persephone

I always had a few friends keen to buy several calendars for Christmas ... none this year

done! yep.. the first year I have not purchased one calendar :(

From what I've read /heard, those systems will not work on dogs who are in hunting/attacking mode..they just go thru the zap. I know this wasn't your question.. apologies But: Considering there are multiple problems impacting on your life .. I suggest you contact someone professional to see what you can do to make things more pleasant for everyone. Th e only name I know of in teh West is This lady I also think perhaps another vet opinion? I have known dogs to have different behaviour because of tumours on the brain ... worth a think, maybe? I hope it all works out soon.

provided she is happy and behaving normally , I wouldn't be concerned at all grazing can often be fixed by simply offering food twice daily ..NOTHING in between , and removing after 10 minutes.

It's a hard slog ,when they are so ill ... Thinking of you.

Oh..and if she is vomiting/nauseous, maybe forget about the rimadyl at present? no doubt your vet knows this drug way better than I do .. but anything with side effects including nausea & lack of appetite is one I avoid at any sign of illness . If she is nauseous maybe try a couple of ginger tablets pushed down ... followed/pushed down by a bit of frozen chicken stock , also pushed down over teh tongue.;)

black pudding, liverwurst, cream cheese, scrambled egg, chicken livers....... poor old girl.

one that's long enough for an adult dog to stretch out fully and sleep on their side..legs not curled up... without touching wire. one that's high enough for an adult dog to sit up straight without head touching teh top Yes, a big crate.

Digging is extremely rewarding There are endorphins from activity...the scents released from soil, sounds and smells of insects , grubs etc , coolness / tactile sensation on pads/paws . IMO It's pretty difficult , if they love it, to substitute. I suggest a couple of clam shells filled with clean sand - bury toys and treats , so their reward is contained to that spot , maybe ? LOTS of training sessions .. both at home and in other places . This gets the brain exercised, which helps relax the body. Kelpies are a working breed..and have a real need to be 'DOING' . best of luck with them.

Nothing expected for me .. however, my S I L & I have got my bro one of THESE,with a panorama function, as he loves landscapes/sunsets etc.

G**gle the breeder, and see what comes up . I would be looking elsewhere, I think ...

There are lots of things you could try...once you know exactly what it is you are dealing with. Is it indeed a tumour? It's not an encapsulated grass seed or other foreign body? what sort is it? is it benign or malignant? has it metastisised? Until appropriate testing is done .. xray/biopsy/blood test etc... you don't know what is happening in there, and every day without a proper diagnosis is one which may have been used in treating your girl.

Impossible to tell , sorry , that is something which needs checking properly ... I do hope you can find a decent vet clinic .. nothing in one of teh regional centres/cities near you ? For your peace of mind, you need someone who can do the tests and tell you what to expect . wait & see is not a good plan of 'action' with a tumour. So sorry ...I know it's hard when distance and lack of funds come into play.

Oops...no sarcasm intended.. I was just agreeing ..

Hi..I'm sorry about your girl. if she is noticeably getting worse and losing weight, I would strongly suggest a second opinion.Soon. If you are around melbourne ..why not try seeing someone down at Werribee- the university vet hospital/clinic. ? They have all the know- how there in one place .

Yep ..cat castrations are the quickest and easiest of things !

Well done! That was bright!

Hi... depending on where you are , how big the litter is ,and how cold it is, you should not need a heat pad - that's what mum is for ;) Unless it's freezing, I prefer the pups gravitate to the warmth of the Mum .. then they are with her and feeding ... I think most folks here use VETBED in whelping boxes . I suggest also placing a carpet square or a flattened cardboard box (in which a fridge or something was stored ) on the concrete, then your vinyl/lino, etc. That insulates it from the concrete .

Kangaroo is a rich in protein , low fat meat. 4X2s are a very hard baked biscuit

normal castration is just basically a skin incision and a few minutes of fiddling .. the other is a full on abdominal incision .. much more work/anaesthetic/fluids/time/risk... so yes, it costs a lot more.

she sounds like she's in good hands .

I think a combination of non slip boots AND matting would be unnecessary? It may also make it harder for boots to stay on.. too much grip? Oh.. and if she is unused to socks/boots, she may well 'throw a leg, or walk very differently - which may do more harm than good. What did the vet say about rehab?

:D @ the bronc pic! thankyou

Ideally , a sheltered dog box/crate would be good .. Our workers are all tethered short , and have rubber or wool underfoot , with a shadecloth canopy in Summer.