CoffeeChoc

I have heard of people in my area catching anything from twenty to sixty mice a night. Lots of people seems to have converted drums into mouse traps with ramps leading up and water sprinkled with chaff inside.

Slightly OT but I love the newspaper comment on that page! So very apt.

My housemate's dog is an ex-working dog. She stalks the vast majority of dogs she meets, then does zoomies if the dog goes near her. It looks horible, some people do get very woried, but its just her way of playing. I found it very strange when i first met her as I had never come across a dog that did this before.

Well after a few walks she seems to be getting used to it. I did have to attach it to her collar though as if I do it up so that she can't get out of it, she also can't breath. (She is a great wiggler) This seems to have fixed that. She only tried to get it off in a serious manner once today, so a great improvement. I keep on getting the oddest looks now, but what I also find great is that people are finaly asking me whether its ok to approach and generally putting their dogs on leash when we come past. Thanks for all the support everyone.

Its a basket metal one, supposed to be for working dogs. I figured she was more likely to be able to breathe normally in one of these. Thanks for the support everyone. I just needed to offload a bit. Its all a bit of a new experience for me.

My dog has some dog agression issues with smaller dogs which I thought I was handling until recently. I have booked her in for a session with a behaviourist however its not for a litle while yet. I decided to buy a muzzle for her with great reluctance but for the safety of the other dogs and to prevent her possibly ever being labeled dangerous I decided that it was the safest option until I get professional advice. I put it on her for the first time and she hates it. I feel like such a bad owner for having to do this. Will she get used to the muzzle? Please don't flame me as I alread feel terrible that things have reached this point, Right now I'm just trying to do the responsible and right thing for both her and any other dogs around. Has anyone else had to do this?

Looks like she is saying "The service here is terrible, I ordered a fresh bird half an hour ago!" :D

One of the butchers in Wagga is great for things like this. I went in to buy a range of things (liver, heart, brain, spleen, kidney) to help study for anatomy exams (and then feed to the botomless pit that is Molly and my two housemates dogs) It was a last minute deal as I had only thought of this on the morning of the exam. They had everything on hand without needing to pre order, I had been rather expecting to only find the heart and liver!

When I adopted my girl from the pound she went to get desexed and when they opened her up she was already pregnant believed to be in the first trimester so they continued with the desexing and aborted at the same time. Made the surgery more intense and bit longer recovery but other than that all went well. It makes it easier to have 1 surgery and all fixed.

The problem with KC is the risk of secondary infection, which is why the antibiotics are generally given. Lethargy is usually only seen in the more severe cases or cases with secondary complications. I would take at least the lethargic one to the vet. This is an exerpt from the Merk Veterinary Manual "Etiology: Infectious tracheobronchitis (Kennel cough) results from inflammation of the upper airways. It is a mild, self-limiting disease but may progress to fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies or to chronic bronchitis in debilitated adult or aged dogs. The illness spreads rapidly among susceptible dogs housed in close confinement (eg, veterinary hospitals or kennels). Canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), or canine distemper virus can be the primary or sole pathogen involved. Canine reoviruses (types 1, 2, and 3), canine herpesvirus, and canine adenovirus 1 (CAV-1) are of questionable significance in this syndrome. Bordetella bronchiseptica may act as a primary pathogen, especially in dogs <6 mo old; however, it and other bacteria (usually gram-negative organisms such as Pseudomonas sp , Escherichia coli , and Klebsiella pneumoniae ) may cause secondary infections after viral injury to the respiratory tract. Concurrent infections with several of these agents are common. The role of Mycoplasma sp has not been clearly established. Stress and extremes of ventilation, temperature, and humidity apparently increase susceptibility to, and severity of, the disease. Clinical Findings: The prominent clinical sign is paroxysms of harsh, dry coughing, which may be followed by retching and gagging. The cough is easily induced by gentle palpation of the larynx or trachea. Affected dogs demonstrate few if any additional clinical signs except for partial anorexia. Body temperature and WBC counts usually remain normal. Development of more severe signs, including fever, purulent nasal discharge, depression, anorexia, and a productive cough, especially in puppies, indicates a complicating systemic infection such as distemper or bronchopneumonia. Stress, particularly due to adverse environmental conditions and improper nutrition, may contribute to a relapse during convalescence. "

I'm in NSW. It unfortunately did get quite complicated for a while. When pound signed her over (wormed) she was transported by them directly to the vet. The vet was supposed to do heartworm tests, generall health check up and discoved an infection for which she was put on antibiotics. I also bough flea treatment at this time. Due to the infection the vet did not want to desext at that time and instead asked me to come back in about 10 days time when said infection had cleared up. Back we went 10 days latter, desexing was done (just as well as she was apparently in the first trimester of pregnancy! I love her but rehoming mongrel pups to responsible homes in this area would not be easy). I asked about the vaccination at the reception at this time and was told by receptionist that the pound would have done this earlier. We then left. Back again another week later due to site of desexing remaining red and having oozed blood that morning. More antibiotics. Back again latter to get the stitches out. When I went through all my forms and realised I did not have a vaccination certificate I called the pound thinking they had simply forgoten to issue it. They then called the vet who said that it had not been done by them at the time due to all the complications (ok I have no issue with that) but must have forgotten to call me back when all was well to get vaccinated (though I would have thought this could have been done when the stitches were taken out?) Sorry for the very long summary. I have been trying to research any form of chronic kennel cough but so far haven't found anything but her symptoms match exactly, right down to the cough being induced when the trachea is rubbed. Part of the package deal with the pound was heartworm testing however maybe I should call the old vet and double check that this was done after all. She has been on a monthly wormer since I got her which includes heartworm.

