westiemum

I'd feed human grade raw - its much simpler!

Or you could go and have a chat with Karina and Ben at Adelaide Dog on Payneham Road - their raw food is really affordable and awesome! My westies thrive on it. ( and no I have no interest in the business - just a vested interest in ensuring they thrive so I can still buy their food!)

And I'm going to bed!

Hmn... Yes very interesting. Michigan State University which seems to be the centre of all things LP says it's particularly common in a couple of large breeds and Mac's surgeon said the same thing - cos I joked that clearly Mac hadn't read the text.

Not particularly OSS - but we'll never know the real cause(s) of his LP - Genetic, collars, disease process, susceptibility? All the above? But at the back of my mind it freaks me out to think I might have caused or contributed to his LP . There I've said it So I try not to think about it - as I'll never know. But it is interesting that LP is more common in large breeds - something to do with controlling bigger dogs through their collars? I genuinely don't know - I've just decided to be very cautious and only use harnesses. I really feel the whole issue of LP and collars needs some serious research.

Yep Mm I know exactly what you mean - but on balance here it's chips and no collars or harnesses at home whether I'm here or not - and harnesses with ID on them when were out.

Good idea MF. And when you're ready to replace the harness, you might like to look at an Ezy Dog quick fit harness. As well as being completely adjustable for a good fit, it has a loop on the side for ID tags - so no need for a collar at all. As I stressed, I'm no canine expert. But if thinking about what you put around a dogs neck and what you do with it stops just one person going through the fright, misery and expense that I went through with Mac it's really worthwhile until we know more. I don't want to scare people but I don't think you have to be a genius to work out that even gentle pulling and correction around a dogs neck, particularly if it's repeated may damage fragile neck structures.

Anne I agree - and while the jury is definitely out, after my experience with Mac and knowing the structure function and innervation of the larynx as I do, I've decided to be very cautious and only use harnesses which distribute pressure eg across the chest and not concentrate it around the neck. I think there's really room here for a serious study.

Hi All, At the risk of being shot down in flames - here's my theory based on a frightening, expensive sample of one and the usual shoddy net 'science' and extensive human head and neck knowledge as a Speech Pathologist. The short story - Mac had life saving laryngeal tie back surgery to clear his obstructed airway (laryngeal paralysis (LP) paralysed vocal cords). - cost all up 4.2k back in June. At first I was told by the vet that collars are not the cause - of any type. However there appears to be some growing ad hoc information, some from vets, which suggest this might not be the case and to be wary. As a Speechie and acknowledging a thicker muscle sheath in canines, I still think there is still plenty of room for caution. The issue is not in my view a question of muscular coverage but nerve damage. The canine larynx is fragile and complex - like humans - and is innervated by the 10th cranial nerve - the Vagus - which comes off the base of the brain. It's one of the most complex cranial nerves which provides sensory and motor innervation to the larynx and pharynx amongst other neck structures. It's path follows closely the carotid artery and is relatively close to the neck surface. It bifurcates and the part which innervates the larynx is the recurrent laryngeal nerve (left and right). Its route and sheer length compared with other cranial nerves makes it more susceptible to damage. And it's located right at the point where most collars appear to sit. There appears to be growing discussion (note: I did not say evidence) that these nerves can be easily damaged unilaterally or more rarely bilaterally. Choke chain injuries, tight slip collars, or any rope around the neck can fracture the hyoid bone and/or potentially cause compression damage to the nerves of the canine pharynx and larynx. I recognise there is also growing research suggesting a genetic base to LP. Again in my view it's not either or - eg could collars in genetically susceptible dogs cause damage? Or could collars cause the damage by themselves? I don't know. But either way, given many people think nothing of yanking their dogs around by the neck, and after almost losing Mac, my dogs will never wear collars around their sensitive neck structures again. Happy for others to think otherwise . But until we know for sure one way or another, it's no collars here ever again.

I used it for a while as a secondary/ back-up food and think its a great - just didn't suit my Westie girl in particular - she scratched like crazy! The itching stopped when I took her off it. So same as Snook - suits some dogs brilliantly, others not so much. So I'd try it and see KC. I've found for mine it must be grain free - so I use the occasional VIP grain free from Woolies - cheap and works well for the westies. But it's only ever a back-up food here - not a primary food. I feed raw mainly.

Ness you'll keep!!! There really isn't anywhere to put a trap but yes I can disturb it - but do I want given Its built-in barking control for Andy - when he's focused on that spot he's not barking! And I'm sure they can't burrow through to anywhere... Bugger... Wish I'd realised before I bought out the toy shop yesterday!

Oh sh*t!!! I didn't think of that! Suggestions? (I've never had to deal with rats in my whole life)! Cockies yes, rats no...

Hi All, Something else I've noticed this morning - Andy and Sarah are obsessed with the back left corner of the cordoned area of the courtyard - where there is ivy covered lattice up to the top of a very high back fence. I can't smell anything dead between the lattice and the back fence but that doesn't mean it's not there. And Andy gave the occasionally bark towards the gate but nothing that would upset anyone - I'll put the plastic on the fence this afternoon. They are really serious about that corner... Thoughts anyone? ETA the house behind the back fence I suspect is rented - haven't been able to raise those neighbours at all so I'm guessing it might be empty... So no opportunity to check out the fence line from the other side

I think you're right KC - and if not then its going to be a very long 8-10 months!

