First Time Puppy Owner

http://www.artemispetfood.com.au/products_dog_1.htm Artemis has some foods with some grains and Maximal NO Grains. See website above for details.

[email protected] Contact Judith direct Laffi - about $12.50 to get 15kg bag to me. Melb has heaps and heaps of places Retailers 4 Paws & More Pet Supplies Unit2, 60 Keilor Park Drive,Keilor Park 3042 Ph: 9331 7869 http://www.4pawsandmore.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barry Haywood Veterinary Clinic - Please phone first to order. 745 North Road, Cranbourne 3977 Ph: 5978 5174 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diamond Creek Veterinary Hospital 110 Main Hurstbridge Rd, Diamond Creek 3089 Phone: 9438 118 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doctor Doolittles Shop 19/447 Hampton Street, Hampton Phone: 9598 9085 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E & A Salce 647 High Street, Thornbury 3071 Phone:9484 3805 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Going to the Dogs 371 Burnley Street, Richmond 3121 Phone: 9427 7434 | http://www.goingtothedogs.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K9 Katz Kitchen http://www.k9katzkitchen.com.au - Free Delivery within Metro Melbourne, order online. Phone: 9717 4707 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Place Nursery 685 Mickleham Rd, Greenvale,3059 Phone:9333 3736 http:/www.palmnursery.com.au ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pawzazzpetz http://www.pawzazzpetz.com.au/index.html - Delivery throughout NSW, order online ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pet Love 329 Moreland Rd, Coburg Phone: 9386 8466 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Pet Bath Shop 53 Chute St, Diamond Creek Phone:9438 2300 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scruba Dub Dog Dog Wash 1/1156 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully Phone 9753 6411 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Tail & Toes - Please phone first to order. 6 Winyard Drive, Mooroolbark Phone: 9726 5578

USA

http://www.artemispetfood.com.au/ Artemis Pet Foods would like assure all our current and future customers that NONE of our products undergo any Gamma Irradiation Treatment whatsoever. This is the Aussie website for this food! http://www.artemispetfood.com.au/dog_23.htm About product - exert below. Fresh Mix Maximal Dog GRAIN FREE High Protein, low carb, GRAIN FREE diet. Maximal was created to ensure a balanced diet for those who have chosen the raw food option for their pet. A single source protein (chicken) eliminates possible allergy caused by multiple protein source. No Grains no beet pulp. Product Information Chicken Meal, Potatoes,Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols),Chicken, Natural Chicken Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Kelp, Carrots, Peas, Apples, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Spinach, Dried Skim Milk, Cranberry Powder, Rosemary Extract, Parsley Flake, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Barley Grass Extract, L-Carnitine, Enterococcus Faecieum, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Saccharomyces Cerevesiae Fermentation Solubles, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Protinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate,Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.

Great Barko - $25 = 22kgs = $1.14 per kilo = 3.5 cups = $0.86 day WOW - that is cheap!

Just ducked to woolies on my way home here is a better idea of costs. Sorry just interested in figures re the foods we feed and their costs. Approx Prices & Kgs & Per Kg & Per Dog Weight & Per Day - example being used 38 kg dog and what they suggest to feed if only dry, and a cup being 250grm approx. Advance - $98ish =15kgs = $6.53 per kilo = 4 cups = $6.53 a day Optimum - $34 = 8kgs = $4.25per kilo = 4 cups = $4.25 a day Hills SD - $95ish = 15kgs = $6.33 per kilo = 5 cups = $7.91 a day Nature's Gift - $19 = 4kgs = $4.75 per kilo = 4 cups = $4.75 a day Out of interest I did the same for Orijen Orijen - $120 = 13.6kgs = $8.82 per kilo = 3 cups = $6.61 a day - NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT!

http://www.advancedpetnutrition.com.au/product.aspx These are the ingredients in Adavance Adult All Breed - Not really a huge different between this and Hills Science Diet or Optimum. Approx Prices & Kgs Adavance - $98ish =15kgs Optimum - Can't find price Hills SD - $95ish = 15kgs i.e these equal around $6 a kilo!

Aaahh I see - cool well once we have done this next food trial, I am going to put my boy on that, as that's sounds more like my price range. Thank you!

Hey Jules any idea how much a 4 kg bag is? Also do you know if they going to start making larger bags?

Thank you! No prob! PS this is is the Australian Home Page not their one in the States.

Artemis Pet Foods would like assure all our current and future customers that NONE of our products undergo any Gamma Irradiation Treatment whatsoever. HOME PAGE OF ARTEMIS!

