Staffyluv

Sorry for you loss RIP boy...

RIP Miss Jenny... Sweet dreams princess.. I don't know how you do it Rozzie - it must be so hard saying goodbye to so many...

A quick update - all is still well We had a vet visit yesterday because I found another lump in his throat this time... A needle biopsy said it is just a lipoma :p He is still well, going for walks and eating everything we give him - seems to be hungry all the time again. He still drinks a couple of litres of water a day but I put that down to the macrolone. On our walks everyone he knows stops to say hi and how well he looks... Cheers Jodie and Ollie dog

Don't worry - he has been waiting until we go to bed to let rip lately... If you come over during the day time, you are pretty safe from the gas (unless he likes you and gets excited to have visitors) J

Even when he is sick he is still up for kisses...

Dare I say.... Yep... All good on the home front this week... Cheers J

An update for those that want to know... Ollie has a gastric ulcer (just another hurdle) and this is what has been making him so ill the past month or so... Well it looks like we have it under control with meds, finally... He is a little slower than a few months ago, but still loves visitors, food, toys and me (not necessarily in that order)... Our walks are a little shorter but still the best part of the day for both of us (except for tummy rubbing time, just before bed)... My heart still breaks every time I think of the fact that our time is so preciously short... Every minute counts... Isn't it perfect how a small furry face can mean so much... Jodie

I am not sure. I am a big believer in nature v nurture... I personally think any dog that is raised well, in a loving home with plenty of love and guidance (training) can be a wonderful canine citizen... If you are interested in breeding, you should check out the breeders forums. We have some wonderful breeders, all devoted to bettering their breed... They might seem a little stand offish at first but plug away and ask questions. When they see you are genuine, they will usually help out... Cheers Jodie

If you buy from a reputable breeder they will give you all the info that you will need in regards to vaccinating and feeding of your new pet... I think the general consensus here on DOL is that if it is a pet - desex the dog. The only reason to have an entire animal is if you are showing or a registered breeder... Too many dogs put to sleep every day to keep all dogs entire and allowed to breed. Personally, I think the only people that should be breeding are registered breeders... Just my opinion. Good luck with your new dog, I would love to see some pics when you get him/her... Mals are an impressive breed and definitely not for the novice... Cheers Jodie

Helen, the gas makes us all uncomfortable At least number 2's are back to the nice normal, hills science diet colour... We went for a walk this morning - he is always so gung ho... Out there, saying hi to everyone and sniffing anything that looks remotely vertical... It was probably only about half our usual walk... But I thought I would build it back up over a week or so... Hopefully he is back on the mend again... Cheers and thanks for all the great moral support and advice. Jodie

Thanks sweets... He ate his dinner tonight - first time since he has been home... (he ate some of my salmon but would not eat his food)... He managed to get his dads beanie as well and that turned into a 'catch me if you can' game... It did not last long but at least it was with gusto... He is happier today as well... But he still has horrible gas (phew)... Jodie

He is really quiet and no his usual smoochy, I needa sit on ya all the time self... I wish I could be a stay at home doggy mum (what a life)... I work from home but need to go out to clients so much lately... Will see how he goes tomorrow, if there is not happy chappy I will call the vet and just ask if it is normal for him to be so quiet... (it is not normal to me, he is usually all over me)... Jodie

Yes, he is home We are sharing my salmon steak for dinner - no he is not spoilt... All is well... He has slept a lot since he got home... Thankyou all so much Jodie

Carafate is what he will be on from today. They did give it too him a fortnight ago but only gave him one weeks supply - I think they wanted to know if it would help. He will be coming home with some today (I can pick him up after 4pm)... Vet said he is still a bit flat but a lot better than yesterday. T4 count for the thyroid is spot on every time we do it, so I guess he is getting the right amount. To diagnose the ulcer for certain they want to do an endoscopy (sp??) but I really do not want to put him through another anaesthetic (sp??) - it knocks him around too much... But if I have too I will... Between you pounding on the heavens and me begging daily I am sure he will pull through. He has too many people barracking for him... Thanks Jodie

