gsdog2

I don't know that I would look for another vet (although it is an unusual request). Surely you can talk to him about it and let him know that you will be home with your boy, have purchased a crate and he will be sleeping beside you in your bedroom. Ask the vet, if your dog stays overnight, will there be a vet/nurse with your dog the whole night. I personally would politely explain that I would prefer to take my boy home, and not leave him overnight at the vets :rolleyes: I've had a number of male (and female) dogs desexed and none of them required an overnight stay. I worked for a vet a number of years ago and it was never a requirement then.

I think it has more to do with her age as mine is 10 mths and was doing the same thing. I agree with the use of the second ball and also a long line, the only thing I would add is that you gradually reduce the length of the long line as she starts to return the ball. I found mine would come straight back to me if she had the long line on (she knew she really had no choice :p ) but as soon as I removed it she'd take off again. The trick is as she learns to come back on the long line leave a shorter line on (that doesn't quite reach the ground) so that she feels like it's still there. Mine is now returning to me but has started this knew thing where she stands between my legs and waits for me to remove the ball from her mouth - not sure what that's about, but we're working on it . If anyone has any suggestions (with regard to her actually dropping the ball at my feet) feel free ......... ?

I worked for a vet years ago and the first thing we'd check were the ears (and yes, we did use a thermometer too :D ) - I still tend to check my own dogs ears if I think they might have a temp.

Congratulations to you and Annabelle on her CCD - you've both obviously worked very hard and the hard work has paid off

Well it's not just GSD's then I'm still open to suggestions as to why some dogs eat this way

:p Mine wouldn't be game to leave any 'cause he knows the other two will soon "clean" his bowl. At least I now know mine isn't the only dog with this strange way of eating

He's actually one of three, the other two eat in their crate's (my boy is arthritic and finds it difficult to eat/sleep in a crate), so there's no competition for his food. His bowl is plastic and the other two have metal bowls so I've swapped with them to see if it makes any difference - it doesn't. Persephone he is a VERY slow and careful eater. One of my other dog's is a Goldie and he IS a hoover (hence the need to crate him when he eats). Interestingly my third dog is a 10mth old female GSD who is also a slow and careful eater. She is very curious about my male GSD's eating habit and watches the whole ritual with great interest I just hope she doesn't learn from him and copy his eating style. Is it just coincidence or is this more common is GSD's? I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be a Goldie out there that would take so much care when eating

He has been like this on and off all his life. He did it more often when he was seriously ill with pneumonia three years ago suffering severe appetite loss. I asked the vet (specialist) at the time if his eating habbit was connected to his illness, and he said he didn't think so. He's had the same bowl since he was a pup, although we have tried different bowls and that didn't seem to make any difference either ;)

When my 9yr old GSD eats he picks up large mouthfulls of dry food, carries it to his bed (single bed size foam mattress), drops the whole mouthfull of food on the bed and eats it there. When he finishes the first mouthfull he returns to his bowl and continues the ritual of shifting his food for the whole meal. I've put his bowl on his bed and he still fills his mouth up with food and drops it on the bed and eats it off the bed. If I feed him outside he will take the food out of the bowl and drop it on the ground before eating it. I'm not worried about the behaviour, just curious as to why he would eat this way

I've got mine, with two huge pockets in the front. It's perfect for training as I can carry treats (in plastic bag still) and her favourite ball. My aim is to wear the same vest in the trial ring

Thank you so much for that feedback. From what I've read about Dectomax I did wonder whether she would also be covered for ticks, as I see that's why it's used on cattle (not that we have a problem with ticks). I had quite a discussion yesterday with my vet re her treatment and his feelings are that the wash is risky to both human and dog. He also said he's tried both wash and injection and has had much better results from the Dectomax injection. I asked him about nutrition and he said that although it could play a part in Demodectic mange he didn't think in my dog's case it was necessary to give any extra supplements. So, after speaking to my vet, and no-one on DOL experiencing negative effects from Dectomax injections I have decided to go ahead with the 6 week course of injections as I think it's going to give her the best possible chance to fight Demodectic mange

Turkey Trot thank you so much for your reply. I have always had a lot of faith in my vet, however when my dog is being injected with a chemical I have not heard of I will still question him. After reading both your reply and Staff'n'Toller's advice I feel more confident about my girls appointment tomorrow. I will still ask questions, but it does seem that Dectomax is a fairly common treatment for Demodectic mange and from what I've read also has the best chance of getting rid of it permantly

No, we're lucky not to have a flea problem here, so no flea treatment needed (luckily, 'cause I'm sure she'd have flea allergies ). I do treat her with monthly HWT (Heartguard). I'm noting all comments down and will be asking vet tomorrow about Advocate or Demodex wash. It seems as though there hasn't been a lot of adverse reactions to Dectomax injections which is interesting.

Nekhbet I had already thought about changing her over from a grain based diet, but I have to say her skin has been fine over winter so I've left her on the Eukanuba. With summer here (in Qld anyway) I will look into changing her diet. I would like the name of the immune booster when you find it SBT123 no, I wasn't offered any other option. I have never had a dog with this problem before, but I do remember in the past it was a VERY difficult problem to treat, so I accepted the fact that this was the treatment required. It was only when I spoke to the owner of the other pups that I started asking questions - rang the vet, got on the net and DOL. oakway the milk is something she had when she was younger and is a rare treat now ;) Raw vegies are given at work (she comes to work with me) to munch on as bones are a bit smelley in the office

It's localised - 20c size on side of muzzle. I know someone who has two pups around same age from same breeder (different litters) and both have demodectic mange and treating them with a wash. My girl is prone to skin problems (has also had puppy pyoderma), although it's fine atm, so I assumed that was the reason he was using this particular treatment. However when I asked the question I was told this is a safer method for both owner and dog, and also more successful.

