Swizzlestick

Thanks for the reply Poodlefan, how interesting! Learn something new every day. I"ll agree that they do have a bit of a terrier temperament (the few I have met anyway!).

Sorry to go OT but just read this bit. Have I been wrong all this time thinking Dachshunds were a hound ie. group 4? :p

Maybe a few hundred of us can apply. In our cover letter we can just tell them what we really think of the RSPCA. Won't help, but I know I would feel a little better.

Most vets sell some sprays to deter licking wounds. One I know of is called "Wound Guard". Just has a very bitter taste to it. I wouldn't recommend leaving him in the backyard with the e collar on, for the reasons you mentioned. If you have to leave it on, could he stay in the laundry for the day? I think it would be a little safer. A little lick here and there won't cause a problem at all. The wound will be mostly healed by now too. It's just if he licks it all day he may cause some issues. :rolleyes:

Similar to Settrlvr, but I like to use a 20ml syringe. Just take out the plunger part, and place the main part over the end of the tail. I secure it to the tail hair with Elastoplast. I do this often for the greyhounds and have found it to be very effective.

I'm sorry to go off topic. But OMG!! I wouldn't have been able to stand by and watch this. I'd have smashed the window, or called the cops. They will come straight away and smash a window, I've seen them do it a few times. Some people have nfi do they. (not you Lisa M, the owner) :rolleyes:

Hi Shell, I use the challengeAir on my Afghan. I don't show so don't really need a stand dryer (although it would be nice one day). I've found it to have plenty of power, and haven't had a problem mechanically with it. One thing though is that it doesn't have a heating element built in. (Not sure if the other one you mentioned does, I don't think it does though). It just works using the ambient air temp and the heat from the motor. Where I live, some days we have a max of 6 degrees. I was going to return it after one use for this reason, (that is just didn't get warm enough when it is bloody freezing in the garage) but instread I bought a small fan heater for $40 that I sit behind it to warm the air going in. Whilst this may not be ideal (although the people from Clipperworld where I bought it did suggest this) it really does work a treat. Now it gets plenty warm enough. In warmer weather I don't need to use the extra heater. I haven't used the Airmax, so can't comment there! Hope this helps a little.

Hi there, Haven't read all the replies so sorry if this has been said. Frontline is supposed to be applied fortnightly if you want to treat for ticks too.

You are making sense kamuzz Can't really offer any advice here except have him checked if you think he might have issues. Has he had a check up lately? Is he old?

It's most likey just sinus arrhythmia. Just means the heartrate increases a little on inhalation. If you have a good check of your own heart, it will probably do the same. The majority of dogs have this. If you are really worried though, have your vet check him. It should have a 2 count beat. Lub dub, lub dub.

Was going to suggest this too. Putting a blanket/bag over the door of the kennel makes it much warmer for them inside. Provided they will still use it of course. :rolleyes:

Hi anita, Is it at any particular time/movement?? Wonder if he has a stiff neck or muscle cramp. Dogs can get these too. How often does he yelp? Toothache?? Even if his teeth look fine, he may have an exposed nerve right up the back on a molar maybe? Not sure, just some ideas that popped to mind! Hope you can figure it out soon. Poor boy.

My boy (20mth Afghan) still gets them. I notice him hiccuping a couple of times a week. They dont last for long though.

My JRT x has been given a marrow bone about once a fortnight for the last 5-6 years. Not much of the bone left at all when he's finished. I know it has been eaten not buried, as he is in a concrete run when he eats it, so burial is just not possible. He has all his teeth, no wearing at all, and they are as clean as a 6mth old pup. So, no probs at all here.

I bought a coule of kg's of chicken mince from Lenards once. Won't do it again. I bought it for the ferrets and dogs. I opened the bag as soon as I got home (not like it was left in the car for long) and the stench was disgusting. Not much makes me feel sick, but this smell was feral. It also had large bone chunks that I wouldn't have fed to my dogs or ferrets either. It went straight in the bin. From then on I have bought human grade mince for the kids.

Not sure what I've missed, but how is pancreatitis misdiagnosed with kennel cough? These are two very different illnesses. Just sounds a little odd to me. Also overweight dogs can be more prone to pancreatitis, but lean dogs can also suffer from it just as easily.

This was going to be my suggestion too. I have tank water only and have fantastic water pressure. I just have a regular hose nozzle in the bath out in our shed, with hot and cold water. I bath my Afghan without too much trouble. I originally did consider getting a hydrobath, but I really think I'm better just with the normal human bath I have. I just think it is easier to get right under him and his long coat, rather than trying to reach down into a hydrobath and up under his coat. Hope that bit made sense!

I voted Eukanuba. I feed 1 Afghan, 1 JRT X and 50 greyhounds with it, and am so happy. The greyhounds are looking the best I've seen them look for a long time. They just seem to do much better on it, and they've tried other premium brands.

I've seen tonnes of greyhounds with this. Completley normal. As long as the skin isn't broken and irritated it's not a problem, just doesn't look fantastic IMO. Owners can offer soft beds etc to prevent it, but some with just choose to lay on surfaces such as concrete. Once bald like that, it often will never grow back, even if they lie on a soft bed all the time.

Hi everyone, I've never been in the same situation as many of you here. I'm not sure how I'd cope. Not well I presume. I guess I'd just try and stay strong for my dog, and let it all out at the end. Reading this thread has been very sad yet heartwarming too. It's wonderful that even though you guys have been nursing your own very ill dogs, you still manage to support and comfort others in the same situation. Keep your chins up guys is all I can say. You're all inspirational. Your dogs are very sick, but still so lucky to have great owners who love and care for them as you do.

Sounds like she may have a neurological disorder. Have you had her assessed by a vet?

One of mine doesnt have any supplements. The other one is fed Eukanuba Large Breed and has flaxseed oil for his ever growing coat, and Glucosamine/Chondroitin for his joints.

I totally agree with you sas. There are many different ways/reasons why a dog will get gdv. A bowl isn't going to help out. Might make some money for the inventor/creator though. Many people will be mislead. Imagine calling the vet @ 2am when your dogs unwell. Oh no, it can't be gdv, I've got a special bowl he eats from. Edit: cant spell

Can you bath them in the laundry tub/sink. That's were I do my JRT x

We only use the small animal one where I work too, usually just use bute for largies.