Alyosha

Will do. We'll keep these pics as day two of his foster care, and see how he progresses! He has some weight to lose and exercise will no doubt help. And yes I think he has been on slick surfaces. I just hate seeing him either in pain or discomfort. But don't want to give painkillers so he feels better and does too much. I too worry that it might not reverse given his age. Fingers all crossed! He's missed out on enough fun and running - hopefully he can get some joy in his life!

I'm after any advice or experience in dealing with bowed pasterns/front legs in adult dogs. Subject is a 4 year old rescue/rehome Borzoi. Has come from a background of little to no exercise and unusual ideas on diet, plus is overweight - so I don't really doubt that those factors are major contributors/ causes. Despite the cause, I am now after ways to improve them. He is not really sound/comfortable on them, and until his vet appointment next week I'm wondering if anyone has experience with strapping or supporting these sort of legs? I would strap/support any weakness in a horse's legs as they have to weight bear. But other dog people are saying don't strap these legs? He has some compulsive behaviours too, mostly foot licking/chewing so I'm not 100% sure I can even keep strapping on - although I haven't seen him foot chewing since he came home so maybe.... Pics attached (please excuse milk crate in the way - it's to try and block a puppy's favourite digging spot!)

Update on this one. Rocco has a perfect and permanent home and is settling in wonderfully. :D

Would need an Australian company to pick the ball up and conduct scientific trials and seek registration for the drug/s here under our conditions etc.

Brandiandwe I'm so very pleased to read this thread! I can't imagine a better spot for this dear soul. Much love to you and you DH, I hope it works out for all of you, hounds and humans alike. I am doing a collar order next week... From here: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Regal-Hound-Designs?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 I would love, love, to return a collar gift to you and Benny... You know what I mean... :D Let me know which one you think would suit him. I'll look for a.n excuse to come up and hand deliver it.

I think an workplace that allows for compasionate leave, should allow for pet death to be an eligible use for that. Really, carers and family leave is often allowed, why is it not recognised that pets fill that part of some people's lives?

It is sad. But Yagoona is about 1 1/2 hrs drive. I find it hard to believe people saying that isn't close... But that's just logistics. Maybe I'm tainted from living in the country...

Belgian Shepherd - Tervueren or Groenendael?

I'll bear that in mind. He has someone tentatively interested so will wait and see how that pans out first. And yes I live in NSW but near the ACT... :D

Thanks!! I can but don't know if my privacy settings will be an issue. I don't have his full ad on there anyway, just some pics. He is here though - easier to share: :D http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/rescue/pharaoh-hound.asp

If you have a local horse feed / produce shop they will usually sell seaweed meal by the kg.

Vitagran Seaweed meal you can get from a produce shop. If you google Pat Coleby you might find some feeding rates. She is an Australian farmer who has had great results over long years from improving mineral intake in her animals, both farm ones and dogs & cats. If you can't find anything let me know and I'll dig out a book for you.

There were studies done years ago that showed that black animals need approximately 6 times the trace levels of dietary copper than white haired ones. When I had goats I used to supplement all with seaweed meal, but the black ones had additional minerals. With the correct levels they never faded... Rather than Livamol you could try a quality kelp supplement. Don't use if there are any thyroid issues though as it contains iodine as well. Great for promoting health, but not good for dysfunctional thyroids.

Sorry guys, have had a frantic couple of days! Will be in touch tomorrow. :)

"Rocco" is a nearly four year old male, desexed Pharaoh Hound. He has always been a house pet and is fully housetrained, happy, gentle and safe with cats. He gets on well with other dogs but true to his sighthound heritage he prefers running games to wrestling ones. He loves children but is a gentle boy who doesn't enjoy rough play so will be best suited to living with kids around 10 years old and up. Rocco is quick minded and agile and needs routine and activity to keep his busy mind and body active. He is currently in foster care and happily indoors both overnight and during the workday, provided he gets attention, activity and exercise morning and night. He has lovely house manners, but is a busy boy so best settled when he has his own crate indoors for rest times. He will become bored if left alone in a cold backyard and may bark to entertain himself. So he is not suited to that lifestyle. He will be seeking a home where he can be genuinely part of a family, whether that family is one person or many. He thrives off being a part of everything and learning new things. He is well and truly an indoor dog and will not be adopted to an outside-dog home. Rocco is new into foster care after his previous family had changes in their circumstances that meant they didn't have the time for him that he so craves. He has been one of the most joyful and easily integrated foster dogs we have ever had the pleasure to welcome into our home. He will no doubt bring much love and joy to his new permanent owners when he finds them. He will be available for adoption after his vet clearance, in late May. Enquiries are welcome. Edit to add photo. :D

Loreley that sounds perfect - pink might just suit him!! Will pm. :D

Just a quick shout out to anyone in the Canberra / Queanbeyan area that might have a coat or two spare that I might lend, borrow or buy. I have a foster coming this weekend who might find our climate a bit startling when he needs to go outside... If anyone has a large whippet/small greyhound sized coat that could fit a Pharaoh please let me know. I will make some polar fleece coats once he gets here and I can measure, but a heavier one for frosty evening and morning runs would be wonderful.

If they are not registered in Australia it is illegal to import them. You might not get noticed I suppose... But it is still against the law, for a multitude of reasons. And you might...

An important thing to remember is that "natural" does not automatically equate with "safe". There are plenty of dangerous and even lethal compounds around that occur completely naturally... It might sound like a no-brainer, but many people still get lulled into a sense of safety by words like natural, or "green" etc.

I've had one open one, in a two year old entire bitch. It wasn't known in her family at all so a bit of a mystery. The only thing that I personally think contributed was a heavy phantom after her first season, and then the Pyo a few months after that. I always thought she may have had some tissue or fluid from the phantom that was retained and became septic. She was treated successfully, never had another issue (or another phantom), and whelped a large and healthy litter two years later.

Sorry Keetamouse - haven't been on here for ages. Have pm'ed you back.

Mine at the same age certainly are, as mine always are around this age. I've learned the very hard way that this age is critical for it. I'm still a bit stunned that the diet wasn't even discussed between owner and vet. I'd be getting a new one, but I'm a bit fussy with vets.

The dog is lethargic... And lacking energy and appetite. Eating up to 1 1/2cups of dry a day and some tinned food. No bone material, no meat. And vet didn't raise any concerns about it's diet. Bloods show slightly reduced thyroid, not enough to medicate. If i saw that in a human child poor nutrition would be my first question. My experience with this breed is that commercial dry dog foods simply are not enough at this peak age, not even close. Long term health problems are more commonly seen from poor nutrition at this age. Add to that the fact that the dogs is eating less than half the volume it should be anyway. And however expensive Hills might be I don't consider it a suitable whole food for a young large to giant breed pup. But this vet apparently has looked after a couple of this breed, and also some borz-oodles (no comment). So my comment is, if the vet is so clever, why ask me for advice and assistance and then ignore it anyway? Just annoying. Oh and Rebanne, not the same pup owner. I'm having a good run this time around aren't I?

I sometimes despair of breeding dogs. If a vet is giving a puppy owner advice that supplementing extra calcium in a large breed dog is not warranted and possibly offering medication as an alternative, what would others do? A giant to large breed pup on a diet of some commercial dry and some tinned food and the vet won't agree that mineral intake in lacking?? Saying that giving calcium might cause HD later in life?? Am I being unreasonable to feel like banging my head against a wall??

Yep he is papered, he is from France. And I don't think that is the right Tams link. Definitely a male and a surrender so should be available straight away.