Staffyluv

Another year has passed - 3 years he has been gone and I still think about him every day. There are so many things that still remind me of Ollie.

Awe, what a face :)

That is a good point Pers - it may not be. It could be mites or another type of skin infection.

Your first point of call is finding out what makes your dog itchy. Where is your dog itchy? If it is all over, it is possibly a diet issue or if it is mainly on the tummy/legs area, it could be a contact issue. Once you have an idea of what 'might' be making the dog itchy then you can tackle the itch. Check your yard for plants that often make dogs itchy, like wandering dew, what sort of grass do you have in the backyard? Is the dogs bedding natural fibre or some sort of synthetic stuff that may be contributing to the itching? What do you feed the dog? Commercial kibble, raw diet, canned food? In the mean time (check with vet first) you could give an antihistamine tablet each day (something like Claratyne, Polarmine (my preference) from the chemist) - my old SBT used to get 1 polaramine tablet a day, every day. If it is a contact allergy, put a t-shirt on the dog so its tummy isn't coming into contact with what ever it is. Or remove what is making the dog itchy (if you can). If it is more all over and you suspect a diet related issue, change to a grain free diet - feeding raw is probably the best move. I use Vets All Natural - it is already mixed up and he gets a half a chicken carcass of a morning and the VAN of a night. He also gets a good bone to chew on a couple of times a week. Some allergies can only be managed - you do what you can to avoid the dog coming in contact with the problem.

It is interesting to see the differences in height and weights. I have always had SBTs and I now have Ziggy who is a pound pup but chipped staffy cross - he is way too big to be SBT at 45cm high (at his shoulder) and 25-26kg (depending on the week). So I figure he is probably more an amstaff cross. His personality is also totally different to any SBT I have ever owned or been around - he is more chilled out but still very active, keen to learn new things and loves getting out and about. He also loves all other animals that we meet, especially other dogs. I would love a purebred Amstaff - one day.

From sooking in the corner Day 8 March - In the corner #fmsphotoaday by jamoore photos, on Flickr To happy in the water (or mud) 2014.2.1 Zig by jamoore photos, on Flickr

About 20kg in my experience... They are very similar in temperament, both great with kids, an American Staffordshire terrier is a lot more dog to handle in terms of size. Try 10kgs difference. No Amstaff should weigh 30+kgs Ruffles the weight thing gets me with the ANKC standard - it says (along the lines of) 'the dogs weight should be in proportion to the height'. In the case of males 46-48cm.. Some seem to be leaner than others - and there are some that are grotesquely overweight (or look like they are). So a dog at 46cm high should be what weight? How do you tell? because a dog that is very muscular will weigh more than a dog that doesn't have a lot of muscle on. Just curious because I have been in a few debates about these dogs that are being bred that weigh 40kg and are just huge compared to what I 'think' an Amstaff should look like..

I don't think Kate is at West Queanbeyan anymore - she was there years ago before she got right into the holistic stuff. We see Hamish at WQV but the whole team is really nice.

I will second Sandra Hassett at Phillip - she is the canine chiro that I see with my boy once a month. Kate Millhouse helped me with my old SBT years ago when he had cancer. We are in Queanbeyan so use West Queanbeyan Vets now but we still see Sandra once a month for chiro work.

Idiot stood back and let the dog pass. I wonder how many more there were, that weren't recorded by owners.

First, not high protein diet, just low carb (things like rice, grains and cereals need to be removed) - yes this increase the proportion of protein but it doesn't have to be just high protein. Ollie diet was kangaroo, beef, chicken, fish (fresh and tinned) with carrots, cauli, broccoli, zucchini, eggplant, peas, beans, apple, strawberries, watermelon, yoghurt, cottage cheese, eggs etc. No grains. A diet too high in protein can actually be an problem for kidney function - if you aren't sure how to do this, try a commercial grade food like Vets All Natural or BARF patties or a good commercial kibble that is grain free. A lot of vets are not interested in supplements - not your problem. See a good holistic vet to work out a supplement plan and ask your vet to fax or email through the test results to either you (so you can pass them on) or directly to the holistic vet - remember, this is your dog and you are paying for the treatment (mine told me directly I was wasting my money - I said, it is mine to waste!)... Now the vinblastin is not that hard to give. It is given via a drip - the dog stays the day (I used to drop Ol in the morning and pick him up in the afternoon). They may have to muzzle while they put the canula in but after that, your dog will just lay down at the vets and probably sleep the day away. Surprisingly dogs do much better when we are not around because we stress, so they pick up on it and then they stress. I know it is hard but having been exactly where you are, I can tell you that the best thing you can do for your dog and you, is just take a breath because she will be fine at the vets with you not around to worry about her not liking needles etc - she picks up on the way you feel about it. Ollie had vinblastin every third week for 6 months, it (along with the supplements and diet) let him live 6 years after being diagnosed. He was MCT grade 2, no clear margins and it was already in his lymph nodes - he was given 12-18 months and he lived 6 years. It took me a good 6 months to just realise that every time he went down hill was because he was picking up on me and how I was reacting to news and test results. When I decided to just enjoy each day, take him for a walk every single day, take him to the shop each day, play a game in the back yard with him each day and do the treatments when we had to - it all changed. Instead of freaking out (and I freaked out a lot), I enjoyed my boy and accepted that he might not be here as long as I want him to but I was going to make every day that he was here, worth it. Take a breath, enjoy your dog, so she can enjoy her time left with you :)

