Lab_Rat

Xolo - Linky wont work, I just get a blank page. Rat

I'm not sure, although from what I've heard from a few people, quite possibly. However I haven't spoken to what I would consider 'many' people with RR's on this. My previous (avatar) girl (bless her cotton socks) was somewhat fussy, but not too bad. But I adopted her when she was 7yo - foods such as offal she didn't like; nor raw vegies; etc. But that could simply have been that she had never had those foods introduced to her when she was younger and consequently never had the chance to develop a taste for it. She was never as "off and on" her food like my boy is. Provided she liked it to begin with, then she liked it .... full stop. And she used to love gnawing on bones. No I dont think they are a generally fussy breed, our first girl certainly wasnt! I wouldnt consider Zola to be fussy, usually she eats anything and everything, but before she was spayed and when on heat she went through these stages of refusing to eat raw meat. The look on her face was amazing - she would pick the offending piece of meat from her bowl and drop it on the floor. If I offered her some raw meat she would sniff it, gently start to take it from me (all the while with her lips pulled out of the way so she didnt actually have to touch it ;) ) then spit it out. After she was spayed she was fine, up until the other week??? So I dont know what it was, but she will be getting raw mince for her dinner tonight! :D Im so glad Mandela enjoyed his bone! How are his ears going?? Are you on an eardrops week?? Rat

The reason I ask is because Mandela went off eating any raw meat I offered him. In desperation (he had become too thin) I cooked him up some chicken and he ate it like no tomorrow. I've been cooking his meat (mostly chicken, but sometimes beef) and he is eating really, really well. It might not be something that lasts - he's done similar before when I've simply changed meat type or food formulas .... might eat it and go well on it for a period of months, then suddenly turn off it. I don't want him to only eat cooked meat for the rest of his life and I do aim to wean him back to raw and see how he goes (although I admit I'm enjoying watching his enthusiasm for his meals over these past few weeks, and to seeing him looking better and better as the days roll on), but if "cooked" is what does it, then that's what he'll get. He receives nutritional additives as well though. It's just that it struck me (as I was cooking one of his meals) that I had this thing in the back of my mind that someone had mentioned about temperature of the food being something to pay mind to. Have you ever dreamt something that actually felt real to the point it was difficult to tell it apart from reality? I've done that once before, but I ain't gonna tell you THAT story because it is REALLY bizarre, not to mention embarrassing :). Yes, I do know what you mean abut dreaming something that is so vivid later on down the track you are so sure it actually happened! My Zola has suddenly decided she doesnt like raw meat at the moment as well!! She has eaten half cooked lamb mince for the last two night, with a bit of salmon and her kibble. She refused chicken wings and chunks of lamb meat - like they were festering bits of I dont know what ..........Crazy dog!! So tonight I have cooked her up some lamb mince with veges...........she is more into chunks of veges than meat. Hopefully she will consume that tomorrow night - dont know what Ill do if she refuses that. I also bought 3 tins of salmon today, while my sister laughed and said "You know she wont like it in two days".... Rat

Huh - I got one our heartworm vacc renewal in the mail today and I was wondering whether I would continue with it! My two havent had any problems with the vacc so far, but thats not to say they wont in future I guess! Does anyone know where I could find out the areas where heartworm occur? Or is it just an Australia wide thing now? If I didnt need to give them something at all would be good! I may be barking up the wrong tree, but doesnt the Heartguard chewable active ingredient ivermectin affect some breeds like Collies?? Or is this another chemical? Rat

Stormie thanks for your molecular type description of the actual active ingredients in Calendula and Cortisone! Its a good thing to understand. I think whole antibiotic and cortisone thing is that the "general public" want results here and now, dont really have the inclination to try something that is "alternative", may take a bit longer or may be a bit messy or whatever! They also trust in their vet to give them something for their sick/itchy dog that is a "medication"! I feel the majority of DOL members arent like this and would prefer to find the cause behind their dogs ailment and try and fix that. Only when you cant fix it with simple methods are you inclined to have to resort to "drugs". I guess no one wants to have to use drugs like cortisone or antibiotics, but theres always going to be times when you need to I think. I am lucky in that my vet has also studied, and has a fantastic interest in alternative therapies. She uses Bowen, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicines and is also a great advocate for non-commercial food. She is open to all sorts of new things, and I feel confident having my two girls under her care. Rat

