxide--Can be used to clean wrinkles (keep away from eyes), can also be used to induce vomiting (on your vet’s advice only!) in case of emergency.
• Activated charcoal (on your vet's advice only)
• Heartworm preventative and Flea/Tick control—Discuss the best products for your pup with your vet.  Recommendations will vary according to where you live.
• Self-adhering bandages--for covering wounds or wrapping strains.
• 2x2 and 4x4 gauze squares
• Liquid bandage and vet bond
• Splint
• Hot/cold packs
• Q-tips
• Syringes (3cc, 5cc, and 10cc)
• Antibiotic ointment--topical skin issues.
• Antifungal cream or spray--for minor fungal issues.
• Stridex pads--for minor chin acne or tear stains.
• Eye wash
• Styptic powder
• Tweezers
• Scissors
•  CPR Instructions(click here for a printable pamphlet)
• Heimlich Instructions(click here)

Equipment you'll need if you bring home a Mars Hill Baby

• A food dish with straight sides and flat bottom. The best material is stainless steel - avoid plastic.  I like the non-skid kind.
• A water dish, stainless steel is best, again, the nonskid works best. 
• You may want to have bottled water on hand.  We have well water with no chemicals added, the chemicals in “city water” may upset your puppy’s stomach.  Gradually switch over to your tap water.  (you may want to use a water purifier to remove impurities which can worsen tear stains)
• A collar and lead. If you use a “choke chain”, it should be long enough to slip over the pup's head with room to spare but should not have more than a six inch "tail" when around his neck. His first lead should be a lightweight one.  Please do not leave any collar on the pup when he’s indoors.  The collar can catch on nearly anything and choke the puppy.  Also, bulldogs develop the classic hanging jowls over time, and the collar impedes this process.  I HIGHLY recommend Mendota leads.  I have found the Mendota slip lead to be a wonderful collar/lead combination that is very convenient for everyday use.
• Nail clippers or grinder. I love the Dremel tool grinder.  You have more control and a much smoother finish.
• Wire crate.  It is much easier to house train a puppy if he sleeps in a crate. Bulldogs do better in wire crates than the plastic type because the air circulation through the wire crates is so much better. Dogs like to have their own little den, and a crate works well for that purpose.
• An X-pen. Even if you have a fenced yard, you may want to confine the puppy to a particular area. Puppy pens are easy to take with you to provide a confined area. Indoors, you can put his bed in his crate, put the crate in a puppy pen, and put papers or training pads in a corner of the pen.  
• If you travel with your Bulldog you'll need a large insulated water jug so that you'll have "home" water available for him. A lixit bottle or a small water bowl that hooks to the side of his crate is handy.
• Many bullies like a soft crate pad (after they're potty trained).  Some seem to prefer the bare floor of the crate.
• Washable piddle pads--the puppy won't tear them up like the disposible ones, and they hold up for hundreds of washings.    Opportunities Development is a good place to purchase them.
• Cooling blanket—a chamois type cloth (found in the automotive section at WalMart—marketed for drying your car)  Dip the cloth in cool water to help keep your bully cool on hot days.  You can also buy the cool collars and cool coats made out of the same material from many online retailers.
• Appropriate toys--Bulldogs love to chew, so provide your bulldog with durable chew toys like Nylabones and Kongs.  Lots of bullies enjoy Jolly Balls.  You can give rope toys or squeeky toys if you are supervising play time.  Never give a bulldog a rawhide toy! 
• A good brush
• A gentle dog shampoo--please don't use human shampoo on your bully.  Their skin has different needs than ours.
• Aquaphor or bag balm to keep the nose soft.
• Aveeno Diaper cream to keep wrinkles from getting yeasty.
• Good dog food
• Supplements--I use NuVet plus and fish oil capsules.
• Training treats--be sure to check the ingredient labels on these, too.  Many treats are the equivalent of Twinkies.
• Unscented baby wipes--you'll find a thousand uses for them.
• Flea, tick and heartworm preventative--Check with your vet for the best preventative for your area.
• Pooper scooper and bags--always clean up after your pup.