That is right pampa... Somedays I feel like I am dangling on a yoyo... But we do what we do... Just so long as there are more good days than bad days, I will be happy and positive... It seems to be in fortnightly waves - even the vet commented on the timing this morning - weird huh... The house is very empty without him, he is usually hogging most of the lounge at this time of night... Cheers Jodie

I am confident he will bounce back again - gotta think positive... Just spoke to the vet and he is going to keep the lad in overnight. He is sure that it is related to a stomach ulcer and is going to send home some stronger meds to deal with it. You can tell he is really suffering with pain and nausea when it happens, should I be asking the vet if there is anything I can treat him with here at home until I can get him to the vets - the attacks (for want of a better word) seem to nearly always start around 1am. So far we have tried Ipecac from the holistic vet and unfortuately it does not seem to make any difference as it is really only for nausea, not nausea and pain... I think I will have a D&M with the vet tomorrow. Jodie

It has been a few weeks Helen, just checking on your troopers.. Hope all is well with Miss Lucinda, Oscar and Margali... Give em all a big hug Jodie

It all goes to Sh1t some days... I have just had an accident and rolled my ankle and now I cannot walk... I have always had weak ankles and it seems to get worse the older I get... I turned the same ankle back in March and it has not really felt right ever since... Thanks guys... J

So sorry sweetie... RIP Barkly Jodie

Just got back from the vets and had to leave my angel there again... He is going on a drip just like last time... It is not as bad as it was a couple of weeks ago, thankfully... It was also suggested that perhaps it is time that I keep a journal to see how many good days to bad days he has... Jodie

Looks like we are having a relapse of whatever made him really sick last time... It has come on really fast - how can they be so well one minute and so sick the next... I have been up with him since about 2am, just waiting until I can call the vet at 8am... He is pacing (he walks like he does not want to move, so slowly) and panting, has diarrhea and as yet has not vomited but is acting like he needs too (is keeping his head low and facing to corner or trying to hide under the coffee table)... He won't let me take his temp but I can tell it is up as he is quite hot to touch and his nose is really dry. I have given him 30c of ipecac from the herbalist and he still has not settled, it might be just me but I really don't think we have much success with these drops, I might have to get something stronger or ask the vet for antinausea meds... It has only been about 2 weeks since he was sick last time, feels like it is becoming more frequent and more severe. This bout cannot be put down to the chemo because he has not had any, we have decided not to bother with the last session and to just continue with the macrolone and the holistic approach. Will update once I have talked to the vet... Jodie

Thanks... I agree, a consult with Sue would be a good idea (if only I had time).... I am an accountant and the next couple of months see's me working until the wee hours nearly every day... I am also doing my Masters at UNE and seem to have a never ending amount of assignments due all the time... I can make time, I always have in the past... And I will this time... Grated apple and yoghurt?? OK, I will give that a go... Does it matter if it is vanilla flavoured (his favourite) - of course a probiotic type like Jalna... One Q... The Vit C that I am using is just a chewable one. Should I be looking at the buffered one that is kinder to the tummy for him??? Do dogs use the same digestive enzymes that we use... I have some here from my natropath that I take (one twice a day)... Apart from the gas (and in the grand scheme of things - it is nothing), he is so well it is disgusting... I was chasing him through the house today (he had my tea towel) and he jumped all over the lounge, then onto the youngest ones bed - just to get away from me... All the while teasing me with the tea towel in his mouth... It was music to my soul... To see him so well after the last scare... Cheers Jodie

He might be feeling like a pup again and having a good time but all this movement is givng him gas - phew, it is really bad... I tried those charcoal things but he won't even look at them - I even chopped one up into tiny little pieces and put it in his dinner but he ate around all the miniscule pieces... He eats 1 cup of HSD and 1 cup of mixed veges cooked in chicken stock daily. He gets a couple of treats - usually a dentastick (because he won't eat raw bones) and a lucky dog bone biscuit sometimes... Any suggestions??? The smell is getting to everyone...

We are still doing well... Went for an hour long walk again today - he even thought it necessary to chase the pigeons... He is taking all his meds with no problems and eating well and NOT VOMITING at all... Touch wood we are going great guns and hope it continues... Jodie and Ollie dog

So sorry Rozzie, it must be so hard to lose so many lovelies... At least they all have great memories of their last days here in doggy heaven until you see them at the bridge... Jodie