westiemum

Thanks Dame Darling - I looked at her site but nothing except belly bands for the boys - and I need full pants for him now I think. Theres a UK site that does pants for boys for both wee and poo but going to be pretty expensive... I will go there if I have to but would prefer to find something Australian and cheaper if at all possible...

Hi All, Mac's continence problems are gradually getting worse - having particular probs with small poo logs on the carpet at the moment as well as wee, regardless of whether I'm home or not. He's 15 in August so a very old dog, on Stilboestrel and I don't think its just bad behaviour as the wee is leaving a trickling trail. But the house-mate is returning from OS in a couple of weeks time and he's not very understanding - and I have to make this house-sit work for another 4-6 months if possible. So I need a solution. Wondering if I should switch him back to Propalin to see if that helps? (Yes I'd talk to my vet first). Googling can find plenty of pants (not belly bands) for girls but not for boys. Ideas please DOLers? TIA.

I bought a second hand Audi A4 wagon - and it's the best car I've ever had for me and three westies. Much better than the workForester which didn't have any where near enough boot space and was difficult to lift dogs in and out of. When it dies I'll buy another wagon rather than another SUV precisely because of the boot space issue.

I have three westies temporarily in a small courtyard at the moment and as someone else said - it ain't fun. But it can work if you break up their week with activity and company while you are at work. After much initial grief, with much help from DOLers I now have a routine which seems to work so far - paws crossed. Weekends are spent almost completely with me except one afternoon or evening a fortnight when I go to the football. I make choices about my own social life based on their needs first. Monday is then home alone with beds sprayed with adaptil spray and an anti-anxiety chew. Tuesdays is an anti-anxiety chew and their 'grandmother' comes and doggy-sits for the whole afternoon 5-7 hours). Wednesday is home alone again with adaptil sprayed beds. Thursday they all go to doggy daycare at huge cost. (They love it and are absolutely exhausted in a good way at the end of the day). Friday is a repetition of Tuesday with their 'grandmother' doggy- sitting for half a day. I walk them all most evenings as well. It takes that level of company, activity and management to keep them and the neighbours happy. So almost regardless of breed are you prepared to put that level of effort in, prioritise their needs first, deal with all the difficulties that might arise and basically if it comes to that, do whatever it takes? If not, then don't get a dog.

Late last year Andy spent the day at the vet (or doggy day care?) - and apparently Sarah didn't bark - she howled. I've learned not to separate them particularly if I'm not home. So they go for walks together and to doggy day care together.

Really well thanks Sir Snook. Aspiration pneumonia is a huge risk for laryngeal tie-back dogs with open airways. And the inevitable happened - something went down the wrong way and set-up a serious infection. Luckily his grandmother was on the ball, noticed it virtually the moment he went clinical last Saturday afternoon, and whisked him off to the vet for IV fluids and ABs - meanwhile I was at the football at Adelaide Oval with a flat phone! So I swung into action some hours later - and it's Mums early action that I think made all the difference. I then transferred him from the Parade to Anzac Highway Emergency overnight. He came home Sunday afternoon a new boy and spent Monday at his grandmothers house on her bed!!! So all well. And he had a lovely time with Alex at Dog City yesterday - she's really fond of him and looks after him really well.

And I have three happy absolutely exhausted westies snoring on my bed after a long day at Dog City. Sarah comes home, jostles for her dinner and then collapses!! They did a great job again looking after Mac -particularly after he was so sick on the weekend

Africandreams I find the opposite - I feed raw exclusively and keep a bag of VIP grain free for emergencies - my westies put on far too much weight on dry food. I find their weight is much better on a raw diet. Mac had a blood panel last weekend and it was very good - different practice (long story) and the vet was surprised how good it was in such an old dog (14.5years). So I'm happy with a raw diet on all counts.

Andy is my very timid puppy farm rescue - when I first got him he was frightened of his own shadow. And he's certainly coming out of his shell the longer he's at doggy daycare. They'll all go again on Thursday.

Thanks denali - you've reassured me that mine are in good place.

Interesting conversation - I've been very happy at Dog City. The dogs are supervised full-time, they are separated into big dogs and little dogs, have activities and my 14 year old Mac gets taken for a special midday grandpa nap each day he's there with one of the owners. He's a cunning old boy - he really has her conned and loves snoozing on her chest and cuddling up to her. I've been taking them there for some months and often watching through the window and I can honestly say I've not seen one problem. Maybe it's the level of supervision and activity?

