Staffyluv

My sister's staffy pup got into the easter eggs she bought for the kids the day before easter.. He was in the back seat of the car and she got out to pick the kids up from mums place.. She got back to the car and he had eaten quite a few (he had jumped over the back of the wagon as she undid his harness while she went indside to get the kids, forgetting about the eggs)... He was fine - a bit hyper for a few hours but fine.. Some dogs will have a more severe reaction than others, so best to keep an eye on them. If a dog that has eaten chocolate starts to pant then it is off to the emergency vet asap.

Their 'terrier' comes from their origin... To get the stafford they original mixed a Bull breed with a terrier - so I guess they just kept the 'terrier' in the name.. And why wouldn't they... it sounds flash, just like the breed

To find a friend for Ollie dog... Which turned out to be not such a good idea at the time. I stayed because this is a great community as passionate as I am about dogs and some off topic stuff - we not agree all the time but the debates are worth it.

Ollie has cancer and I have a credit card just for him When he was having chemo I upped the lit to $10,000 to help cover the cost. The limit has since been dropped to a much more manageable level as he does not need that much anymore. Everyone in my family thought I was crazy

They are amazing creatures... I would like a dollar for each time Ollie has been unwell but he still soldiers on and even seems to have a good time. Good luck with it

Forgot to say that most vets can do chemo Our protocol was over three weeks. We would go in for blood testing on Monday and if his cell counts were ok he would have chemo via drip on Wednesday, he would stay at the vet for the day. Then more blood tests the following Monday and if all ok chemo via tablets on the Wednesday. Then the third week he would have no treatment. Then it all started again for six months. Our protocol was vinblastin and lomustene (sp?) Our vet worked and liaised with the oncologist and the holistic vet but he was the main carer

Check out the palliative care section here in the health forums. There is a lot of info to digest. Rod Straw in Brisbane is one of the best canine oncologists and treated Ollie when he was dxd nearly six years ago. Options and treatments will depend on the stage of cancer. Chemo is one option and just so you know, it does not make them sick like it does humans because animals don't normally have the option of a very expensive bone marrow transplant, the doses of chemo for dogs is quite low. Holistic therapy can be used along side conventional medicine. We have had great success using the two together. Diet is as important as the treatment and a good holistic vet can explain the ins and outs of a good anti cancer diet for dogs. But basically you will be removing all grains and starchy type carbs from the diet. So most commercial dog food is out because they nearly all contain grains and fillers. We cook human grade organic meats and veg and he has cottage cheese, eggs, fish, fruits and a few jerky style treats. Cooked because when he was on chemo we could not afford for him to get sick, so it was all cooked and now he won't eat it raw. But the time needed to do this is well worth the effort. Be careful if you change diet though as you need to do it gradually so you don't upset their stomach. Good luck

Just wanted to do a quick update... We celebrated Ollie's 14th Birthday last Saturday... That would be nearing 6 years post dxd... What a little legend my boy is - I am so very lucky to have him here... It just goes to show, the text books are not always right - there is ALWAYS hope....

Thank you everyone. I think he is pretty special And to think in 2005 when he was first diagnosed with MCT they only gave him 12 to 18 months He is sleeping soundly on the lounge, all tuckered out from playing with mu niece all afternoon ETA a birthday shot - he looks so old now, poor baby

Happy birthday old man... 14 today He has had a small party with my sisters kids coming over so he had some little people around and a yummy cup cake He is now snoring on the lounge

Hi Sue, I have responded to your PM - sorry it took so long. I have heard and read good things with Palladia... If you are unsure of your oncologists protocol for Sally, then I suggest you get a second opinion. We used Dr Rod Straw and his assistant at the time (sorry can't remember her name)... Rod Straw All the best and keep us updated Jodie

Ollie has been an allergy prone dog from day one.. Every spring he gets red and itchy feet and often red and itchy on his belly too - obviously something in the grass at the park (if I kept him home for a week, he would be OK but everytime we went back to the park, it would flare up again)... We have always used Malaseb - it works and can be diluted to treat small areas by just bathing with the diluted solution.

