kayla1

The notion of 100% recall for every dog is not only unrealistic, but downright dangerous. As Denise Fenzi said, believing your dog has 100% recall is a great way to end up with a dead or injured dog. I've used TID when training recall with my dogs, which has been fantastic, but I'd be deluded if I thought they would recall 100% of the time. There is no way I would knowingly place them in danger by allowing them off lead in unsafe areas. One of my dogs is very small and very fast, and wouldn't stand a chance with a car. So they are only off lead in secure areas. Far too many dogs, many whose owners mistakenly believe their dogs have 'perfect recall' and 'wouldn't go anywhere', end up under the wheels of cars. Lots of good tips already. Have fun with your training, Stressmagnet.

Boofy is certainly cute! He has a lovely little face. I hope he continues to be happy for as long as possible.

Thanks Tassie. :) I didn't update sooner because I didn't want to jinx it, but needless to say Maxie and I are both very happy!

Hard to believe we've passed the 12 month mark now since Maxie's surgery. Very happy to say there's been no sign of the sarcoma returning and no problems with the biological SIS mesh used to replace the abdominal wall - no rejection or infection. Maxie's own tissue would have grown and replaced the mesh within several months of the surgery. So no loss of strength in the area. He had restricted range of movement in his right hind leg for a while, because a lot of tissue and skin had been removed, but that improved over a few months and he was then back to full range of movement. His right side feels different to touch, but physically he can do everything now that he could previously (and he loooves to run and jump...) He was back to his usual self in such a short space of time after the surgery. It's amazing what can be done now, and how quickly they recover from major surgery. :)

If the PhD research is adding to existing research, and presumably it is given the OP is at the stage of recruiting participants, then the study is not pointless. At the end of the day, it is the OP's research project and she is the one doing the hard yards. Her project, her choice.

I'm with Steve on this, what is the point? Presumably because there is a gap in existing research and hence a need for this research, the research project has been determined to be feasible within the constraints of a PhD, and is an area of interest for the OP. Good luck with your research, Veronika. :)

So sorry to hear this, Dave73. You did all you could for your girl. Run free Jazz.

Re cartrophen injections, will vets give this to a dog already on nsaids (in this case carprofen) even though the cartrophen manufacturer recommends not to?

That's a lovely tribute to your best mate. Run free Rocky.

Sorry you are having to make this decision. I don't have any experience with amputation but just wanted to add when my dog was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, the specialist surgeon recommended a CT scan rather than xrays to check for metastasis prior to surgery. So, if you haven't already, perhaps consider a CT scan before you make a decision. What is the grade of the STS? You could also ask on this forum as questions are answered by a vet oncologist.

Yes Maxie has a very good appetite! The only time he doesn't is when he is nauseous during one of the morning episodes. My vets recommended ranitidine over other meds because ranitidine inhibits stomach acid as well as helping motility.

One of my dogs has bilious vomiting syndrome. But in Maxie's case he doesn't always vomit, it's more the nausea and abdominal pain/discomfort. It started a few months ago and gradually got worse. It got to the stage where some nights he couldn't go overnight without food (despite feeding late before bed) so I was getting up during the night to feed him. Blood tests were fine so he was put on a two week course of ranitidine, and during that time I gradually extended out the time without food. He's finished the ranitidine and now goes 8 or 9 hours without food, and he's only had one instance of it since. If the problem continues or gets worse with Maxie (touch wood it doesn't) then he'll have an ultrasound, possibly xray, which is really just to rule things out, ranitidine and/or other medication, and last resort would be endoscope and biopsy. So a few things you can try before you get to the endoscope stage!

My previous dog had a severe collapsed disc - clearly showed up on xrays hence didn't need MRI. However crate rest was never mentioned, all the vets I spoke to (including a specialist) said that for him walking was ok but no jumping, twisting etc. He was an older dog at the time so I don't know if that makes a difference regarding whether to crate or not.

Yes, unless the wasp's stinger broke off somehow when in the ear? (if that's possible) I know some vets are not aware of this difference.

Went with the ants scenario, Jumabaar. I gave 4 lots of anti-histamines with no improvement. Vet time , of course. We went ALL over Handsome Herbert. Nothing obvious. Then the Vet decided to check his ears. Poor baby still had part of the stinger from a wasp a fair way down the ear canal. But the thing was it was not the ear that he had been scratching. He's much better now. Vet made the comment that he was a well behaved dog to let him poke around the ears. How did the vet know it was a wasp rather than a bee, are the wasp stingers different to bee stingers? Glad to hear he is much better now.

Sorry to hear about your boy's prognosis. I hope Kynan's time is filled with love and happiness.

Oh how awful. Taken far too young. Rest in peace Robo.

One of my dogs does this - same thing, starts off normal then gets more and more runny each time. Only on walks, never at home. I thought with her that it was a type of stress/excitement induced IBS causing the problem (stress/excitement from the walk since she never does it at home).

So sorry to hear that Dave73. I hope she continues to be happy and playful for as long as possible.

What a lovely little boy! Happy gotcha day Basil. :)

Lovely club when I used to go there - I did the obedience ring run through and started agility there too. Used to drive from Brighton!!! Like any ANKC club that relies on volunteers it's all about the people so that is bound to vary. Nice grounds! Yes it depends on the volunteers. I stopped going there a while ago now - it's not a bad club but unfortunately I had more bad experiences than good with the volunteer instructors.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Run free Tibor.

Such beautiful photos! :)

One. Love the expression. Doesn't bother me that the dog looks a little off balance - I love the not quite right photos. :laugh:

Exactly my thoughts. I'd say they were Australian run and managed, not Australian owned. But I don't think it matters too much, if people wish to buy a food that supports the Australian economy then they're still doing so. I think it matters because Australian owned implies the profits stay here. BH state on their website that they are 100% Australian made and owned. Yet Masterpet is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NZ parent entity EBOS.