Caught in the act very quickly this time Ziggy 16.3.13 3 by jamoore photos, on Flickr This was a toilet roll Day 5 - Found (at the pound, 2 year ago - best find ever!) by jamoore photos, on Flickr

It is a horrible disease. Good luck with the itchies, I hope you get it sorted.

Personally I think it is but you could use both together if it is really bad. My old SBT had mast cell cancer and one of the problems was histamine release by the tumours - giving him an anithistamine a day kept it completely under control. Zig's isn't really bad and it only happens if he lays in the grass at obedience - so using the sorbelene cream as a barrier and giving the antihistamine works fine for us. Erny (member on here) has a thread in the health section for using Calendula tea on itchy skin. I have recommended it to heaps of people and they all rave about it - so it must be good. If you want a more natural approach to treating the itchy skin. Sadly some dogs react to all sorts of things and the only thing we can do is treat the symptoms when they happen.

Congrats bazilybazbaz - good luck!

Zig has a contact allergy to grass at our obedience training ground - I put sorbelene cream on his tummy and give him a polaramine tablet before we go and it seems to have 'fixed' the problem of him ending up itchy. My old SBT used to have a polaramine tablet every day for histamine release. There are plenty of other antihistamines on the market that work if you need them. Good luck, allergies are hard to get on top of sometimes.

That is pretty awesome - you should be very proud of what you have done for your dogs. If you have a digger and a water baby (mine is both), you can leave the pool up all year - we had a lot of rain this morning and I have already dried him off twice. A good digging area with treats and toys dug just under the dirt for them to find is awesome fun as well. Good on you!

That's an Amstaff or at least I think it is, it's certainly not an SBT I have seen that photo on the internet before (a few times). I am sure it was once when I googled images of Amstaffs, it came up.

How can you have a pedigree if it is a cross breed?? OMG, the world has gone mad!

I guess Zig would appear spoilt to some but to me, I just look after him as best I can. He eats good food, sleeps on the end of my bed, goes out a lot with me. I take him to obedience training, noseworks workshops, to the off lead park for fun and for walks. He also gets to come for drives to the shop or to friends places (where he is welcomed).. He has a few toys but he is really only interested in tennis balls and tug toys. He has a couple of awesome collar and lead sets (thanks to Ruthless).. But if I am bring honest, they are more my taste and what I like on him - he could just as easily be happy (and has one) in a cheaper version from the pet shop. He goes to the vet when needed and sees a chiro (he has HD) each month to help keep him well aligned. I don't think he is spoilt - I think I take good care of him.

Send them a nice reminder of what they agreed to do for you :)

Thanks for the advice Staffyluv. I didn't realise there are chiropractors that work with dogs!! It maybe something to look into. I will also try just using his flat collar with the lead to see if that makes any difference. The harness he currently has is a front leading one to help stop the pulling. My boy isn't very food motivated but he loves his tennis ball - he used to be a real puller. I started walking with the tennis ball in my hand (a food reward would work as well) at my side, next to where I wanted him to walk (at heel). Using this and the 'change direction' trick, he now walks nicely and doesn't pull very often at all - I can't say never because he gets excited when he sees other dogs and moves out to say hello. Changing direction is simply, when the dog gets in front of you (before he pulls), turn and change the direction you are walking. It can seem like you are going in circles somedays but it works. So does walking close to a fence or wall - having the dog between you and the fence. Don't leave enough room for him to be in front of you, so he has to walk just behind your leg. Yes ask your vet or google for a canine chiro in your area. Physio for dogs is also good but we have had loads of success with our chiro here.

Was that heavily edited or did you just not swear? Just joking, you did really well. Won't be long and you will have a regular spot on the show!

Did the vet check his back and hips? He could have pinched a nerve and it only hurts after walking for a bit (that is how I noticed my boys problem - he would start limping and often lay down, while playing). Can you get a chiropractor to have a look at the dog as well (if the vet couldn't find anything)? Some harnesses can rub on dogs and they won't walk because it is uncomfortable - does he need a harness, what about a flat collar and lead (much more comfortable for a dog IMO). If he is a puller, remember that a harness will just give more leverage to pull lower to the ground, so pull more. It is easier for you but they get a lot more pull from a harness than a flat collar (or martingale collar)..

I just had a look and it looks OK to me. I use Vets All Natural, the premade one. It is roo mince and their mix, already added and sealed up. Zig loves it. I think he would love the Organic Paws as well.. You will have to come back and let us know how you go with it.