Scarlettsmum

After 2 expensive trips to the vet for my current dog's teeth, we now feed Greenies and no longer need to have teeth cleaned.

Thank you for your input everyone. I absolutely LOVE cavs........I guess I just have to find a diligent breeder with a history of the least problems and who does all the health tests.

Thank you, I love this breed so much......I need to do more research I think.

Thank you for your response Podgus.

Why do you say they're sad and unhealthy? I'd love to read your thoughts.

Hi all, I am extremely interested in purchasing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for my next dog in the near future. I've been told terrible things about syringomyelia being very prevalent in this lovely breed, so much so that Norway has actually banned the breeding of them. Can anyone on here enlighten me? Are there breeders who keep records of the percentage of syringomyelia in their lines? I have had my heart broken many times by having dogs with hip dysplasia, Addison's Disease and retinal atrophy so I'm super sensitive about health issues. Hoping to hear from some breeders, thanks for reading.

My staffy, retriever and kelpie are all on Bonnie Working Dog....seems to be agreeing with all 3 of them.

I have a snooza bed for my dog who is 'lab sized'. It is a large (there was only 1 larger) and it fits her nicely, it's a flea free one and I bought a padded snooza pad to use in winter, it's covered in polar fleece and I can just chuck it in the washing machine. Great beds, I highly recommend them.

I would be interested to know how it works. Does it regenerate bone around the head of the femur so it fits more securely in the socket and can't slip out or what? I just can't imagine how it works.........does anybody know?

What was the outcome Cosmolo?

Yep, I have other dogs. Scarlett was 20 months old when she had her surgery. She had to be crated for 6 weeks and only outside on a lead to do her business. She coped remarkably well and the time just flew. My son built a ramp for her at the back door as she wasn't to use stairs. If I had my time over I'd do it again!

Cosmolo, Wing Tip is THE best for THR'S. I work at a veterinary practice (horses only though) and I have personal friends (not in this state) who are vets.....all said that Wing Tip is their first choice. He is brilliant to deal with, he really cares about the dog and it shows! The day I went down to pick Scarlett up, she was being walked around the grounds.......by kennel staff?......oh no, by Wing Tip himself! The cost for the surgery alone was about $4500 I think, but you need specific tests beforehand and of course a visit for Wing Tip to measure the hip so he can order the correct size. Neither of Scarlett's hips were fantastic, but the right was the worst. I only got the right replaced, Wing Tip said that this would suffice and it certainly has! The best chiro/physio you can see is a chap called George Schofield, he would be about 90 I reckon, and is fantastic. If you could see Scarlett romp and play you would be so surprised! I had a myofunctional therapist out for my horses on Friday, she sees dogs too....she commented on what a brilliant job Wing Tip had done on Scarlett and what perfect movement she had. It really is the best thing I could have done.......everyone tells me that Scarlett is lucky she has me, but I reckon, no, I am lucky to have her, she has done so much more for me than I could ever hope to do for her. I recommend getting a referral for Wing Tip and going to see him, you have got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck and let me know how you go.

Our local vet actually owns a pitbull herself.........apparently all who know him love him........I've never seen him myself......just goes to show though

Oh, I've been down this road! My dog Scarlett was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last September after extensive x-rays and tests. I had already tried Sasha's blend, cartrophen, physio, chiropractor with mixed results. She was not obviously lame, it was most noticeable when she was trying to get up off her trampoline bed. To cut a long story short, she had a total hip replacement last December. BEST THINK I'VE EVER DONE!! Scarlett was 25kg and 20 months old when she had it done and she hasn't looked back! Yes it was very expensive (we had to take out a personal loan) but a hip has a 20 year lifespan so it will see a dog out. It was done at Werribee by THE best orthopaedic surgeon Dr Wing Tip Wong. A brilliant success and I would do it all over again, she means the world to me.

Apparently it's quite common for some dogs to go through this during the first year after being diagnosed. I am assuming the cortate is prednisilone? As well as the forninef, Scarlett has been on Delta Cortef aka prednisilone, and this will continue with the injections. Both the injections and the pred will need to be adjusted over the next few months until we find the optimum dose. At first, Scarlett had weekly blood tests, now it is fortnightly. According to the experts, she should stabilise very quickly on the injections........here's hoping!!

Hi, My dog (well my parent's dog now) - a Bearded Collie - has Addison's. She was diagnosed about 6 years ago. It probably took a year to get her medication right (Florinef?). She's been on 8 tablets a day (4 in the morning, 4 at night) for a few years now and hasn't had any problems. She has a blood test every 6 months. Early on you need to really keep a close eye on her - nearly a year after Chloe's diagnosis her kidneys failed and we came really really close to losing her - they upped her medication and she's been perfect ever since. The difference in her personality once she was stabilised was amazing - she'd always been terrified of EVERYTHING. You couldn't hold a remote control in your hand if she was anywhere near you cause she'd freak out. She was so quiet and nervous - once she was sorted it was like having a brand new dog. She's outgoing and rarely scared of anything these days. Good luck with Scarlett, get regular blood tests and be vigilant with meds - we think when her kidneys failed she'd been dropping some of the tablets when we would give them to her. I think it's also important to give them the tablets at around the same time every day. I guarantee, I am being vigilant! She has been on 16 tablets of florinef (8 at 7am and 8 at 7pm) each day and having her blood tested every 2 weeks. Her ratio was still not acceptable so this morning I gave her an injection of percorten and will be testing her blood in 14 days. Her coat has been falling out and she looks so scruffy at the moment, I hope when she stabilises that this will rectify. She is a beautiful dog and has been through hell! She turned 2 last February and had a total hip replacement the December before. I had tried all sorts of medication to help alleviate the hip dysplasia and although she didn't exhibit any obvious signs of pain, I could tell by the way she moved that she just wasn't right. Hopefully I will be able to get her Addison's stable and she will feel on top of the world.

I tried Sasha's Blend but it didn't seem to make any difference. Scarlett ended up having a total hip replacement last December (she was 22 months old) and it has worked a treat! Puts a HUGE hole in the bank balance though!

Thanks JackieW....I do belong to an addison's disease yahoo group but everybody is in either the US or UK! I was hoping I might find someone in Aus!!

My dog has Addiosn's Disease that was diagnosed in January 2008. Does anyone else have a dog with this condition? I am having troubles stabilising Scarlett and would like to know of any experiences. Thanx