persephone

Erny- good points! I tend to agree When I see the garden variety working dogs around here- who don't get bathed, or groomed- there is never an allergy,or an ear problem... sure there are the odd fleas, and sometimes sarcoptic mange from foxes... but otherwise skins remain healthy. treatment for fleas etc are done when necessary, not as a matter of routine. Basic vaccs and worming is done ..apart from that, the dogs do not get much chemical exposure. They are pretty well all outside- so never lie on treated carpets or anything...never breathe in flyspray or deodorant, or soap fumes... I wonder if itDOES make a difference? Consider folks who move to different areas/change bedding/floor coverings/ cleaning routines.. etc to help with asthma/allergies.... why shouldn't dogs be different? After all, we inflict upon them the same restrictions/chemicals that we come across ourselves....

Just hold off on food- check he's drinking,tho. if he seems ok- offer him food tonight. If there is any diarrhoea/vomiting,or he gets wobbly, or pale .... or just doesn't pick up.. contact the vet. has he eaten anything unusual/different?

Very sad

RAW lamb flaps, chicken mince (pet one, with bone minced up as well) and ox cheek in small quantities (it's very rich)

If she seems happy- and is deaf and aging- I would just leave her enjoy her sunny snoozes and undivided attention! She has you, the horses and cats to watch being silly... and IMO a younger dog/pup may well be very annoying to her.

;) WWF Info on TCM

poor little dog.

If she hurts a bit when she poos ..yes. if she feels something stuck around her anus, yes. if she is a bit itchy, yes.

With the dry food- is it stuff he's had before? Extra biscuits could mean extra drinking and extra moving thru and irritating the gut. if he was good on previous food- stick to that, just a little less perhaps?

Glad he's settling down - now you know how he reacts to big stressors!

Well- at least Noopy has been monitored and on the drip! The drip may not be 'food', but it contains most of what her body needs to still function.She quite possibly would be worse off if she wasn't eating/drinking by herself ;) Speak with the vet- but be guided by them..... they are the ones who have seen the damage- and who know what can occur if things are left. Look after yourself,too! Make sure you are eating, and put yourself on the Rescue Remedy!! ;) Hoping your little girl continues to improve.

My next dog will be whatever the fates throw at me- I have never really obtained a dog with a specific type/breed in mind.My dogs find me ...just when I need them . Always

(stifles a giggle) Oh hope there's no damage to houses etc , GB.

...and it depends on the size and training,and individual temperaments !!! Some dogs are laid back and not hard to handle - others will chew their way thru doors/walls ..or attempt to mark indoors ...or be noisy ....

if they are to be showdogs- and you are serious- then build two separate runs ... they are safe from each other/thieves/other dogs etc

weetbix? Ididn't think anyone still used weetbix - I used that about 35 years ago with my first puppy care job! . Puppy milk used like that is ok - as he is used to it However- if he has a tummy upset, the vet may recommend a short time on a restricted/bland diet to give his system a rest and allow healing..... Did the breeder comment on his diarrhoea? Had they noticed it at all? Are any of theirs like it as well? I am guessing you didn't notice it when you collected him... Did they have any suggestions as to how to help? Oh, and faecal samples for the vet need to be fresh,and uncontaminated by dirt... Hope pup is ok....

Oh, Darkrai - I am so sorry. Condolences to you and your family. R I P Granddad.

Charming

Aawwwww

On what grounds? theoretically he IS looking after the dog, if he is thinking of getting cataracts surgically removed. Our dogs usually all get cataracts- yes, they slowly lose their sight, but cope quite well, without surgery.

Well, if they are mites who live on sap..they shouldn't live on mammals very long at all. So- not really mystery solved... mystery as to what,how and why! How my brain works Of course I know of spider mites living on plants ! But just saw 'mites' and thought of mammalian host-specific ones which do NOT live on plants :D Have fun solving the mystery!!

I guess you would need to ID the mites first they could be a bird mite--- AFIK mites don't live in bushes.. but they do seek other hosts if their host dies. Bird nests/dead birds are a source of infection. They could also be rat mites..... Killing them? Not sure- plain water wouldn't do it..

yes- a tough one. Ask which vet she went to, and can you speak with the vet? I certainly wouldn't be paying just on his request!

HI- These depend a lot on the education you give your pup Does your ridgie have any experience with pups? has The ridgie always been an only dog? It may not be fair to the old dog to suddenly have a pup in its face Not all old dogs will tolerate puppies. ALMOST ANY dog can be encouraged to bark as a warning... All dogs should be walked every day- preferably twice....it's nice to get out of prison for some new smells/sights A large yard doesn't mean much really- unless there are two pups/dogs running and playing. Mental stimulation is more important, IMO.

Soy is not easy to digest... I wouldn't use it.