westiemum

Agreed K - I hope they don't get another puppy. I stand by if you can't afford vet fees you can't afford a puppy.

Me too LG - I didn't know that either. I'm going to take a closer look at Mac and Sarah. Part of the problem is the training of human medical practitioners and vets in the medical model means they operate in a compartmentalised medical rather than a holistic person/dog model - so they don't always connect dots - what appears to be disparate symptoms might actually be connected. Eg in my case Sarah 's yeasty ears, paw licking and upset tummy might all be connected.

Rascalmyshadow I'm so sorry they ignored you and you then witnessed the puppies death - but being a pastor and mistreating or neglecting an animal is not necessarily connected - others do it too. As others have said, I suggest you report and see if you can find out why it died incase the pup was infectious. Take care of yourself.

What Perse said.

I haven't used either but if your dog is itchy because of a yeast infection, I'd be wary of both - the Paws has oatmeal in it and the Dr Zoo has glucose - which might feed yeast. Just my thoughts.

Excellent links B. I've tried many traditional treatments for Sarah - steroids, Atopica - and while giving some temporary relief none worked long term as I don't think they got to the root of the problem. Very good advice in that healthy pets article - particularly no sugars or carbs and all over 'shampooing' to kill and remove the yeast. Although I must say I've never seen the hydrogen peroxide advice before - might try that. Thanks for posting.

Mac is 14.5, has dementia and goes through periods of licking everything obsessively - he's particularly fond of door frames but will lick mattresses, dog beds, my legs, chair legs and fabric covered chairs as well. I've had no success whatsoever at stopping him so now I just gently distract him when I see it so I don't reinforce it. The vet says its part of his dementia and says there's not a lot I can do about it and it's pretty harmless.

All the supermarkets seem to stock the yoghurt you make up from packets and the kits for doing it easily (the box contains the instructions, the thermos and the plastic jar for making it) - EasiYo and Hansell seem to be the two brands. I bought the low lactose probiotic Hansell one - two 500g packs - from Coles yesterday - Coles seem to stock Hansell while Foodland stocks EasiYo - not sure about Woolies. Made up a kg for Sarah today and it looks really good. It's very quick and easy to do. Will try it with her breakfast in the morning. Overall, in the longer term it's much cheaper - and I bought the thermos kit for $10 on special which is less than half price. Hope that helps.

Hmn Canetoad - thats really interesting. My Sarah is on probiotic powder from the vet but might try the Inner Health capsules when we're finished that to compare.

The antibiotic could well be the problem, however if it does return I would lose the kibble or switch to grain free if the one you are currently using isn't.I find that washing the paws in ACV solution or Malaseb, if you wish, also helps with yeast as they can transfer the yeast by scratching their ears, licking their paws etc. So treating both areas can help. This. My 12 year old westie Sarah is such a yeastie girl - and since I've been using ABs only as a very last resort with her and switched her to the occasional grain free dry food she's been much better. And I have no proof of this whatsoever, but like in humans, it seems girl doggies are far more prone to yeast infections than the boys. So you may need to think about Jenna's yeastiness systemically, not just her ears. You essentially have to starve the yeast and stop it from spreading. ETA: Many vets these days also have good quality probiotic powders which are worth a try and I've just started Sarah on a low lactose natural probiotic yoghurt - the Hansell one that you make up yourself - to try to help her upset tummy and tendency to yeast infections - which I suspect are connected.

Thanks all - I think its a very good solution for Mac as well as a very cost effective solution as well. Although buying an old stroller and having it modified would have been good too, I suspect the overall costs would have been well above $50.

Let's just say my gorgeous old Mac is a very tolerant boy given this is the first time his mother has seriously pushed a pram any distance! But it really us very easy to push - gravel, grass - handles it all with ease! Moonlight Cinema here we all come!!

Perse it sure does - particularly with trying to walk three westies - and one a fairly immobile 14 year old!

Well I've now had two nights walking with the new Macmobile - a Phil and Teds 3 Wheeler Dash Stroller and it's brilliant - thanks so much Perse for spotting it!!! I've decided it doesn't need any modification. All I've done is lay the main seat down and remove the second toddler seat at the back, put a pillow in (which fits perfectly) and wind Mr Mac's lead around the handle bar - and we're away. I can't believe how much easier it is and he seems to really like it! In the photos, the black strap is his lead which is attached to his harness. Sorry the photos are sideways - don't know why they upload like that but will still give you a good idea. Can highly recommend it as a potential solution for smaller dogs under 15-20 kgs ( I think the upper weight limit for this stroller is 25kgs) but I'm not sure I'd want to push it with that much dog in it).

Sorry having trouble uploading the photos from the iPad.

DD that trolley is a beauty - but I'd want the contents too!

Aaaah! That's what I thought to begin with - I too thought driving was a visible option - but have now suggested she fly so thanks anyway everyone.

Thanks Korbin but thus pip was a singleton I think. But she may gave her heart set on meeting the parents and breeder... We'll see.

Ah! Thanks again show dog - will pass that on.

Yep good idea - calendula tea is wonderful too.

What Erny said. Manuka honey IMO is the kennel cough miracle cure - and the westies loved it. My two oldies picked it up at a very large dog meet - and the honey was brilliant and while expensive to get the really strong one it's still cheaper than a vet bill! I got mine online from NZ. No probs with the post. Oh and don't buy the insipid supermarket strength - it's not strong enough. Hope that helps.

Thanks very much everyone. I'm convinced! I've suggested to her that she fly him - and get puppy diet advice from DOL ( I know nothing about puppies or what they should eat). I hope she'll post some pics! He's very very cute!

Thanks show dog - when you put it like that....

Hi All, A friend is picking up her much longed for Westie puppy in the next few weeks from a registered breeder in Ballarat. The dilemma now is does she fly him to Adelaide or drive over with two drivers and collect him? I'm erring on the side of driving for a number of reasons - meet the breeder, gentler travelling, bonding time and by the time the puppy gets from Ballarat to Tullamarine, waits for his flight, gets loaded, flies and gets unloaded and drives to his new home in Adelaide it will be almost as long as a drive. And airports are noisy scary places IMO. Obviously if we were talking Sydney or Perth it's a no brainer - pup flies. But IMO the drive to and from Ballarat is easily doable. But the breeder seems to think a flight would be less stressful. Brains trust thoughts please? TIA.

Yonjuro. I've used the vet grade evening primrose oil shampoo here for years - brilliant stuff for my itchy westie. It's so good humans can use it too and leaves your hands feeling really good.