For the background information - a dog was adopted from a pound in february. She was desexed, wormed and treated for an issue and complications with the desexing at the time. At this time the vet in question seemed to be doing everything ok (though the desexing complications was due to stitches being too tight but was not charged for follow up due to this). She was also supposed to have been vaccinated. Realised this was not done about a month ago when looking for a vaccination certificate and calling those involved. She was promptly vaccinated (C5). Dog has had a low grade cough since adoption (thought it was from the dust in the yard) and recently become much worse. Taken to a different Vet (which I know to be very good). She has been diagnosed with a rare form of chronic kennel cough. She is on antibiotics etc but I have been wondering if I should contact the old vet about this. If I had gone back to the old vet I would have complained but due to not wanting to have much more to do with them I have taken the line of they stuffed up (yet again) and leave it at that. Have I done the right thing?? I'm kicking myself for not investigating the cough earlier but it did not seem to be of any significance and the dust in the yard when they play irritates my throat too! I will never ever look at a cough the same way. Also, any ideas of how to exercise her without exposing any other dogs? She is too energetic to go without walks unfortunately, training just doesn't tire her out quite enough

I know it is definately needed. That is why I'm working on it. I just thought it might be a good idea to at least get her in the atmosphere. If its only offlead even from the begining then we will just have to wait until we are more reliable, maybe do some obedience classes first? Apparently they have an obedience section. Will have a chat with her and see what she thinks is best. I'm not too fussed, I just think she is getting bored with my limited repetoir. She is a very energetic dog so I thought agility would be more apropriate than obedience. How long do agility classes usually last? Thanks for all the great help

Thanks for the prompt replies. The only collar she has at the moment is a flat collar. I have a rope lead that is about one and a half meters and a normal sized leather leash, which would be better? I had thought to use the rope lead. In terms of basic obedience she knows how to sit, drop and stay (thought the stay can at times be less reliable as she only recently learnt it). Her recall is not reliable, especially in new and exciting environments. I have been working on it but am finding it challenging as she can be a bit headstrong. Would it be ok to keep her on the lead for the first couple of times?

I'm about to start agility at a local club, the first meeting is this Sunday. However being completely new to the whole dog sporting world was wondering what to expect? Is there anything I need to bring (except for dog on lead), such as treats,toy? Anything I definately shouldn't bring (again treats?). Should she be wearing her harness? What is the common dog etiquete at these sort of things when meeting someone else who has a dog? Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to inadvertantly do the wrong thing.

I would NEVER permit the injectable heartworm preventative. Sorry but another newbie question, what is wrong with the yearly injections?

Thank you Mercedes. I do live in Wagga so I will see for myself shortly I guess.

Does anyone here attend? If so would you recomend this club? What sort of training techniques do they use? Just wanting a heads up before I give them a call tomorrow.

Thank you so much.

I am a complete novice in the dog world and have taught my dog basic comands however I think both of us would love agility. Are there any club/training groups that would cater for a novice in Wagga? Thanks for your help in advance.

Red heeler cross Jack Russel/Fox terrier? Unsure of the cross, definately something small thought. She is about 12 kg. She is currently just on a flat collar and listens fairly well with it, doesn't pull unless she forgets herself but then if I do a quick check she usually behaves again.

What sort of correction would be considered appropriate? I am reluctant to smack other than very lightly as i believe she was abused at one point in time (possible reason for fear of certain toys). I corrected her once this way (different missdemeanour) and she was very scared of me for about half an hour afterwards. Correction with lead?

Just read another thread and triggered this querie. I'm curious as my dog sometimes decides she doesn't want to sit when she definately knows the command. Previously I haven't been correcting this as such as I assumed this would create negative associations with my commands. This usually occures when on a walk not through lack of focus as often when I tell her to sit she does look at me but then often starts looking at anything else that has caught her interest. I have tried bringing treats with me but she generally isn't too interested in them when walking. What I have been doing up to date is refusing to move (she is very energetic) until she looks at me again, at which point I tell her to sit and she usually complies. Just curious as to what others would do in such a situation?? Oh, and the use of a higher reward tug/toy is a moot point as she currently has no interest and/or is scared of toys and tug.

If you are having problems with flies as well cetrigen (the purple spray) helps keep them away and helped with the itching on my dog. May not look great but seems to work fantastic as she had one about the size of my palm on her back and when combined with antibiotics it is almost all gone 5 days later. Just waiting now for the last of her scabs to fall off. She did get shaved and this seems to help keep it dry too.

I would have the test done, maybe just say that you would preffer to be 100% sure before moving on to something else?