I just saw this (and glad to hear all is OK) but the emergency vet will contact Hamish if need be, so always call their number. I did have his mobile number somewhere from when he was Ollie's vet but it must have been in my other phone... I am sure if you asked him, he would give it to you - he is a really fantastic vet.

So sorry for your loss NM May she rest in peace. When I read the first post I was about to reply with; I fear she is in pain. That stillness and drooling are two of the signs I have seen in my old man but we have been lucky to date with his issues

Not sure Sandra, I would have to contact his old vet (we moved 12 months ago) but I do recall them doing blood work each time it happened... I am sure he said it was some sort of infection that caused inflammation of the fluid in his joints. Poor boy, we used to have to carry him out to toilet every so often until he could walk again.. I hope he never gets it again

Ollie has had an infection in his joints that made him stiff an unable to walk. Tummy tense and generally unable to really move. The first time it happened the vet did not know what it was so treated him with a broad antibiotic and he came good after a few days. He has had that same thing 3 times in the last few years

I will commit the ultimate DOL sin and say, I have not read the other responses... Firstly I am very sorry to hear you think you have to rehome your dogs (and for the relationship breakdown, they are rarely easy) - what a very hard decision to make for all concerned... Is there any way you could stay where you are and get in someone to share with you - this would reduce your costs and it might be a way to keep you and the dogs together. I hope it all works out for you and the dogs

Ollie is from the name Oliver (Greek) meaning the Olive Tree... Not sure that he resembles his name meaning... But I have a few friends and relatives that have called their kids Oliver since I had the lad... My cousin said she could not believe I called my dog the same as her kid - til I pointed out that her kid is 8 and my dog is 13... She named her kid after my dog :D

It breaks my heart that every dog (pure or mongrel) does not get the chance to live a long and happy life in a loving home but sadly the fate of so many these days is not so rosey. As much as some of the statements in the story upset me, I do realize that our up and coming vets need to learn how to do these operations successfully Deplorable but necessary

Thanks for that, was doing some more research last night and came up with similar.. I use zucchini and sweet potato in with his fresh meat (he has human grade, heart smart - the lowest fat meats I can find), along with low fat cottage cheese and a couple of eggs and some all bran (all that in with about 2kg of meat, make for a big meat 'cake' that lasts for ages... Thanks for all the well wishes...

My thoughts exactly Pers... I have thought it for a while but he still loves his walk and usually his dinner... Will wait and see what the vet says tomorrow - he is in overnight at least on a drip.. Off to take his blanket and pillow down so he is comfy

Update today - the old man is in hospital, we put him in this morning.. It looks like pancreatitis again - I don't know how?? I monitor what he eats... He eats human grade (heart smart, so low fat) meats and veg... He has a few supplements and he gets a dentstick to chew everyday because he won't eat anything raw anymore (they are low in fat, I just checked the packet)... Unless one of the new neighbours are giving him something, I can't work it out... Will update when I know more - fingers crossed again please

We would like to thank everyone on DOL who has supported us for the last nearly 6 years while we have been dealing with his cancer... Not sure I would be sane without you lot

OK we don't know... blood taken but results won't be back for a few days... We had bloods done not that long ago and his kidney enzymes were not right and the vet thought it could be the start of kidney failure but turned out it was a dose of pancreatitis due to me being silly one night and giving him some rissoles with veg(will never happen again)... We don't think it is that again as his diet has been modified yet again to make sure of it. It could be any number of things, at his age, with his health and cancer - now we wait... In saying that, he is resting very comfortably on my good 'white' mink blanket on the lounge.. He seems to be back to himself... If it happens again, I will just remember to give him some of his rescue remedy and he has some movalis?? tablets here for pain...

Well he slept all night (in the middle of the bed and I was to worried about him to move him over)... He is up and I was not going to offer him breaky but he was dragging his bowl around and woo wooing at me, so I decided to give him a little bit and he woofed it down.. Just waiting for the surgery to open to go down and will update when I get back... I still think it was pain that was distressing him - not sure where or why and I am no vet but it is a gut instinct...