Carla2

These backyard breeders are not aware of their obligations, they are only there to make a quick dollar, I thought it was rather obvious regarding their phone call to our member asking her to take a sick puppy, perhaps I am being unfair to these people but I feel they know nothing about dogs at all. Jessie

CavNrott, The breeders have already said they would not take pup to Vet, so failing that what would you suggest, The RSPCA in Victoria will rescue sick dogs, the fact that our forum member has entered the premises has taken the risk of carrying the disease off the premises with the risk of infecting other dogs, it's very likely that the recue organization will send a Vet to the premises to check the pup and the siblings, I still recommend that someone talk to an organization of some kind regarding this situation. Jessie

I would not take the pup if I were you , instead I would call the rescue service or whatever it's called in your state. The likelyhood of the other pups being or becoming sick is a real problem, these people seem to know nothing about dogs, just backyard breeders who breed for monetry gain. Jessie...

Hi Jaybeece, Looks ok to me, if they are a bundle of energy and fit and well don't worry, your baby is running the calories off as quick as it can eat them, and think about it !!!!!!!! same problems for a human if you don't use up your calories in exercise and you eat good sized meals you are going to be fat, no different for a dog.... FOOD > EXERCISE > FIT ... Hope this helps.. Regards Jessie...

Gees, wish I could try that...does gnawing on a chocolate have the same effect on humans :rolleyes: Actually it's time for mother (me) and daughter (Bella) to get serious about some weight loss. We're like the two-fat-ladies when we go for a walk/run! Hi Again, I have always fed my dogs on these types of food, they have all died of old age after living healthy and active lives... Carla

He is a gorgeous dog, and yes he could stand to loose a bit of weight, cut his fat content of his diet down, give more veges, no rice or pasta, and free running if you can, swimming is probably the best exercise for an ageing dog less stress on his bones, muscles, and ligaments. Good luck .. Carla...

Most definately, and also if your doggie is itchy, take it off dry food for a while to test if that's the culprit, if of course you feed dry food, if you are feeding red meat change also to chicken and fish, but try one at a time. Hope this helps, I hate seeing the poor darlings scratching at themselves

I had a pup with same... Vet gave me a quantity of cyedectin, was all cleared up in 3 weeks, no further problems.. Carla

Try a country Vet, I know ... I know ...long way to go, but my Vet of 18 years is honest, wonderful with animals, and knows his stuff, he has been a vet for 35 years, I would trust him with my dogs life and my own if need be. He will always take the time to talk to you and explain what is going on and what steps should be taken, he will never fairy floss a situation, and above all he is an animal lover. and out of hours emegencies, never a problem Chris Hardefeldt Maryborough Victoria. 54-614466

HI Squirt,, Yes I can understand your confusion, there is so much to choose from out there, and really it shouldn't be, growing dogs need good food, but where the confusion lies is what? Growing dogs need calcium, protein, and minerals, no different to what a human needs, so you need to feed accordingly, I don't know much about the bulldogs needs, but over the years I have had many breeds, and I have fed them all the same way, my dogs die of old age, they live long healthy lives and are fit and agile without weight problems. The diet I use can take a bit of time in preperation, but you can make a weeks supply or more and freeze it into daily rations, or make 3 days at a time and store in frige. I use Beef or Chicken mince or pieces, allow the recommended amount of meat per day put into a large pot and add 1/4 cup of brown rice per day and 1/4/ cup of wholemeal pasta per day, cook 20 mins, then add 1 cup of vegetables per day and cook further 5 minutes, any kind of veges except onions and garlic. to can add a little beef or chicken stock to flavour and get them use to this food, then omit the stock flavour as it does contain a lot salt. Do not give doggy any cooked bones. Now to bones for a dog I give large marrowbones ask the butcher to cut them lengthways so the dog can get to the marrow inside as this is highly nutritious, also as your doggie matures you could give a little cooked liver into his diet but don't be tempted to feed liver as a soul ingredient as it makes a great servant but a poor master, liver has all the known vitamins and a small amount is beneficial to health. To their feed i add the following additives, 1 fish oil capsule, 1 dsrtspoon of LSA. ( linseed sunflower and almond) grounds, you can purchase from Safeway, a boiled egg 3 times per week, no raw egg white please. As the dog matures you can increase these items. I also add the their main meal, grated raw carrot, fruit, and small amount of cheese. I know this seems a long way around to a dogs diet, but you will be giving your dog clean healthy unadulterated food withoout preservatives, they cant help but grow strong healthy active dogs, because when you think about it, when a dog is in the wild that's exactly what they eat. Hope this helps Squirt . Carla....

