Toohey

There is plenty of information about BARF posted on the forum. If you go right back into the archives, there is pages and pages of info that Steve has posted, which is the result of many years of research, and experience. Here is a few threads: http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=528&hl= http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=2180&hl= http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=6197&hl= http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=9818&hl=

Did you use the Leo on him? That should dry them out a bit. Suggest you get some cotton wool, those round face make up pads are good, and dampen it with some warm salty water and wipe as far into the ear as you can and see if any muck comes out on them. Dogs have long narrow ear canals, but if you lift the top of the ear up then pull it backwards, it should straighten out the canal enough for you to shine a torch in and see if there is anything in there. After you clean his ear, squirt a few drops of Leo in and give it gentle massage. Please get to your vet tomorrow if he is still uncomfortable.

Separation anxiety can be one of the hardest things a new dog owner has to deal with. He must learn to be on his own, and starting with short periods and gradually increasing the time is the way to go. Don't make a fuss when you leave and return. Reward with treats/toys when he spends even the shortest time outside quietly. Once he gets into a routine and learns that you will always come back, he will improve . Make sure he has a comfortable and safe area outside and plenty to keep him entertained, ie. bones and chew toys Your breeder is right. You have to ignore him. Try doing a forum search on separation anxiety and you'll get some previous discussions to read. I don't think getting another dog is an option until this one is happy and well adjusted. Good luck, it just takes time.

Have a look here as well Balance Pet foods. (Aakyda)

gotta love that search button http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?...y+socialisation

Gusgem sorry about your pup, but at 10 weeks old he would not been fully vaccinated and therefore not fully protected against Parvo. There has been much discussion and research surrounding the necessity of annual vaccinations and if you do a forum search you'll get lots of information. Here's something to get you started, posted by Jed in March. Oh, and I am sure the people here do get their children vaccinated, but only when they are young and they become immune for life after that. Why would the rules be any different for dogs? Kids don't have to be vaccinated every year of their life.

Also, my breeder actually agrees with me after discussing it with her vet. She thinks they should have at least kennel cough though, because they get out and about so much, but, wouldn't being out and about build up their immunity even more???

Hi Ci, I rang my regular vet the next day to let him know what happened, and he told me she had the same brand vacc (CSL) that she had before, but they can react because there can be variations within the batches. he said the normal allergic reaction is displayed as facial swelling, and rubbing their faces. He also said they get 1-2 reactions per year with thousands of dogs (?how many) being vaccinated. He was going to report it to CSL. I am tempted to not vaccinate either of my dogs anymore. Not just because of this, I really don't believe it's necessary and only had my girl done because the breeder preferred it, as she is to be bred again probably.

Purple Julie, can we get an update? I am interested to know if this condition responded to any particular treatment you might have tried.

Just a warning to those of you who still vaccinate... My girl had her shot at 5.30pm today and around four hours later started to get distressed, shaking her head, rubbing her ears, face became swollen and lumpy. She got gradually worse, panting full on and was obviously miserable, so off to the emergency vet we went, for a shot of antihistamine and anti inflammatory. Vet said her ears were swollen and red inside and thought it most likely a reaction to her vaccination. Not sure if this was the same brand she had had in the past, and whether that might be the reason she has not had problems previously. Will check with her regular vet tomorrow. Maybe she met something in the backyard that caused the allergy, not sure, but she is calm and sleeping peacefully now. Keep an eye on them after they have their shots

That's really strange Purple Julie. Reminds me a bit of my girl at the moment who has two dry scabby patches on both her back legs. I have trimmed all the fur right back and clean off all the scabby bits and end up with small raw wounds. Have noticed also when I use the slicker brush around these areas, heaps of dry skin like dandruff comes loose. I thought the apple cider vinegar might be the go to kill any possible infection but when I wiped a bit on she screamed blue murder and spent half an hour licking the area. I felt awful as I realised I was in fact putting acid onto an open wound. I think it's best to make sure she gets in her food or water every day instead, which she usually does. I guess you could try a very dilute mixture to see how she tolerates it. We have just been to the vet for her vaccination and he looked at it and basically said he had no idea what it was or how to treat it. Said anitbiotics would be overkill (as it's not that bad) and if she was human I could try Vitamin E. Yep, helpful! He said to continue to pick off the dead scabby bits though. I'm putting it down to hormones as she has just finished the world's longest season. Edit to say I also think Malaseb would help. Give her a bath twice a week and use a soft brush with Malaseb on it to remove all the scabby bits and debris. It wont hurt to use it around her mouth. My breeder treats lip fold dermatitis by wiping around the mouth with Malaseb. I reckon a nice natural remedy might also be to swim in the ocean and dry off in the sun (if you are near a beach), but definitely talk to your vet about possible treatments. Perhaps a swab could be taken to find out if she does have a treatable bug there. Good luck with it.

Have you seen this? Or do you have evidence that it has happened?

