stormie

During a discussion about pet shops with someone I work with, I was shocked to hear her views on it all. She actually said she couldn't understand why someone would want to buy a purebred from a pet shop, but that buying xbreeds from their instead was understandable and acceptable. I tried to explain puppy farms etc, but I just don't think she got it. *sigh* I've suggested she watch the 730 report

bumping this up so people who wanted to watch it will see its on tonight....

I don't usually find many things offensive, but I did find that clip a bit upsetting. I had no idea there was meant to be a joke behind it - I actually thought the original clip and been hacked or something and those images put in there to deliberately upset people (not the OP, but the person who created the clip). Now that it's been explained I understand it, but like others, I do find those pictures upsetting enough to make me stop watching.

Definitely. You only need to look at the way humans and dogs respond to the release of histamine to see how different we are. I'm not saying it's not possible, I'm just saying that one really should follow the directions of a dermatologist to get to the bottom of the cause of the allergies, rather than taking guesses. I'm not pushing it because I work in the industry - I'm pushing it because of my own experience. I wasted so much time trying all these different diets, supplements, herbs etc etc. People told me to go raw, so I did. People also recommended packing him full of fish oil. So I did. I spent a fortune on all types of creams, lotions, shampoos, you name it, to try and get some relief. Then I listened to the derm and followed their instructions and it turned out the raw food I was feeding him, he was allergic to. And the fish oil I was giving him, he was allergic to. And most of the shampoos I was using, he was allergic to. So I'm not saying that a raw diet won't help or any other supplement won't help. I'm just saying that people should spend the time and effort to find out the causes of the allergies so you know what you're working with. I feed raw now, because I know what foods are 'safe' - I'm all for it - but again, only when you know for sure that the foods you're feeding and a contributing factor.

My dogs have always destroyed toys, but the difference with them has been that they don't eat the stuffing. Interesting and will be keeping an eye out for more info...

I agree that if you choose to own a giant breed, or a miniature one for that matter, you should be able to financially look after it. Your example of the service to your car and the toilet is not a fair comparison. In fact, it's world's apart. These people apparently approached said vet and he denied them. I still believe that he is morally incorrect, and as I said before, he could and should have worked out a payment plan. Say for example, if an owner presents with a very sick animal to the vet, and at the time is short of funds, does the vet turn him/her away, or does he/she do whatever possible to save that animal? Again, a payment plan could be arranged. It's not that difficult. Why should the vet, who would be a complete stranger to the owners, pay for treatment for THEIR dog, out of his/her own pocket? I don't see how its any different to a mechanic or plumber - both are a profession which offer a service. If I had faulty brakes on my car, my mechanic wouldn't fix them for cheap or with a payment plan. As the owner of the vehicle, it is my responsibility to ensure I can pay for my car. How do you know that these clients were previous bat debtors with the vet? Perhaps they already had bills racked up? And if an animal presents sick on a clinics doorstep, they are only required to give first aid and prevent suffering. If a dog presents with a broken leg and the owners have no money, the vet is not under any obligation to fix that leg free of charge. Also, if a person presents with an otherwise healthy dog requested euthanasia, the vet is well within their rights to deny. Simple - the clients can find someone else to put to sleep their dog. No one likes putting to sleep animals whom are otherwise healthy - vets are often presented with unwanted christmas puppies etc to be put to sleep because owners no longer want them and a vet is well within their rights to decline the euthanasia. I still can't believe, that given the information from the article about the dogs previous actions, that you are pointing the finger at the vet. There would have been other options for the father - gees, even if he tied the dog up for the authorities to deal with.

Of course, blame the vet, who had absolutely nothing to do with the fact the dog mauled the kid. The vet had a fee for the service which the owners couldn't afford. How on earth is it the vets fault? Some people will take any opportunity to have a dig a vets... Maybe we should also blame the company that disposes of the body? If they didn't charge the vets so much, the vets wouldn't have to charge the owners what they do. If people choose to own giant breeds, they need to accept the costs involved, both whilst the animal is alive and after. I can assure you no mechanic would service my car for free because they have a 'moral obligation'. Nor would a plumber come out to fix your toilet for free because he felt bad you couldnt pee in it. The poor little girl. Something that will affect her life for, and could have been prevented had her parents taken action sooner.

Not only in the USA actually. My last boss was attacked after an owner broke into his clinic after hours to take his dog home from hospital because he'd changed his mind about treatment after the clinic had closed. And the previous owner of this clinic was bashed and his wife threatened because of an owner who was angry about having the debt collectors phoning because he wouldnt pay his bill. Fact it, whether its routine or not, the animal is still having an anaesthetic which involves risk.

