Michelleva

I was looking forward to coming to this, but I can't bring my doggy now, as she's recovering from surgery. I might bring the kids down anyway. Its always nice to meet everyone else's dogs.

About 3 weeks ago my dog underwent surgery for a luxating patella. She came home with good pain relief in the form of a patch stuck on her butt area, as well as AB's and an anti-inflammitory tablet. We were so surprised in her recovery for the first two weeks. You would have never thought she had a problem, she was happy, walking well, eating well and resting well. Then last Saturday, her recovery seems to have gone backwards. All weekend she would put no weight on the leg at all, and this week, she's slowly improving again. She's at the point where she will walk but it seems to be quite painful/uncomfortable for her. She was checked at the vet last Saturday, and had an injection. At the time he checked everything and said its all in place, she's just done too much. I 100% followed the vets advice on recovery, but now she's worse than she was in the first week. A friend who is a vet nurse thinks she probably felt little pain in the first 10 days or so, so acted normal, then when the pain relief stopped, she decided that it hurts to walk, so I'll just hop instead. Has anyone else had a dog go through this surgery and have a similar experience? I think its gone the reverse of how I expected it. The vet is confident she'll make a full recovery, its just going to take time. She's getting pretty bored in the crate now, but I do bring her out and walk her around the yard and house, as well as let her sit with me if I'm watching TV or on the computer.

I just watched all your videos and the difference is amazing. I'm starting to think one of these could help my dog. She's a highly strung little miss as it is, but she's in recovery from surgery and needs to rest. The vet has prescribed a mild sedative, to help keep her calm and still. Possibly, this jacket could help her without the need for drugs.

Well I just came home and the little dog was out the front of the house. I went to see him and he'd already gone back through the hole he dug under the fence. I think he's scared, this little boy. I feel sorry for him. He must have already tried to get out because their bins were lined up along the side gate. He hasn't been barking a lot today though, only when he saw me. Poor little doggy.

The little dog is quiet at the moment, its bucketing down here, so hopefully he has a kennel and he's asleep in there. or maybe they have come home. When I see them next I will mention it to them, so hopefully they can make some changes. I think he's scared and lonely in a new place, with not much to do. Presumably these people worked where they lived before.

About 2 weeks ago new people moved into the rental house next door. They have a little terrier type dog and the barking is driving me nuts. Not to mention my dog is recovering from surgery and hearing this dog barking so much is upsetting her too. It doesn't bark when they are home, but its been going on and off since 8.30 this morning. What do i do? I know they have little kids and I don't want them to have to give up their dog, but this little dog seems scared and lonely to me. i've peeked over the fence and he has no toys/bones or anything to amuse himself with by the look of it. I'm sure it won't take long and someone will complain to the council about it. As a dog owner, i'd only do that as a last resort. Maybe I should knock on their door tonight and let them know whats going on while they're not around.

Bugger, I saw this too late, its exactly what I've been looking out for...

Ooops I completely forgot I started this thread... Thanks for a all the great replies. I'm 3/4 of the way through Grow Your Pup With Bones. I just wish I'd read it BEFORE we got our pup now. I'd love to borrow your copy, obviously I'll return it when I'm finished with it. I'll PM you.

I really want to get Georgia off the commercial food, and I've been reading all about Dr Billinghurst's theories and want to give it a go. I managed to track down the book - Grow Your Pups With Bones from my local library, but its really aimed at breeders. I would like to purchase one of the other two books, but don't know which one to get, he has one called The Barf Diet for Cats And Dogs and Give Your Dog A Bone. Has anyone read either of these? Can you recommend which would be the best one for me. I'd like to give the cats a go on Barf too, so am leaning towards the first one. I've seen it online for $45.

I found an Ian Billinghurst book at my local library, I've borrowed it and have already started reading. It actually makes a lot of sense so far, I'm now starting to wonder if the food I've been feeding my gorgeous girl has lead to her current health issues. :D

Thanks Jules, I'll look them up.

