Golden Rules

I got mine from the health food shop, and the latest lot from www.holisticanimalmedicines.com I have a 35 kg goldie - he gets a teaspoon a day. If you haven't used it before start with maybe half a teaspoon a day and gradually increase. Too much can cause 'dire rear' ;) Every dog is different so you may have to experiment to start with as to how much your dog will tolerate. Excellent stuff though

I think the liink has been removed??? Not working anyway. Can you PM it to me? I have an IGA just down the road.

That sounds like the place I was looking for a while back! Can you post the address please? ETA - googled it and found the address

I don't know of any other raw foods that have rubbery bones like chicken frames. Chicken frames are actually the best for cleaning the teeth and not wearing them down. Can you get access to rabbits? Otherwise try lamb flaps for a change, or lamb/mutton knuckle bones. I prefer the chicken frames because they have plenty of meat on them usually. The odd beef bone would be a treat no doubt

Yes, it is a fungus. I remember having it as a kid - we all got it but just used some sort of cream and it cleared up pretty quickly. It was never a big deal then like it seems to be now.

Ptolomy put me onto a fabulous vet who does acupuncture and can recommend a doggy chiro in South Perth as well, perhaps PM her for the details re the latter (I can't remember the details other than Liz Franks? in South Perth), I will PM you re the former.

Got an address for that place?

And keep in mind that sultanas and raisins are just dried grapes so a 'no-no' as well.

Lenards have ground chicken frames (pet mince they call it). They also sell chicken carcasses for about 30 cents each. I often go to Cheapa Chicken in Osborne Park and get frames from there - 8 in a bag for about $2. Othwerwise, just make friends with a nice butcher and see if he will grind up some food for you. I have a great butcher who are extremely expensive for their human meats (absolutely worth it mind you) but they will go out of their way to get good bones for me, nothing too fatty.

Nothing wrong with raw sardines if you can be bothered getting them but tinned sardines are what people here are referring to I think. Sardines are better than tuna because they are oily, and if you get tinned sardines, they come in an oil bath so the dog gets even more oil! Tuna is one of the least oily fish, hence humans often eat it when on a diet I have occasionally bought sardines in tomato sauce (tinned) - just grabbed the wrong cans at the time - dogs loved them just as much if not more. But the point of giving sardines is the benefit of the oil in them. Salmon is a nice oily fish too but a lot more expensive than sardines. Mackeral is another good oily fish.

I wouldn't normally suggest this but what about clipping him during summer? This may make him cooler, less itchy (spots itch more when it's hot) and also it would be easier to bath and dry him more regularly during summer. I had my first goldie Hamish clipped at the beginning of summer, he carried on like a puppy instead of an eight year old, and he was a cinch to dry after the beach or river. Some people say the coat doesn't grow back so well but I never noticed and when you get into dire straits such as with Benson, it might be worth a shot?

Oh Bugger Suz Poor wee man. I hope the Telfast works, keep us informed OK?

Hey Suz I used to give Duncan one polaramine tablet a day - 6mg tabs. Directions on packet say one tab every 12 hours for first 24 hours then reduce to one tab a day. Don't ask me about effectiveness long term, his allergies turned out to be beef etc - but the polaramine did make him a little dopey however it did help with itching for the few days I gave it to him. Big hug for Master Benson!

That's the only reason I would agree with as well, otherwise it says more about the owner than the dog - you may as well go play with dress-up dolls.

I used to live in Lynwood and was a very regular visitor at Lynwood Vets with my cats (before I had dogs), they were indeed very good!

So many people use the Applecross Vet - they must be SO busy!! I have also heard there are some vets there that are better than others but it depends on who you clique with I guess. I have seen Carolyn Jackson at East Freo Vets when I had my first Goldie - she was indeed very good but that is a fair hike for a cat that isn't so keen on car travel. I went there because Claire Middle used to work there but ended up seeing Carolyn because Claire had started up her own practice in Bibra Lake (from home). Another place you may be interested in is here: www.holisticanimalmedicines.com I get all my homeopathic treatments from here, but you do need to know a little about homeopathics. Their website is very good, and they do have online consultations as well if you have a specific issue. They are quick to respond to emails and I can't recommend them highly enough

Ascot Vet in Belmont is supposed to be good. On Great Eastern Highway. I use Vic Park Vets (they also have a clinic at Lathlain). I am about to take them in a big box of chocolates and tin of biscuits because they are such great people there and I have had a lot to do with them lately. Applecross vets are supposed to be very good as well. There is also one in South Perth on Labouchere Road, near the Zoo. And of course, there's Claire Middle - well known and trusted. There really are a lot of vet practices around, it may just be a matter of going to a couple until you find one you are happy with.

I am a big advocate of Rescue Remedy (Bach flower mix) but am an even bigger advocate of the Emergency Essence which is essentially the same thing but made from Australian flowers rather than European flowers (ie Bach flowers) Have a look here: www.ausflowers.com.au I found the Emergecy Essence worked a lot better on my young anxious boy in thunderstorms etc than the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. Someone explained it to me that the difference was in that if your ancestors came primarily from Europe, then Bach Flowers would work best for you but if your ancestors came more recently from Australia, then the Australian Bush Flower essences would have a greater effect. ETA the Australian Bush Flower Essences worked out a LOT cheaper too

I have bought a bag of Orijen but my boy eats mostly raw and it's there for emergencies and lazy days (mine) - so I won't be able to really comment on how good it is for many months to come...... I did also buy some for the cats and they have turned up their noses at it so far so have had to mix it with their other food to et them to eat it I am keen to hear how everyone else's dogs do on it long term..

Thank you so much for your support Charles. We are really lucky to have someone like you here on the DOLF. Your advice made me realize that hoping for the best was not going to be enough to save Rosie's leg. It's been a tough decision for me, as I'm saving money for a new car & a holiday - but I don't think I could live with myself knowing I haven't done everything I could to help my dog. Well done to you Shoshana New cars get old very quickly and holidays just become a memory - a well loved dog should be with you for years and give you more love and joy than a new car or holiday ever would. Do let us all know how things go.:cool:

Hi Lorraine Care to share on who does the wellness diets and where you get the camel bones etc? Hope your boy does well on his new diet

I have just ordered a big bag for my big dog and a small bag for the cat - ordered it through Pookinuk - $5 delivery charge so pretty darned good! If you ask City Farmers or Better Pets and Gardens, they can order it in for you - both are usually very helpful in this way - I get my Ziwipeak ordered in from Better Pets and Gardens, and City Farmers have ordered in Coprice for me in the past. www.pookinuk.com.au

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of!

Great work MargaretDazzler!!!

Never heard of MSM Morgan - care to elaborate?