Yep. Have always used human shampoos at my breeder's recommendation. Never had a problem

There are many foods that contain iron including fish, poultry, fruit and vegies. Do a google search on dietary sources of iron. Red meat is just the most well known.

Rozzie, cocktail frankfurts are called cheerios in QLD

That diet sounds OK to me. I have always fed chicken wings from 8 weeks of age without a problem. You could try adding some raw minced vegies to his mince, occasionally yoghurt, apple cider vinegar would do wonders for his gut bugs, and occasionally things like raw eggs with the shell included but crushed, and tinned sardines. Vary it up throughout the week and you should cover all your bases as well as giving him the calcium and other nutrients he needs in a natural form. You can use dry puppy food as well. Perhaps for breakfast and a bedtime snack. Box one biscuits are also good for teeth. Why not try him on some liver treats for training.

When my pup had his first vet visit I was told he should never go swimming because of the deep ear canals and problems with possible infections with water getting trapped in there. He's a spaniel, a water dog! I went back and told my breeder and she laughed. If the ears get wet you just dry them! I have always let him swim and never had an ear problem. I wash his head too without a problem. Just use a gentle baby shampoo like no more tears and dry carefully with a towel afterwards.

Many people on this forum feed a natural diet, so you should get a lot of input. 1. what do you feed? I feed a combination of raw vegies which I pulverise in the food processor, minced beef, chicken wings, occasional organ meats, brisket bones, marrow bones, sardines, egg, yoghurt, fruit, box one biscuits and occasionally for convenience, Supercoat dry food. I add a Greenpet nutritional supplement, apple cider vinegar, and mega pet oil. 2. how often? A 2x2 Box one for breckie, a small fat free brisket bone or marrow bone during the day, and main meal around 4-5pm. 3. how much? Ingredients are spread out to balance through the week. Plenty of vegies each day with protein component (ie 3 oz minced beef) mixed well through. 4. what breed, age, sex and weight is your pet? English Cocker Spaniels. Male, 4yrs, 15 kg. Female, 3 yrs, 11.8kg. 5. where do you purchase your ingredients from? Butcher, supermarket, fresh food outlets 6. have you always fed your dog this diet, or did you change over to it gradually? Always fed 7. what have been the advantages and disadvantages? The advantages are in feeling happy about the fact that I know exactly what my dogs are eating. No hidden chemicals, preservatives etc. Great variety in diet and enjoyment in eating for dogs. 8. have you seen changes in your dog, ie. coat, energy levels? Have always fed this way, so it's hard to say. The dogs are very healthy and fit with great teeth and beautiful shiny coats

Hi Julie and thanks for the information. Hopefully more people will be inspired to try this sort of therapy. Do you know of anyone practicing in Melbourne? My boy is only just four years old, and he has completely lost interest the past few weeks in his favourite pastime of chasing swallows, and the limp he has is quite pronounced. My massaging efforts are being enjoyed by him, by I can't see a great deal of difference when he is moving. I guess a lot of it is about improving circulation to the area though. We will keep trying. What is in the product you have mentioned? Is it similiar to glucosamine/chondroitin? Leenie, it is great to have someone with your knowledge and interest in natural therapies here as well. Welcome to the forum both of you

Fifi, what a terrific story about Navarre. So good to hear of such results. Thanks Leenie. Glad it's a good book. I had not heard of him, just went by the reviews. Had a look at those courses. Bit pricey. Will see how we go with the book first. Thanks.

Does anyone know much about the proper way to massage dogs? I do passive physio on my dog's leg (as told to by vet) because of some arthritis he has, and find the muscles in this leg are usually rock hard. He goes into absolute raptures when I work on the tightness, and it does seem to help with his occasional lameness. Have just ordered a book called "The Healing Touch for Dogs: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs, Revised Edition" Michael W. Fox Hopefully it will help guide me to do it properly. Has anyone had much to do with dog massage, and if so, have you found it beneficial?

KM what do you mean when you say allergic? I have just tried Advocate on my dog, and it has no smell. Perhaps it is something to do with the smell if advantage smells so strong? Rappie, what happens with longer haired dogs. No matter how much you aim for the skin and try to spread it around, a lot seems to end up in the fur. Is this eventually absorbed? and would it affect the dose the dog receives?

How awfully sad Bob. I am so sorry :p

Is somebody with your pup at the moment? She may have been bitten by a bee. I came home from work when my pup was 12 weeks old and one side of his face was hugely swollen. He'd obviously taken a snap at it and it stung the inside of his mouth. He needed an antihistamine shot. Don't mean to alarm you, and hopefully if it was a bite the worst is over, but I would be concerned if he was having trouble breathing.

Can you explain why you would give something like gelatin instead of just outright glucosamine and chondroitin? Would there be any problems with giving this considering it is a swelling compound? Darcy did you read the link provided? You will see that Steve recommends adding glucosamine, aloe vera juice and apple cider vinegar to the diet.