Pawfect

Thanks Guys (writing down responses to give the list to Mum)..

Thanks - will give that a try.

OK thanks - will let her know ..

Saucepan is no good - they get spooked by it. Haven't tried soup ladel - I'll give it a go but I suspect they might get spooked by that too. Anyone watching would think they're abused dogs the way the flinch when they see the apparatus heading their way!!

Can you soak a tissue or something similar in the pee and put it in a bag or container? That's an idea! I'll try this out & see how much I get... I'd assume they vet only needs a few drops for the test?

Hi! I'm just wondering what we could do to fix a very bad dandruff problem that my parent's greyhound has. She gets kibble that is high protein & high fat (as recommended by GAP), with oil added to it, as well as a can of sardines/tuna & fresh meat. She seems very healthy & her coat has become super shiny & soft, but her skin is seriously flakey all over. Anything else we could try? I'm not sure she's ever been washed (her original owner said she never washes her dogs because their skin becomes even drier). Is there a shampoo that won't cause this to happen?

I got one at the vet recently (they had a tub of them on the counter), and just received a call from our vet telling me about the recall & saying that they'll do a urine test for free to check my dog's kidneys! My dogs only ate one, so I assume kidney failure would be highly unlikely, but i'll get them tested anyway. How on earth do you collect a urine sample? They're small dogs, so by the time i've bent down, they're finished. Plus they get spooked by the container.

Ironically we were sent the Rainbow Bridge story (pinned above) that arrived just after she was PTS. It was sent by the Lost Dogs Home in reference to the Bushfire victims, but I'd like to think it was a sign from her to us..

Thanks for your kind words. All her best friends passed away some time ago, so she she'll certainly be in good company over the bridge.. (chasing birds no doubt!). It was so heartbreaking seeing her struggle with arthritis, so I feel at peace that she's now pain free. Not a dry eye in the place though ...

We've all been so lucky to have you with us the past 16 or-so years. You were so very clever, plus a cuddley, loyal and very devoted family member. Although you got up to plenty of mischief in your younger years, we secretly loved it! :wink: Now the arthritis won't cause you any more pain - may you be able to run, jump and wag your tail like mad once more ... We love you, and will miss you always....

He seems back to his normal self today, so we didn't bother with the Specialist. (yesterday he'd stopped whimpering, but still wasn't moving around much, but today he's back to being a crazy loon ). He was shaking the life out of his fav toy ust before, so I had to hide it in case he hurt himself again If it ever happens again i'll send him straight to the chiro though!... Thanks!

Heat pack is great idea - will put one on him now. Thanks InspectorRex - I think Mum would prefer Monash, since she's not a confident driver, and it isn't far from here. I'll let her know... Poor little man - he's not very brave at the best of times!

Our vet recommended phenergan - the dose is dependanct on the dog's weight. It's worked for my dog who gets very sick, even on short trips (although I only use it on him if we're in the car for long trips - short trips I do a combination of what the others have suggested).

Thanks Miranda! He's back from the vet & they've made an appt for him to see a Specialist on Monday who will take x-rays. Once they're done, i'll def give the chiro a call -great idea!!

Hi Guys, I was just wondering if anybody could give me advice what to do. A cpl of days ago mum's dog became very whingey, and after a few hrs was absolutely hysterical screaming in pain. Rushed him to the vet, and he was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his neck-shoulder region (starts at the disc & nerve runs down his leg?), and he had a temperature as well. Vet has given him antibiotics, antiinflammatories, and valium. This seemed to help a little for a day-or-so, but now he's screaming in pain again.... and we're all hysterical (including the other dogs). Mum has just rushed him to the vet again. Is there anything else we can do to make him more comfortable? Does it heal? I'm so worried.....

Yup - I've put a charm on the d-ring of my dog's collars, and attached the split ring of the tag to the loop of the charm instead of the d-ring itself. Then it sits straight....

A bit OT, but I thought i'd mention that titre tests are very good at predicting your dogs immunity to parvo and 1 other disease (forgotten the name). However it doesn't show immunity against other nasties like kennel cough that are far more prevalent (although less deadly). According to my vet, kennel cough immunity only lasts 12 mths MAX (usually less), which is why it's best to keep up with C5 boosters if you're fostering (which I do when i can), or if you're dog socialises with other dogs frequenlty that you don't know the history of (like at offlead parks).

I get it from my local Health Food shop. I prefer the powdered version rather than the tablets, so I can just sprinkle it over their food....but someimes the powdered version is harder to come buy (but they're happy to order it in for you!)....The brand I use is Wagner.