Try click 'Options' in the top right of the post and make sure its on 'standard'...

Just because they seroconvert I don't think it necessarily guarantees life long immunity. Take the KC vaccines for instance - they are saying they probably only give approx 10months immunity.

I don't believe its 100% but I think it greatly reduces the chance

Agree that a lot of it can come down to the behaviour of the owners. So many of our clients who have really anxious dogs, are quite anxious themselves and make a huge deal of everything that's going on. But, I do wonder if some dogs have the personality to go that way or not. For example, I am with Orbit most of the time. And I'm not going to lie, when I go out, I do say goodbye to him and tell him I'll be back soon etc etc. I tell him he's staying here and he genuinely seems to understand that as rather than coming to the door, he'll hang back and go back to bed. He has no separation issues at all. I go out and he puts himself to bed and sleeps until I come back. I wonder if its because when I'm saying goodbye to him, I'm not feeling any amount of worry or stress, so even though I'm saying all that, he senses no tension from me and thus is ok with it? Or am I just lucky that me making a deal of saying goodbye hasn't affected him? I should add too, that from a puppy he has come to work with me. He had a bed in our staff room which I had to walk through many times during the day. Could this action of me always coming and going helped to ensure he wasn't anxious about me leaving?

This is a really interesting thread. I've seen a few at work, but couldnt give a lot of details about their history unfortunately. I've seen a bloated OES, BC x, Min Poodle and a few mini Dachshunds. Must say too, after reading the results so far, I'm glad I had a prophylactic pexy done when Porp was desexed

Royal Canin have used it in their Skin Support food, but I can't remember exactly what their claim for it is, just beneficial to skin somehow.

haha yep, our old goldens were all fed Pedigree or Friskies. Both lived till they were 16 and were pts due to arthritis. I wish chicken still had hormones - then I'd have massive boobs!

Ironically, since we've been running this place and changed the protocol to the 3 yearly one, we've been the busiest the place has ever been! I think people love the fact that clearly the vet here isn't money focused and can see that in the way he runs his business, so are more likely to come up for even the little things now.

Seriously Daisy, you shouldn't have to go back there. I can't believe they are implying you need to! The Derm will probably want to do their own scrapes anyway, so it's pointless having your regular vet do them. It seems ridiculous and unfair for your vet to say you need to go back there for another consult. It may, however, be the requirements of the Dermatologist they refer to, to have the regular vet to a certain amount and type of tests before they will see people. Seems weird to me and I can say without a doubt that if one of our clients wanted a referral to a specialist (obviously within reason), we wouldnt say no.

Up to 8 weeks I believe. But the PAWS rep has been desperately trying to give me boxes of it to use, but he's never been able to answer my questions about them so I've previously declined.

And act like this will solve everything for every dog and then act like its some how the persons fault when it doesn't resolve their dogs true allergies! Does my head in too. Seems there's a new allergy topic started atleast weekly, with the same replies of people insisting they get off commercial and switch to raw, because this will fix everything Crazy Daisy - you do NOT need to have the same tests re done!! The clinic that the vet worked in should have all your consult details like Anne said and another vte can write a referral. Even if you went to a different clinic, I don't believe you have to have any tests done at a general clinic - you could just have a consult and say you want a referral and have the Derm do all your scrapings etc.

Says who? Exactly. Never heard this and I've listened to 4 different Dermatologists speak on food allergies. Agree with Zayder - the storage mites are problem.

Right, we bit the bullet and just put Essential 6 topspot on Orbit. Hoping to anything he doesn't react to it, but hey, its worth a try to find another miracle cure, right? He gets relief from Alpha Kerry Oil and also from wearing t-shirts etc, so I guess it's possible improving his skin barrier might help! Will let you know how I go....

Total crap. You don't know anything about them. Dogs were bred to fight, but bred to be people safe. Fighting other dogs doesn't equate to attacks on people, never has, never will. No medium to large sized dog should be owned by idiots. There has never been a fatal attack by a pitbull in Aust. What does that tell you? Pitbulls are way down the attack list stats, even when they are numerically adjusted. Be frightened of cattle dogs, german shepherds, labradors, they are way ahead of pitbulls. Do you research before posting your feelings disguised as fact, and fact shaped by skewed media propaganda. Top post Jed Agree, Jed. I've worked with animals for 5 years now and can honestly say I have never been threatened by a 'bull breed' dog. I have, however, been threatened by plenty of other breeds that I won't name because I don't want to offend people, one in particular.

making them 'socially unacceptable'?? seriously, the guy needs something I wont say on here...

Seriously, I'm so mad....