Golden Rules

I know everyone is different and has different preferences but why do you bath your dogs weekly? If it's just because of the itching, I would do it less often - maybe once a month - and concentrate on their diet more. I wouldn't be surprised if your dogs coats are dry and dull because of the frequent washing. I have an itchy GR occasionally - Im pretty sure his allergy is red meats so he gets very little of that but his diet isn't void of red meat completely because I have another GR who has no allergy problems so they get whatever is going. Anyway, the Malaseb Medicated shampoo is great for itching, as is the Aloveen shampoo and conditioner but they do only seem to provide relief for a few days. Have you thought about a raw diet at all? I tend to feed a prey model diet (there is a thread here on that if you are interested, just do a search) but if you can't for whatever reason, the Eagle Pack Holistic is very good for allergy dogs. I have a friend who's Lab x Staffy has dreadful allergies and he does brilliantly on Proplan - salmon flavour - no itching at all! (haven't tried it myself but I see the dog daily and he has a lovely shiny coat) Keep in mind too that allergies are usually a sign of a lowered immune system so you may want to look at building that up (with a Homeopath or Naturopath) which in turn may alleviate any allergy. Good luck whatever you do. :D

Hey TD I'm not sure about what might be causing the itching so no help there but I would be inclined to be applying a soothing lotion to his ears at least daily - this may stop him from feeling the urge to itch which may help while you work out what is going on...... What sort of lotion? Well, I have a beaut one called Pet Soothe from Malcom Harker in NZ, but you could probably use anything mild eg Calamine Lotion, Aloe Vera gel, anything really that will soothe any itching - it's his ears so he can't exactly lick anything off hey! Good luck, hope you find out what it is soon.

One of my boys had a huge hot spot on his shoulder recently, I tried all the natural therapies first then tried Neotopic - vet told me off for the latter (it really only made it worse), poor boy ended up on ABs, steroids and diluted Malaseb shampoo used as a wipe. But normally I would be using either Colloidal Silver, or Apple cider vinegar, or Manuka Honey (dog tends to want to lick this off so only good if in a spot he can't reach :rolleyes: )

Yes, I agree there. Been there, done it, it is worth it! But otherwise can you get something from your vet for the nausea? Some kind of antiemetic. You can always put a little honey in his water to help give him a little energy. And if it were me, I would be using colloidal silver in his water - assuming it's just a bug and nothing more serious. Hope you get some sleep soon.

I'm a huge advocate of Ester C because it has been recommended to me by so many especially the staff at Holistic Animal Medicines, however that C-Max looks pretty good! Ester C is expensive but I'm only giving it to one dog at a teaspoon a day - so it does go a long way......

That's for the small one though, the large one is $106 plus $5 p&p........which is what I have :D

GoldD, I'll get back to you about the Home Alone toy, but I forgot to mention, the other Aussie Dog toy I bought at the same time was the large Turbo Chook - both my boys have a LOT of fun with this toy - constantly trying to kill it and have almost succeeded, the toy is almost in shreds but that sure was worth the $90 odd it cost! :D I just dug it out of the toy box tonight and they have both been throwing it around all night, now Dougal is having a good chew on it :D I reckon it will last a few more weeks, maybe months yet......until there's nothing left to chew on or throw around!

Yes, exact same promlem here, hanging from the Patio, rarely played with......

OK, well I'm a fan of whole chicken carcasses - and regardless of their weight (one is 34 kilos and one is 29 kilos) they will each get a whole one every morning. Often these are quite large. I will also feed sheeps necks, lamb bones and offcuts and occasionally I'll feed marrow bones. If I have left over fruit and veges they get those as well, but it's more of a useful thing for me to get rid if them that way, rather than throwing them away, I don't see it as being essential in their diet. I would love to know where I can get whole rabbits to feed my boys. I'm in Perth - anyone have any idea?

I think this is a great idea :rolleyes: I tend to feed mostly raw /prey model diet but occasionally wander off to the BARF side when I have the time and resources. And othertimes my boys might get kibble (I whispered that bit ) Even a discussion thread would bring about some great ideas that can be copied into the "Ultimate" thread - definitely a good way to go I do agree with Poodlefan tho that it's really hard to stipulate quantities for dogs by weight as age and exercise play such a big part, still a general guide might be able to be worked out....... OK, so here's another supporter

www.neemaus.com.au

Nothing can bring back any dead grass to life........ However, you can avoid burning the grass by having a watering can handy for in the mornings when your dog does it's first pee - apparently that's when the urine is the strongest and does the damage. It will also make a difference as to what diet your dog is on - raw fed seems to have less of a problem while dry fed dogs seems to have more of a problem (my experience anyway)........ Other's have suggested a little Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water or on food - but you need to start with a tiny amount until your dog gets used to it. :D