I really want to try Benson on Artemis Maximal - but no stockists in Brissy, and thus it would be more expensive than Orijen altogether and I really can't afford Orijen anymore

FreeSpirit - here are the ingredients! Supercoat - Adult with Real Chicken Ingredients Meat and meat by-products (from chicken and beef), wholegrain cereals (wheat and/or sorghum), wheat bran, whole linseeds, beet pulp, iodised salt, mixed natural tocopherols (vitamin E), rosemary plant extract, vitamins (A, D, E, K, B1, B6, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, choline, biotin, B12), trace minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese), lutein, garlic and kelp. Pedigree - Real Chicken Can't copy but here is a link to ingredients http://www.pedigree.com.au/products/ Not much difference Here are the ingrdients for a few other supermarket foods Beneful - Healthy Radiance INGREDIENTS Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), salmon, brewers rice, soybean meal, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, soybean oil, animal digest, water, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, calcium carbonate, dried carrots, green beans, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, copper sulfate, biotin, garlic oil, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite. Great Barko INGREDIENTS Great Barko is formulated from a selection of the following ingredients. Cooked meat or meat by-products derived from beef, lamb, chicken, pork, cooked fish or fish by-products, fat, cooked cereals, wheaten bran. Canola and soy products derived from them. Lysine, methionine, antioxidant, bentonite, vitamins and minerals. Vitamins: A, D3, E, K, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12, niacin, pantothenate, folic acid and biotin. Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc. Coprice - Family Dog Ingredients Rice, rice bran, chicken & chicken by-products, animal fat, whole linseed, dicalcium phosphate, salt, vitamins A, D3, E, K, B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B6, B12, biotin, pantothenate, folic acid, niacin, choline, trace minerals (cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc), mixed tocopherols, rosemary plant extracts, citric acid, kelp, garlic, yucca schidigera extract Nature's Gift Chicken and Rice ingredients Fresh Chicken, Australian Poultry Meals (contains no red meat), Whole Grain Wheat, Sucrose, Rice, Food Acid (338), Glycerine, Sea Salt, Canola Oil, Calcium, Chicory root (inulin), Flax Seed, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Colours, Natural Antioxidants (307), Beta Glucans, TGOS (oligosaccharide from corn starch), MOS (oligosaccharide from yeast), herbs, Added Vitamins & Minerals incl. Copper 10mg/kg, Vitamin A 8670iu/kg, Vitamin D 429iu/kg, Vitamin E 114iu/kg. OPTIMUM® Large Adult (dry) INGREDIENTS Chicken and chicken by-products; cereal protein; corn; wheat; sorghum; rice; minerals (di-calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate, potassium iodide, selenium); sugar beet pulp; beef tallow;vegetable oil; salt; vegetables; chicken digest; inulin; vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E and choline); sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP); taurine; plant extracts (marigold meal, lucerne extract, tomato powder); preservative; glucosamine hydrochloride and antioxidants. Also Hills Science Diet Ingredients Chicken, Brewers Rice, Rice Flour, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Soybean Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract. Of all of these IMO the nature's gift sounds the best to me as it doesn't contain corn and only one protein source so you know what's in it.

Now my only problem is the price. :rolleyes: Fady already emailed Ziwipeak - see response!

KO Tablets by bayer kills most bugs especially fleas in the envirnoment! Dissolve in water and spray yard/inside!

http://www.naturesgift.com.au/dry http://www.naturesgift.com.au/australia Haven't seen it at the supermarket yet - to me the ingredients are much clearer than what Great Barko contains and was wondering if it would be economical to feed. See I am struggling to find the cash for orijen - even though I love it! Also this seems to be the best that you can find in oz so no risk of fluro dog, plus hopefully cheaper as it is not imported. I agree wheat/sugar not the best but I would rather know the actual ingredients than just reading cereals on the ingredients list.

Does anyone know how much a 4 kg bag of Natures Gift dry food is?

Hi GMC Did you find out whether she was a registered breeder or just a byb? That could help you see, if registered then the pups should be pure breed the parents healthy and thus less likelihood of any disease in the yard. Were the puppies in the yard? Cause if they were and seemed healthy then it's unlikely as well that there is Parvo in the soil etc. But perhaps come and say g'day in the Retiever Thread as we have a few breeders that are members http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...53&st=24990 General Discussion - Sub Breed Forum. Plus we wanna see puppy piccies! PLEASE! Cheers FTPO!

A Combo Of Omega 3, 6, 9 is best. There are lot's of products on the market, Megaderm (vet) Mega Oil (health food shop) or given fish oil tablets and Borage oil or Evening Primrose Oil tablets. There is a ratio of the oils that should be followed but i forget exactly that's why I use Megaderm personally - much easier.

Looking great GG! How brave you both have been and I am positive that his beautiful Golden locks will be back in no time! Have you thought of trying Megaderm or Mega Oil - could stimulate faster growth of his coat! Just a thought!