Its really good to hear of such care on both sides and success - Jetta and her new owners are both lucky to have found each other - this was definitely meant to be! Congratulations!

Thanks Snook - the DAP pheromone collars are now called Adaptil according to my googling. I believe they last about a month - so a three pack might be worth it!. Do these anxiety dogs ever get to the point where they cope with change? Just a thought.

Yep thats right Teebs. I've saved hundreds simply by ringing around every time one of my insurances fall due. I've just this week changed my car insurer and saved $89.00! Better in my pocket than theirs!

And if you are a heavy mobile user (eg no landline), then the Amaysim Unlimited Plan at $39.90/month if you own your own phone might be worth considering too - I always know exactly what my monthly phone bill will be - makes budgeting very easy.

I wonder if the schnauzer owners across the road also got a note in their letter-box. Hi Mita, No I doubt it - they are just that bit further away for the sound to be less intense I think. ETA although I did meet two more neighbourhood dogs this morning - I think including my guys that brings the immediate neighbourhood dogs to nine!

OK - been a busy afternoon! First the vet - although I prefer not to, I've had Andy vaccinated so if I need to try doggy day care I can, easily and quickly. I've driven past the doggy day care place this afternoon - looks good and recommended by a friend who knows people who have been very happy there. The vet believes its anxiety barking connected with the move - and that makes sense. He has prescribed Xanax and recommended a pheromone collar - but said they are in short supply. He doesn't like citronella collars as he believes it can exacerbate anxiety disorders in susceptible dogs - which certainly cuts Andy out. Does anyone know how effective they are or where you can buy them? (I'll search online but thought people might have some recommendations). I could only get a diffuser today so thats where I've started but that won't work outdoors. The vet was very complimentary of how I'd handled the neighbours. I'm fairly sure that I spoke to the lady who wrote the note early this afternoon. I've turned her around to the point where she is prepared to be patient and will help me find a solution . She will let me know what times, how often and long Andy is barking and we've agreed we'll talk again in a fortnight - when her daughter washes my car!! (Anything for neighbourhood peace!). I also now understand her problem - she was trying to sleep after working a night shift as a nurse and the sound is funnelling between a couple of high two storey houses into her upstairs windows. So I certainly understand the problem. Have bought out the pet shop of different toys - not really but I had no idea there were so many different types! Bought a ball thing with a maze inside that you put treats in - its a hit but he gets them out pretty quickly - any suggestions anyone please on how to make the exercise last longer? Have got some black plastic from Bunnings to cover the lattice which is see through to the see-through gate a few metres away. The backyard at my old house was completely enclosed - they couldn't see out so I'm hoping if I replicate that it might help. Lastly found some perfect size lamb bones to leave with all three on Monday and the mother is going to spend a couple of hours out of sight gauging the extent of the problem and 'data gathering' for me while I'm at work on Monday Phew! No wonder I'm tired! Any thing else I should think about or I might have missed? Thanks so much for your help everyone.

Wow! Do you know if the good behaviour maintained? (Sorry for all the questions but I'm genuinely interested). Good thought about the birds - will do a good check of the area tomorrow.

Exactly!! I was very diplomatic with the neighbours that I managed to meet for the first time - and it was good to take the westies with me - it personalised them rather than them remiaing some annoying anonymous dog over a fence. They got lots of pats and attention too. The follow-up note is a good idea DD - thanks - I;ll try and catch more neighbours tomorrow and then follow-up with a note next week - hopefully after I've made some progress. You may find that the council has advised them to just leave a note first. Sadly some people may get abusive if they are confronted, so to avoid that happening they will eave a note. My friend did have barking dogs, they would go mental when the people over the back would potter in their garden and sit on their back patio. The people were advised to leave a note first, my friend had already started to put a plan into action before they found out who made the complaint, but once found out who complained they got them to be instrumental in the solution. I hope that you can sort something out or prove that it's not your dogs (if it's not) JR do you know any details of how your friends enrolled the neighbours in the solution? That could be very helpful. I have a theory that barking dogs can actually be neighbourhood problems and there can be neighbourhood solutions - and the first thing appears to be to discourage the neighbours from yelling and reinforcing the barking!

Thanks JR - the rather nasty emotive note said they would go to the council - but you're right - they may have already. Have engaged the mother to do some snooping for me on Monday while I'm at work so I can get a better idea of what's really going on during the day. Will cover the lattice with something opaque from Bunnings, go to Dick Smith, get some bones and toys, and go and drive by some doggy day care and look at vibration collars as emergency back up. Going to be a busy afternoon.

Thanks J. Will do some sneaking up on them and see what the story is later today.

Lily Pily I'm not on a low income but money is tight for other reasons. I know people will assume I'm on a band wagon, but I honestly find feeding raw human grade soooo much cheaper. I'm continually shocked at the price of dog food and wonder how people afford it! I feed three westies at night for around two dollars or about 70c each and they get chicken necks or wings in the morning as well - about 60c each. So I feed three westies twice a day for less than $4.00. Yes it takes a bit of effort and fore-thought but I just shop for them when I shop for me. And the freezer is my best friend! Hope that helps.