Thanks, I think what would work best for us, as we only have one little dog is to make up a batch and freeze in individual portions. I found a place this morning that sells goat meat at a reasonable price. It said it was for stewing, would you normally mince meat like that or leave it chunky. My cats get raw meat chunks every night and have sparkling teeth, even my oldest who is 7. I'll check out that other thread soon Shelby.

Currently our 9 month old sheltie girl gets a combination of Advance Puppy as well as some raw chicken necks and chicken wings. She also gets a meal of sardines in oil once a week for her coat. We've almost finished the back of dry and I want to get her on 100% raw instead. Are there any good websites or info anyone can give on the best way, what meats I need, how much bone etc. I was thinking maybe the way to go is to make up patties with meat and grated raw vege, but I don't know if thats the right way to go about it. Any help is appreciated.

Believe it or not Caz he's a former feral who was trapped by the council on someone's property before going into foster care. He's left the feral life way behind and become the sookiest Mummy's boy ever. He even sleeps under the doona snuggled into me everynight.

This is Gizmo being a meerkat.

When I said she goes crazy barking, I mean constant high pitch barking for as long as the game goes for. The excitement starts for her the second my son is outside and she doesn't stop unless I intervene. This is not exclusively when they play soccer either, its just pure excitement that he's out there and wants to play with her. Georgia and my son have a great relationship and I'd love to encourage that, I just need to find a way to discourage her from barking about it. Obviously I don't want the neighours arcing up over it. So you think its best if I don't let them play together at all? I don't really think thats a solution, she's a member of our family just as much as our son is. She's still a pup and definitely still learning whats acceptable and whats not. I've come a long way with her general barking in the yard. I've worked out she responds best to positive rewards, rather than yelling. For a while there I found myself yelling at the barking dog, which is a vicious cycle. So now when I feel she's barking unecessarily I'll tell her to leave it in a happy voice, and when she does as I've asked she gets a little treat. I think I'm going to need to try the same technique when she's playing in the yard with my son.

I'd love the answer too, my sheltie pup goes crazy barking at my son when he goes outside to play soccer with her.

Have you given it to your dogs before K9? I always keep those iceblocks on hand as you never know when the kids are going to come down with some gastro bug. Thankfully I haven't needed them for a while. ;) I spoke to my friend whose a vet nurse about lectade and she said that generally you don't need it for a dog or cat who just has an upset tummy for a day, its more for when they get really sick and dehydrated. She still offered to get me a sachet to keep on hand, just in case. Georgia was drinking water no problem when she had the runs, so she wasn't too bad.

Thanks for replying spottychick. I didn't end up giving it to her yesterday, she wasn't really bad, just a couple of runny poos. She seems ok today, but she's getting plain cooked chicken today, just to settle her tummy. I'll have to have a look for lectade, just in case I need it down the track. Where do you get it from pet supply place/vet?

Georgia's had a bit of the runs today, not fun in a fluffer.... ewww She seems well in herself, so we're just keeping an eye on her today. I'm trying to get her to drink to make sure she stays hydrated. I always have those hydralyte icypoles in the freezer for when the kids suddenly get gastro, would it be safe to melt one of those into her water bowl?

:D Congratulations Lacy and Tully, thats great news. You sound like a proud Mum tlc, as you should be!

Ok, so Saturday morning it is. Thats better anyway, since its Fathers Day on Sunday. I'm looking forward to coming and checking out all the agility dogs.

What time does it start?

Hey TLC, did Lacy and Tully do their test yet?

I can see your point Vickie, but these people have taken the advice quite literally, she has no manners at all. I felt the fact that they told me what the vet said was used as an excuse for her lack of manners. When asked to sit she did nothing. My 15yo dd went to see her outside and this dog just jumped up on her, both paws on her shoulders, there was nothing vicious about it, just pure excitement.