stormie

We offer it but the majority of our clients aren't interested. We still have some clients who request annuals because its what they know. Most of the vaccine companies have a 3 yearly vaccine - Virbac is the only company I'm aware of that still push for annual vaccination. Pfizer even has an in house titre test they're promoting. I agree money is part of the reason, but I believe on the clients side rather than the vets. If we did a check up consult and a titre test, we'd make more money that we would if we did just did a consult + vaccine. We've been offering titre testing for about 18months now and I think in that time we've done 3 or 4? We opened an account with VetPath in WA to make it cheaper for the clients, but even then most don't like the idea that they could pay for the titre and if its low, have to pay more again for the vaccine. They generally say 'meh, just do the vaccine'. If we didn't use VetPath, the cost to the client with our regular path lab would be more than double. And I'm not sure why the food was mentioned, it's what vets generally make the least on.

I was going to say exactly this. We also use vet wrap in the mouth to pass the tube through.

I once boarded Orbit at my old work for one night and he came home smelling like wee. We only had concrete yards so I guess he had some splash back when he peed. I would guess dogs that come home with 'that smell' have probably toileted in a hard surface most of the time and then spent a lot of time on that surface. Sometimes it doesn't matter how clean the place is, dogs can still just take on the smell of those around them. I would perhaps let the kennel know as they might not be aware of it. Most kennels I know have a policy to bath dogs prior to going home if they've been in for a certain amount of time.

Ummm what Dachshunds are a known breed to suffer bloat. Saying dogs under 30kg don't bloat is ridiculous

Where are you Alfie? I got a pretty big bed for Orbit (Dane) from PetCare2000 in Castle Hill. I can't remember how much I paid but I think it was about $160-$170? Bit more than you wanted to pay but its huge and very thick! Pretty sure the brand is Kazoo This is it (its on top of one I made here but I use it on its own) Found a place to buy online - $159 for the XL http://www.worldforpets.com.au/products/product_detail.asp?ID=5108

WOOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :thumbsup: Fantastic news! So glad to hear they are safe and sound

If they're the same thing I'm thinking, I call them 'saddlebags' and are just distributions of fat. My Golden had them and they were quite obvious, but nothing serious.

The AVA regularly sends email updates to their members regarding current issues - it may not hurt to contact them to see if they can put something out to all the Vets on their email list? Happy to put a flier up in our clinic, even though we're in NSW...

Maybe have a look at this? It's credit though so you have to pay it off, but handy to know about in the event of an emergency and by the looks of things there are a couple of vets in Mildura who accept it http://www.carecredit.com.au/Patients/index.html

Reverend Jo my understanding of most insurance companies is that you need to send in the proof of payment in order for your claim to be processed. I've not come across any that will pay upfront, but I think GE Care Credit (if the Vet Clinic offers this) will. Have a look at Prosure - I recently did a quote for Orbit (4yo Dane) and got $36/month for Accident and Illness.

Gosh how awful I really hope they are found safe and sound. As for the bogus story from the DOL member, is there any possibility they are connected to the theft?

I would use the fish over the olive oil, particularly a spray. What about some tinned sardines in oil instead? The Home Brand ones are really cheap and are full of good oils, too.

Goodness that's a little bit harsh isn't it? We have some dog patients that come to our clinic that I will happily say drive me insane (especially the artistic ones who like to decorate their cage walls with their faeces as soon as they arrive ) - but it doesn't mean I don't love them the same as the other well behaved ones?

It depends on the vaccine. There are some that are registered to finish at 10wks, but those that aren't will finish at 12 or 16, depending what protocol your vet follows. Generally, we do 8, 12 and 16wks just because we prefer to be on the safe side in the rare chance the 12wk didn't take. I've heard of pups contracting parvo after finishing at 12, so this is why we prefer to go up to 16wks.

At 900g per day, you're basically feeding the requirements of a 30kg dog. Your dog is underweight at 30kg, so should probably weigh at least 35kg. I would personally calculate his daily ration based on 35kg, which if feeding raw to a dog who appears to have a reasonably high metabolism, would be feeding AT LEAST 1kg food per day, till he is a more adequate weight and then reassess.

I've not heard of anyone using it in cats and our Reps haven't even given us an off label dose for them (said it's still being tested?) - may I ask where you got the dose rate and what it is?

SM that was brilliant!!! Well done!!!!!

Did I miss it???

I like the BSL ones, but I'm not sure it's something the public would appreciate? I would just be concerned the offensive nature of it would add to the stereotype of bull breed owners being 'rough' etc? Personally I think the more you can steer away from that stereotype, the better. I really love the 'wrong end of the lead' ones

I really can't understand why anyone still wants to buy dog food made & owned by Americans. What's wrong with our Aussie foods That way you are supporting Australia & Australians & keeping the "food miles" to a minimum ;) Can you give me an example of some foods made in Australia which equal the likes of Canidea, Artemis and Holistic Select?

There seems to be a separate column in the fees section for chipped dogs that are registered with an applicable org such as the VCA, so perhaps that means if he is registered with the VCA you're entitled to keep him entire?

You can still register an entire dog, but as Leema said, it just costs more. I had a similar thing with Orbit - I didn't want to desex him until 18months, so it meant that when I registered him at 6months of age, I registered him as an entire male and paid the fee for an entire dog. Being registered with the VCA has nothing to do with council registration eta just read the Latrobe City Council website and I can't see anywhere that gives you an age it must be done by? It just says: Here in NSW they are meant to be registered before 6months of age. So perhaps you can register him after he's desexed? Why not just give them a call to discuss what you need to do

I use the horse grooming blocks and find it excellent for getting out loose hair. They're cheap too!

Unfortunately this isn't how it works anymore. I believe many years ago, it wasn't uncommon for Vet clinics to have their own furnace but it's not that common anymore, though perhaps some of the larger facilities or shelters still might? I'm not sure it's legal to dump the bodies in the general waste area of the tip? I am sure there are Environmental and Protections Agency regulations regarding this? That's what my sister told me when I was upset because my parents wouldn't let me bury my beloved Poppy in their beachhouse backyard. Instead we planted a rosemary bush that is absolutely thriving even having been moved recently. That rosemary bush brings back happy memories to me of my gorgeous girl. Yeah, my understanding is that technically you're not meant to bury your pets either. I think planting a tree or plant is a really lovely idea.

Unfortunately this isn't how it works anymore. I believe many years ago, it wasn't uncommon for Vet clinics to have their own furnace but it's not that common anymore, though perhaps some of the larger facilities or shelters still might? I'm not sure it's legal to dump the bodies in the general waste area of the tip? I am sure there are Environmental and Protections Agency regulations regarding this?