tdierikx

@Snook... from what I understand, Antinol's active ingredient is extracted differently to other green-lipped mussel formulas... something about this process apparently makes the difference as to it's efficacy over other formulas. T.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722199/ Another study using green-lipped mussel extract on dogs - with amounts given listed... T.

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/307121/ Section 6 of the above discusses some dosage rates and testing done on dogs with arthritis @Snook I'm thinking the active ingredient in Antinol is a closely guarded secret at this stage, therefore comparing it to other green-lipped mussel extracts may not necessarily give similar results. T.

Have you talked about Polaramine or Zyrtec with your vet? I have seen lots of dogs taking one or the other with few side effects... and they are cheaper than Claratyne and Aerius. T.

Love the smarty ones trying to go up the side to not get their feet wet... lol! T.

Did your girl have papers with her registered kennel name on them? If so, you could contact DogsQLD and ask whether that breeder is still active... If you run into all the dead ends 16 years could throw at you, then if I may be so bold as to recommend another excellent Labrador breeder in NSW... look at Tapua Labradors... I've met a few, and they are stunning in both conformation AND temperament. T.

@Loving my Oldies... that's most likely so the receipts can go to the right people for their tax purposes... nothing sinister... T.

My friend's dog is doing great on Antinol... I'd highly recommend it @Snook... T.

The beauty of a killed/modified live vaccine... doesn't require to be administered by a vet... *grin* T.

Bad breath can be indicative of digestive issues also... not just teetth/gum issues... Maybe a full blood panel might be helpful to make sure all is well with your boy? T.

Maybe if you try the C3 only in 3 years time (or 3 years from his latest vaccination)... it is very uncommon for the C3 to illicit adverse reactions... C3 covers the 3 biggest killer diseases in dogs - Parvo, Distemper, and Infectious Hepatitis - none of which you ever want your dog to contract. All 3 can kill your furry friend in most unpleasant ways. Even though we don't see Distemper or Infectious Hepatitis much any more, the very least you could try is a Parvac vaccine for Parvo only, OK? T.

The clinic I'm doing my TAFE work placement at uses the C3 vaccination and the intranasal version of the Kennel Cough components to make up the C5 vaccination - we have had virtually no adverse reactions to this combination. I have personally found less reaction happening with the C3 vaccinations of many many foster pups (and my own dogs) over the years... it's when they start combining more components into the vaccine (C4 through to C9) that problems and reactions seem to become more common. It is most likely that the reactions are to the combining agents used in the vaccines, not the actual antibody stimulants they contain, and which are the active part that causes immunity to those diseases. The issues with puppies dying back in the 80's and 90's was from one particular brand of vaccine... and as vets started realising this, they stopped ordering it in droves. That pretty much sorted that issue... Personally, my dogs only get a vaccination if I have to board them for some reason... and that is VERY rare... I have no life... no holidays for me... boohoo! T.

Iz Don... iz very distinguished! Those eyes get me every time... he loves you so much @persephone... Good boy Don! T.

Firstly @Darkstar... I'm so sorry you find yourself having to say goodbye to your loyal mate sooner than you ever thought... As for the clinic not giving you the meds to take home and administer, it is most likely that they are extremely strong medications that are of a shedule that means only vets (and nurses under direct vet instruction) can give them. Paperwork probably needs to be filled out for government inspection in order to even dispense such medications each time he requires them. If your boy is on such medications, he will not be aware of anything around him except that he is in less pain... and to be perfectly honest, I don't think you want to remember him in that state, do you? Vets do not recommend euthanaisia lightly... it is an option of last resort in order to end suffering... and it's the one true gift that we have the option of giving our loyal furry friends when they are in a position like your boy is in. You don't want him suffering or so doped up he's not aware of anything (even your love and devotion)... maybe it's just his time NOW, despite it being so hard for you to accept right now. Hugs to you... and hugs to your boy who needs you to be strong for him right now. T.