I wouldn't have thought Large Puppy Eukanuba, puppy milk, whole chicken frames and raw vegetables are poor diet though

Any suggestions as to a good supplement? I'm still interested to know if anyone's dog has had an adverse reaction to this drug

This is the site :- http://www.drugs.com/vet/dectomax-injectable-solution.html and this is the precaution:- Precautions: Dectomax Has Been Developed Specifically For Use In Cattle And Swine Only. This Product Should Not Be Used In Other Animal Species As Severe Adverse Reactions, Including Fatalities In Dogs, May Result. Thanks Nekhbet I have searched DOL and all comments were positive although most are more to do with various treatments of mange and not the Dectomax injection itself. I understand it can be diet related however I doubt that's the case with her. She was desexed a week prior to the mange appearing and my vet said she was days off coming into season when she had surgery (8mths). I'm guessing hormones may have played a part or possibly a reaction to surgery.

My 9mth old GSD has been diagnosed with demodectic mange and had the first of a six week course of Dectomax injections. I have googled Dectomax injectable and all I can find is that it's only used on cattle and swines. The only reference to dogs that I can find is that it shouldn't be used on dogs as it can be FATAL !!!! She's due for her next injection tomorrow and as you can imagine I'm reluctant to go ahead with it until I can find more information. My question is the good, the bad and ugly experiences anyone has had with this injection - I know there are other forms of treatment and I will get to that if I decide against this particular treatment.

Yep. But that inside dog is going to have better quality of life than the outside only dog whose owner comes home and doesn't play or interact with it. And plenty of Australian backyards have one of those. Exactly!!! And that's why your comment:- "It's not as simple as inside = good and outside = bad" is so true. Either way the owner needs to work at it, and not disregard their dog as a pretty decoration/garden statue - inside or out

I couldn't agree more with the above comments. "It's not as simple as inside = good and outside = bad" is what I'm getting at. If the OP works at it and makes an effort to spend time with his dog during the day (not only him, but the whole family) why shouldn't it work? Wouldn't that dog have a better quality of life than the poor dog that's left on it's own all day and when the owner comes home yes, they allow the dog inside, but don't play, train or interact with it? Your dogs might sleep all day (keeping in mind they can keep each other company - not the same as an individual dog), but there are plenty that are bored and either bark, or damage property (especially the under 12mth olds) and generally have a very sad and lonely day on their own

I have been reading this thread with interest and just thought I'd add another side to the debate. Most here agree that it's not ok to have an "outside only" dog, although they seem to be talking about nights only. So what is the opinion of those particular DOLer's with regard to leaving their dogs at home alone all day (inside or out) - I know there's a few of you out there . I exercise my dogs during the day, play games with them during the day and train them during the day. At night they sleep!!! So what's worse - a)The owner who works full time and their dog's alone all day (inside or out). The only time they spend with their dog is when the dog is sleeping in the house while the owner watches tv or reads a book etc (not actually interacting with their dog). b) The owner who trains/exercises and plays with their dog (because there's always someone at home) and puts it in a warm kennel/crate at night when the dog is sleeping anyway. :D

I'm training my 8mth old GSD using this method and I couldn't agree more. I constantly watch her for good behaviour ie. click and treat when she looks at me instead of the dog barking along the fenceline. I now find that when she see's a dog waiting for her (within their yard), she will look at me (because "good" things happen when she looks at me ). If she starts pulling I might put her in a sit and CALMLY put her through a few excersises (sit, stand, drop in the one position), and when I have her full attention we'll start CALMLY walking again. I would look at it as a 15 minute training session, instead of a 15 minute walk being extended because she's pulling on the lead. Remember she's still only a baby. By the way Shellectra, after your girls earlier health problems, she's turned out a lovely LH Shepherd This is a good example that Gsdog2 has given us how her GSD girl responds to treat training where my GSD boy didn't at all, same breed entirely different temperament. How I wish that mine did at 8 months of age, but with a hard bloodline police/security dog background compared with pet/show breedings they respond to completely different techniques. I realise this technique won't work for all dogs. I'd have to say she's probably the softest GSD I've owned, and I'm enjoying her gentle nature

I'm training my 8mth old GSD using this method and I couldn't agree more. I constantly watch her for good behaviour ie. click and treat when she looks at me instead of the dog barking along the fenceline. I now find that when she see's a dog waiting for her (within their yard), she will look at me (because "good" things happen when she looks at me ). If she starts pulling I might put her in a sit and CALMLY put her through a few excersises (sit, stand, drop in the one position), and when I have her full attention we'll start CALMLY walking again. I would look at it as a 15 minute training session, instead of a 15 minute walk being extended because she's pulling on the lead. Remember she's still only a baby. By the way Shellectra, after your girls earlier health problems, she's turned out a lovely LH Shepherd :rolleyes:

I totally agree - left over roast, steak and chicken are all soft (and high value ), these also spend time sitting in her mouth before eventually being swallowed. I'm wondering if it's more the size of the treat that causes the probem - if it's larger, she's more likely to be aware that it's still there.