Ive not heard of this Erny - and hope its okay, as I feed my girls their breakfasts warmed in the winter time! Why do you ask? If you dont mind me asking? Rat

I have ticked using cortisone as a once off - we were trying to determine whether Zola had rhinitis or something else. The cortisone worked, but she was only on them for a week or so (thank Dog!) until my vet got her onto some Chinese Herbs ;) . This was the best thing - she has not had a recurrence at all! Her tummy problems were dealt with parasite control to begin with, to rule out giardia but are diet related and luckily my vet doesnt do the ab's for just anything. She was also on a different array of Chinese Herbs to settle her tummy, and although she gets itchy with certain meats she hasnt thrown up or had the runs for quite some time Stormie - I had excellent success with Chinese Herbs as Ive said above. But we dont know the cause of the rhinitis so it may have just been a one off thing?? Kelpie-i, I also have a working Kelpie and she doesnt appear to be allergic to anything either. Such a huge difference between having one that is and one thats not!! Feeding time is fun! Rat

What a beautiful, beautiful boy! ;) He has certainly found the right home with you Alecrain! I agree - more photos whenever!! Rat

Thanks for those pics Erny - Mandela is sooooo beautiful! What a head! Must be nice for you both to have a week off ears! Funnily enough my girl has just decided to go off chicken wings - last night ........I give up!! Rat

Thanks for that Erny! Hey - could you put up a couple of photos of Mandela?? I would love to see him. Rat

Ours have learnt that its quiet time before dinner SecretKei - Zola has to go to her bed as she drools hugely everywhere otherwise . After they eat they usually go to their beds although Zola loves to rub her face all over her bed after eating, which then turns into rolling about, which im not too fond of . She usually gets told quite severely if she starts that! I guess a bit of training sould be ok, mainly that theyre not panting heavily etc., like theyve been on a long hike of zoomy-ing round the yard! Rat

Geez Erny - your post at the end of page three - the history of Mandelas dramas - made me cry You are right when you say its not fair for such a young dog to have had so many troubles! My girls slight issues seem like nothing compared to your boy I cannot believe that conventional vet medicine hasnt been able to pinpoint what is wrong with the poor little guy. I know I would have pulled all my hair out by now and probably be on the verge of some sort of breakdown! Im presuming hes been tested for all manner of things, that youve been through quite a number of vets? Have they just looked at the physical side of things? What Ive been wondering is if he is suffering from anorexia? I know it sounds a tad weird, but who knows? And it does exist in dogs and cats! I was also wondering if it may be something hormone related - theres lots of those running around our bodies!! I really do hope you find an answer soon - I feel strongly for you both! Take care and give the big boofer a hug from us here! Rat

Great post Jed! I managed to teach my ridgy a few good things while she was growing up - however she still resists being layed down! Need to work on that! She gets her nails done like a horse is fine with fingers in ears, mouth and other orifices. Erny - poor Mandela....... and You! Im so glad his ears are recovering. I reckon he was responding better to the ear drops application because something you were projecting changed! Thats my observation anyway and Im sticking to it :D I do remember when horse training the slightest change in attitude and energy (from me) had the most amazing affects on the horse and how it behaved! Hope your boy improves out sight, neither of you deserves to be going through this stuff constantly! Rat

Teekay, you should be able to get protexin from a good pet shop, otherwise yep, try you vet! Sometimes our two will get the runs for no obvious reason.....I guess like us they may just get a tummy bug?? Who knows! Our ridgy does have allergy issues, but the kelpie can eat anything, so when she gets the runs I usually put them both on chicken and rice for a few days, give them a Probiotic Powder made by PAW (pure animal wellbeing) - a vet thing. Maybe every now and then the chicken we feed our dogs isnt that "clean" - dunno if anyone saw Lateline the other night about Chicken farming and the "faecal soup" the chicken carcasses are left in to "cooldown"!!! Another good reason to eat small scale free range products! Sorry a bit OT there Hope your kids are back to normal! Rat