I'm an omnivore... and mindful of waste... I eat leftovers, and always ask for a doggy bag if out and the meal has been too big to eat in one sitting. Think of it as a free lunch... lol! I don't produce much waste for my bins either... it's not uncommon for me to take a month to fill my red bin enough to warrant putting it out for pickup. My job requires me to be mindful of all relevant laws, regulations, and codes of practice relating to the animals in my care... and I am tasked with maintaining best practice at all times for them. My personal pet dogs really don't fancy being taken out for walks, or on leads full stop really... so we have playtime in the yard for their exercise requirements instead. They do like going for car rides, so sometimes for a treat, they get a ride for 10 mins or so, then they race back inside and ensconce themselves on their fave pieces of furniture and dream happy dog dreams... hehe! I'm not a fan of blanket rules/regulations enforcing some namby-pamby idea that all animals of a certain type will benefit from the same regimes/treatment. Apart from the 5 freedoms, most other things should be based on individual animal needs/requirements IMHO. T.

By the time your dog shows signs of ill health, it will become emergency surgery to fix it... very expensive, and very risky for your dog. Please take them to the vet ASAP! T.

Desexing them before rehoming will stop that possibility... There are vets who will do desexing for a discounted price for people on pensions - the National Desexing Network - you can look up your closest one here... https://ndn.org.au/ Get Mum and pups desexed, then rehome the pups... easy! T.

As long as the buyers are aware of the back story of the pups they are buying so cheaply, what's the problem with selling them for under $500? Your friend will at least recoup the cost of microchipping and vaccinations (and hopefully worming treatments also). You only have proof that the mother is purebred/pedigreed (if only on limited papers), so pups can't be guaranteed same, as you have no idea who/what the sire was... T.

I'll concede that euthanaisia of a sick or injured animal is more humane than the slaughter practices of animals for human consumption. However, we can't inject food animals with toxic substances if we are going to consume the meat... Humans are intrinsically designed to require certain nutrients for our own health and survival... and a good portion of those nutrients come from animal products, be it meat or otherwise (eggs, for example). A strict vegan diet cannot possibly provide the levels of nutrients that we need long term to survive and thrive. As has been suggested, we need to find that in-between solution to the issue of how we provide ourselves with food (from animal sources)... and be mindful of waste when consuming same. As for being forced to walk your dogs at least every second day, I have a dog that stresses terribly when out and about... she gets plenty of exercise being played with in my yard, and would much prefer to lounge on the couch or sleep in her crate than go for a walk. I'd be very ticked off if I was forced to stress her out every second day "for her own good"... *sigh* If we are going to recognise sentience in our pets, then we need to go that extra step and recognise that each is also an individual, and thus blanket rules for their care simply can't work. And policing such rules is going to be a nightmare for those tasked with it... they can't cope with the current rule enforcement as it is... T.

I agree... factory farming isn't the answer... T.

You will also want to keep young children away from the pup if it has high value food/treats... just in case, OK? I'm getting from your wording that you are already distancing yourself from the pup emotionally due to this incident... please contact the rescue you got her from and see if they can take her back. Training a dog out of the behaviour you describe will be difficult without the proper support for both of you... T.

Unfortunately the majority of the world's population eat meat or animal products of some kind. There are humane ways to prepare same for consumption, and this should be the norm IMHO. There have been studies showing that plants react to unpleasant stimuli also... where do we draw the line? T.

Ummm... the 3 calves and numerous lambs/sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, chickens, ducks, horses, donkeys, and alpaca I work with certainly all have their own distinct personalities... that would classify as sentient, wouldn't it? Just because we humans may farm animals in large numbers for our own ends, doesn't mean each animal is not actually an individual or have feelings... and god forbid... have personalities. Personally, I feel that happy, healthy animals are going to be the most productive, so it follows that increased levels of welfare are beneficial to both the animals involved... and the bottom line... yes? ... as long as the vegans aren't having too much say in any laws that may be being put forward.. *sigh* T.

Not to mention that the correct term for them is "check chain" (not "choke chain") - they are not meant to be used to choke or drag around any animal - just to apply a check, then release... T.

There have actually been cases reported in Sydney relatively recently... mostly in the areas where there are low vaccination rates... T.