You have some answers, now let us ask a question of you Skipy? is this something you want to do for your dog? secondly, why in the blue blazes would you want to, or just trying to stir up some trouble like you do in all the other dog forums on the net. Carla

Having lost a 12 month old GSD 12 days ago I know how you are all feeling, it's just so gut wrenching you wonder how you can get through it, but you will, but you will never forget your baby, they are part of your life, and you theirs. Why are you crying I am not there. Look not for me by the favourite chair, I am not there. See me not at the bed's foot, nor at the door's step, I am not there. Do not look to the earth's cold hand, it could not hold me, I am not there. Look to the midnight star, a comet's flash, racing shadows in the field, sunlight's dance on water's edge. Hear me, the rustle of the grass, pine bough's sigh, the beat of birds' wings, the rain's quiet tattoo. Feel me in your heart, for it is there that I cannot leave. Wait for my loving kiss, my paw's soft touch at Rainbow Bridge. I will meet you there, and we shall once again be - Together. R.I.P. Little one... HUgs Carla

Silver I am so sorry to hear of this news, try anything and everything, hopefully your baby may get through it.. Hugs Carla

HI Flycow, I have never had a lot of success with processed food either for my dogs, or myself. So I set about and cook up a weekly stew and freeze it in daily portions. IN that stew is is mixture of fresh beef and chicken and a little liver brown rice, and wholemeal pasta, simmered until just cooked, added lastly is heaps of vegetables cook for just 5 minutes, when serving I add 2 fish oil capsules, 1 tablespoon of LSA ( GROUND LINSEEDS, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, AND ALMONDS ) you can buy this from Safeways, also some grated raw carrot and small handful of cheese. Twice a week I give a boiled egg, do not be tempted to give uncooked egg whites. Also twice a week I give a marrowbone ask butcher to split down the centre as the marrow inside is highly nutritious. Try and get your dog interested in fresh fruit and serve this for brekkie before training and during if posible, my dogs loved fresh fruit it keeps their blood sugar levels elevated. I know all this seems a bit of work, but it's worth the effort, I had Labs and German Sheps. and they were barrels of energy when working, and when you think of it when a dog is in the wild they do not eat processed food, it's all natural, humans are the ones that eat processed food. Hope this helps. Carla

HI, Is he actually overweight ? golden retrievers do you have a lot of fur and they are a heavy framed breed, he may not be as overweight as you think, but if you feel he could do with losing some weight, I would cook him up a stew with chicken or fish and fill it with low carbohydrate veges. If you are going to cook up a weeks meals and freeze them into daily portions, allow 750g of protein per meal with liberal amounts of veges, ie. cabbage, broccoli, green beans, celery, tomatoes, capsicum. Continue his exercise, give a marrowbone it will take his mind of his diet. I feel that you are always going to have a problem with weight with your dog, they are not all that different to adults when it comes to ageing, the metabolism slows down, and the weight packs on, if you are in any doubt, see your vet he can judge if the dog is really overweight. Hope this helps.. Carla...

awwww I hope Connor comes good soon, there is nothing more worrying when your dog is sick, you would rather it be happening to you, at least you can explain to the doctor what you are feeling, keep us posted Rock.. Hugs Carla

Lol Sas, so am I, think I am going to go shop for a camera of my own, I may even try to break it

Golden Girl, Thank you so much for your post, u r indeed a lovely person, bet your dogs just idolise you, I would be honoured to take your hand should I need to... Hugs Carla PS If hubby ever gets his act together and charge the camera properly you will have those pics grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I could do it you know, but he does not trust me not to break it and grrrrrrrrrrr again

Calliech, So glad to hear she has recovered, poor little baby, must have been terrible, and even worse for you having to watch it happening. Carla

Oh thank you all so very much, you have all been so helpful in helping me to make an informed decision, I have a appointment with the vet next Monday for Kirana to have a check up, she had a bath this morning and her first walk with me, and it's photo session time later (smiles). I am still grieving for my German Shepherd, but only time will heal the hurt and the injustice of life he was such a beautiful dog, he deserved longer on this planet. Hugs to all.. Carla....

Hi Cordelia, Thanks for your answer, Trivana was from Geelong in Victoria, she is a beautiful dog, I am cooking turkey as we speak, she ate a slice of wholemeal toast for brekkie, she is a very tall girl and a good sized frame, quiet natured but wary and a little nervous of quick movements from my hubby and I. She was owned my a couple who split up, and she was given a home by another couple who breed Danes, Trivana has had 2 litters but had to have 2 caesareans and the second couple decided they did not want to put her through that again, I am not wanting to breed or show I just wanted a companion dog dog that was quiet and loveing , and she is that. I am not sure if I should get her desexed as my last Dane was a male and died after a desexing operation, I would hate that to happen to her. I feel this girl has not had a good life, so I would appreciate any help that anyone would like to send my way, the batteries are charging up as we speak so I will hopefully post some pics tonight, and I am about to try her with some turkey stew.. Bye for now... Warn regards.. Carla....

Hi Midol, If he's not losing weight and not looking miserable, I would not worry too much about him, sounds like he is a resourceful little man to me lol.. Regards Carla

Yes I did own a Dane around 17 years ago, he was also a rescue, but I only had him a few short months, he died during an operation, then last week my German Shep of only 12 months was killed in a car accident, so I decided to give a Dane another home, I will take a pic tomorrow and post it for you, thanks for your reply. How much meat should I give her, I have forgotten what I fed my last Dane. Warm regards Carla

Hi Members, I have just taken in a rescue Great Dane , female 28 months old. She is in good condition, seems to be a real sweetheart. When I asked the person who was caring for her regarding her diet I was so very confused about the answer. The dog was getting things like : weetbix, bread and milk, same as my hubby and I eat, but no meat was mentioned, the dog is certainly not thin and has been with this carer for around 6 weeks. She is a little nervous and jumps at any quick moves, she has been back at our house for around 5 hours and already she is sitting on one of the lounge chairs and I don't mind one bit. I would appreciate some advice regarding what and how much she should be eating, she is a big framed girl, I really don't think she has had a happy life, which I hope to change as soon as I can. Regards Carla