I got my ridgy girl a "Gutzy Bowl" the other day from BP&G, while I was in there "just browsing"! Walked out with an arm full It has definitely slowed her eating down. She also burps alot, indicating to me that she swallows alot of air. That doesnt seem to have decreased tho?! She has always been a burper. She will walk up to you, as if shes gonna give you a kiss, then, buuuuuurrrrrrrrppp........right in the face! Charming bloody dog! Rat

Does anyone use the feeding bowls with lumps in the bottom? To supposedly slow down eating? I got one the other day as my ridgy girl is quite a pig. It has definitely slowed her eating time down. Im hoping that will help with less air being swallowed, dunno if its in the list of things that can bring on bloat, but I thought Id give it a try. There certainly have been some sad stories here. Living through it once was enough for me. I am so vigilant about feeding times, exercise before and after eating and water consumption, but I guess in the end if its going to happen it will! Rat

Bugger MM - Hope your boy is ok! I am so over idiots and their dogs! I saw a bloke walking his dog the other day, actually crossing the Stirling Hiway - NO lead Could not believe it!! So do you know who owns the dog? Can you report it to the ranger?? Poor Mason, not good for his walkies experiences at all! Hope he heals very quickly... Rat

G'day all! My you have been busy in the last few days!!! Welcome to the newbies - such beautiful dogs! Spider is gorgeous, great markings and such a cheeky face. Axel looks like hes going to be a large boy, just as well hes got such a laid-back temp! We did our trip to Perth, ended up going to Vivisens Teahouse in Freo - what a great little place. Nice quiet atmosphere, service was good without being too in your face, and the food.....................YUMMY! We headed off to the zoo on Tuesday, a bit warm but I remembered the sunscreen so for once I didnt get sunburned, yay me!! Although I love the zoo, there are some aspects of it that still make me sad, but apart from that it was a great day - and I got to see a Bilby. Such a wonderful little critter. We indulged on the way home and got ourselves a new TV. A "modern" one, wide screen, skinny thing. Very nice to watch tho! On the HCB subject, peel is evil, chocolate is tolerable but I much prefer just plain old fruit ones, toasted with lots of butter (not marg )! Rat

I am so sorry you lost little Gherkin. Big Hugs Dotty I remember when I first read about him - I loved his name! RIP little one. Rat

Spaying certainly helped my girl Andriel! We lived through about 4 heats & phantom pregnancies, I think - with grumpiness, no eating weight loss and other stuff! Was horrible! For us and the poor dog. Since having her spayed she is a happy, healthy girl - no eating issues or moodiness.....I am so glad we didnt keep her intact and breed Good luck with your girl! Rat

To add a bit to this dogs history. Miekah was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma about 15 months prior to having bloat and had her front RHS leg amputated. This was followed up with chemo. My hunch is that her movement with having a front leg missing may have contributed to the bloat. Up until the bloat she was doing well as a tripod!

Sh*t CBR - hope youre recovering ok!! My work mate has just had her appendix out last week, I saw her scars the other day, two weeny ones, and they also went in through her belly button! Ick!! Thanks for the suggestions, after posting my original question I found a place called Vivisen Teahouse, which is Chinese which I think were gonna try - sounds very nice, quite traditional and low key. Just what Im after! Rat

Quick quiz for all you West Aussies!!! Were in Freo is a good place to eat??? Im thinking maybe Asian, or Seafood.................something casual....... Rat

AJ - was that the L-Tryptophan or the Sprirulina manufacturing process that was causing cancer?? A good thing to know! Rat

Hell yeah!! I try to imagine my eedjit in a canoe - we would end up in the drink!! However I think our kelpie would adore it! My OH bought himself a flat kayak-y thing (plastic) around Christmas, but hasnt been out in it yet. Hes hoping Wandy will go with him - he even made sure theres a little area for her to sit on! Rat