Great work Broken Hillers!!

I use snuggle safe heated pads for the westies and they love them - they work brilliantly. And they've come down in porch since I bought mine - you might need two for a bigger dog.

Wundahoo you are so right. My Mac has had a total left ear abalation for chronic pseudomonas infection and my only regret was I mucked around for too long - all the time he was in a great deal of pain. We tried every AB on the face of the planet - even flew ABs in from Sydney - and finally reached the end of the clinical management road. The surgeon told me straight after Macs surgery that it was so extensive in the ear cavity and so infected he doubted we would ever get on top of it clinically regardless of what we did. For Mac surgery was the only option so the whole ear mechanism on the left was removed. I just wish I'd tried it earlier rather than having him in what would have been quite severe pain and spending all that money on specialists, pathology, ABs, pain relief, consults etc - which was probably as much as I ended up spending on the surgery. It's a personal choice - but my advice is always remember your dog is probably in a lot of pain, and that you don't have to go through every AB known to man like I did to see the pattern. Once you've tried a couple and this damn bug has become resistant I think you need to consider surgery. This si a water-borne bug I think - and is so clever it becomes resistant to most ABs really quickly. IMO surgery will relieve your dogs pain and be cheaper in the long run. Surgery isn't and shouldn't always be a last resort. Anyway just my thoughts and I hope that helps. ETA - Mac was a new dog after the surgery - much brighter and happier. And sadly I realised just how much the previous infection was affecting him. The surgeon described the infection as an ear filled with stinking cottage cheese!!

Ah yes - Keswick - thats the one.

Dog City Day Care at Kent Town is where I go. I believe there is another good one at Ashford (?) which one of my work colleagues uses and she's very happy there too.

Oh and another thing I forgot to mention - we've had an insanely hot summer and of course no air on at the house-sit-from-hell. So for days over 35 or so it was good to know they were supervised and in aircon through the heat of the day. Yes for my guys first visits I got and email report during the day which I really appreciated.

She only went for a couple of visits. She had really heavy wrinkling on her forehead which pushed everything into her eyes and she just couldn't see. After multiple surgeries she needed some heavily managed play with other dogs as she had missed out on litter interaction. Once I knew she hadn't been adversely affected and was happy to moderate her play style to that of the other dog she was allowed to go with the foster parents to a local dog park. Sounds line it worked well Ams.

Steph your place sounds like mine - I got a tour as well and there's a window where you can watch everything that's going on. I think they thought I was crazy as well - I wrote a book on Mac, his surgeries, needs, reduced vision, deafness. Andy was the guinea pig - he went first as he was the one who originally I thought really needed the socialisation and supervision ( he was becoming a problem barker at the house-sit). Then once I was confident they were receiving very good card, I enrolled Mac and Sarah. They always arrive home exhausted but happy. Even after I finally get into my new house I think I'll keep it up once a week.

TSD - not sure about other places but this place doesn't take any undesexed dogs. And yes I hadn't thought of that but yes I'm sure there are dogs which aren't suited/ wouldn't enjoy it. Lucky that my three seem to really enjoy the company and activity

How long and many visits did it take for you to notice a difference Ams? Andy is a very timid puppy farm rescue whose been going since before Christmas - and he's really blossoming. Couldn't be happier with the socialisation and care they all receive.

Wow - am I the only one?

Happy birthday beautiful boy!! what a stunner!!!

As many know I'm in the house-sit-from hell at the moment. So to help the westies, break up their week and help my sanity they've been going to doggy day care - once or sometimes twice a week usually on Thursdays and sometimes on Tuesdays - and they really love it!! Mac takes full advantage of being the elder statesman of the group - he gets to have a grandpa nap in the middle of the day, lying all over the lovely Alexandra!!! I've snuck in early a couple of times to see how they are doing through the window - and Andy and Sarah just love being with the staff and the other dogs. And andy's confidence is growing by the visit. And they are all exhausted when they get home - I have three snoring westies on bed at the moment - dinner then bed! Sounds like a bunch of toddlers home from child care!! I'm really pleased with this arrangement - not cheap but it seems to make such a difference to them. Any one else using commercial doggy day care?

My Mark has the westies completely fooled - he just has to walk into the room and biff one of them and they scatter!!