Thank you AF and Penski!

Thank you GoldD that means so much!

After doing more reading and speaking with my vet friend last night, I have decided not to test for now. I have read that on average the Golden Retriever's range is lower that the norm, thus his level could be considered quite good - is my understanding. Yet it still could be a thyroid issue but is at an early stage so I will ask my vet after we do a second food trial to take full bloods if there is no improvement and by that stage I am hoping to have a little more money saved up to possibly do the intradermal skin test and thyroid testing in the states. Will keep you all posted as to how we get on, sorry if you don't agree with my decisions but I really have considered so many factors to reach this decision. PS thank you PRS - I really do love my boy and am trying my best within my means to get to the bottom of the problem with him.

Or put a disposable mask on and rubber glove or up your hand in a freezer bag and grab the bone with your plastic hand, then turn the bag inside out to be able to freeze the bone. There are alwasy ways around touching/smelling things!

Thanks Stormie - well i am going to hopefully have a long chat with my vet friend in the next few days and see what she thinks. Whether to see a dermatologist and do the intradermal sking testing, do the thyroid testing or try the food trial one more time before proceeding with anything else. Man why do it have to be sooooo hard! Also going to add here Benson's History so you can all see what we have done thus far. C4 6 wks - 03/04/07 C5 10 wks - 14/05/07 C5 14 wks - 26/05/07 Desexed 10/08/07 Around 8 mths of age the scratching started. First hot spots to develop were in Oct-Nov 07. Dexafort Injection 24/11/07 10 Cephalexin 600mg Tabs 24/11/07 Bought on line around this time EQyss Shampoo and Spray http://www.eqyss.com/pet_microtek_shampoo.asp http://www.eqyss.com/pet_microtek_spray.asp Around this time tried Permoxin Spray Started on Fish Oil Tabs and Evening Primrose Tabs (Nov 08) 20 Cephalexin 600mg Tabs 15/12/07 30 Macralone Tabs 15/12/07 Bought on line late Dec Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo http://www.groomersproducts.com.au/groomersproducts.htm KO tablets - Sprayed entire yard 30/01/08 Homeopath Vet - Homeopathic drug 09/02/08 Started on Mega Oil around Feb 08 (15 mls daily) Changed from EP Holistic Duck & Oatmeal to Orijen Mar 08 Homeopath Vet - Homeopathic drug and said to increase Mega Oil to 50mls a day 08/03/08 Homeopath Vet - sent Malaseb, Graphites Oitment & New Homeopathic Drug as this happened http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u75/spi...en/IMG_1017.jpg Homeopath Vet - Homeopathic Drug, Clivers Complex, Vets All Natural Health Booster 05/04/08 C5 22/06/08 Homeopath Vet - Homeopathic drug and ear cleaner 30/08/08 Since mid Aug 08 itching increased again - has wore Elizabethan Collar from early Sept until Nov 14th almost 24/7 Changed from Mega Oil to Mega Derm on the 28/09/08 Pyohex Shampoo - washed every wk for 4 weeks since 28/09/08. Not washed since 05/11/08 and smelly, oily feeling, scrappy looking like crumpling oily human hair. Elimination food trial started 30/09/08 - Roo & Sweet potato - finished on 07/11/08 - no change. Returned to Orijen. Claratyne trialled for 1 wk - absolutely no change. Vet visit 14/11/08 – thyroid test deemed normal score 29 and put on to Prednisole to spot scratching and Panalog to treat ear infection. Possbly Atopy but will conduct 2nd food trial to eliminate food allergies as previously Interceptor Spectrum and Megaderm where used during the initial food trial and could have contaminated results due to both containing other proteins Further he seems lethargic and sad most of the time, unless out at the dog park he doesn't really wag his tail too much and seems sullen, depressed. Has had several eye infections with greeny discharge since 8 mths of age, waxy left ear since Jul 08 and previously a greeny discharge from his penis. He seems to have lost weight - not sure how much. He is always hungry but that could be the Golden in him. His coat is coarser from mid back to hind. He does not like to lie in the same spot for longer than an hour - personally I feel this is cause he is always hot. Overall he is not a happy dog. Easily startled. Weary of having his hot spots treated. Flighty when I open door to deck in anticipation of having a treatment. Gets up from sleep every time I walk from one room to another. Constantly scratching and flick head back to try to chew at back, legs, groin or tail - prevented by Elizabethan Collar. I slap the area that he is trying to get to and it seems to soothe the itching some. Here is a photo of his groin http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u75/spi...en/IMG_1798.jpg And when you wash him you can see through the coat, darkening of the skin where previous hotspots have been or where he has scratched/chewed at.