stormie

Pasta and Rice are crap. They are fillers, no nutritional benefit. You're vet is an idiot, find a new one. Bit harsh, Midol. I can see what the vet is saying re adding the meat. The Advance already has a correct calcium/phosphorus ratio, so adding just meat adds more phosphorus and upsets the ratio. You're better off adding some RMBs to the diet rather than just meat.

Orbit has had a couple of similar things on him this one above his eye: and at the same time, this one in his ear: We did scrapings, fungassays, UV lamps and all gave us no answers. Vets do see these things from time to time and call them spiderbites. Some sort of insect bite. They started of as a lump (rather quick onset) then the hair fell out and they raised up a little more. They took a few weeks to heal completely.

Jean Dodds recommends that puppies have one shot before 12 weeks, and 1 shot after, preferably 4 weeks apart. Personally, I'd have a final one, to make sure that atleast one has been had after 12weeks - and do it 4 weeks from the previous one. Seeing you work at a shelter I'd say your pup is more at risk because of the contact you have with shelter dogs. Once you're done with the puppy shots, you can then do titre testing to make sure the dog as adequate immunity.

According to their guide, 1 cup of the adult is about 115grams. So that would mean there's about 21 cups, though I'd say a couple less if you take into consideration the weight of the bag.

If our clinic opened an account with VetPath, it would probably only cost about $60-$80 or so for parvo and distemper titres (not including transport). But if we sent the blood through our regular sydney lab, their price is something like $150 - 200. Our sydney lab still sends the blood off to VetPath, but they add on their own handling/transport fee which really bumps the price up.

If it's Hills, they do have a tinned prescription kidney diet. Maybe ask them if they have a home recipe if you want to make it yourself? If they don't have one, pm me and I'll dig ours up for you.

Once you change over, you'll never go back to commercial!!!

Thanks Charles. The thing I'm more concerned about is growth effects from lack of testosterone to signal the growth plates to close. Exactly what I was looking for Bully, thanks!

Thanks for the help! Thanks for the articles Bubbly, they are interesting! I was wanting something to show that there is a definate affect on growth and the final structure of the dog following closure of the growth plates. I just think it sucks that even though I intend to desex orbit in the future, I have to register him now or risk a fine, and I have to pay the fee for an entire dog, which is $110 more than if I were able to wait another 6 months or so until he is desexed. I wish I could take my certificate to the council when he is desexed and get a refund but they don't do it.

That's the one, thanks!! SD was there any difference in muscle development? My breeder (and most other dane breeders) do not recommend desexing until the growth plates have closed. I'm just annoyed I have to pay entire council rego fees even though he will definately be desexed!! :rolleyes:

Does anyone have any articles or studies etc about the affects on growth plates from early desexing in large/giant breeds? I remember reading one by a canine sports club but I can't seem to find it.

So why is it costing me $32/month to feed my Dane, as opposed to more than $132??!!! Can't imagine how they could say it costs more to feed raw. Unless maybe they were comparing it to a no label brand of dry food!

I really recommend a dermatologist for all itchy dogs. The sooner you go, the sooner you can look at finding out what the dogs are allergic to and look at working towards treatment.

Could it just be winter or did it start there? I agree with the vet check. Otherwise, underweight can be better for older dogs as its easier on their joints

Have a look at Orijen - it's completely grain free. It's more expensive that the brands she's currently feeding, but you don't have to feed as much of it. Eagle Pack make a Large Breed Puppy Holistic which might work too.

Dogs can be allergic to anything they have eaten previously. Chicken might be common because it's a commonly used ingredient. I wouldn't say that we are in the height of the pollen season, though. What about artificial heating? Air cons and heaters can really dry out the skin.

Our JRT had a little virus recently that involved her coughing. It wasn't KC, more that she had mucous draining down the back of her throat and was trying to hack it up . It was more to do with her sinuses. About a week after she first started coughing, Orbit started doing it too. His only lasted about 5 days at the most though and was quite mild. Interestingly my vets have seen a couple of cases of a similar thing. eta: just read that yours is KC. Hope they get better soon!

We used it on our eldery golden retriever, who as she got older, became more senile and anxious. She used to desperately try to escape the yard/house whenever someone went out and would pace around the place and chewing on fences, doors etc. We used it for about 3 months and it settled her right down and thankfully even after we stopped using it she remained calm and settled.

There is such a thing as anti-fungal antibiotics - its called Grisolvin and it's a tablet used to treat ringworm in dogs.

Not sure about places in WA, but I know that Pet Deli and Natural Pet Store both stock Orijen and ship Australia wide.

Hi DK, I use the most natural yoghurt I can find, with no added colours, favours sugars etc, but with lots of good bacteria for digestive health. I do let him lick my empty flavoured yoghurt containers, but when feeding it to him as part of his diet, I always pick the natural ones!

I believe Malaseb is the shampoo for ringworm. It has Miconazole in it which is anti fungal. If your pets have it, they may need antifungal antibiotics. From the Dermcare website:

Agree with the above two posts. It could just as easily be a food allergy, so I'd recommend a referral to a dermatologist to find out exactly what it is. No point switching to a raw diet if the meat you feed is the culprit. The only way you can actually diagnose atopy is by ruling out everything else.

I wouldn't think Hills large puppy would be any better for growth than the other large puppy vet formulas. I'd keep bremo off the puppy food, the last thing you need is him gaining weight - excess calories in diets that can result in growth problems. Might mean you have to feed them separately, but I think its worth it to ensure they're both eating diets correct for their growth stages.

I'm pretty sure Artemis came to Aus just before Orijen did. Some varieties still have brown rice in them (which isn't really that bad, but just means its not grain free). I believe petdeli deliver all over australia, but I can't seem to get their website working at the moment. Natural Pet Store also deliver aus wide and they have Orijen