My GR felt unwell enough after his cruciate operation that he was really quiet himself for the first couple of weeks after the op. Happy to lie about and not move much. Kongs are fine, just fill with youghurt and freeze, or pop some peanut butter in the top.........simply reduce the main meal a little to allow for extra treats like a kong. A bone is good too, as are rawhide treats. Pain relief is important, make sure your vet gives you plenty. Hopefully they will keep your wee dog overnight after the op on opiate pain relief which is best. I supplemented the vet's pain relief with homepathic remedies and found the Rescue Remedy was good both before and after going to the vets as an anti anxiety remedy, also Arnica pills, which you can get from the chemist - excellent following surgery for bruising, and best of all, get some Ester C powder which is brilliant for healing after an op. I also gave other supplements such as Glucosamine / Chondroitin tabs. All help with healing and repair of the muscles.

www.neemaus.com.au They make a Neem Oil kennel wash which you can also use on your dog when bathing them. The Neem Oil spray is excellent for fleas - sprayed once or twice a week on the dog - check out the website and contact them if you like - based in Qld, I called them and they were extremely friendly and helpful.

Yeah, one of my GRs is so totally food obsessed he will eat any cake of soap he can reach. I had some houseguests over the holidays and one of them left a large handmade soap on the bath hob, ginger and fig I think it was - my boy came out to the sitting room chewing something and we soon realised it was what was left of the soap....... No ill effects though.......

One of my GR boys was 4 years old when I got him from the RSPCA and they just gave him a booster vaccination when I took him home, C5 injection. My other GR boy was 6 months old when he came home from the Pound, he had a C5 with the nasal spray for KC. 8 months later, the Pound GR catches KC ( which occurred after a visit to the vet) and the RSPCA GR carried on life unaffected. I did not take any precautions at home as far as seperating them or their drinking water etc. I did however not walk my dogs for a couple of weeks so as not to spread bugs. I queried it at the time with the vet and was told there are 38 strains of KC and the vaccination covers the TWO main strains. So the vaccination doesn't necessarily mean your dog is safe from KC. My pound GR had to go to the vet yesterday for a hotspot......the patient in the consult rooms before us was coughing away with KC - walked right past us in the waiting area, coughing away, poor thing. The vet asked the owner to put her dogs in her car and then come back to pay the bill. They then vacuumed and mopped the consult room floor before my dog went in there. I will be interested to see if anything comes from that visit as I have chosen not to vaccinate at all this year. I will only do so again if I need to board my dogs in kennels. Titre tests meantime.

A more natural but very effective option is Neem oil spray. Spray once or twice a week on your dog. It's good for them if they lick it too - cleanses the blood. www.ausneem.com.au You can buy a kennel wash spray as well which is good for use on the pavers.

There's a pinned thread at the top of this forum about particular foods dogs shouldn't eat and tomatoes is on the list.......however I do give my boys the tomatoes that go soft and one really likes them. As Jed said, the odd one won't hurt.

Sorry, slightly OT, but Cavandra, I have been using EsterC but have since stopped since I am now using Joint Guard as it says it has Vit C in it - should I use the Ester C as well as the Joint Guard do you think? I do have great faith in the Ester C and put down my dogs super fast healing after cruciate ligament surgery to the supplements I was using, specifically Ester C.

I would say the exact same thing. I have never had a problem with fleas and don't use any preventative, although I do have a bottle of Neem Oil spray for dogs as I have spoken to a lot of people who swear by it for flea problems. It's all natural and if the dog licks it off his coat, it's no problem as it acts as a blood purifier as well........so the lady on the Ausneem website told me... Ticks, I don't know as we don't have a problem here (thankfully).

OT, but Rottegems I just love your siggie, oh how I would love a couple of those beautiful Rotties - I swear they will be my next dog!! Yours just look so gorgeous!!!

You need to find yourself another local butcher! Pets are big business, especially dogs. I get marrow bones from one local butcher (in a shopping centre) for $2.50 and I ask they be cut into 4 so the dogs get an hour or so chewing out of each 1/4. I often get lamb or sheep necks which there is usually a good sized bone in them, and also lambs/sheep knuckle bones - maybe an hours worth of chewing from 2 or 3 of those - and I get a bag for $2. None of that helps you of course as I am south of the river - but honestly, shop around and consider kangaroo tails as well, I have heard they last a mighty chewer (from City Farmers?)

Maybe Bonnie Working Dog? Cheap enough.

I actually found that post very funny!! Maybe it's the few drinks I've had tonight?! Why do I get the feeling someone here is winding everyone else up? I'm not normally that perceptive with these posts but I reckon Ducky has a few people on the run here! He/she will do what they want to do regardless of advice........be it right or wrong or indifferent..... Cie la vie

Yes, Ptolomy is the person to contact :rolleyes: